
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure27
 
Locks and security systems:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts54
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks56
Airbags56
Child restraints59
Installing a child restraint 
system60
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher68
Wiper/Washer system/Rain 
sensor68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Onboard computer76
 
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)79
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)80
 
Contents 

30n
Controls Locks and security systems:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
Adjustments:
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory53
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts54
Child restraint systems55
Child-safety locks56
Airbags56
Child restraints59
Installing a child restraint 
system60 

45n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electric power windows Sliding/Tilt sunroof
* 
Safety switch You can use the safety switch to deacti-
vate the rear power window switches 
(when children are in the rear seats, for 
instance).
Press the safety switch whenever 
children are riding in the rear of 
the vehicle. Careless use of the power 
windows can lead to injury.<460de014
Exercise care when closing the 
sliding/tilt sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is completely 
closed. Failure to do so can result in 
injuries.
Remove the key from the ignition and 
close the doors when you leave the ve-
hicle so that children cannot operate 
the sunroof and possibly injure them-
selves.<
To avoid pressure or drafts in the pas-
senger compartment when the sunroof 
is open or raised, keep the air vents in 
the dashboard open and increase the air 
supply if necessary. Refer to page 89.
If the sunroof is completely open, air 
disturbances may be caused in the 
vehicle when you are driving at higher 
speeds. Close the roof as far as is nec-
essary until this natural phenomenon 
ceases.
For the convenience operating mode 
with the door lock or the remote con-
trol, refer to page 34 or 35.
Lifting Ð Opening Ð ClosingIn ignition key position 1 or 2, press the 
switch or slide it to the desired direction 
until you feel resistance. 
When lifting, the headliner retracts 
several inches.
After the ignition has been switched off, 
you can still operate the sunroof for up 
to 15 minutes, as long as neither of the 
front doors has been opened.Automatic opening and closing>Press the switch past the resistance 
point briefly: The sunroof travels to 
either the fully-closed or fully-open 
position.460de015 

57n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
AirbagsIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp displays the 
operational status of the airbag 
system when the ignition key is 
in position 1 and higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on.
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
before going out, and then lights up 
again.
If there is a system malfunction, there is 
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-
gered within their normal response 
range, even if the level of impact would 
normally have triggered them. 
Have your BMW center inspect and 
repair the system immediately. 
The airbag indicator lamp also 
comes on if the safety belt ten-
sioners have been triggered.<
For your own safety, please com-
ply with the following precautions 
concerning airbags. If you do not, their 
protective function may be impaired 
and your personal safety endangered. 
The following information pertains to all 
occupants: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide extra pro-
tection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all 
times. The airbags will not be triggered 
in the event of a minor accident, a vehi-
cle roll-over, or collisions from the rear. 
In these instances, the safety belt offers 
the best protection.
Airbags are located under the cover 
panels in the steering wheel, in the in-
strument panel, in the side trim panels 
in the front and rear
*, in the roof panels, 
and in the sides of the inside roof lining.
Select a seat position that is comfort-
able and allows the greatest possible 
distance from each of the applicable air-
bags. Hold the steering wheel at the rim 
(hands at the "9 o'clock and 3 o'clock" 
positions) in order to avoid injuries to 
your hands or arms if the airbag is trig-
gered. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant.
Do not use the cover panel above the 
front passenger airbag as a storage 
area. 
Never tape the airbag cover panels, 
cover them over or alter them in any 
other way.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint 
device on the front passenger seat. Chil-
dren under 13 years of age and children 
who are smaller than 5 feet (150 cm), 
should only travel in the rear seat. 
If your vehicle is equipped with side air-
bags in the rear, be sure that child seats 
are installed correctly and with the 
greatest possible distance from the side 
trim panels. Do not allow children to 
lean out of the child's seat in the direc-
tion of the side trim panels. Otherwise, 
serious injuries could occur if the airbag 
is triggered.
At all times, occupants should sit up-
right and be properly restrained (infants 
and small children in appropriate child 
restraint systems; larger children and 
adults using the safety belts). Never let 
an occupant's head rest near or on a 
side airbag because the inflating airbag 
could cause a serious or fatal injury. 
Please note that the word "Airbag" im-
printed on the door trim panel indicates 
the airbag's location. 

59n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Child restraints
* 
This is the right way for a larger child to 
sit wearing the safety belt when rear 
side airbags (arrow) are provided.462us013
Commercially available child seats 
complying with the legal standard are 
designed to be secured with a lap belt 
or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or 
inadequately installed restraint sys-
tems can increase the risk of injury to 
children. Always read and follow the in-
structions that come with the system.380us123
If you use a child restraint system with a 
tether strap, three additional tether an-
chorage points (refer to the arrows in 
the illustration) have been provided. 
Depending on the location selected for 
seating in the rear passenger area, at-
tach the tether strap to the correspond-
ing anchorage point to secure the child 
restraint system. Remove the cover first 
on the middle location.
If the respective seating position is fit-
ted with a headrest lift the headrest and 
pass the tether strap between the 
headrest and the seat back.
Adjust the tether strap according to the 
child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
Before installing any child restraint 
device or child seat, please read 
the following:
Never install a rearward-facing child re-
straint system in the front passenger 
seat of this car.
Your car is equipped with an airbag 
supplemental restraint system for the 
front passenger. Because the backrest 
on any rear-facing child restraint system 
(of the kind designed for infants under 
1 year and 20 lbs.) would be within the 
airbag's deployment range, you should 
never mount such a device in the front 
passenger seat, since the impact of the  

93n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storage compartments Open the storage compartment in the 
front center armrest
*: Press the button 
(arrow) and lift upward. 
You will find additional storage areas in 
the front doors and in the center con-
sole above the ashtray*. Storage nets
* 
are located on the back of the front 
seats.
460de043
Coin holder, cup holderA coin holder and two cup holders are 
provided in the center console.460us251
Rear center armrest
*
Without through-loading system:
You will find a storage compartment 
and a beverage holder (for two drink 
containers) in the rear center armrest.
1 Storage compartment: Pull upward.
2 Beverage holder: Press to open.460de297 

98n
Ski bag
* 
The ski bag allows the safe and clean 
transport of four pairs of skis or two 
snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage 
compartment make it possible to carry 
skis with a length of up to 6.8 feet 
(2.1 meters). The ski bag can only 
accommodate two pairs of skis with a 
length of 6.8 feet (2.1 meters) because 
of the tapered shape of the bag.
Loading1 Pull the center armrest down. Loosen 
the trim from the upper Velcro¨ fas-
tener and place it on the armrest.
2 Press button 1 downward and swing 
the cover forward.
3 Extend the ski bag between the front 
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may 
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry.
4 Press knob 2: The cover in the lug-
gage compartment is unlocked.
To store the ski bag, perform the above 
steps in reverse sequence.394de119
Securing the load
Secure the skis or other objects in 
the bag by tightening the strap 
with the buckle.<
Please be sure that your skis are clean 
before loading them into the bag. Avoid 
damage from sharp edges during load-
ing. 
380de070 

135n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Caring for your carPlastic components, vinyl upholstery, 
headliners, lamp lenses, the clear cover 
of the instrument panel and compo-
nents with a sprayed dull black surface 
can be cleaned with water (add plastic 
shampoo as required). Do not allow 
moisture to soak through the seats or 
headliner. Never use solvents such as 
lacquer thinner, heavy-duty grease re-
mover, fuels, or similar substances. 
Rubber components should be cleaned 
with water only; a rubber treatment or 
silicone spray may also be applied.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy 
water. The wiper blades should be re-
placed twice a year Ð before and after 
the cold season. This is especially im-
portant for vehicles with a rain sensor
*.
Use only wiper blades approved 
by BMW.<
Do not remove safety belts to clean 
them. Clean them with mild soapy 
water only. Do not use chemicals or dry 
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this 
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia 
reel to retract the belts until they are 
completely dry. Dirty safety belts pre-
vent the inertia reel mechanism from 
retracting the strap properly, and thus 
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
* 
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner. 
The floor mats can be removed from 
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim 
panels made of real wood
* and other 
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow 
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use cleaning and car-care 
products that you can obtain at 
your BMW center.<
Care of upholstery materials Depressions in the upholstery that re-
sult from everyday use can be brushed 
smooth by brushing against the nap 
with a lightly dampened brush.
The tendency of the pile to lie in a par-
ticular direction on velour upholstery is 
not a quality defect. Just as with home 
textiles or clothing, this cannot be 
avoided.
Lint on upholstery materials, rubbed-in 
fabric or suede residues can be re-
moved with a lint brush or Velcro¨ 
brush. A cleaning glove is available for 
especially "stubborn" lint. Stains and 
fairly large areas of dirt should be 
cleaned off without delay, using luke-
warm water and an interior cleaner, 
stain remover or appropriate cleaning 
fluid. Brush the fabric afterwards to re-
store its appearance.
If the vehicle will be stored for an ex-
tended period or if it is exposed to in-
tense sunlight, cover all the seats or the 
windows to prevent fading.
Use cleaning and car-care 
products that you can obtain at 
your BMW center.<