
 
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 

 
17n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit
 
1 Headlamp switch82
2
 
>
 
Turn signal indicator68
 
>
 
Parking lamps83
 
>
 
High beams83
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher68
 
>
 
Onboard computer
 
* 
76
3 Wiper/Washer system68
4 Shift lever/Selector lever
 
* 
64 
For vehicles equipped with manual 
transmission:
Press the lever to the left to 
overcome the slight resistance to 
engage reverse gear
5 Central locking system34
6 Hazard warning flashers25
7 Rear window defroster70
8 Horn: The entire surface functions 
as the horn
9 Adjusting steering wheel51
10 Front fog lamps
 
* 
83 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve74
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for 
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beams23
 
>
 
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil 
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control73
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator74
7 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)20
 
>
 
ABS22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Please fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control
 
* 
23
8 Clock reset
 
>
 
Clock75
 
>
 
Service Interval749 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
65, 67
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
22, 65
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC)22
11 Indicator for
 
>
 
Odometer73
 
>
 
Trip odometer73
 
>
 
Clock75
 
>
 
Service Interval74
Display for onboard computer
 
* 
, 
operation via the turn signal lever: 
Refer to page 76. 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control75
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7314 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for 
 
>
 
Front fog lamps
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Engine Power Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Engine22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in 
different units of measurement.
 
< 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Many of the systems of your BMW 
monitor themselves automatically, both 
during engine starts and while you are 
driving. Indicator and warning lamps 
that are identified by "
 
l
 
" are tested for 
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: Stop immediately
 
Battery charge 
 
l
 
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. There is a malfunction 
of the alternator ribbed V-belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do 
not continue driving. If you do so, 
the engine could be damaged due to 
overheating. If the ribbed V-belt is de-
fective, increased steering effort is also 
required.<
Engine oil pressure l 
Stop the vehicle and switch off 
the engine immediately. Check 
the engine oil and top up as required. If 
the oil level is correct, please contact 
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. If you do 
so, the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication.< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: A tire failure has oc-
curred. Reduce vehicle speed immedi-
ately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 80.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
Check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on 
pages 109 and 129.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

23n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Electronic Engine Power Control 
(EML)
* l 
Malfunction in engine timing. 
Higher brake application pressure may 
be necessary and brake pedal travel 
may be significantly longer. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top 
up the coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 128.
Green: For your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal in-
dicator is actuated. Includes the 
trailer turn signals if you are towing a 
trailer. Rapid flashing indicates a sys-
tem malfunction. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 68.
Cruise control
*
Comes on when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 71.
Front fog lamps
*
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 83.
Blue: For your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated. 
For additional information: Refer to 
pages 68 and 83. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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)80Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps82
Dash lighting82
High beams/Parking lamps83
Fog lamps83
Interior lamps83
Reading lamps84
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control86
Seat heating91
Roller sun blind91
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system92
Glove compartment92
Storage compartments93
Cellular phones95
Ashtray, front95
Cigarette lighter96
Ashtray, rear96
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system97
Ski bag98
Cargo loading99
Roof-mounted luggage rack100 

61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0  Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or re-
moved in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until 
the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal is sounded after the driver's door 
has been opened.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the 
"Park" position until the engine is run-
ning (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position 
0 or to remove it, move the selector 
lever into position "Park" first (Inter-
lock).<460de022
1  Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to 
the right or left often makes it easier to 
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready 
for operation.2  Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3  Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: Depress the clutch when 
starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents 
the engine from starting if the clutch is 
not depressed.c
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Be sure that the shift lever is in "Neu-
tral" (or "Park" if the vehicle is equipped 
with an automatic transmission).
>Manual transmission: Depress the 
clutch pedal.
>Automatic transmission: Depress the 
footbrake.
Do not run the engine in enclosed 
areas. The exhaust gases contain 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing 
the exhaust gases poses an extreme 
health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the car unattended with 
the engine running. An unattended vehi-
cle with a running engine represents a 
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time, but not turn it for more 
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the 
ignition key immediately when the 
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle remains 
stationary. Instead, begin driving immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock  Starting the engine  

68n
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher  Wiper/Washer system 1 High beams (blue indicator)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
lamp accompanied by periodic click-
ing sound from the relay).
If the indicator lamp and the clicking 
from the relay are both faster than nor-
mal, one of the turn indicators has 
failed. 460de085
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent wipe or rain sensor
*
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Automatic windshield washer
6 Rotary dial for control of the wipe 
interval or the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor.460de023