
 
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 specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing – from 
outside34
Opening and closing – from 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible 
top49
Wind deflector51
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats53
Seat and mirror memory57
Steering wheel58
Mirrors58
Car Memory, Key Memory60
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts61
ISOFIX Attachment of the 
child seat62
Airbags63
Child restraints66
Installing a child restraint 
system67
Rollover protection system68
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switch off the engine71
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic74
Turn signal indicator/
Headlamp flasher77
Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer82
Tachometer82
Energy Control82
Fuel gauge83
Coolant temperature gauge83
Service Interval Display83
Check Control84
Clock84
Onboard computer85
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)88
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)89
 
Contents 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve83
2 Turn signal indicator lamp23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for 
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beams23
 
>
 
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil 
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy Control82
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator83
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)20
 
>
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Rollover protection system68
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Please fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control23
8 Reset button for 
 
>
 
Clock849 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
76
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
22, 76
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC)22
11 Display for
 
>
 
Odometer82
 
>
 
Trip odometer82
 
>
 
Clock84
 
>
 
Service Interval83
Display for onboard computer
 
* 
, 
operation via the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 85:
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Cruising range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Display for Check Control84
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8214 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for 
 
>
 
Fog lamps23
 
>
 
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 will light up while the vehicle is mov-
ing. 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 V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do 
not continue driving. The engine 
could be damaged due to overheating. 
If the V-belt is defective, increased 
steering effort is also required.<
Engine oil pressure
 l 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. Check 
the engine oil level and refill 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 will go 
off: a tire failure has occurred. 
Reduce vehicle speed immediately to 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake ap-
plications. Do not oversteer. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 89.
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 117 and 136.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: stop immediately
Engine oil level
 
Comes on while driving: 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. The oil level 
is at the absolute minimum.
For additional information, refer to 
page 133.
Do not continue driving until you 
have refilled the engine oil. If you 
continue to drive, the engine could be 
damaged because of inadequate 
lubrication.< 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) l
If the brake warning lamp 
comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and 
DSC: 
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
 
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid hard brake applications. Please 
have the system checked by your BMW 
center as soon as possible. 
For additional information, refer to 
pages 88, 115.
CBC, ABS and DSC indicator 
and warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 72. 
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l 
An acoustic warning signal 
sounds at the same time. Lights 
up for a few seconds or until the safety 
belt is fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts, refer to page 61.
Airbags l 
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized 
BMW center. 
For additional information, refer to 
pages 63, 173. 

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: consult the nearest 
BMW center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the 
automatic transmission shifts 
only in the emergency program. Please 
consult the nearest BMW center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 76.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 115.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: check the 
engine oil level. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 133.
Brake pads l 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information, refer 
to page 117.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure. 
For additional information, refer 
to pages 27 and 89. 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) l 
DSC has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction or by 
means of the button. In the event of a 
malfunction, have the system checked 
by your BMW center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
Add washer fluid 
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 132.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. Al-
though the vehicle remains operational, 
you should have the systems checked 
by your BMW center at the earliest pos-
sible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to 
page 149.
"Service Engine Soon" warning 
lamp for Canadian models. 

27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure Use unleaded gasoline only.
Recommended fuel: premium with a 
minimum octane rating of 91 AKI.
BMW engines are equipped with knock 
sensors and will adapt automatically 
to different octane ratings, provided 
that the minimum octane requirement 
(87 AKI) is met.
Fuels with higher octane ratings will 
provide enhanced performance and 
lower fuel consumption, while the use
of fuels with low octane ratings will have 
the opposite effect.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use 
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen 
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
AKI = Anti Knock Index 
You will find the inflation pressures on 
the inside door pillar (visible with door 
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated 
in psi (kilopascal) with cold tires (cold = 
ambient temperature). Refer to the next 
page as well.
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
*:
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to 
page 89.
462de197
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly – at least every two weeks 
and before beginning a longer trip. 
Otherwise, incorrect tire pressure can 
lead to driving instability or to tire dam-
age and accidents.
Check the tire pressure in the space-
saver tire as well.< 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock70
Starting the engine70
Switching off the engine71
Parking brake72
Manual transmission73
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic74
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher77
Washer/Wiper system/ 
Rain sensor77
Rear window defroster79
Cruise control80
Everything under control:
Odometer82
Tachometer82
Energy Control82
Fuel gauge83
Coolant temperature gauge83
Service Interval Display83
Check Control84
Clock84
Onboard computer85
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)88
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)89Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams91
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Parking lamps92
Fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps93
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control94
Seat heating99
Cabin conveniences:
Glove compartment99
BMW Universal 
Transmitter *100
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone103
Ashtray front103
Cigarette lighter104
Ashtray rear104
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag105
Cargo loading106
Luggage rack for the 
hardtop108 

82n
1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the button in the 
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the button (arrow) with the 
ignition key in position 1 and up.462us005
Avoid engine speeds that fall within the 
gauge's red warning zone.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
automatically interrupted in this zone; 
you will notice a loss of power.462us017
Indicates current fuel consumption in 
mpg (in liters per 100 km on Canadian 
models). You can check your current 
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust 
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the 
needle goes to "Maximum" (zero on 
Canadian models).462us018
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control