Page 32 of 189
30n
Locks and security systems:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Door locks – from outside34
Using the key34
Using the remote control35
Door locks – 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 Memory54
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts55
Child restraint systems56
Airbags57
Driving:
Steering/ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake64 
     
        
        Page 64 of 189

62n
0  Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted and 
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until 
you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal chimes after the driver's door has 
been opened.
Vehicles with automatic 
transmission:
Move the selector lever from position P 
only after the engine is running (ignition 
key in position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position 0 
or to remove it, move the selector lever 
into position P first (Interlock).<462de195
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 
transmission: 
Step on the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine 
from starting if the clutch is not de-
pressed.c
Before starting>Engage parking brake
>Ensure that the transmission selector 
is in "Neutral" (or "Park" if vehicle is 
equipped with automatic transmis-
sion)
>Manual transmission: Depress the 
clutch pedal
>Automatic transmission: Depress the 
footbrake.
Never allow the engine to run with 
the vehicle standing in an en-
closed area. 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 ve-
hicle with a running engine represents a 
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Steering/ignition lock  Starting the engine  
     
        
        Page 65 of 189

63n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Starting the engine Switching off the engine 
Do not operate the starter too 
briefly, but not longer than 
approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately as soon as the 
engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle re-
mains stationary. Instead, drive off 
immediately at a moderate engine 
speed.<
Should the engine fail to start on the 
first attempt, e.g. if it is very hot or cold:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at extremely low tempera-
tures, from approx. + 57 (– 156) 
and at elevations above 3300 feet 
(1000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the 
starter for a longer period (approx. 
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not pull the ignition key out of a 
rolling vehicle, otherwise the igni-
tion switch could lock and it is impossi-
ble to steer the vehicle.
When you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces, as placing the lever in 1st gear or 
reverse may not provide adequate re-
sistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park".< 
     
        
        Page 66 of 189

64n
Parking brake To engageThe lock engages automatically when 
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster will light up in 
ignition key position 2. See page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button (arrow) and lower the lever.
The parking brake is primarily designed 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while 
parked, and operates against the rear 
wheels.460de024
If, in exceptional circumstances, it 
should be necessary to engage 
the parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull it with excessive 
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed 
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply mod-
erate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined sur-
faces, as placing the lever in 1st gear or 
reverse may not provide adequate re-
sistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "Park".<
To avoid corrosion, apply the parking 
brake lightly from time to time when 
coasting to a standstill (at a traffic sig-
nal, for instance), provided that it is safe 
to do so. 
     
        
        Page 67 of 189
65n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Manual transmission The shift lever's neutral plane (dot in the 
illustration) is located between 3rd and 
4th gears.
When shifting from each gear into 
"Neutral," the shift lever returns auto-
matically to this neutral position be-
cause of its spring loading.360de044
Reverse Select only with the vehicle stationary. 
Press the shift lever to the left to over-
come the slight resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
turn on automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or "riding" the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. 
A slipping clutch increases clutch 
wear.< 
     
        
        Page 68 of 189

66n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You have the option of driving a normal 
automatic transmission or switching to 
manual.
Whenever you shift the selector lever 
out of position D toward the left and 
into the M/S gate, the automatic trans-
mission's sports-emphasized shift pro-
gram activates. As soon as you even 
begin to move the selector lever in the 
direction "+" or "–", Steptronic shifts the 
gear and manual operation becomes 
active. Whenever you want to use auto-
matic again, just shift the selector lever 
toward the right to position D.
The Steptronic automatic transmission 
is equipped with ATC (Adaptive Trans-
mission Control). ATC reacts with preci-
sion to your individual driving style and 
the current driving conditions. This is 
the reason why various shift programs 
are used.
For details concerning ATC, please 
refer to the chapter "Advanced Tech-
nology" on page 160.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in 
selector lever positions P ("Park") or 
N ("Neutral").Range selectionA lock prevents inadvertent shifts into 
some selector lever positions. To re-
lease the shift-lock mechanism, press 
the button on the front of the shift knob 
(arrow).462de209
While the vehicle is stationary and 
before shifting out of "Park" or 
"Neutral," depress the footbrake in or-
der to disengage the selector lever's 
lock mechanism (Shiftlock). 
Hold the footbrake down until starting 
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep" 
when a drive position is engaged.<
Before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running, shift the selector 
lever to the "Park" or "Neutral" position 
and apply the parking brake. The vehi-
cle will move if this is not done. Do not 
leave the car unattended with the en-
gine running. An unattended vehicle 
with a running engine represents a po-
tential safety hazard.<
P ParkSelect only with the vehicle stationary. 
Transmission locks to prevent rear 
wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect only with the vehicle stationary.N NeutralSelect only if your journey is interrupted 
for a long period. 
     
        
        Page 70 of 189

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
The Steptronic will "think" for you in the 
following situations:
>In order to keep the engine from 
overrevving, it will automatically shift 
into the next higher gear shortly be-
fore the governed speed.
>If you do not do anything to interfere, 
it will automatically downshift at 
lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into the 
lowest gear possible, depending on 
the engine speed.
Available displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5462us019
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P", set the parking 
brake and turn the engine off (ignition 
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a few 
seconds, normal transmission perfor-
mance has been restored. Drive off 
normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all 
selector lever positions can still be se-
lected; however in the forward positions 
the vehicle has limited performance as 
it drives only in 3
rd and 4
th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest authorized 
BMW center.
Do not carry out any work on the 
car in the engine compartment 
without first making sure that the selector 
lever is in position P or N, and that 
the parking brake has been set.<
For towing, tow-starting or jump-start-
ing the vehicle, refer to the information 
beginning on page 156. 
     
        
        Page 75 of 189

73n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Cruise control In addition, cruise control is canceled 
automatically:
>if the brakes are applied 
>if the clutch is depressed or the auto-
matic transmission selector lever is 
moved from "Drive" to "Neutral" 
>if the cruise speed is either exceeded 
or not met for an extended length of 
time, e. g., when you step on the 
accelerator pedal.
To resume the stored settingPress button 4:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored. When you 
turn the ignition key to position 0, the 
stored speed is deleted from the sys-
tem's memory and the system is deacti-
vated.To deactivate the system When the cruise control has been can-
celed, press button 1 again. The indica-
tor lamp goes out and the stored speed 
is deleted.Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic density 
prevents driving at a constant speed, 
when the road surface is slick (snow, 
rain, ice), or when the road surface is 
loose (rocks, sand).<