
105n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Clothes hooks:
When suspending clothing from the 
hooks, ensure that they will not obstruct 
the driver's vision. In order to avoid per-
sonal injuries during braking maneu-
vers, do not hang heavy objects on the 
hooks.
use with unleaded fuel only.
Even minute quantities of lead would be 
enough to permanently damage both 
the catalytic converter and the system 
oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine 
operation and avoid potential damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled 
maintenance requirements
>Do not drive until the fuel tank is 
empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is 
cold, otherwise unburned, residual 
fuel in the catalytic converter could 
ignite and cause damage. It is better 
to start the vehicle with an outside 
starting aid
>Avoid other situations in which the 
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter 
frequently or for extended periods, or 
repeated start attempts in which the 
engine does not start (stopping and 
restarting an engine that is running 
properly does not present a problem). 
Never let the engine run with any of 
the spark plug cables disconnected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic 
converter. Otherwise, the catalytic con-
verter could respond by overheating, 
leading to serious damage.
Extreme temperatures occur at the cat-
alytic converter. Heat shields are in-
stalled adjacent to some sections of the 
exhaust system. Never remove these 
shields; do not apply undercoating to 
their surfaces. When driving, standing 
at idle, and parking the vehicle, take 
care to avoid contact between the ex-
haust system and flammable materials 
(grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such contact 
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious 
injury and property damage.

129n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
The BMW Maintenance System has 
been designed as a reliable means of 
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively as 
possible for you. With respect to the 
previous version, maintenance costs 
can clearly be reduced due to technical 
innovations. 
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the 
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a 
significant role in maintaining the resale 
value of the vehicle. 462us022
Service Interval DisplayAdvanced technology is employed to 
calculate the optimal maintenance in-
tervals. These are then indicated in the 
Service Interval Display. While conven-
tional systems rely on distance traveled 
alone to determine when service is due, 
the BMW Maintenance System has for 
years considered the actual conditions 
under that the vehicle operates, be-
cause miles can be traveled in many 
different manners:
From the point of view of maintenance, 
62,000 miles (100,000 km) accumulated 
in short-distance urban driving are not 
the equivalent of the same distance 
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System in-
cludes the Engine Oil Service and 
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals 
according to the actual loads on the car 
covers every kind of operating situation. 
Minimal use drivers – those who drive 
significantly less than 6,000 miles 
(10,000 km) per year – should neverthe-
less have the oil changed at least every 
two years, since engine oil ages regard-
less of the load.
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet (US models)
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet (Canadian models)Please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models) 
or Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) for additional infor-
mation on maintenance intervals and 
procedures.
As a precaution against rust, it might be 
a good idea to have the body checked 
for damage from rocks or gravel at the 
same time, depending upon operating 
conditions.
Have your BMW center do the 
maintenance and repair.
Your BMW center is always informed on 
the latest maintenance work and repair 
techniques and equipped with the re-
quired special tools. In addition, check-
ing parts known from experience to be 
subject to wear is a permanent part of 
the maintenance specifications.
Be sure that all maintenance work is 
confirmed in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet or the Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet (Canadian mod-
els). These entries are your proof that 
the vehicle has received regular mainte-
nance. They are also a prerequisite for 
warranty claims.<
The BMW Maintenance System 

131n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at 
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion 
priming techniques are supplemented 
using special body-cavity protectants, 
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to 
the undercarriage. Following this, a 
comprehensive undercoating treatment 
with a wax-based protectant is applied. 
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the 
safety and resale value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of 
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle 
manufacturers to initiate ongoing pro-
grams designed to further improve the 
durability of their finishes. Despite this, 
environmental factors that occur locally 
or regionally can have negative effects 
on the finish of your vehicle. These 
should guide you in determining the fre-
quency and extent of your efforts to 
maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type 
of impact (perforation of paint layer), 
physical stresses from sand, road salt, 
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to 
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali concentra-
tion) and tree excretions (resins and 
pollen) all contain substances capable 
of causing damage when allowed to re-
main on the finish of your car for any 
period of time (spots, etching, flaking, 
separation in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust, 
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing 
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the 
car's finish unless adequate care is pro-
vided – even though this generally lim-
ited to the outside horizontal surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote cor-
rosion.
In tropical zones temperatures of over 
1007 (406) in the shade prevail, in 
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation 
and high humidity. Under those circum-
stances light colored paints reach tem-
peratures of up to 1807 (806) and 
dark paints up to 2507 (1206).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from 
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your 
vehicle in areas with high levels of air 
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately 
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to 
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled 
during refueling, oil, grease and brake 
fluid should always be cleaned away 
immediately, as should bird droppings. 
All of these substances cause damage 
to the finish.
Any contamination remaining on the 
surface of the vehicle will be especially 
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or 
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar 
spots with tar remover. After cleaning, 
the affected areas should be waxed to 
ensure continued protection.
A full range of car-care products is 
available from your BMW center.< 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
139n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit140
Windshield wiper blades140
Lamps and bulbs140
Remote control147
Changing tires148
Battery151
Fuses153
Microfilter154
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
Fuel filler door155
Sliding/tilt sunroof155
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
Jump-starting156
Towing the vehicle157 

152n
Battery
A highly-explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is 
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your 
eyes, rinse thoroughly for 15 min-
utes with clear water. Consult a 
physician immediately. Rinse your skin 
or clothing with plenty of water if you get 
acid spray on them. If electrolyte is acci-
dentally ingested, consult a physician 
immediately.
In order to protect the battery 
case from ultraviolet radiation, 
do not place it in direct sunlight. 
A discharged battery can freeze. Store 
the battery in areas where temperature 
remains above freezing.
Battery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free, as per DIN 43 539/2; that is, the 
amount of acid put in the battery origi-
nally will normally last for the service life 
of the battery. 
Charge conditionWith the help of the "Magic Eye", a 
hydrometer, you can read the battery's 
charge state:
>Green: Adequate charge.
>Black: Not adequately charged. The 
battery must be recharged. Please 
contact your authorized BMW center 
for additional information.
>Yellow: Replace the battery.
The service life specified for the 
battery can be achieved only if it is 
always kept adequately charged. If the 
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
go traffic, be sure to check the charge 
state often.<460de252
Removal and installation 
Do not disconnect the battery 
cables when the engine is run-
ning, otherwise the ensuing voltage 
surge will damage the vehicle's on-
board electronics. 
Do not alter the positive terminal wiring 
in any way, otherwise the safety battery 
terminal's safety function will no longer 
be guaranteed. Repair and disposal are 
to be performed exclusively by trained 
technicians.<
When removing the battery, disconnect 
the cable on the negative terminal first, 
then the cable on the positive terminal. 
Loosen the center adjusting screw on 
the battery retaining strap (use the 
screwdriver included with the onboard 
tool kit) and disconnect the strap.
When installing a battery, connect the 
positive terminal first, then connect the 
negative terminal.
When installing a battery, be sure 
that it is mounted properly and 
that the retaining bracket is installed 
with the center adjustment screw. If this 
is not done, the battery will not be ade-
quately secured in case of an acci-
dent.< 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
159n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)160
Airbags161
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)161
Radio reception162
Safety belt tensioner162
Rearview mirror with automatic 
dimmer163
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)164
Rain sensor165
Self-diagnostics166
Xenon lamp167 

166n
Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested 
regularly and automatically – the driver 
does not have to perform any extra op-
erations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps also come on briefly 
after the ignition has been turned on.
While you are driving, the functional 
status of the actuator motors (for the 
windshield wipers, power windows, 
seats, sunroof, etc.) is constantly ana-
lyzed by current measurements in their 
relays. 462de258
In the same manner, the electrical resis-
tance of the airbag ignition generators 
and all of the remaining airbag compo-
nents is measured at all times. Any fault 
in this system would be detected imme-
diately by a current fluctuation that 
would necessarily accompany it. The 
fault would be indicated immediately by 
the airbag warning lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the 
overall functional status of your vehicle 
is monitored. For example, all of the 
flaps of the heating and ventilation sys-
tem travel to the nearest limit position. 
This action ensures that the system will 
be able to provide defrosting, regard-
less of other circumstances (if a mal-
function in the heating or ventilation 
system should occur during the night 
while the vehicle is parked, for in-
stance).
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time 
the engine is shut off. During this cycle, 
the actuator motors of all the heating 
and ventilation flaps travel to their limit 
stops in both directions. The limit posi-
tions and the return travel paths are 
checked in this manner in order to en-
sure that appropriate adjustments for 
the operating elements can be made at 
any time.You will hear the sounds of the air flaps 
as the heater/ventilation system carries 
out its self-diagnostic functions after 
the ignition is shut off. All of the other 
self-diagnostics functions operate si-
lently in the background.
Any faults detected during these self-
diagnostics can be read out by your 
authorized BMW center during the next 
regularly-scheduled maintenance and 
corrected with a minimum of time. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
169n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
Electrical system174
Ribbed V-belt174