
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
103n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes104
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phones112
Radio reception112
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Tire rotation114
Wheel and tire 
combinations115
Winter tires116
Snow chains116
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications117Under the hood:
Hood119
Engine compartment120
Washer fluids122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant126
Brake fluid127
Vehicle Identification 
Number128
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System129
Caring for your car130
Airbags135
Vehicle storage136
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle136
OBD connector137 

112n
Power steering Cellular phones
* Radio reception 
High steering effort:
Please contact a BMW center.
High steering effort during sudden tran-
sitions: 
Have your authorized BMW center in-
spect this system as soon as possible. 
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to 
steer the vehicle.<
Mobile communications systems (cellu-
lar phone, two-way radios, etc.) are only 
allowed a power output of up to 10  Watt. 
Mobile communications devices not 
specifically designed for use in your car 
may trigger malfunctions while operat-
ing your vehicle. BMW can neither test 
nor assume responsibility for every indi-
vidual product being offered on the mar-
ket. We recommend that you consult 
your BMW center before purchasing any 
device of this kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to 
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, refrain from using a mobile phone 
or other radio device with an antenna 
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be 
fitted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on a 
car-carrier train or driving it 
through a car-wash, remove the an-
tenna.<
The reception and sound quality ob-
tained from mobile radios varies ac-
cording to a variety of factors, including 
the broadcast range of the transmitter 
and the directional orientation of the 
antenna. Interference factors such as 
high-tension power lines, buildings and 
natural obstructions can all lead to un-
avoidable reception interference, re-
gardless of how well the vehicle's sound 
system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar 
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also 
interfere with reception.
Car telephones or cellular phones not 
approved by BMW can also cause in-
terference in the radio during a tele-
phone call. This phenomenon assumes 
the form of a low-pitched hum emanat-
ing from the speaker system.
Please refer to the supplementary oper-
ating instructions provided with your 
sound system for detailed information 
on its use. 

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 

162n
Radio reception Safety belt tensionerThe radio waves — medium-wave, long-
wave and short-wave — offer a wide 
range of reception, because the broad-
cast signals travel not only along the 
ground as surface waves, but also as 
atmospheric waves bounced back to 
earth from the ionosphere.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides 
substantially better sound quality than 
AM. However, because FM transmis-
sions rely on line-of-sight broadcast 
waves, their effective reception range is 
limited. 360de084
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been min-
imized by a number of innovative sys-
tem designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes 
sure that, for broadcast stations trans-
mitting on several frequencies, the ra-
dio automatically tunes to the frequency 
with the best reception quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs 
several FM antennas integrated within 
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast 
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best 
FM reception quality at any given time. 
The selection of the antenna takes 
place within milliseconds, and is there-
fore not noticed by the radio listener.The safety belt tensioner responds to 
collisions by tightening the belts to en-
sure that occupants remain firmly posi-
tioned in their seats. A gas-pressure 
system retracts the buckle assembly 
to tension the shoulder and lap belts 
within fractions of a second. This re-
duces the tendency to slide under the 
lap belt. 
390de330 

164n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
This system regularly checks tire pres-
sures and monitors all four tires even 
while driving, so you don't have to. 
Behind the valve stem in every wheel, 
there is an extended-life electronic chip 
that has a pressure sensor, a transmit-
ter and a battery. The pressure is mea-
sured in extremely short time intervals 
and then transmitted by a radio signal. 
If an irregularity is detected, the trans-
mission rate is increased. 462de257
Near every wheel there is an antenna in 
the body that receives the signals from 
all four wheels. A central electronics 
system evaluates the quadruple signals 
and forwards any changes. The RDC 
plays an important part in driving safety. 

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake 
System) 22, 106
Accessories 6
Activated charcoal 
filter 93, 154
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC) 66, 160
Adding engine oil 123
Adding washer fluid 173
Adjust the backrest 47
Adjust the temperature 90
Adjust the thigh support 
area 49
Adjusting steering wheel 51
Air distribution 90
Air outlets 88
Air pressure 113
Air supply 91
Airbags 21, 57, 135, 161
Alarm system 42
Antenna 112
Antenna, Diversity 162
Antifreeze 126
Antifreeze, radiator 110
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS) 22, 106
Anti-theft alarm system 42
Aquaplaning 104, 113
Armrest 95
Ashtray 96
Assisted rear entry 49AUC (Automatic 
recirculated-air 
control) 91
Automatic car washes 130
Automatic climate 
control 88
remove window 
condensation 91
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC) 91
Automatic speed control 72
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 22, 66
Average consumption 78
Average speed 79
Avoiding unwanted 
alarm 43
Axle loads 172
BBackrest
release 49
Backup lamps 65
bulb replacement 143
Battery 151, 174
capacity 174
charge 153
discharged 156
removal and 
installation 152
Battery charge current 20
Belts 55Blower 91
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil 124
BMW Sports Seat 49
Bore 170
Brake fluid 127
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 143
Brake pads 22
Brake-in procedure 104
Brakes 108
Brakes, brake faults 109
Breaking in the vehicle 104
Bulb replacement 140
CCar Memory 54
Car phone, please refer to 
the manufacturer's 
operating instructions
Car radio 112
reception 112, 162
refer also to the car radio 
operating instructions
Car vacuum cleaner, 
connecting 96
Car wash 130
Care
exterior 131
interior 132
Care of upholstery 133Care of wool velour 133
Cargo loading 100
Caring for the vehicle 
finish 131
Cassette operation, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Catalytic converter 105
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control) 21, 107
CD mode, refer to the radio 
operating instructions
Cellular phones 95, 112
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp 145
Center armrest 95
Central locking system 34
key 38
Changing tires 148
Check air pressure 27
Check Control 77
Child restraint 
systems 56, 60
Child seat 56, 60
Cigarette lighter 96
Clock 77
refer also to the onboard 
computer operating 
instructions
Clothes hooks 97
Cockpit 16    

Everything from A to Z
179n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Code, refer to the radio 
operating instructions
Coin holder, cup holder 95
Combination switch 69
Compression 170
Computer 77
Configure settings 54
Consumption 78
Consumption display 75
Coolant 110, 126, 173
Coolant thermometer 75
Coolant, antifreeze 110
Cooling system 173
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) 21, 107
Cruise control 72
Cruising range 79
Curb weight 172
Current check indicator 20DDashboard 16
Data
dimensions 171
engine 170
technical 170
weights 172
Daytime-driving light 
switch 84
Defrost setting 91
Defrost windows 91
Defroster, rear window 92Digital clock 77
Dimensions 171
Dipstick 123
Disc brakes 108
Displacement 170
Display lighting 84
Displays 18
Distance warning 80
Diversity, antenna 162
Divided rear backrest 98
Door key 32
Door locks, care 110
Doors
emergency actuation 34
remote control 35
unlocking and locking 34
Drawbar load 172
Drive belts 174
Driving hints 104
Driving lamps 84
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control) 22, 81, 161
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 22, 81, 161
EElectric power seat 50
Electric power windows 44
Electrical accessories, 
failure 153
Electrical system 174Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer 33
Elements of operation 16
Emergency actuation
doors 34
tank cover 155
Energy Control 74
Engage 62
Engine
engage 62
Engine compartment 120
Engine coolant 126, 173
Engine data 170
Engine oil
filling capacity 173
quality 124
viscosity 124
Engine oil consumption 123
Engine oil level 21
check 123
Engine oil pressure 20
Engine oil 
specifications 124
Engine speed 170
Entry from the rear 49
Exterior mirrors 52
FFailure messages 77
Fault
ABS 107
Fault displays 77Filler cap cover 26
Filling capacities 173
Filling the washer 
reservoir 173
First aid 25
First aid kit 25
Fittings, towing 157
Flashlight 94
Flat tire 113, 148
Fog lamps 85
bulb replacement 143
Fog lights 85
Folding rear backrest 98
Follow-Me-Home lamps 84
Footbrake 108
Footwell lamps 85
bulb replacement 146
Front seat adjustment 47
Frost protection, 
radiator 126
Fuel 26
preparation 170
Fuel consumption 78
Fuel consumption 
display 75
Fuel gauge 75
Fuel quality 26
Fuel tank capacity 173
Fuel tank gauge 75
Functional status 166
Fuses 153 

Everything from A to Z
181n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
NNavigation system, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Neckrest 48
New transmitter, radio 
remote control 147
Non-smokers package 96
Nozzles 122OOBD connector 137
Obstruction protection 44
Odometer 74
Oil
filling capacity 173
quality 124
viscosity 124
Oil additives 123
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
Oil consumption 123
Oil dipstick 123
Oil filter change 173
Oil level
check 123
indicator lamp 21
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp 20
Oil specifications 124
OILSERVICE 76Onboard computer 77
Onboard computer, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Onboard tool kit 140
Opening and closing
from inside 38
from outside 34
Outlets, ventilation 88
Outside temperature 
display 78
PPaint blemishes 131
Paint, care 131
Paintwork
minor repairs 132
waxing 132
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 80
Parking brake 64
Parking help 80
Parking lamps 84, 85
bulb replacement 142
Parking, winter 111
PDC (Park Distance 
Control) 80
Performance 170
Pocket lamp 94
Pollen 93
Power steering 112
Power windows 44Preheat 62
Pressure monitoring, 
tires 82, 164
Pressure, tires 27, 113
RRadiator 173
Radio Data System 
(RDS) 162
Radio reception 112, 162
Radio remote control, new 
transmitter 147
Radio, refer also to the radio 
operating instructions
Rain sensor 70, 165
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control) 82, 164
RDS (Radio Data 
System) 162
Reading lamps 86
Rear backrest, folding 98
Rear lamps 143
Rear window 
defroster 71, 92
Rear-view mirror 52
Reclining seat 47
Refueling 26
Remote control 35
Removal of the vehicle from 
service 136
Remove condensation, 
windows 91Replenish washer fluid 122
Reporting safety defects 7
Reserve control lamp 75
Restraint system 56, 60
Reverse 17, 65
Roller blind, sun 
protection 93
Roof load 172
Roof luggage rack 101
Rubber parts 110
SSafety belt height 
adjustment 55
Safety belt tensioner 162
Safety belts 55
safety belt height 
adjustment 55
Safety buttons 38
Safety feature 44
Seat
electric power 50
mechanical 47
Seat adjustment 47
Seat heating 93
Seat memory 51
Securing cargo 100
Securing loads 100
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission 66
Self-diagnostics 166