Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Manual transmission65
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher69
Wiper/washer system/Rain
sensor69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72
Everything under control:
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Clock77
Onboard computer77
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)80
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)82Lamps:
Parking lamps/Headlamps84
Instrument panel rheostat84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps85
Reading lamps86
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Roller sun blind93
Cabin convenience:
HiFi System94
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phones95
Ashtray96
Cigarette lighter96
Clothes hooks97
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading facility98
Ski bag99
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack101
32n
Keys1 Master key with transmitter for the
remote control determines the Key
Memory functions, see page 54.
Every key contains a long-life re-
chargeable battery which is auto-
matically recharged from the ignition
lock, while the car is being driven.
If you have spare master keys which are
not otherwise in regular service, it is ad-
visable to use them about once a year
for a journey of some distance, so that
their batteries are recharged. Also see
page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use.463de023
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and glove compartment can-
not be operated with this key – this
may be beneficial for valet parking,
for instance.
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your
authorized BMW center. Your BMW
center is obligated to ensure that a per-
son requesting a key is authorized to do
so, since the keys belong to a security
system (refer to "Electronic vehicle im-
mobilizer" on page 33).
Whenever you have been handed
a replacement key, insert it into
the ignition lock and turn it once to
position 2 (ignition switched on), then
back to the home position, so that the
electronic immobiliser "accepts" the
new key.<
See also "New transmitter", page 147.
76n
Service Interval Display Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the diagram
appear for a few seconds with the
ignition key in position 1 and 2 or for
a few seconds after starting the engine.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the remaining distance
before scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the rate of
fuel consumption in the period immedi-
ately preceding your data request.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your authorized BMW center for
an appointment.462us022
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
104n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you ob-
serve the following:
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed the fol-
lowing engine or road speeds at this
time: 4,500/min or 100 mph (160 km/h).
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
After 1,200 miles (2,000 km), you can
gradually increase the engine speed or
road speed.
You should also observe these break-in
procedures if the engine or differential
is replaced later in the course of the
vehicle service life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until an initial
break-in period has elapsed. For this
reason, drive cautiously during the first
200 miles (300 km).Brake systemBrake pads and disks do not attain their
optimal wear patterns until after approx.
300 miles (500 km).
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
car with the engine off – when towing,
for example – substantially higher levels
of pedal force will be required to brake
the vehicle.<
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear, and possibly
to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
A wedge of water can form between the
tires and the road surface when you op-
erate the vehicle on wet or slushy roads.
This phenomenon is referred to as
aquaplaning or hydroplaning. It is char-
acterized by a partial or complete loss
of contact between the tires and the
road surface. The ultimate results are
loss of steering and braking control.
Driving through water:
Do not drive through water more than
1 ft (30 cm) deep. Drive only at walking
speed, otherwise damage to the engine,
the electrical system and the transmis-
sion can occur.
Rear parcel tray:
Never use the rear parcel tray to store
heavy or bulky objects. They could pose
a danger to the occupants when the car
is braked heavily.
Break-in procedures Driving notes
106n
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping
to prevent the wheels from locking dur-
ing brake applications. Locked wheels
are dangerous. When the front wheels
slide, the driver loses steering control
over the vehicle. Traction loss at the
rear wheels can cause the rear end to
break into an uncontrolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest
braking distances possible under most
conditions (on straight-aways and in
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road sur-
faces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>To help maintain steering control and
maneuverability – on all types of road
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud,
wet, snow, ice).
Braking with ABSThe system becomes operative once
the vehicle exceeds a speed of approx.
6 mph (10 km/h). Below approx. 3 mph
(6 km/h), it is once again deactivated.
This means that the wheels can lock in
the final phase of a panic stop – a factor
of no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering re-
sponsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
The ABS system closed-loop control
circuit cycles in fractions of a second.
A pulsation at the brake pedal indicates
to the driver that ABS is active, that is,
that the vehicle is within its maximum
braking range. In addition, a pulsation –
a result of the control function cycles –
indicates to the driver that vehicle
speed should be reduced to adapt to
road surface conditions when there is
reduced traction and grip between tires
and road surface (slippery road sur-
face).
In driving conditions where there is a
loose upper surface together with a
subsurface that provides good traction (on gravel or snow, for instance), or with
snow chains, the braking distance may
also be longer than when the wheels
are locked. However, ABS continues to
provide enhanced vehicle stability and
steering response under these condi-
tions.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws
of physics. ABS cannot prevent the
consequences of brake applications
with inadequate clearances for safety
between vehicles, when exceeding the
speed limit in curves, or the risks in-
volved when aquaplaning occurs. Re-
sponsibility for these types of situations
remains in the hands (and at the feet) of
the driver.
You should never allow the added
safety of ABS to lull you into a false
sense of security, or mislead you into
taking increased risks that could affect
your own safety and that of others.
Do not make any modifications to
the ABS system.
Service procedures on ABS are to be
performed by authorized technicians
only.<
113n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the car and have been se-
lected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort on your car.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – above all
else – driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability
of your BMW.
Check tire inflation pressure regu-
larly — including the space-saver
and/or the spare tire — at least twice a
month and before beginning a longer
road trip. Incorrect tire pressure can
otherwise lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.<
Tire tread – Tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
The tread depth should not be any shal-
lower than 0.12 in (3 mm).
Otherwise there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively moder-
ate speeds and with only small amounts
of water on the road.
We recommend that you always replace
the tires once the tread wears to 0.12 in
(3 mm). If you continue to use the tires,
wear indicators appear in the tread at
0.063 in (1.6 mm).390de331
Do not drive on a deflated (flat) tire.
A flat tire greatly impairs steering
and braking response, and can lead to
complete loss of control over the
vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the tires.
The ultimate result can assume the form
of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
as can variations in normal vehicle
response, such as a pronounced ten-
dency to pull to the left or right. Should
this occur, respond by immediately
reducing your speed and carefully pro-
ceeding to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or having the
vehicle towed in to have it and its tires
inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blow-
outs) can endanger the lives of both the
vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire inflation pressures Tire condition
114n
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single
tread configuration from a single manu-
facturer. BMW tests and approves
wheel/tire combinations. Refer to
page 117.
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may be impaired by
their use. This due to the possible varia-
tions in casing structures and, in some
cases, to their extreme age, that can
lead to a decrease in their durability.<
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 129 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in Week 12 of 1999.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when the tires are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.
Spare tires over 6 years old should be
used only in case of emergency. Such
a tire should be replaced by a new tire
immediately, and should not be fitted
together with new tires.
Between the axlesThe tread wear patterns at the front end
differ from those at the rear – the actual
patterns will vary according to individ-
ual driving conditions. In the interests of
safety and maintaining optimal handling
characteristics, tire rotation is not rec-
ommended.
If a proposed interaxle rotation of tires
is based on economic considerations,
one should consider whether the costs
for the rotation are likely to be recap-
tured by any increase in the service life
of the tires which might be realized.
In principle, interaxle rotation should be
performed in short intervals, with a
maximum of 3,000 miles (5,000 km).
Consult your authorized BMW center
for more information.
Should you decide to rotate the tires, it
is essential to comply with the following:
Rotate tires on the same side only, since
braking characteristics and road grip
could otherwise be adversely affected.
Following rotation, correct the tire infla-
tion pressure.
If different tire sizes are mounted
on the front and rear axles (refer to
page 117), the wheels may not be ro-
tated from one axle to the other.<
Tire replacement Tire rotation