
94n
HiFi System – harman kardonEvery time you press the button, the 
feature is switched on or off.
When the system is switched on, the 
sensation of a significantly larger pas-
senger area is created (spatial en-
hancement), with an improvement of 
the stereo effect throughout the seating 
area.
When reception is weak, the radio fre-
quently switches between stereo and 
mono operation. Switch this feature off 
if this occurs.462us029
To openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.To closeFold up cover.To lockUse one of the master keys. A master 
key is also required for unlocking.
For example, if you turn over only 
your door and ignition keys for va-
let parking (refer to page 32), access to 
the glove compartment is not possi-
ble.<462de235
To prevent injury in the event of a 
crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
*
Located on the left-hand side of the 
glove compartment.
Features integral overload-protection, 
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
Be sure that the flashlight is 
switched off when it is inserted 
into its holder. Failure to comply with 
this precaution could lead to overcharg-
ing and damage.<
HiFi System
* 
Glove compartment  

96n
Ashtray, front
* Cigarette lighter
*
To openPress briefly in direction indicated by 
arrow. 
To extinguish a cigarette, tap off the ash 
and gently press the tip into the funnel.462us030
To emptyOpen the lid and press down (arrow): 
You can now pull the ashtray upward 
for removal.
On vehicles equipped for non-smok-
ers, the insert is removed in the same 
way.462us031
Press in. Remove as soon as the lighter 
jumps back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette 
lighter by the knob only. Holding 
or touching it in other areas could result 
in burns. 
The cigarette lighter remains operational 
when the ignition key has been removed. 
For this reason, children should never 
be left in the car unattended.
to a rating of approx. 200 watts at 12  volts. 
Avoid damaging the socket due to insert-
ing plugs of different shapes or sizes.
On vehicles equipped for non-smokers, 
the  socket is provided at the same location.462us032 

98n
Through-loading facility The rear backrest is divided into two 
sections, one-third and two-thirds of 
the seat respectively. For carrying 
longer objects, you can fold down either 
section of the backrest separately.
To unlock, pull the lever corresponding 
to the section (arrow).460de154
The rear backrest section will move for-
ward slightly when it is unlocked. Reach 
into the gap and pull the backrest down.
When you close the backrest, be 
sure that the retainer engages cor-
rectly. If it is not correctly engaged, 
transported cargo could enter the pas-
senger compartment from the luggage 
compartment during brake applications 
or evasive maneuvers and endanger the 
vehicle occupants.<462de240
The fittings at the corners of the lug-
gage compartment provide you with a 
convenient means of attaching luggage 
nets
* and flexible straps for securing 
suitcases and luggage.
Refer also to "Cargo loading" on 
page 100. 

100n
Cargo loadingStowing cargo If you are transporting a load in your 
BMW:
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as 
possible – directly behind the back-
rests or the luggage compartment 
partition – and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the 
top edge of the backrest462de241
>When transporting heavy cargo while 
the rear seat is unoccupied, secure 
each of the outside safety belts in the 
opposite lock (refer to the illustration).460de185
Securing the load >For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined non-skid side of the floor mat 
or secure with a luggage compart-
ment net
* or elastic straps (refer to 
page 41)
>For large, heavy pieces, see your 
BMW center for load-securing de-
vices
*. Lashing eyes (arrow) are pro-
vided at the corners of the luggage 
compartment for attaching these 
load-securing devices
>Comply with the information en-
closed with the load-securing de-
vices.
460de161 

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  

107n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking while 
cornering at high speed or braking dur-
ing high lateral acceleration, or when 
braking during a lane change, vehicle 
stability is improved and steering 
response is enhanced.
In the event of a fault 
If the ABS warning lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up, 
refer to page 22. The brake sys-
tem then reverts to conventional opera-
tion as on vehicles without ABS. How-
ever, have the brake system checked by 
your BMW center as soon as possible. 
To prevent undetected defects and cu-
mulative faults from adversely affecting 
the brake system, refer any problems to 
your authorized BMW center at the ear-
liest opportunity.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
model.
If the brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the indicator 
lamps for the ABS and DSC sys-
tems, refer to page 21. The en-
tire ABS, CBC and DSC
 govern-
ing system has deactivated. 
Continue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid full brake ap-
plications. This could cause the vehicle 
to lose stability and you might no longer 
be able to control it.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible by your authorized BMW cen-
ter.
Warning lamps CBC, ABS and 
DSC for Canadian models. 

108n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater 
fade resistance under heavy use. 
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when 
the vehicle is not used at all, and in op-
erating conditions where brakes appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the 
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs be-
cause the minimal pressure that must 
be exerted by the pads to clean the 
rotors by brake applications is not 
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they 
will tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: Only use 
brake linings that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle model. 
BMW cannot vouch for driving safety or 
the suitability of brake linings other than 
those they have released.<
Driving notesWhile driving in wet conditions and in 
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light 
pressure to the brake pedal every few 
miles (kilometers). Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The 
heat that is generated by the brake ap-
plications helps to dry the brake pads 
and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained 
while the wheels continue to rotate, 
peaking when the wheels remain on the 
verge of locking without actually doing 
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert 
to the staggered braking technique 
described on page 110.
Long or steep mountain descents do 
not necessarily lead to reduced braking 
efficiency if you drive downhill with the 
transmission in a gear that allows mini-
mal brake applications (or, with an auto-
matic transmission, in an appropriate 
lower range).
You can further increase the engine's 
braking effect by selecting a lower gear, 
downshifting as far as first gear or plac-
ing the selector lever in position (1).Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended, 
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over 
an extended period of time, you should 
decelerate the vehicle by applying more 
substantial force on the pedal (watch 
for following traffic!) and then pausing 
before repeating the application. This 
staggered braking technique allows the 
brakes to cool in the intervals between 
active braking phases, preventing over-
heating and ensuring that full braking 
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed or with the transmission 
or selector lever in neutral. Do not drive 
with the engine shut off. The engine 
provides no braking effect when the 
clutch pedal is depressed or the trans-
mission is in neutral, and there is no 
power-assist for brakes and steering 
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any 
other objects to protrude into the area 
around the accelerator, clutch and 
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.< 

109n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Brake systemBrake fluid level 
If the brake-warning lamp 
comes on with the parking brake 
released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the 
reservoir (refer to page 127).
If the brake fluid level is too low and 
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in 
one of the brake system's hydraulic 
circuits.
Brake-warning lamp for Cana-
dian model.
Proceed to the nearest authorized 
BMW center. Higher brake appli-
cation pressure may be necessary un-
der these conditions, and brake pedal 
travel may be significantly longer. 
Please remember to adapt your driving 
style accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake 
pads lights up:
The brake pads have reached 
their minimum pad thickness. Proceed 
to the nearest authorized BMW center 
as soon as possible to have the pads 
replaced.
For your own safety: Only use 
brake linings that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle model. 
BMW cannot vouch for driving safety or 
the suitability of brake linings other than 
those they have released.<