
42n
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle's alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened 
>To motion within the passenger com-
partment (interior motion sensor) 
>To a change in the inclination of the 
vehicle, e. g. during an attempted 
wheel theft of unauthorized towing
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The alarm system signals unauthorized 
access to the vehicle or an attempted 
theft in different ways:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for 
30 seconds
>Activating the hazard warning flash-
ers for approx. five minutes
*.
To activate and deactivate the 
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
by using a key or with the remote con-
trol, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated 
approx. 30 seconds after you have fin-
ished locking the car.
If the alarm system has been armed 
correctly, the hazard warning flashers 
cycle once. An acoustic warning signal 
sounds at the same time.
You can have various confirmation 
messages set to inform you that 
the alarm system has been armed or 
disarmed.<
You can also open the luggage com-
partment lid when the system is armed 
by pressing button 3 of the remote con-
trol (refer to page 37). When it is closed, 
the lid is once again secured.
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located under the 
inside rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes 
continuously: The system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes when it is 
armed: The door(s), the hood or lug-
gage compartment lid are not com-
pletely closed. Even if you do not 
close the alerted area, the system be-
gins to monitor the remaining areas, 
and the indicator lamp flashes contin-
uously after 10 seconds. However, 
the interior motion sensor is not 
activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when 
the system is disarmed: No manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed460de105 

83n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, there is an 
acoustical warning signal.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed im-
mediately and stop the vehicle in a save 
location. Avoid hard brake applications. 
Do not oversteer. Replace the wheel 
and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire
* is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. A full-size spare tire
* that has the 
same dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics, 
and will also be monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the sys-
tem activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
authorized BMW center.
Your authorized BMW center has been 
trained to work with the RDC system 
and is equipped with the necessary 
special tools.<
System interferenceThe RDC can be subjected to interfer-
ence locally by outside equipment or 
devices which use the same radio fre-
quency.
The indicator lamp will come on with 
a yellow lamp during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on 
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire
*, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your authorized BMW 
center for additional information. 

110n
Winter operationThe onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather. Adap-
tations in driving style should be accom-
panied by preparations on the vehicle 
itself to ensure that your progress 
through the winter remains safe and 
trouble-free.CoolantBe sure that the coolant mixture is kept 
at the year-round ratio of 50:50 of water 
and antifreeze/corrosion protection. 
This mixture provides protection against 
freezing down to approx. – 347 
(– 376). Replace the coolant every four 
years.LocksBMW door lock deicer can be used to 
free them if frozen. This deicer also 
contains lubricant.
After using deicer, treatment with BMW 
lock barrel grease is recommended.Rubber seals and components To prevent the weather-stripping from 
freezing, apply a spray-on rubber treat-
ment or silicone spray to the door, hood 
and luggage compartment lid seals.
A full range of car-care products is 
available from your BMW center.<
Snow chains BMW snow chains
* can be mounted on 
both summer and winter tires. Mount 
them in pairs on the rear wheels only 
and comply with the manufacturer's 
safety precautions. Do not exceed a 
maximum speed of 30 mph (50 km/h). 
In this situation (snow chains mounted), 
deactivate the DSC. Refer to page 81.
Starting offWe recommend that you use the man-
ual control switch to deactivate DSC 
when starting off in deep snow or when 
rocking the car to free it (refer to 
page 81).Driving on low-traction road 
surfacesUse smooth, gentle pressure to control 
the accelerator pedal. Avoid excessive 
engine speeds and shift to the next 
higher gear at an early point. Adapt 
your speed and driving style when ap-
proaching grades or slopes. Maintain 
an adequate distance between yourself 
and the car ahead.
BrakesWinter road conditions substantially 
reduce the traction available between 
the tires and the road surface. 
Remember that braking distances will 
be significantly longer as a result.
ABS is intended to prevent the wheels 
from locking during brake applications, 
thus helping to maintain vehicle stability 
and steering response.
If the ABS does not respond in a critical 
braking situation and the wheels lock: 
Reduce the pressure on the brake 
pedal until the wheels just start to roll 
again while still maintaining enough 
force to continue braking. Then in-
crease the pressure, reduce the pres-
sure when the wheels lock, reapply 
pressure etc.
This staggered braking procedure will 
reduce stopping distances while help-
ing you maintain steering control. 
You can then attempt to steer around 
hazards after you have reduced pres-
sure on the brake pedal. 

116n
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S 
radial tires) for driving in adverse winter 
road conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction 
than standard summer tires with H, V, 
W, Y and ZR speed ratings, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of 
performance as standard snow tires in 
winter driving. 
For of safe tracking and steering re-
sponse, install winter tires made by the 
same manufacturer having the same 
tread configuration on all four wheels.
Mount only winter tires approved by 
BMW. Any BMW center will be glad to 
provide you with information on the 
best winter tires for your particular driv-
ing conditions.Never exceed the maximum speed 
for that the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. Your BMW center 
will be glad to assist you with both their 
expertise and the proper equipment for 
your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire pressureWinter tires display a perceptible loss in 
their ability to cope with winter driving 
conditions once the tread wears to be-
low 0.16 in (4 mm), and should thus be 
replaced.
Comply with the specified tire inflation 
pressures – and be sure to have the 
wheel and tire assemblies balanced 
every time you change the tires.
StorageStore tires in a cool, dry place, away 
from light whenever possible. Protect 
the tires against contact with oil, grease 
and fuel.Snow chains
*
Use narrow-link BMW snow chains on 
summer or winter tires only in pairs and 
only on the rear wheels. Comply with all 
manufacturer's safety precautions when 
mounting the chains. 

148n
Changing tires 
Take these precautionary mea-
sures if you have either a flat tire 
or are changing the tire:
Park the vehicle as far from the flow of 
traffic as possible and on firm ground. 
Switch on the hazard flashers. Turn the 
steering wheel to the straight-ahead 
position, remove the key and engage 
the steering lock. Shift into 1st or re-
verse (selector lever in "Park" with auto-
matic) and engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the 
car and well away from your immediate 
working area (behind the guardrail, for 
instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard 
warning lamp is available, set it up on 
the roadside at an appropriate distance 
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply 
with all safety guidelines and regula-
tions.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm 
surface that is not slippery. Avoid jack-
ing the car on a soft or slippery support 
surface (snow, ice, loose gravel, etc.), 
as it could slide sideways.
Ensure that the jack is positioned on a 
solid support surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar 
objects  under the jack. If this done, the 
jack might not be able to reach its full 
support capacity because of the limited 
height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the 
engine when the vehicle is supported 
by the jack – risk of fatal injury.< 
Your BMW has either a spare
* or 
space-saver tire
* for temporary use and 
to ensure your mobility. 
Take the luggage compartment 
floor panel completely out to 
remove the spare tire
* (refer to 
page 41).<
You will the need the followingIn order to avoid rattling noises later, 
note the position of the tools when you 
remove them and return them to their 
original position when you are through 
using them.
>A jack (1)
Raise the floor panel in the luggage 
compartment (refer to page 41) and 
unscrew the red wing nut (arrow).
When you have completed work, 
screw the jack all the way back down. 
Fold the handle back and insert it in 
its holder
>Wedge (2)
The wedge, or wheel chock, is lo-
cated behind the jack on the luggage 
compartment's rear wall. Loosen the 
wing nut to remove it460de058 

149n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Changing tires>Spare tire
* or space-saver spare tire
*
Located next to the jack.
Loosen the wing nut (arrow) by hand, 
remove the storage tray and take out 
the spare wheel
>Lug wrench – is in the onboard tool 
kit on the underside of the luggage 
compartment lid (refer to page 140).460de059
Procedure1 Please observe the safety precaus-
tions stated on the previous page
2 Secure the vehicle against rolling:
Place the wedge against the rear 
surface of the front tire on the side 
opposite the side being raised. If 
the vehicle is parked on a down-
ward slope, place the wedge se-
curely in front of the tire. If the 
wheel must be changed on a sur-
face with a more severe slope, take 
additional precautions to secure the 
vehicle from rolling
3 Wheels with full wheel covers: 
Reach into the ventilation openings 
and pull the cover off462de251
4 Loosen the lug bolts 1/2 turn 
5 Place the jack under the jacking 
point nearest the wheel you are 
changing (refer to the illustration at 
the left) in such a way that the base 
of the jack is positioned vertically 
under the jacking point relative to 
the entire surface, and that the jack 
head fits securely into the square 
recess of the jacking point (refer to 
illustration detail) when the jack is 
cranked
6 Crank the car up until the wheel in 
question is raised from the ground
7 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove 
the wheel
8 Remove accumulations of mud or 
dirt from the mounting surfaces of 
the wheel and hub; clean the lug 
bolts462de252 

151n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Changing tires Battery Driving with the space-saver 
spare tire
*
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 45 mph (80 km/h).
Be aware that vehicle handling will be 
altered. Slower brake response time, 
longer braking distances and changed 
steering characteristics may be antici-
pated when approaching limit condi-
tions. 
The changes in handling characteristics 
will be even more pronounced in con-
junction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire 
may be mounted. Mount a wheel 
and tire with the same size and specifi-
cations as the others at the earliest 
possible opportunity. Maintain correct 
tire pressures. Refer to page 28.<
Battery location The battery is located at the right-rear 
of the luggage compartment. Raise the 
luggage compartment floor panel (refer 
to page 41), and give a screwdriver or a 
coin a 1/4-turn counterclockwise to 
release the two fasteners plus an addi-
tional fastener in the upper-center side 
trim panel. In order to remove the stor-
age tray, slide the side trim panel 
slightly upward.460de176
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on 
your car battery. To avoid injury, please 
comply with the corresponding precau-
tions whenever you work with or near 
the battery.
Before handling the battery, 
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery 
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your 
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and 
protective gloves. Do not tip the 
battery. Battery acid can leak from the 
ventilation openings.
Ensure that children keep well 
away from batteries and battery 
acid.
Fire, sparks, an open flame and/
or smoking are not allowed in 
the vicinity of the battery. Avoid 
sparks from electrical cables or electri-
cal equipment. Turn the key to position 
0 in the steering lock when the battery 
is disconnected or connected. Never 
short-circuit the battery terminal, other-
wise you could be injured by electrical 
sparks. 

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.