Page 22 of 189

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Many of the systems of your BMW mon-
itor themselves automatically, both dur-
ing engine starts and while you are driv-
ing. Indicator and warning lamps that 
are identified by "
 
l
 
" are tested for 
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: Stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
 
 
l
 
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. There is a malfunction 
of the alternator ribbed V-belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, do 
not continue driving. The engine 
could be damaged due to overheating. 
If the ribbed V-belt is defective, in-
creased steering effort is also re-
quired.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
  
Stop vehicle and switch off en-
gine immediately. Check level of 
oil in engine, top up as required. If oil 
level is correct: Please contact the 
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because 
of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
In addition, there is an acousti-
cal warning signal: A tire failure 
has occurred. Reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle. Avoid 
hard brake applications. Do not over-
steer. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 82.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
Check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on 
pages 109 and 127.
Brake-warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 
     
        
        Page 37 of 189

35n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Door locks – from outsideUsing the remote control The remote control makes opening and 
locking the doors of your vehicle very 
convenient. Furthermore, it provides 
two additional functions that can only 
be executed by means of the remote 
control:
>To switch on interior lamps 
With this function, you can also 
"search for" your vehicle, when 
parked in an underground garage, 
for instance.
>To open luggage compartment
The luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly, regardless of whether 
the lid was previously locked or un-
locked.
The anti-theft system is also deacti-
vated/activated simultaneously with 
the unlocking or locking of the vehicle, 
and the alarm system
* is disarmed/
armed, and the interior lamps are 
turned on/off.
You can have a confirmation mes-
sage set to inform you that the car 
has been properly locked.<
Master keysKeys with a transmitter for remote con-
trol are master keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the 
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle keys with 
you so that the vehicle can be opened 
again from the outside at any time.<463de024
Transmitters that are in regular use 
will always be operational, as the 
rechargeable battery in the transmitter 
is automatically recharged in the ignition 
lock while the car is being driven.
If it should prove impossible to lock the 
car with a particular transmitter via the 
remote control, the battery is in need of 
recharging. Use this transmitter for a 
lengthy journey, to recharge its battery. 
Also see page 32.< 
     
        
        Page 155 of 189

153n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Battery FusesCharging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only 
when the engine is not running. 
Before doing any work on the 
electrical system, be sure to 
unclamp the cable from the battery's 
negative terminal, or it could cause 
short-circuiting, a fire or personal 
injury.<
If the vehicle is to be parked longer than 
4 weeks, disconnect the battery from 
the vehicle's electrical system by dis-
connecting the negative terminal cable.
If you intend to store your car for longer 
than six weeks: Remove the battery, 
charge it and store it in a cool (but frost-
free) room. Recharge the battery every 
6 months at the latest, at the very least 
before each installation, or else it will be 
unusable. Every time the battery is dis-
charged, especially over extended peri-
ods, its service life is reduced.
Return used batteries to a recy-
cling point or your authorized 
BMW center. Maintain the battery in an 
upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting in 
transit.< 
Storage periods during which the 
battery is disconnected are not 
taken into consideration by the Service 
Interval Display for changing the brake 
fluid.
Therefore, make sure that the brake 
fluid is changed every two years at the 
latest, regardless of the display. Com-
ply with the information provided on 
page 127.<
If an electrical accessory should fail, 
switch it off and check the fuse. In glove compartment1 Open the glove compartment and 
turn the two white quick-release 
fasteners outward. Spare fuses and 
plastic tweezers are located on the 
fuse holder
2 Use the plastic tweezers to remove 
the fuse for the accessory or equip-
ment that has stopped working 
3 If the fuse is burned through (the 
metal strip is melted and separated), 
replace it with a new fuse of the same 
ampere rating (color code).460de062 
     
        
        Page 186 of 189

Owner service procedures from A to ZAActivated charcoal filter, 
changing 154
Add brake fluid 127
Add coolant 126
Add engine coolant 126
Adjust washer nozzles 122
Avoiding a false alarm 43
Avoiding unwanted 
alarm 43BBackup lamps
bulb replacement 143
Battery
add distilled water 152
charging 153
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 143
Brakes, brake faults 109CChanging tires 148
Check air pressure 27
Check Control 77
Check engine oil level 123
Check oil level 123
DDefrost windshields 91
Difficult steering 112
Doors
emergency actuation 34EElectrical accessories, 
failure 153
Electrical failure
fuel filler door 155
Electrical fault
sliding/tilt sunroof 155
Emergency actuation
doors 34
Emergency closing
sliding/tilt sunroof 155
Emergency release
fuel filler door 155
Engine oil
add 123
quality 124
specifications 124
viscosity 124FFailure messages 77
Fault displays 77
First aid 25
First aid kit 25Fittings, towing 157
Flat tire 148
Fog lamps
bulb replacement 143
Footwell lamps
bulb replacement 146
Fuel filler door
manual release after 
electrical fault 155
Fuses, replacing 153
GGlove compartment lamp
bulb replacement 146HHazard warning flashers 25
Hazard warning triangle 25
Headlamp cover, care 141
High beams, bulb 
replacement 141IIndicator lamps 20
Inflated pressure 27
Interior lamps
bulb replacement 145JJack 148
LLicense plate light
bulb replacement 145
Low beams, bulb 
replacement 141
Luggage compartment
emergency release 39
Luggage compartment 
lamps
bulb replacement 146
Luggage compartment lid
emergency release 39MMaintenance 129
Malfunction displays 77
Microfilter, changing 154NNew transmitter, radio 
remote control 147OOil
quality 124
specifications 124
viscosity 124
Onboard tool kit 140