
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
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
 
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 
specifications117
 
Under 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 

 
19n
 
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve75
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for 
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beam23
 
>
 
Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level20, 22
5 Tachometer and
Energy control74
6 Engine coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too
high" indicator75
7 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for
 
>
 
Parking brake/
Brake hydraulic system/
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)20
 
>
 
ABS22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Please fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control
 
* 
23
8 Clock reset
 
>
 
Clock77
 
>
 
Service Interval 769 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
68
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
22, 68
10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC)22
11 Indicator for
 
>
 
Odometer74
 
>
 
Trip odometer74
 
>
 
Clock77
 
>
 
Service Interval76
Indicator for onboard computer,
for operation via the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 77: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control77
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7414 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for 
 
>
 
Fog lamps
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Engine Power 
Control (EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Engine Management system22
You can display the outside tem-
perature and distance driven in 
different units of measurement.
 
< 

23n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Indicator and warning lamps
Electronic Engine output-adjust-
ment (EML)
* l 
Malfunction in engine timing. 
Higher brake application pressure may 
be necessary and brake pedal travel 
may be significantly longer.
Please have the system inspected by 
your authorized BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top 
up the coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 126.
Green: For your information
Turn signal
Flashes when the turn signal is 
switched on. Rapid flashing in-
dicates a system malfunction. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 69.
Cruise control
*
Comes on when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Available for 
operation via the multi-function steering 
wheel. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 72.
Fog lamps
*
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the fog lamps. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 85.
Blue: For your information
High beam
Lights up when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 69, 85. 

75n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Fuel gauge  Temperature gauge When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational. 
Once the indicator lamp begins to light 
up continuously, there are still approx. 
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel 
tank.
Tank capacity: page 173.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, e.g.,  
when you are driving in mountainous 
areas, this may cause the needle to 
fluctuate slightly.
Please refuel early, as driving to 
the last drop of fuel can result in 
damage to the engine and/or catalytic 
converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to con-
firm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle, the engine is overheated. 
Switch the engine off immediately and 
allow it to cool down.460de082
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not un-
usual for the needle to rise as far as the 
edge of the red zone in response to high 
outside temperatures or severe operat-
ing conditions.
Checking coolant level: page 126. 

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 

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. 

121n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine compartment1 Brake fluid reservoir127
2 Engine oil dipstick123
3 Coolant expansion tank126
4 Engine oil filler neck123
5 Reservoir for the windshield and
 
headlamp washer system
*
122
6 Auxiliary terminal for jump 
starting156 

126n
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot, 
since escaping coolant can cause 
burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later 
on, never use anything other than fac-
tory-approved, nitrite- and amino-free 
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion 
inhibitor. Your authorized BMW center 
is familiar with the official specifica-
tions.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are 
hazardous to health. Store antifreeze 
and anticorrosion agents in their origi-
nal containers and inaccessible to chil-
dren. Extended-duty antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor contains the flamma-
ble substance ethyleneglycol. Do not 
spill antifreeze containing corrosion 
inhibitor on hot engine components, 
since it could catch fire and cause seri-
ous burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of extended-duty antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level when the engine 
is cold (approx. 687 or 206):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion 
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the 
end of the red float is aligned with the 
upper edge of the filler opening (refer to 
the arrow in the illustration or the sche-
matic diagram next to the cap).460de053
Add coolant Wait until the engine cools before 
removing the cap from the expansion 
tank. The coolant gauge needle in the 
instrument cluster must be located in 
the blue field; otherwise, otherwise, you 
could be scalded.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated 
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add 
coolant until the correct level is 
reached – do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and 
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion 
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio 
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are re-
quired.
Replace the coolant every four years.