
 
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.
 
< 

 
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. 

22n
Indicator and warning lampsOrange: For the nearest BMW 
center
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the 
automatic transmission shifts 
only in the emergency program. Please 
consult the nearest authorized BMW 
center. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 68.
Yellow: Check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in re-
sponse to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your autho-
rized BMW center. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 107.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been turned off: Check the en-
gine oil level. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 123.
Brake pads l 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information: 
Refer to page 10 9.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
* l
Check the tire pressure. Refer to 
page 27, 82.
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) l
The DSC has been switched off 
or has been deactivated because of a 
malfunction. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, have the system checked by your 
authorized BMW center. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 81.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest op-
portunity. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 122.
Service engine soon l 
There is a defect in the Engine 
Management system. It is im-
portant to note that an illuminated lamp 
is intended to inform the driver of the 
need for service, not of the need to 
stop the vehicle!
It can also be an indication that the filler 
cap was not properly tightened after 
refueling. Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized BMW 
center. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 137.
Engine Management warning 
lamp for Canadian models. 

70n
Wiper/washer system1 Intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
* 
Intermittent wipe:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from 
four wipe intervals. In addition, the wipe 
interval automatically adapts to varia-
tions in road speed.
Rain sensor:
When the rain sensor is activated, the 
windshield wiper is controlled automati-
cally, depending on the degree of wet-
ness of the windshield (in both snow 
and rain). You do not have to be con-
cerned with switching the windshield 
wiper on or off or adjusting the wipe 
interval between intermittent and full 
wipe. Instead, you can concentrate fully 
on the traffic conditions. This is espe-
cially important under adverse weather 
conditions.462de213
To activate the rain sensor:
In ignition key positions 1 or 2, move 
the lever to position 1. The wipers travel 
once across the windshield under all 
circumstances.
You can leave the lever permanently in 
position 1, and then activate the rain 
sensor in ignition key positions 1 or 2. 
To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use the automatic windshield 
washer 5.
To modify the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 6.
Switch the rain sensor off when 
the vehicle passes through the car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in 
damage caused by undesired wiper 
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers switch automatically to intermittent 
wipe (not on vehicles with rain sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers operate at normal speed (not on 
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Automatic windshield washer The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period.
If you only pull the lever briefly, the sys-
tem sprays washer fluid onto the wind-
shield without activating the wipers. 

71n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Wiper/washer system Rear window defroster Headlamp washers
* 
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned every fifth time the automatic 
windshield washer is activated.
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will freeze 
on the windshield, otherwise vision 
could be obscured. Use an antifreeze 
agent. Refer to page 122.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, otherwise damage to the 
washer pump could result.
position 2
*.
To activatePress the button: As long as the indica-
tor lamp remains on, the rear window 
defroster continues at high-output 
(rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the 
defroster continues operating at re-
duced power for a limited period before 
deactivating automatically. 460de026
To deactivatePress the button if the indicator lamp is 
on.  

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 

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.<