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Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit 16
Instrument cluster 18
Indicator and warning lamps 20
Multi-function steering wheel 24
Hazard warning system 25
Warning triangle 25
First-aid kit 25
Refueling 26
Fuel specifications 26
Tire inflation pressure 27
 
Locks and security systems:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle  immobilizer 33
Central locking system 34
Door locks – from outside 34
Using the key 34
Using the remote control 35
Door locks – from inside 38
Luggage compartment lid 39
Luggage compartment 41
Alarm system 42
Electric power windows 44
Sliding/tilt sunroof 45
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory 50
Steering wheel 51
Mirrors 52
Car Memory, Key Memory 54
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts55
Child restraint systems 56
Airbags 57
 
Driving:
 
Steering/ignition lock 62
Starting the engine 62
Switching off the engine 63
Parking brake 64 Manual transmission
65
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 66
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher 69
Wiper/washer system/Rain  sensor 69
Rear window defroster 71
Cruise control 72
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer74
Tachometer 74
Energy control 74
Fuel gauge 75
Temperature gauge 75
Service Interval Display 76
Check Control 77
Clock 77
Onboard computer 77
 
Technology for safety and  
convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC) 80
Dynamic Stability Control  (DSC) 81
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 82 
     
        
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30n
Locks and security systems:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Door locks – from outside34
Using the key34
Using the remote control35
Door locks – from inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/tilt sunroof45
Adjustments:
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory50
Steering wheel51
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory54
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts55
Child restraint systems56
Airbags57
Driving:
Steering/ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake64 
     
        
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32n
Keys1 Master key with transmitter for the 
remote control determines the Key 
Memory functions, see page 54.
Every key contains a long-life re-
chargeable battery which is auto-
matically recharged from the ignition 
lock, while the car is being driven.
If you have spare master keys which are 
not otherwise in regular service, it is ad-
visable to use them about once a year 
for a journey of some distance, so that 
their batteries are recharged. Also see 
page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for continuous use.463de023
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and glove compartment can-
not be operated with this key – this 
may be beneficial for valet parking, 
for instance.
Replacement keysare available exclusively through your 
authorized BMW center. Your BMW 
center is obligated to ensure that a per-
son requesting a key is authorized to do 
so, since the keys belong to a security 
system (refer to "Electronic vehicle im-
mobilizer" on page 33).
Whenever you have been handed 
a replacement key, insert it into 
the ignition lock and turn it once to 
position 2 (ignition switched on), then 
back to the home position, so that the 
electronic immobiliser "accepts" the 
new key.<
See also "New transmitter", page 147. 
     
        
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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive 
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce 
the susceptibility of the vehicle to theft 
by making it impossible to start the en-
gine using any means other than the 
special keys furnished with the vehicle. 
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individ-
ual keys (in the event of loss, for in-
stance). A deactivated key can no 
longer be used to start the engine.
BMW
LOCK
463de042
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the 
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications 
interface designed to allow the security 
system to maintain a continuous stream 
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with 
the electronic circuitry in the key. The 
system will not release the ignition, fuel 
injection and starter unless it recog-
nizes an "authorized" key.
Force applied to the key can dam-
age the integrated electronic cir-
cuitry. A damaged key can no longer be 
used to start the engine.< 
     
        
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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.< 
     
        
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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Luggage compartment lid The lock Only the master key (refer to page 32) 
fits in the lock of the luggage compart-
ment.462de273
Secure separatelyTurn the master key to the right past the 
resistance point and then pull it out in 
the horizontal position.
This locks the luggage compartment 
lid and disconnects it from the central 
locking system. This feature can be 
used to prevent unauthorized access to 
the luggage compartment when you 
surrender the door and ignition key 
(refer to page 32) for valet parking, for 
instance.462de274
To open from outsidePress the button in the handle recess 
(arrow): The luggage compartment lid 
opens slightly.
The luggage compartment is lit when 
the luggage compartment lid is opened.Manual operation(in the event of electrical failure) 
Turn the master key to the left to the 
stop – the luggage compartment lid 
will open slightly. 
The luggage compartment is locked 
again as soon as you close the lid.460de010 
     
        
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Electric power windowsOpen and close windowsIn ignition key position 1 or 2:
>Press the switch up to but not past 
the pressure point:
The window moves downward or the 
rear vent window moves outward as 
long as the switch is pressed.
>Press the switch briefly past the 
pressure point:
The window moves automatically. 
Pressing the switch again briefly 
stops the opening cycle.
You can close windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch. The rear 
vent window does not close automati-
cally.463de200
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the electric win-
dows for up to 15 minutes, provided 
that no door has been opened and then 
closed. 
Remove the key from the ignition 
key and close the doors when you 
leave the vehicle, so that children can-
not operate the power windows and 
possibly injure themselves.< 
For the convenience operating mode 
with the door lock or the remote con-
trol, refer to page 34 or 35.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside 
upper frame of each of the windows. If 
pressure is exerted against this contact 
strip while a window is being raised, the 
system will respond by stopping the 
window and then retracting it a small 
distance.
In spite of this safety feature, 
always make sure that the win-
dow's path is clear. Otherwise in some 
cases (e. g. with thin objects) proper 
contact with the contact strip is not en-
sured.
You can disable this safety feature by 
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.< 
     
        
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RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Sliding/tilt sunroof
* 
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the sliding/tilt sun-
roof and keep it in your field of vision 
until it is completely closed.
Remove the key from the ignition and 
close the doors when you leave the 
vehicle, so that children cannot operate 
the sunroof and possibly injure them-
selves.<
To avoid pressure or drafts in the pas-
senger compartment when the sunroof 
is open or raised, keep the air vents in 
the dashboard open and increase the air 
supply if necessary. Refer to page 91.
When competely opened, the sunroof 
may cause unpleasant vibrations in the 
vehicle interior. To eliminate these 
vibrations, close the sunroof until this 
natural effect disappears.
For the convenience operating mode 
with the door lock or the remote con-
trol, refer to page 34 or 35.
Lifting – opening – closingIn ignition key position 1 or 2, press the 
switch or slide it to the desired direction 
until you feel resistance. 
When lifting, the headliner retracts 
several inches.
After the ignition has been switched off, 
you can still operate the sunroof for up 
to 15 minutes, as long as neither of the 
front doors has been opened and then 
closed.460de015
Automatic opening and closing>Press the switch past the resistance 
point briefly: The sunroof travels to 
either the fully-closed or fully-open 
position
>With the sunroof open, press the 
switch briefly toward "Lift": The sun-
roof automatically extends to its fully 
raised position.
Pressing the switch again briefly stops 
the motion immediately.