
 
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.
 
< 

124n
Engine oil Prescribed engine oilThe quality of the engine oil is extremely 
important for the function and life of an 
engine. Based on extensive testing, 
BMW has approved only certain kinds 
of engine oil. 
Use only approved "BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil". 
If you are unable to obtain "BMW High 
Performance Synthetic Oil", you can 
add small amounts of synthetic oil in 
between oil changes. Only use oils with 
the API SH specification or higher. 
Ask your authorized BMW center 
for details concerning the specific 
"BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil" 
or synthetic oils that have been ap-
proved.<
You can also call BMW of North America 
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website: 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this infor-
mation.
Viscosity ratings Viscosity is the oil flow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class 
depends on the climatic conditions in 
the area where you drive your BMW.
BMW recommends the use of oils in 
SAE classes SAE 5W-30 or SAE 5W-40.
These oils may be used for driving in all 
ambient temperatures.
530us050 

131n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carExterior finish To provide effective corrosion protec-
tion, multilayer paintwork is applied at 
the factory. Cataphoretic immersion 
priming techniques are supplemented 
using special body-cavity protectants, 
with the application of specially-devel-
oped and extensively tested materials.
A layer of flexible PVC is first applied to 
the undercarriage. Following this, a 
comprehensive undercoating treatment 
with a wax-based protectant is applied. 
Regular maintenance makes an impor-
tant contribution to maintaining the 
safety and resale value of your vehicle.
Increasing awareness of the effects of 
harmful environmental factors on vehi-
cle finishes have led paint and vehicle 
manufacturers to initiate ongoing pro-
grams designed to further improve the 
durability of their finishes. Despite this, 
environmental factors that occur locally 
or regionally can have negative effects 
on the finish of your vehicle. These 
should guide you in determining the fre-
quency and extent of your efforts to 
maintain the vehicle finish.
Depending upon material and type 
of impact (perforation of paint layer), 
physical stresses from sand, road salt, 
gravel, etc., can cause corrosion to 
start extending beneath the finish, start-
ing at the point of impact.Road dirt, tar spots, dead insects, ani-
mal droppings (strong alkali concentra-
tion) and tree excretions (resins and 
pollen) all contain substances capable 
of causing damage when allowed to re-
main on the finish of your car for any 
period of time (spots, etching, flaking, 
separation in the top coat).
In industrial areas, deposits of flue dust, 
lime, oily soot, precipitation containing 
sulfur-dioxide (acid rain) and other envi-
ronmental pollutants will damage the 
car's finish unless adequate care is pro-
vided – even though this generally lim-
ited to the outside horizontal surfaces.
In coastal regions, high levels of atmo-
spheric salt and humidity promote cor-
rosion.
In tropical zones temperatures of over 
1007 (406) in the shade prevail, in 
addition to heavy ultraviolet radiation 
and high humidity. Under those circum-
stances light colored paints reach tem-
peratures of up to 1807 (806) and 
dark paints up to 2507 (1206).
Caring for the vehicle finish Regular washing is a preventive mea-
sure against long-term effects from 
substances that are harmful to the vehi-
cle's finish, especially if you drive your 
vehicle in areas with high levels of air 
pollution or aggressive natural sub-
stances (tree resins, pollen).
Nevertheless, you should immediately 
remove especially aggressive sub-
stances. Failure to do so can lead to 
changes in the paint's chemical struc-
ture or to discoloration. Gasoline spilled 
during refueling, oil, grease and brake 
fluid should always be cleaned away 
immediately, as should bird droppings. 
All of these substances cause damage 
to the finish.
Any contamination remaining on the 
surface of the vehicle will be especially 
conspicuous after washing. Use clean-
ing fluid or alcohol with a clean cloth or 
cotton pad to remove. Remove tar 
spots with tar remover. After cleaning, 
the affected areas should be waxed to 
ensure continued protection.
A full range of car-care products is 
available from your BMW center.< 

Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake 
System) 22, 106
Accessories 6
Activated charcoal 
filter 93, 154
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC) 66, 160
Adding engine oil 123
Adding washer fluid 173
Adjust the backrest 47
Adjust the temperature 90
Adjust the thigh support 
area 49
Adjusting steering wheel 51
Air distribution 90
Air outlets 88
Air pressure 113
Air supply 91
Airbags 21, 57, 135, 161
Alarm system 42
Antenna 112
Antenna, Diversity 162
Antifreeze 126
Antifreeze, radiator 110
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS) 22, 106
Anti-theft alarm system 42
Aquaplaning 104, 113
Armrest 95
Ashtray 96
Assisted rear entry 49AUC (Automatic 
recirculated-air 
control) 91
Automatic car washes 130
Automatic climate 
control 88
remove window 
condensation 91
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC) 91
Automatic speed control 72
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 22, 66
Average consumption 78
Average speed 79
Avoiding unwanted 
alarm 43
Axle loads 172
BBackrest
release 49
Backup lamps 65
bulb replacement 143
Battery 151, 174
capacity 174
charge 153
discharged 156
removal and 
installation 152
Battery charge current 20
Belts 55Blower 91
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil 124
BMW Sports Seat 49
Bore 170
Brake fluid 127
Brake hydraulic system 20
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 143
Brake pads 22
Brake-in procedure 104
Brakes 108
Brakes, brake faults 109
Breaking in the vehicle 104
Bulb replacement 140
CCar Memory 54
Car phone, please refer to 
the manufacturer's 
operating instructions
Car radio 112
reception 112, 162
refer also to the car radio 
operating instructions
Car vacuum cleaner, 
connecting 96
Car wash 130
Care
exterior 131
interior 132
Care of upholstery 133Care of wool velour 133
Cargo loading 100
Caring for the vehicle 
finish 131
Cassette operation, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Catalytic converter 105
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control) 21, 107
CD mode, refer to the radio 
operating instructions
Cellular phones 95, 112
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp 145
Center armrest 95
Central locking system 34
key 38
Changing tires 148
Check air pressure 27
Check Control 77
Child restraint 
systems 56, 60
Child seat 56, 60
Cigarette lighter 96
Clock 77
refer also to the onboard 
computer operating 
instructions
Clothes hooks 97
Cockpit 16    

Everything from A to Z
181n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
NNavigation system, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Neckrest 48
New transmitter, radio 
remote control 147
Non-smokers package 96
Nozzles 122OOBD connector 137
Obstruction protection 44
Odometer 74
Oil
filling capacity 173
quality 124
viscosity 124
Oil additives 123
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
Oil consumption 123
Oil dipstick 123
Oil filter change 173
Oil level
check 123
indicator lamp 21
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp 20
Oil specifications 124
OILSERVICE 76Onboard computer 77
Onboard computer, refer to 
the radio operating 
instructions
Onboard tool kit 140
Opening and closing
from inside 38
from outside 34
Outlets, ventilation 88
Outside temperature 
display 78
PPaint blemishes 131
Paint, care 131
Paintwork
minor repairs 132
waxing 132
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 80
Parking brake 64
Parking help 80
Parking lamps 84, 85
bulb replacement 142
Parking, winter 111
PDC (Park Distance 
Control) 80
Performance 170
Pocket lamp 94
Pollen 93
Power steering 112
Power windows 44Preheat 62
Pressure monitoring, 
tires 82, 164
Pressure, tires 27, 113
RRadiator 173
Radio Data System 
(RDS) 162
Radio reception 112, 162
Radio remote control, new 
transmitter 147
Radio, refer also to the radio 
operating instructions
Rain sensor 70, 165
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Control) 82, 164
RDS (Radio Data 
System) 162
Reading lamps 86
Rear backrest, folding 98
Rear lamps 143
Rear window 
defroster 71, 92
Rear-view mirror 52
Reclining seat 47
Refueling 26
Remote control 35
Removal of the vehicle from 
service 136
Remove condensation, 
windows 91Replenish washer fluid 122
Reporting safety defects 7
Reserve control lamp 75
Restraint system 56, 60
Reverse 17, 65
Roller blind, sun 
protection 93
Roof load 172
Roof luggage rack 101
Rubber parts 110
SSafety belt height 
adjustment 55
Safety belt tensioner 162
Safety belts 55
safety belt height 
adjustment 55
Safety buttons 38
Safety feature 44
Seat
electric power 50
mechanical 47
Seat adjustment 47
Seat heating 93
Seat memory 51
Securing cargo 100
Securing loads 100
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission 66
Self-diagnostics 166 

Everything from A to ZService and Warranty 
Information Booklet 129
Service Interval 
Display 76, 129
Shiftlock 66
Side airbags 57
Side impact Head Protection 
System 57
Ski bag 99
Sliding 111
Sliding/tilt sunroof 45
closing after electrical 
fault 155
ease of use actuation 34
remote control 35
Slippery roads 110
Snow chains 110, 117
Space-saver spare tire 148
Spare key 32
Spare key with radio remote 
control 32
Spare tire 148
Spark plugs 174
Special oils 124
Speed control 72
Speedometer 18
Sports Seat 49
Start 62
Starting problems 105, 156
Steel wheels 117
Steering 112
Steering wheel lock 62Steptronic 66
Stopping the vehicle 63
Storage shelf 95
Stroke 170
Summer tires 115
Sun roller blind 93
Sun visors 52
Switching off the engine 63
Symbols 4, 151
TTachometer 74
Tail lamps 143
bulb replacement 143
Tank capacity 173
Tank cover
unlock in case of electrical 
fault 155
Technical data 170
Technical 
modifications 6, 136
Telephone prep 95
Telephone, please refer to 
the manufacturer's 
operating instructions
Temperature display
outside temperature 78
Temperature gauge
engine coolant 75
Temperature 
stratification 92
Third brake lamp 145Through-loading facility 98
Tilt alarm 36
Tilt sensor alarm 
system 36, 43
Tire codes 115
Tire damages 113
Tire inflation 
pressure 27, 113
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC) 82, 164
Tire pressure 
monitoring 82, 164
Tire replacement 114
Tire specifications 117
Tire tread 113
Tools 140
Top off washer fluid 
reservoir 122
Top off windshield washer 
fluid reservoir 122
Torque 170
Tow fittings 157
Tow starting 157
Towing 157
Track 171
Trailer loads 172
Transmission 65
Tread depth, tires 113
Trip odometer 74
Trunk 39
capacity 172
locking separately 39Trunk lamps
bulb replacement 146
Trunk lid, refer to luggage 
compartment lid 39
Turn signal 23
bulb replacement 142
Turn signals 69
Turning radius 171
Two-way radios 112
UUsed batteries 153VVacuum cleaner, 
connecting 96
Vanity mirror 52
bulb replacement 146
Vehicle
engage 62
Vehicle battery 151, 174
Vehicle care
exterior 131
interior 132
Vehicle identification 128
Vehicle Identification 
Number (VIN) 128
Vehicle immobilizer 33
Vehicle painting 131
Vehicle removal from 
service 136
Vehicle weight 172