
 
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 

 
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 

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 

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 

108n
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater 
fade resistance under heavy use. 
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when 
the vehicle is not used at all, and in op-
erating conditions where brakes appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the 
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs be-
cause the minimal pressure that must 
be exerted by the pads to clean the 
rotors by brake applications is not 
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they 
will tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
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.<
Driving notesWhile driving in wet conditions and in 
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light 
pressure to the brake pedal every few 
miles (kilometers). Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The 
heat that is generated by the brake ap-
plications helps to dry the brake pads 
and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained 
while the wheels continue to rotate, 
peaking when the wheels remain on the 
verge of locking without actually doing 
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert 
to the staggered braking technique 
described on page 110.
Long or steep mountain descents do 
not necessarily lead to reduced braking 
efficiency if you drive downhill with the 
transmission in a gear that allows mini-
mal brake applications (or, with an auto-
matic transmission, in an appropriate 
lower range).
You can further increase the engine's 
braking effect by selecting a lower gear, 
downshifting as far as first gear or plac-
ing the selector lever in position (1).Should engine braking prove inade-
quate, you should still avoid extended, 
continuous braking. Instead of main-
taining low to moderate pressure over 
an extended period of time, you should 
decelerate the vehicle by applying more 
substantial force on the pedal (watch 
for following traffic!) and then pausing 
before repeating the application. This 
staggered braking technique allows the 
brakes to cool in the intervals between 
active braking phases, preventing over-
heating and ensuring that full braking 
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch de-
pressed or with the transmission 
or selector lever in neutral. Do not drive 
with the engine shut off. The engine 
provides no braking effect when the 
clutch pedal is depressed or the trans-
mission is in neutral, and there is no 
power-assist for brakes and steering 
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any 
other objects to protrude into the area 
around the accelerator, clutch and 
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.< 

112n
Power steering Cellular phones
* Radio reception 
High steering effort:
Please contact a BMW center.
High steering effort during sudden tran-
sitions: 
Have your authorized BMW center in-
spect this system as soon as possible. 
If the power steering fails, in-
creased effort will be required to 
steer the vehicle.<
Mobile communications systems (cellu-
lar phone, two-way radios, etc.) are only 
allowed a power output of up to 10  Watt. 
Mobile communications devices not 
specifically designed for use in your car 
may trigger malfunctions while operat-
ing your vehicle. BMW can neither test 
nor assume responsibility for every indi-
vidual product being offered on the mar-
ket. We recommend that you consult 
your BMW center before purchasing any 
device of this kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to 
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, refrain from using a mobile phone 
or other radio device with an antenna 
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be 
fitted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on a 
car-carrier train or driving it 
through a car-wash, remove the an-
tenna.<
The reception and sound quality ob-
tained from mobile radios varies ac-
cording to a variety of factors, including 
the broadcast range of the transmitter 
and the directional orientation of the 
antenna. Interference factors such as 
high-tension power lines, buildings and 
natural obstructions can all lead to un-
avoidable reception interference, re-
gardless of how well the vehicle's sound 
system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar 
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also 
interfere with reception.
Car telephones or cellular phones not 
approved by BMW can also cause in-
terference in the radio during a tele-
phone call. This phenomenon assumes 
the form of a low-pitched hum emanat-
ing from the speaker system.
Please refer to the supplementary oper-
ating instructions provided with your 
sound system for detailed information 
on its use. 

123n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Engine oilChecking oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface 
2 Shut the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean 
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar 
material
4 Push the dipstick all the way into the 
guide tube and pull it out again
5 The oil level should be between the 
two graduations on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption 
is directly influenced by your driving 
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The space between the two marks on 
the dipstick corresponds to approx. 
1.1  US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond 
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess 
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark before adding oil. 
But never let the oil drop below the 
lower mark. 
BMW engines are designed to op-
erate without oil additives; the use 
of additives could lead to damage in 
some cases. This also applies for the 
manual transmission, automatic trans-
mission, differential and the power 
steering system.<462de245 

174n
Electrical system  Ribbed V-belt Battery 12 V, 80 AhSpark plugs NGK BKR 6 EQUP
Bosch FGR 7 DQP (under development)Water pump – AC generator – Power 
steering
Ribbed V-belt 6 PK x 1538
A/C compressor
Ribbed V-belt 5 PK x 863You can obtain Original BMW 
Parts and Accessories, as well as 
professional advice from your autho-
rized BMW center.<