
 
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 

 
17n
 
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
 
Cockpit
 
1 Headlamp switch84
2
 
d
 
Turn signal69
 
>
 
Parking lamp85
 
>
 
High beam85
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher69
 
>
 
Onboard computer
 
* 
77
3 Wiper/washer system69
4 Shift lever/Selector lever
 
* 
65 
For vehicles equipped with manual 
transmission: Press the lever to the 
left to overcome the slight resis-
tance to engage reverse gear
5 Central locking system34
6 Hazard warning flashers25
7 Rear window defroster71
8 Horn: The entire surface
9 Adjusting steering wheel51
10 Fog lamps
 
* 
85 

 
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. 

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. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Manual transmission65
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic66
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher69
Wiper/washer system/Rain 
sensor69
Rear window defroster71
Cruise control72
Everything under control:
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Temperature gauge75
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Clock77
Onboard computer77
Technology for safety and 
convenience:
Park Distance Control (PDC)80
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)82Lamps:
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 

62n
0  Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted and 
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until 
you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic 
signal chimes after the driver's door has 
been opened.
Vehicles with automatic 
transmission:
Move the selector lever from position P 
only after the engine is running (ignition 
key in position 2).
In order to turn the key back to position 0 
or to remove it, move the selector lever 
into position P first (Interlock).<462de195
1  Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to 
the right or left often makes it easier to 
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready 
for operation.2  Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3  Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual 
transmission: 
Step on the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine 
from starting if the clutch is not de-
pressed.c
Before starting>Engage parking brake
>Ensure that the transmission selector 
is in "Neutral" (or "Park" if vehicle is 
equipped with automatic transmis-
sion)
>Manual transmission: Depress the 
clutch pedal
>Automatic transmission: Depress the 
footbrake.
Never allow the engine to run with 
the vehicle standing in an en-
closed area. The exhaust gases contain 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and col-
orless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing 
the exhaust gases poses an extreme 
health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the car unattended with 
the engine running. An unattended ve-
hicle with a running engine represents a 
potential safety hazard.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Steering/ignition lock  Starting the engine  

69n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Turn signal/Headlamp flasher  Wiper/washer system 1 High beam (blue indicator)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator)
3 Turn signal (green indicator accom-
panied by periodic clicking sound 
from the relay).
If the turn indicator lamp blinks and the 
blinker relay clicks faster than normal, 
then one of the turning indicators has 
burned out.462de212
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent wipe or rain sensor
*
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Automatic windshield washer
6 Rotary dial for control of the interval 
time or the sensitivity of the rain sen-
sor462de213