Page 12 of 189

 
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 
     
        
        Page 17 of 189
 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
15n
 
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multi-function steering wheel24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure27  
     
        
        Page 19 of 189
 
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 
     
        
        Page 21 of 189

 
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.
 
< 
     
        
        Page 22 of 189

 
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. 
     
        
        Page 23 of 189

21n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: Stop immediately
Engine oil level
 
Comes on while driving: Stop 
vehicle and switch off engine 
immediately. The oil level is at the abso-
lute minimum.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because 
of inadequate lubrication.< 
Red and yellow: Continue driving 
cautiously 
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) l
Comes on together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and 
DSC: 
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC
 
system has been deactivated. 
Continue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid hard brake 
applications. Please have the system 
checked by your authorized BMW cen-
ter as soon as possible. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 81, 107.
Warning lamps CBC, ABS and 
DSC for Canadian models.
Red: An important reminder
Parking brake 
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied – an additional 
acoustical signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 64. 
Parking brake lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l 
An acoustical warning signal 
sounds simultaneously. Lights 
up for a few seconds or until the safety 
belt is fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts: Refer to page 55.
Airbags l 
Please have the system in-
spected by your authorized 
BMW center. 
For additional information: Refer to 
page 57, 161. 
     
        
        Page 24 of 189

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. 
     
        
        Page 25 of 189

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.