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 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 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. 
     
        
        Page 86 of 189
84n
Parking lamps
With the switch in this position, 
vehicle lighting is illuminated on 
both sides. For lighting on one 
side for parking, see page 85.
Low beam headlamps 
When you switch the ignition off 
with the low beam headlamps 
on, only the parking lamps will 
remain on.
"Follow-Me-Home" lamps: 
If you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the car, then the 
low-beam headlamps will come on for a 
short time. You can also have this func-
tion deactivated.<
460us035
LAMPS ON warningWhen you open the driver's door after 
turning the ignition key to position 0, a 
warning signal sounds for a few sec-
onds to remind you that the headlamps 
have not been switched off
.
Daytime-driving lamps
*
If desired, the lamp switch can be left in 
the second position: When the ignition 
is switched off, the external lighting is 
also switched off.
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.
460us036
Parking lamps/Headlamps  Instrument panel rheostat 
     
        
        Page 109 of 189

107n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Antilock Brake System (ABS)Antilock Brake System (ABS)/
Cornering Brake Control (CBC) CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking while 
cornering at high speed or braking dur-
ing high lateral acceleration, or when 
braking during a lane change, vehicle 
stability is improved and steering 
response is enhanced.
In the event of a fault 
If the ABS warning lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up, 
refer to page 22. The brake sys-
tem then reverts to conventional opera-
tion as on vehicles without ABS. How-
ever, have the brake system checked by 
your BMW center as soon as possible. 
To prevent undetected defects and cu-
mulative faults from adversely affecting 
the brake system, refer any problems to 
your authorized BMW center at the ear-
liest opportunity.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
model.
If the brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the indicator 
lamps for the ABS and DSC sys-
tems, refer to page 21. The en-
tire ABS, CBC and DSC
 govern-
ing system has deactivated. 
Continue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid full brake ap-
plications. This could cause the vehicle 
to lose stability and you might no longer 
be able to control it.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible by your authorized BMW cen-
ter.
Warning lamps CBC, ABS and 
DSC for Canadian models. 
     
        
        Page 111 of 189

109n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Brake systemBrake fluid level 
If the brake-warning lamp 
comes on with the parking brake 
released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the 
reservoir (refer to page 127).
If the brake fluid level is too low and 
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in 
one of the brake system's hydraulic 
circuits.
Brake-warning lamp for Cana-
dian model.
Proceed to the nearest authorized 
BMW center. Higher brake appli-
cation pressure may be necessary un-
der these conditions, and brake pedal 
travel may be significantly longer. 
Please remember to adapt your driving 
style accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake 
pads lights up:
The brake pads have reached 
their minimum pad thickness. Proceed 
to the nearest authorized BMW center 
as soon as possible to have the pads 
replaced.
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.< 
     
        
        Page 129 of 189

127n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Brake fluidIf the warning lamp for the brake hy-
draulic system lights up and the parking 
brake is released:
Check the brake fluid level and, if nec-
essary, refill it to the top mark. 
Should you determine that the brake 
fluid is low, refer the problem to your 
BMW center, who can trace and rectify 
any sources of leakage when refilling 
the reservoir.
Your BMW center is familiar with the 
specifications for approved brake fluids 
(DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss can result in extended 
pedal travel. Comply with the informa-
tion provided on page 109.460de128
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, 
it absorbs moisture from the air 
over time.
In order to safeguard the proper opera-
tion of your brake system, have the 
brake fluid changed every two years by 
your authorized BMW center; also refer 
to page 153 and to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet (US models) 
or Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the ve-
hicle's paint. You should always store it 
in its original container and in a location 
that is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the 
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX" 
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon 
contact with hot engine parts and cause 
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of brake fluid.<