
Contents
Operation, care and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Under the hood:
Hood143
Engine compartment 144
Washer fluids148
Washer nozzles148
Engine oil149
Coolant151
Brake fluid152
Vehicle Identification
Number153
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System154
Caring for your car155
Airbags160
Vehicle storage160
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications161
OBD connector162
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit166
Wiper blades166
Lamps and bulbs167
Changing tires173
Battery176
Fuses178
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting182
Towing the vehicle183Airbags188
Adaptive Transmission Control
(ATC) 188
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 189
Radio reception190
BMW active seat 190
Safety belt tensioner191
DSP sound system 192
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer 192
Rain sensor 193
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) 194
Integrated rear suspension194
Level control system 195
Xenon lamps 195

155n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Caring for your carWashing your carYou can have your new BMW washed
in an automatic car wash. Car wash
systems that do not employ brushes are
preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the car.
To prevent spots, avoid washing when
the hood is still warm, or immediately
after and during exposure to strong
sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). If you are
uncertain, consult the manager of the
car wash
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor
*:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects,
for example, can cause malfunctions in
the function of the rain sensor.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. If you do not,
damage may occur if the wipers switch
on unintentionally.<
Parts of the car which are inaccessible
to the automatic washer Ð such as door
sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially im-
portant to ensure that the car is washed
on a regular basis. Large quantities of
dirt and road salt are difficult to remove,
and they also cause damage to the ve-
hicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition, mois-
ture could penetrate to vehicle compo-
nents, leading to long-term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following:
>Do not clean by wiping with a dry
cloth (scratches). Never use abra-
sives or strong solvents to clean the
covers
>Remove dirt and contamination
(such as insects) by soaking with
BMW Car Shampoo and then rinsing
with plenty of water
>Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never
use an ice scraper.<
After washing the car, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them. Braking
efficiency might otherwise be reduced
by the moisture, and the brake rotors
could also be corroded.<

189n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
In order to take driving conditions into
account, ATC registers corners and
both uphill and downhill gradients. For
example, if you maintain speed through
a curve, the transmission does not up-
shift.
On uphill gradients, it shifts only when
the engine speed increases in order to
make more efficient use of power
reserves. On downhill gradients ATC
downshifts when the speed of the vehi-
cles increases, causing the driver to
step on the brakes.Precision sensors monitor the number
of revolutions of the wheels. When
equipped with DSC, they also monitor
steering angle, lateral acceleration,
brake pressure and the movement of
the vehicle around its vertical axis.
If differences in the wheel speeds
occur, the system counteracts the dan-
ger of wheelspin by reducing torque. If
necessary, the system also responds
with additional applications of the
brakes at the rear wheels.
If the system detects an instability in the
vehicle's condition, the braking action
can also be directed to help the front
wheels by the DSC in order to help sta-
bilize the vehicle.
You may need some time to become
accustomed to this system intervention.
However, it guarantees optimum drive
force and driving stability.
The braking intervention may be
accompanied by a certain degree of
noise.ATC
*
ASC+T/DSC
*

Everything from A to Z
G
Gasoline29
Gasoline gauge83
Glove compartment108
Gross weight201
H
Handbrake23, 69
Handsfree system109
Hazard warning system27
Hazard warning triangle27
Head restraint53
Headlamp cleaning78
Headlamp covers,
care155, 167
Headlamp flasher77
Headlamp washer
system148
Heated seats103
Heated steering wheel103
Heating and ventilation98
Heating while stopped102
Heavy loads120
Height199
Height adjustment
Seats52
Steering wheel54
HiFi system192
High beams24
Bulb replacement167
High Performance Synthetic
Oils150Hood release143
Horn25, 26
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC24, 129
I
Ice warning82
Identification number of the
vehicle153
Identification, tires137
Ignition key35
Ignition lock67
Independent ventilation104
Indicator77
Indicator lamps22
Inflation pressure30, 134
Monitoring92, 194
INSPECTION84
Instrument cluster18, 20
Instrument lighting94
Instrument panel20
Instrument panel switch77
Instruments18
Integrated rear axle194
Intensive automatic cleaning
unit78
Intensive cleaning
system148
Interaxle tire rotation136
Interference indicators85
Interference with
car phones133Interior lamps96
Remote control38
Interior mirror55
automatic dimming
feature55
Interior motion sensor46
Deactivation46
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic dimming
feature55, 192
Interlock67
Intermittent wiper switch77
J
Jack173
Jump-starting182
K
Key Memory58
Keys35
Kickdown72, 75
L
Lashing eye44, 120
Leather care159
Length199
Level control
system24, 132, 195
Light switch94
Light-alloy wheels138, 140
Lighter110Lights-on warning94
Load-securing devices120
Locking and unlocking the
doors36, 37
Low beams94
Bulb replacement167
Low beams, bulb
replacement167
Low-fuel warning lamp83
Lug bolts174
Lug wrench174
Luggage compartment
Capacity201
Lamps96
Net44
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate44
Emergency actuation41
Opening separately41
Remote control39
Luggage space44
Luggage straps44
Lumbar support51
M
M Multifunction steering
wheel (MFL)26
M+S tires138
Magic Eye177
Maintenance84, 154

211n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Everything from A to Z
Manual operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41, 181
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Manual transmission70
Manually controlled
recirculated-air101
Master key34
Mechanical seat52
Memory56
MFL (M Multifunction
steering wheel)26
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)25
Microfilter103
Mirror54
Mirror heating55
Mirror memory56
Mobile communications
systems, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phones133
Modifications,
technical6, 161
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)25
N
Navigation System, refer to
the separate Owner's
Manual
Nonsmoker equipment110
Nozzles98
O
OBD connector162
Odometer82
Oil
Additives149
Consumption149
Grades150
Oil change interval, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick149
Oil level, indicator lamp23
Oil quantity, engine203
OILSERVICE84
Old batteries177
Onboard computer88
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88
Cruising range88
Outside temperature88
Onboard tool kit166Open luggage compartment
lid/tailgate from
interior41
Opening and closing
From the inside38
From the outside36
Operating range88
Outside temperature88
Outside temperature
display82
P
Paint blemishes156
Paint, care156
Paintwork, minor
repairs157
Paintwork, waxing157
Park Distance Control
(PDC)90
Parking brake23, 69
Parking help90
Parking lamps95
Bulb replacement168
Parking, Winter132
PDC (Park Distance
Control)90
Playing cassettes
Refer to the Radio Owner's
Manual
Playing CDs
Refer to the Radio Owner's
Manual
Pocket light108Pollen filter103
Power output198
Power steering132
Power windows47
Safety switch48
Power-slip control
Refer to ASC+T/DSC91
Pressure, tire30, 134
Monitoring92, 194
R
Radio reception133, 190
Radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Radios133
Rain sensor155
RDC (Tire Pressure
Control)92, 194
Reading lamps96
Rear view mirror54
Rear window blind104
Rear window
defrosting79, 102
Rear window wiper79
Rear-seat backrest,
removable112
Recirculated-air control101
Reclining seat50
Refueling28
Remote control37
Removable rear-seat
backrest112

A
Add
Antifreeze152
Brake fluid152
Coolant152
Engine coolant152
Engine oil149
Fluid, power steering152
Washer fluids148
Adjust washer nozzles148
Avoid false alarms46
B
Backup lamps, bulb
replacement169
Battery176
Charge condition177
Discharged182
Removing and
installing178
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement170
Brakes, brake faults130
Bulb replacement167
C
Car jack173
Changing tires173
Charging the battery178
Check Control85
Check engine oil level149
Check tire pressures29
Courtesy lamp, bulb
replacement172
D
Deactivating the interior
motion sensor38
Deactivating the tilt sensor
alarm system38, 46
Defrost windshields101
Difficult steering132
Doors
Manual operation36
E
Electrical defect
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Engine oil
specifications150
F
Failure messages85
Filling the washer
reservoir148
First-aid kit27
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing183
Flat tire173Fog lamp, replace the
bulb169
Footwell lamps, bulb
replacement172
Fuel filler door release after
electrical fault180
Fuses179
G
Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement172
H
Hazard warning flashers27
Hazard warning triangle27
Headlamp covers,
care155, 167
Help with jump starting182
High beams, bulb
replacement167
Hood release143
I
Indicator lamps22
Bulb replacement169
J
Jack173
Jump starting182
L
Level control system,
inactive132
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement171
Low beams, bulb
replacement167
Lug wrench174
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement172
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate, unlock in case of
electrical fault41
M
Maintenance84, 154
Malfunction displays85
Manual operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
O
Oil specifications150
Onboard tool kit166
Owner service procedures