
6n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to 10% ethanol or
other oxygenates with up to 2.8% oxy-
gen by weight (i.e., 15% MTBE or
3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent) will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (i.e., vol-
atility, composition, additives, etc.)
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of
poor-quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems,
especially under certain environmental
conditions, such as high ambient tem-
perature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved by
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product from
other manufacturers to verify if it can be
used on a BMW safely and without risk
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its
occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all
BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally-mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (C.B., walkie-talkie,
ham radio, for instance) may cause ex-
tensive damage to the vehicle, compro-
mise its safety, interfere with the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or affect the
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty.
Visit your authorized BMW center for
additional information.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or re-
pair of the emission control de-
vices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified automo-
tive part.
<

133n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Cellular phone
*
Radio reception
Mobile communications systems (cellu-
lar phone, radio, etc.) are permitted with
an output up to 10 watts only. Even
these systems may trigger malfunctions
in the operation of your vehicle if they
are not specifically designed for use
with the vehicle. BMW can neither test
nor assume responsibility for every
individual product being offered on the
market. We recommend that you con-
sult your BMW center before purchas-
ing any device of this kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, do not use a cellular phone or
other radio device with an antenna
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be
mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on a
car-carrier train or driving it
through a car wash, remove the
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality
obtained from mobile radios varies
according to a variety of factors, includ-
ing the broadcast range of the transmit-
ter and the directional orientation of the
antenna. Interference factors such as
high-tension power lines, buildings and
natural obstructions can all lead to
unavoidable reception interference,
regardless of how well the vehicle
sound system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also
interfere with reception.
Cellular phones without official BMW
approval can also generate interfer-
ence. This phenomenon assumes the
form of a low-pitched hum emanating
from the speaker system.
Please refer to the (Supplementary)
Owner's Manual provided with your
sound system for detailed information
on its use.

190n
Radio reception BMW active seat
*
AM provides substantially longer recep-
tion ranges than FM. AM broadcast
signals, propagated at ground level in
the form of surface waves, are also
reflected from the ionosphere as
atmospheric waves.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides
substantially better sound quality than
AM. However, because FM transmis-
sions rely on line-of-sight broadcast
waves, their effective reception range is
limited.360de084
Although numerous factors combine
to impose inherent limitations on the
reception quality available from mobile
radios, specially designed systems can
be employed to minimize their effects:
The Diversity Antenna system employs
several FM antennas integrated within
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best
FM reception quality at any given time.
Because the ongoing antenna selection
process is completed within milli-sec-
onds, it remains inaudible to the radio
listener.BMW seats are configured for your
orthopedic well-being. The active seat
is an engineering enhancement of
BMW's seats, designed to ensure less
fatigue during extended trips while
sitting with little movement. The seat is
no longer a passive element between
the road, the running gear and the pas-
senger. Instead, it creates minor and
imperceptible shifts in your weight by
an active change in the contour of the
seat surface. The basic seat position is
not changed as this occurs.
Fluid cushions are located below the
surface of the seat in the seat's
upholstery on the left and right. The
fluid is circulated slowly back and forth
between the two cushions by means of
a pump. This causes a movement of the
spinal column which is nearly unnotice-
380de676

194n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
Integrated rear suspension
The Tire Pressure Control system (RDC)
assumes the task of regular tire pres-
sure checks for you. The tire pressure is
monitored at all four wheels, even when
the vehicle is moving.
Behind the valve stem in every wheel,
there is an electronic chip which is
designed for severe-duty applications
and long service life. It contains a pres-
sure sensor, a transmitter and a battery.
The pressure is measured in extremely
short time intervals and then transmit-
ted by a radio signal. If an irregularity is
detected, the transmission rate is
increased.394de304
Near every wheel, there are antennas in
the body which receive the signals from
all four wheels. A central electronics
system evaluates the quadruple signals
and forwards any changes.
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.
The control arms on the patented inte-
grated aluminum rear axle assembly are
not mounted directly on the body. They
are mounted elastically on a chassis
sub-frame which is joined in turn with
elasticity to the vehicle body. The result-
ing double elastic suspension system
effectively absorbs the forces resulting
from bumps and road surface irregulari-
ties.
The compliance rates of the integrated
rear axle assembly's control arm mounts
have been precisely calibrated to help
provide supplementary adjustment in
the tracking angle of the rear wheels
(programmed self-steer effect). The ulti-
mate result is enhanced safety and con-
trol under all conditions.
The illustration shows the rear axle of the
sedan. With the lightweight, compact
rear axle of the sport wagon, the shock
absorbers are positioned at an angle.
390de114

A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)23, 127
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal
filter103
Active seat53, 190
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)71, 188
Add engine oil149
Add washer fluid148
Adjust backrest52
Adjust seats50
Adjust steering wheel54
Adjust temperature100
Air conditioning control98
Remove condensation
from windshields101
Air distribution100
Air pressure134
Air supply101
Air vent98
Airbags23, 60, 160, 188
Alarm system45
Antenna, Diversity190
Antennas133
Antifreeze151
Antifreeze, radiator130
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)23, 127
Anti-theft protection37
Approved gross vehicle
weight201Aquaplaning134
ASC+T/DSC24, 91, 189
Ashtray110
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)71, 188
Attach vacuum cleaner111
AUC (Automatic recirculated-
air control)101
Automatic car washes155
Automatic climate control98
Automatic cruise control80
Automatic curb monitor56
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror55
Automatic rear window
wiper79
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)101
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction/Dynamic
Stability Control (ASC+T)/
(DSC)24, 91, 189
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment54
Automatic transmission71
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic74
Automatic transmission, oil
capacities203
Average fuel
consumption88
Average speed88
Axle loads201
B
Backup lamps70
Bulb replacement169
Battery176, 204
Capacity204
Charging177
Discharged182
Removal and
installation178
Belts59
Beverage holder109
Blower101
BMW active seat53, 190
BMW comfort seat51
BMW sports seat52
BMW Universal
Transmitter105
Bore198
Brake system124
Brake faults130
Brake fluid152
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement169
Brake pads23
Breaking-in the
brakes124
Disc brakes124, 128
Parking brake23, 69
Brake-in procedure124
Brakes, refer to Brake
system
Breaking in the vehicle124
Break-resistant security
glass, care158
Bulb replacement167
C
Car jack173
Car keys35
Car Memory58
Car phones and telephones,
refer to the seperate
Owner's Manual
Car radio
reception133, 190
Car telephone109
Car wash155
Care, vehicle exterior156
Care, vehicle interior158
Cargo loading120
Caring for the vehicle
finish157
Catalytic converter126
Cellular phone133
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp, bulb
replacement171
Central locking system,
button40
Changing a tire173
Charging the battery177
Check air pressure30
Check Control85
Check engine oil level149
Child restraint systems59
Child's seat59
Child-safety locks66
Cigarette lighter110
Everything from A to Z

209n
RepairsIndexOverview Controls Car care Technology Data
Everything from A to Z
Clock, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Cockpit16
Cold start68
Comfort seat51
Compartments108
Compression ratio198
Computer, refer to Onboard
computer88
Consumption display83
Convenience operating
mode of windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof36
Coolant130, 151
Antifreeze130
Capacity203
Temperature gauge84
Cover, sun blinds104
Cruise control80
Cruising range88
Cup holder109
Curb weight201
D
Dashboard16
Data link connector for
Onboard Diagnostics162
Daytime-driving lamp94
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)24, 129
Deep water125Defrost windshields101
Digital sound processor192
Dimensions199
Dipstick, engine oil149
Disc brakes124, 128
Disconnect the battery178
Displacement198
Display lighting94
Displays18
Distance warning90
Diversity Antenna
system190
Divided rear-seat
backrest112
Door keys35
Door locks, care130
Doors
Emergency release36
Manual operation36
Unlocking and locking36
Drive belts204
Driving notes125
Driving through water125
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)24, 91, 189
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)24, 129
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)24, 91, 189
E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows47
Electrical defect
Fuel filler door180
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Tailgate181
Electrical heating exterior
mirror55
Electrical steering wheel
adjustment54
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
Doors36
Fuel filler door180
Luggage compartment lid/
Tailgate41, 181
Sliding/Tilt sunroof180
Energy Control83
Engine
Compartment144
Coolant151
Specifications198
Engine oil
Capacity203
Consumption149
Grades150
Level23
Pressure23
Error indicators85
Exterior finish156
Exterior mirror54
Electrical heating55
F
Failure of an electrical
accessorry180
Failure warnings85
Filler cap cover28
Filling capacities203
First-aid kit27
Fittings, tow-starting and
towing183
Flashlight108
Flat tire134
Footbrake
Footwell lamps96
Forward/Back adjustment,
seat50, 52
Front fog lamps95, 169
bulb replacement169
Front seat adjustment50
Frost protection,
radiator151
Fuel29
Capacity203
Consumption indicator83
Gauge83
Quality29
Reserve203
Fuel filler door release after
electrical fault180
Fuel tank, capacity203
Fuses178