IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
19n
Instrument cluster
There are two versions, depending on
the equipment on your vehicle.
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve75
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicator24
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for high beams24
5 Tachometer and Energy Control75
6 Engine coolant thermometer with
"Coolant temperature too high"
indicator76
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system, Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)22, 24
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)23
>
Brake pads24
>
Airbags23
>
Automatic transmission24
>
Please fasten safety belts23
>
Cruise control25
8 Selector lever and program display
for automatic transmission66
9 Service Interval Display7610 Onboard computer display Ð
Operation via the turn signal lever:
Refer to page 80:
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
>
Cruising range
>
Average speed
11 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)24
12 Indicator lamp for level control
system24
13 Odometer and trip odometer74
14 Indicator for Check Control77
15 Reset button for trip odometer74
16 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:
>
Fog lamps25
>
Battery charge current22
>
Engine oil level/Engine oil
pressure24, 22
>
Engine Power Control24
>
Service Engine Soon24
24n
Indicator and warning lamps Yellow: check as soon as possible
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: check the engine
oil level.
For additional information: refer to
page 137.
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.
Brake pads
* l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 123.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) l
Fault in the DBC system. Please
have the system inspected by
your authorized BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 120.
Warning lamp, Dynamic Brake
Control (DBC) for Canadian
models
Level control system
* l
The level control system is inac-
tive. Please consult the nearest
authorized BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 125.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
DSC has been switched off with
the button; the traction intervention
system is still active.
In the event of a malfunction the indica-
tor lamp comes on continiuosly and
can't be swiched off with the button:
DSC and HDC are inactive. Please have
the system checked by the nearest
BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 83 and 85.
Engine Power Control*
There is a malfunction in the
Engine Power Control. When
braking, higher brake application pres-
sure may be necessary and brake pedal
travel may be significantly longer.
Please have the system inspected by
your authorized BMW center.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the
emissions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information: refer to
page 150.
Warning lamp, Service Engine
Soon for Canadian models
116n
Break-in procedures To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you ob-
serve the following suggestions: Engine and axle drive Up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and a road speed of
106 mph (170 km/h) during this initial
period:
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), engine and vehicle speeds
can gradually be increased.
You should also comply with these
break-in procedures if the engine or
one of the axle drives is replaced later
in the course of the vehicle service life.
Tires Due to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
an initial break-in period has elapsed.
For this reason, drive with extra care
during the initial 200 miles (300 km).
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or com-
plete loss of traction, vehicle control
and braking effectiveness. Reduce your
speed on wet roads.<
Brake system Approximately 300 miles (500 km) must
elapse before the brake pads and ro-
tors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and long service life later
on.
To break in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that traf-
fic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the parking brake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine shut off Ð when
towing, for instance Ð substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be re-
quired to brake the vehicle.<
122n
Disc brakes Disc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in op-
erating conditions where brake applica-
tions are less frequent, there is an in-
creased tendency for corrosion of the
rotors and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs be-
cause the minimal pressure which must
be exerted by the pads to clean the ro-
tors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-ap-
proved brake pads to determine if they
are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle if they are installed.<
Driving notes When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles (kilometers). Watch traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The
heat which is generated by the brake
applications helps to dry the brake
pads and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels continue to rotate,
peaking when the wheels remain on the
verge of locking without actually doing
so. ABS maintains this state automati-
cally. If the ABS fails, you should revert
to the staggered braking technique
(refer to page 124).
Extended or steep mountain descents
do not necessarily have to lead to re-
duced braking efficiency. Move the se-
lector lever to the appropriate lower
range in which only minimal periodic
brake applications are required.
You can increase the engine's braking
effect by selecting progressively lower
gears, downshifting as far as 1st gear,
on steep descents. If engine braking should prove to be in-
adequate, you should still avoid ex-
tended, continuous braking. Instead of
maintaining low to moderate pressure
over an extended period of time, you
should decelerate by applying more
substantial pressure to the brake pedal
(watch for following traffic), then releas-
ing the pedal, then repeating the appli-
cation. This staggered braking tech-
nique allows the brakes to cool in the
intervals between active braking
phases, preventing overheating and en-
suring that full braking capacity remains
available at all times.
Do not coast with the selector le-
ver in ÒNeutralÒ. Do not drive with
the engine shut off. The engine pro-
vides no braking effect when the trans-
mission is in ÒNeutralÒ, and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Have brake inspections performed at
an authorized BMW center only. If you
do not, parts of the four-wheel drive
system could be damaged.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator and brake ped-
als and obstruct their movement.<
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
123n
Brake system Winter operation Brake fluid level
The warning lamp for the brake
hydraulic system comes on, or
the CHECK BRAKE FLUID mes-
sage appears in the Check Con-
trol
*.
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 141).
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.
Proceed to the nearest autho-
rized BMW center. Higher brake
application pressure may be necessary
under these conditions, and brake
pedal travel may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
The warning lamp also comes on when
the CHECK BRAKE LININGS message
appears in the Check Control.
Brake pads
The warning lamp for the brake
pads comes on, or the CHECK
BRAKE LININGS message ap-
pears in the Check Control
*:
The brake pads have reached their min-
imum pad thickness. Proceed to the
nearest authorized BMW center as
soon as possible to have the pads re-
placed.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has re-
leased for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-ap-
proved brake pads to determine if they
are suited for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle if they are installed.<
The onset of winter is often accompa-
nied by rapid changes in weather. Ad-
aptations in driving style should be
accompanied by preparations on the
vehicle itself to ensure that your
progress through the winter remains
safe and trouble-free. Coolant Be sure that the coolant mixture
contains the year-round ratio of 50:50
water and antifreeze/corrosion protec-
tion. This mixture provides protection
against freezing down to approx. -347
(-376). Replace the coolant every four
years. Locks BMW door lock deicer can be used to
free locks if they are frozen. This deicer
also contains lubricant.
After using the deicer, treatment with
BMW lock barrel grease is recom-
mended.
Everything from A to ZAABS (Antilock Brake
System)119
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter95
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)176
Adding engine oil137
Adding washer fluid136
Adjusting seats48
Adjusting the steering
wheel51
Adjusting the
temperature92
Air conditioner93
Air distribution92
Air nozzles90
Air outlets90
Air pressure30, 127
Air supply93
Airbags23, 57, 148, 176
Alarm system43
Antennas126
Antifreeze140
Antifreeze, radiator123
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)119
Anti-theft alarm system43
Anti-theft protection37
Approved gross vehicle
weight186
Aquaplaning118, 127
Ashtray103AUC (Automatic recirculated
air control)93
Automatic car washes143
Automatic climate
control90
Removing condensation
from the windows93
Automatic cruise control72
Automatic curb monitor54
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror53
Automatic recirculated air
control (AUC)93
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment52
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic66
Average fuel
consumption80
Average speed80
Axle loads186
BBackup lamps67
Bulb replacement157
Battery165, 188
Capacity188
Charge166
Discharged170
Belts56
Beverage holder102
Blower93
BMW comfort seat50BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil138
BMW sports seat50
BMW Universal
Transmitter98
Body-cavity protectant144
Brake fluid141
Brake hydraulic system22
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement157
Brake pads24
Brakes122
Malfunctions123
Break-in procedures116
Bulb replacement155
CCapacities187
Car Memory55
Car radio
reception126, 178
Car wash143
Care, exterior144
Care, interior146
Cargo area42, 107
Capacity186
Opening from the
inside41
Cargo area cover107
Cargo area lamps87
Cargo floor, pull-out111
Cargo loading112Caring for the vehicle
finish145
Catalytic converter118
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)120
Cellular phones102, 126
refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp157
Central locking system36
Button40
Changing a tire160
Changing a wheel160
Charge indicator lamp22
Check air pressure30
CHECK button77
Check Control77
Check engine oil level137
Checking tire pressure30
Child restraint systems57
Child's seat57
Child-safety locks62
Cigarette lighter103
Clean the windshield70
Climate control in the rear
passenger area94
Clock, refer to the Radio or
Onboard Computer
Owner's Manual
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual126