22n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems of your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. 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 V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could
be damaged due to overheating. If the
V-belt is defective, increased steering
effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level; top up as re-
quired. If the oil level is correct: please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The en-
gine could be damaged because
of inadequate lubrication.
<
Parking brake
*/
Brake hydraulic system l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 65.
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your jour-
ney, be sure to read the notes on
pages 123 and 141.
Also comes on in the Check Control
with the message "CHECK BRAKE
LININGS."
Parking brake warning lamp
*/
Brake hydraulic system for
Canadian models.
34n
Keys 1 The master keys with remote control
determine the functions of the Key
Memory. Refer to page 55.
There is an extended-life battery
in every master key which is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
For this reason, if you have a master
key that is otherwise not used, use that
key approximately once every year
while driving for an extended period.
This will charge the battery. Refer also
to page 37.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place,
such as in your wallet. This key is not
intended for continuous use. 463de023
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment
cannot be operated with this key.
This is recommended for valet park-
ing, for instance.
Replacement keys Replacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW
center. Since the keys belong to a se-
curity system, your BMW center is obli-
gated to ensure that a person request-
ing a key is authorized to do so (refer to
"Electronic vehicle immobilizer" on the
following page).
If possible, take all of the master
keys that belong to the vehicle
with you when you pick up your
replacement key.
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in
the ignition lock once (ignition switched
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the
new key.<
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
37n
Opening and closing Ð from the outside Using the remote control The remote control makes opening and
locking the doors of your vehicle very
convenient. Furthermore, it provides
three additional functions that you can
only execute by means of the remote
control:
>Switch on the interior lamps
With this function, you can also
"search for" your vehicle Ñ when
parked in an underground garage, for
instance.
>Open the liftgate
The liftgate will open slightly, regard-
less of whether it was previously
locked or unlocked.
>Panic Mode
In case of danger, you can trigger an
alarm.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the anti-
theft protection is deactivated and the
alarm system is disarmed; when the
vehicle is locked, the systems are acti-
vated or armed.
The interior lamps are switched on
when the vehicle is unlocked.
You can have an acknowledgment
signal set to confirm that the vehi-
cle is correctly closed.<
Master keys Keys with remote control are master
keys. Refer to page 34.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, always take the vehicle's keys with
you so that the vehicle can be opened
again from the outside at any time.< 530us011
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is
charged automatically in the steering
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to lock the
vehicle via the remote control, the bat-
tery is discharged. Use this key while
driving for an extended period in order
to charge the battery. Refer also to
page 34.
To prevent unauthorized use of the
remote control, surrender only the door
and ignition key 3 or the spare key 2
(refer to page 34) when leaving the
vehicle for valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your authorized BMW
center. You can also obtain replace-
ment keys there.<
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
43n
Alarm system The concept The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the liftgate
is opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor).
>To variations in the vehicle tilt sensor
such as occur during attempts to
steal the wheels or tow the vehicle.
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized
vehicle entry and attempted theft by
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for
30 seconds.
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes.
>The high beams flash on and off in
the same rhythm.
To activate and deactivate the
alarm system When the vehicle is locked or unlocked
with the key or the remote control, the
alarm system is also simultaneously
armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor is activated
approx. 30 seconds after you have fin-
ished locking the vehicle.
The system indicates that it has been
correctly armed by switching on the
hazard flashers for a single cycle and
by emitting an acoustical signal.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm
system arming and disarming.<
You can still open the liftgate after the
system has been armed by pressing
button 3 of the remote control. Refer to
page 39. When you close the liftgate,
the system is secured again.
Indicator lamp displays >The indicator lamp below the interior
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes during
arming: a door(s), the hood or liftgate
are not completely closed. Even if
you do not close the alerted area, the
system begins to monitor the remain-
ing areas, and the indicator lamp
flashes continuously after 10 sec-
onds. However, the interior motion
sensor is not activated.
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed. 530us018
64n
Starting the engine Before starting >Engage the parking brake.
>Be sure that the selector lever is in
"Park" position.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Breathing the exhaust gases poses
an extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Do not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine.
Your BMW is equipped with the
convenience starting feature. Sim-
ply turn the key to position 3 (starter)
and then release it immediately. The
starter continues to operate automati-
cally.
The automatic starting mode will not
operate if the battery voltage is low.
The engine can be started by means of
jump-starting (refer to page 170).<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle re-
mains stationary. Instead, begin to drive
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.
Should the engine fail to start on the
first attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while the starter is engaged.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical de-
vices that are not in use. Switch the ig-
nition off when the vehicle is not being
driven.
88n
Interior lamps Reading lamps Footwell lamps The footwell lamps are controlled in the
same manner as the front interior light-
ing. Front area lighting
*
This lighting system in the two exterior
mirrors lights the ground in the area
near the two front doors. It is also con-
trolled in the same manner as the front
interior lighting, but it does not function
while the vehicle is moving.
Reading lamps are provided in the front
and rear
* near the interior lamp. They
can be switched on and off with the
button (arrows) next to each lamp.
In order to prevent battery dis-
charge, all of the lamps in the
vehicle are switched off automatically
approx. 15 minutes after the ignition
key is turned to position 0.<
530us057
94n
Automatic climate control
If the windows fog over in the
recirculated air mode, switch the
recirculated air off and increase the air
supply as required.<
Rear window defroster
When the rear window de-
froster is activated, the in-
dicator lamp comes on. The rear win-
dow defroster switches off
automatically.
Residual heat mode
The heat which is stored in
the engine is utilized for
heating the interior when the engine
has been switched off (while waiting at
a railroad crossing, for instance). In
ignition key position 1, you can alter the
settings of the automatic climate con-
trol. With the ignition key in position 0,
the system automatically directs heated
air to the windshield, side windows and
footwells.
This function may be activated
when the outside temperature is
below approx. 59 7 (15 6), the engine
is at operating temperature, and the
battery is adequately charged.<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for
the upper body area to select the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for
your personal comfort:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range. You can adjust the direction of
the airflow with levers 2.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past
you and does not flow directly on you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to control the
temperature of the air flow from these
air outlets as desired:
>Turn toward blue Ð colder
>Turn toward red Ð warmer 530us059
Rear passenger area climate
control 1 Air supply
2 Temperature
3 Adjusting the direction of the airflow 530us061
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
165n
Battery Battery location The battery is located in the floor of the
vehicle below the spare wheel. Battery care The battery is maintenance-free, that is,
the original electrolyte will normally last
for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is mainte-
nance-free, the following is for your in-
formation only.<
Symbols You will find the following symbols on
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury,
please comply with the corresponding
precautions whenever you work with or
near the battery.
Before handling the battery,
please read the following infor-
mation:
Wear eye protection. Do not al-
low particles containing battery
acid or lead to come into con-
tact with your eyes, your skin, or your
clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and
protective gloves. Do not tip the
battery. Battery acid can leak from the
ventilation openings.
Do not allow children to have
access to batteries and battery
acid.
Never allow sparks or open
flame near the battery. Do not
smoke in the vicinity of the bat-
tery. Avoid sparks from electrical cables
or electrical equipment. Turn the key to
position 0 in the steering lock when you
are disconnecting or connecting the
battery. Never short-circuit the battery
terminals. This creates a risk of injury
from high-energy sparks.
A highly-explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your
eyes, rinse thoroughly for
15 minutes with clear water.
Following that, consult a physician im-
mediately. If you get acid spray on your
skin or clothing, rinse with plenty of wa-
ter. If electrolyte is accidentally swal-
lowed, consult a physician immediately.
In order to protect the battery
case from ultraviolet radiation,
do not place it in direct sunlight.
A discharged battery can freeze. Store
the battery in areas where temperature
remains above freezing.