
24n
Fuel quality Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
You will find the tire inflation pressures
on the door pillar (visible with door
open).Check tire pressuresAll pressure specifications are stated in
psi (kilopascal) for tires at ambient tem-
perature (refer also to the next page).
Reactivate the Tire Pressure
Warning (RDW) after changing a
tire or a wheel. Refer to page 65.<520de008
Check tire inflation pressures reg-
ularly Ð at least every two weeks
and before beginning a longer trip.
Incorrect tire pressure can lead to tire
damage and accidents.<
Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table
apply to tires made by BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is
familiar with these pressures. Higher
pressures may be specified for tires
made by other manufacturers.
You will find a list of approved tire sizes
on page 103.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that
not only meet US standards, but also
European standards. We recommend
the exclusive use of BMW-approved
tires.

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock53
Starting the engine54
Turning the engine off54
Parking brake55
Manual transmission56
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher56
Wiper/Washer system57
Rear window defroster58
Cruise control59
Everything under control:
Odometer60
Tachometer60
Fuel gauge60
Coolant temperature gauge61
Service Interval Display61
Clock62
Multi-Information Radio (MIR)62
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)63
Dynamic Driving Control64
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)65Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams67
Instrument lighting67
High beams/Parking lamps68
Rear foglamp68
Interior lamps68
Reading lamps69
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioning70
Seat heating75
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment76
Storage compartments76
Beverage can holder78
Cellular phone79
Ashtray79
Cigarette lighter80
Loading and transporting:
Cargo loading81

29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electronic vehicle immobilizer The key to securityYour BMW is equipped with a passive
anti-theft system. This electronic immo-
bilization system is designed to reduce
the susceptibility of your vehicle to theft
by making it impossible to start the en-
gine using any means other than the
special keys furnished with the vehicle.
Your BMW center can cancel the elec-
tronic system authorization for individ-
ual keys (in the event of loss, for in-
stance). A deactivated key can no
longer be used to start the engine.520de148
How the electronics workAt the heart of this system is an elec-
tronic chip that is integrated into the
key. The lock mechanism itself is actu-
ally a dual-function device, simulta-
neously serving as a communications
interface designed to allow the security
system to maintain a continuous stream
of variable, vehicle-specific signals with
the electronic circuitry in the key. The
system will release the ignition, electri-
cal steering lock, fuel injection and
starter for use only if it detects an
"authorized" key.
Forcing the key can damage the
integrated electronic circuitry. A
damaged key can no longer be used to
unlock the steering column and start
the engine.<

30n
Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The system engages and re-
leases the locks on the:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
>Glove compartment
>Storage shelf for the cellular phone.
The central locking system can be
operated:
>From outside via the driver's door
lock, or by using the remote control
>From inside by pressing a button.
If you initiate central locking from in-
side, neither the fuel filler door, glove
compartment, nor the storage shelf for
the cellular phone are locked (refer to
page 34).
If you do set it from outside, the anti-
theft alarm is automatically activated as
well. This prevents the door handles
from unlocking the doors. The alarm
system is also activated or deactivated.
If locked from inside, the central locking
system unlocks automatically in the
event of an accident. In addition, the
hazard warning flashers and interior
lamps come on.
Using the keySwing the cover panel for the door lock
upward. After either locking or unlock-
ing, return it to its original position until
it clicks back into its final position.
Turning the key in the driver's door
once will unlock the driver's door only;
turning the key a second time will un-
lock the passenger door, the luggage
compartment lid, fuel filler door, the
glove compartment, and the storage
shelf for the cellular phone.
If necessary, you can open the fuel filler
door by pressing the respective button
inside the vehicle; refer to page 23.
You can have various signals set
as an acknowledgment message
when locking.<520de100
Convenience operationYou can also operate the windows via
the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Unlock" position and
hold it
>To close: with the door closed, turn
the key to the "Lock" position and
hold it.
Watch during the closing process
to be sure that no one is inadvert-
ently injured. Releasing the key stops
the operation.
left or right to unlock/lock the driver's
door.
Refer to page 141 for operating the
passenger-side door.

32n
Opening and closing Ð from outsideTo unlock Press button 1.
By pressing the button once, you will
unlock the driver's door only; pressing
the button a second time will unlock the
passenger door, the luggage compart-
ment lid, the fuel filler door, the glove
compartment, and the storage shelf for
the cellular phone.
If necessary, you can open the fuel filler
door by pressing the button for it inside
the vehicle; refer to page 23.Convenience opening modePress and hold button 1. The windows
are then opened.520de143
To lock and secure Press button 2.
You can have various signals set
as an acknowledgment message
when locking.<520de145
To deactivate the tilt sensor alarm
system and interior motion sensor Press button 2 again immediately after
locking.
For additional information, refer to
page 37.To switch on the interior lamps After locking the vehicle, press button 2
again.520de145

34n
Opening and closing Ð from inside Use this button to operate the central
locking system when the doors are
closed. The doors and luggage com-
partment lid are unlocked or locked
only. The anti-theft alarm system is not
activated.
The central locking system can be
unlocked automatically as soon as
you begin to drive if you desire. You
may also have this adjusted so that it is
key-specific.<520de011
If only the driver's door was un-
locked from the outside and you
press the button,
>the passenger door, the luggage
compartment lid, the fuel filler door,
the glove compartment and the stor-
age area for the cellular phone will be
unlocked, when the driver's door is
open
>the driver's door will be locked again
if it is closed.<
To unlock and open the doors>Either unlock the doors together with
the button for the central locking sys-
tem and then pull each of the release
handles above the armrests or
>pull the release handle for each door
twice: the first pull unlocks the door,
and the second one opens it.To engage the locks>Lock both doors using the central
locking system button.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. For this rea-
son, take the vehicle's keys with you so
that the vehicle can be opened again
from the outside at any time.<

60n
1 Odometer With the ignition key in position 0, you
can activate the displays shown in the
illustration by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1.520us004
Avoid engine speeds in the gauge's red
warning zone.
If the needle gets into this range, fuel
supply is interrupted to protect the en-
gine, resulting in a noticeable loss of
power.520de029
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.6 gallons
(10 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to
page 157.
Certain operating conditions (such
as those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result
in damage to the engine or catalytic
converter.<520us005
Odometer Tachometer Fuel gauge

85n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Even light but con-
sistent pressure on the brake pedal
could lead to high temperatures, brake
wear, and possibly, to brake system
failure.
Aquaplaning:
Reduce speed while driving on wet or
slushy roads, otherwise, a wedge of
water can form between the tires and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as "aquaplaning" or "hydro-
planing." It is characterized by a partial
or complete loss of contact between
the tires and the road surface. The ulti-
mate results are loss of steering and
braking control.
Driving through water:
When there is water on the roads, do
not drive in it if it is deeper than 1 ft
(30 cm), and even then, only at walking
speed, otherwise the vehicle can sus-
tain damage to the engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission.<
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions, and is designed for
use with unleaded fuel only. Even
minute quantities of lead would be
enough to permanently damage both
the catalytic converter and the system
oxygen sensor.To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential damage:>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to start the vehicle with an outside
starting aid
>Avoid other situations where the fuel
is either not burned or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a prob-
lem). Never allow the engine to run
with any of the spark plug cables dis-
connected.Be sure to comply with the in-
structions above to prevent un-
burned fuel from reaching the catalytic
converter. Otherwise, there is the dan-
ger of overheating and damage to the
catalytic converter.
Extreme temperatures are present with
the catalytic converter both on this and
every catalytic converter-equipped ve-
hicle. Heat shields are installed adja-
cent to some sections of the exhaust
system. Never remove these shields;
do not apply undercoating to their sur-
faces. When driving, standing at idle,
and parking the vehicle, take care to
avoid contact between the exhaust sys-
tem and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves etc.). Such contact could
start a fire, resulting in serious personal
injury and property damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter