Page 10 of 172

9n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
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
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures84
Driving notes85
Catalytic converter85
Antilock Brake System (ABS)86
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)88
Disc brakes88
Brake system89
Winter operation90
Power steering92
Cellular phone92
Radio reception92
Wind protection93
Hardtop94
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure96
Tire condition97
Tire replacement98
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Winter tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103
Under the hood:
Hood104
Engine compartment106
Washer fluids108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113
Maintenance and care:
The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags121
Storing your vehicle122
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications123
California Proposition 65
Warning123
OBD interface socket124
Page 19 of 172

18n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems for 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
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
in the alternator V-belt or in the charg-
ing circuit of the alternator. Please con-
tact 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 vehicle and switch off en-
gine immediately. Check the en-
gine oil level and top off as required. 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.
<
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)
l
Flashing warning lamp in addi-
tion to an acoustic signal: a tire
failure has occurred. Carefully reduce
speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h),
thus preventing any hard braking or
steering maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 65.
Brake warning indicator
l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to read the notes on
pages 89 and 112.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Page 28 of 172

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
Page 71 of 172
70n
520de042Heating and ventilation/Air conditioning
Page 72 of 172
71n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioning1 Air onto the windshield and the side
windows
2 Air flow for the upper body
The rotary dials make it possible for
you to open and close the air supply
through an infinitely-variable range,
while the levers change the air-flow
direction. Refer to page 73
3 Front footwell ventilation
4 Air supply
Both the heating and ventilation are
available from position 1 on. Refer to
page 72
5 To defrost windows and remove
condensation73
6 Temperature72
7 Air distribution toward
>the windows
>the upper body
>the footwell
All intermediate settings are possible,
too. Refer to page 72
8 Rear window defroster with the
hardtop in place73
9 Operating
>Recirculated air72
>Incoming air72
>Air conditioner/Incoming air72
>Air conditioner/Recirculated air72
Page 73 of 172

72n
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioningAir supply
You can select blower speeds
from 1 to 4. The higher the set-
ting, the greater the amount of
heat and air supply. In position
0, the blower, heating and air condi-
tioner are switched off.
Temperature
In order to increase the inte-
rior temperature, turn to the
right. For rapid heating, turn
completely to the right. Then
select an interior temperature that is
comfortable for you.
Air distribution
You can direct the airflow onto
the windows , toward the
upper body and into the
footwell . You can also make
all intermediate settings. The "6 o'clock"
setting is recommended for normal con-
ditions (refer also to the illustration and
overview on page 70).
Recirculated air mode
If there are unpleasant odors
in the outside air, you can tem-
porarily block the air supply.
The system then recirculates
the air currently within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over when
using recirculated air, turn off the
recirculated air mode and increase the
airflow if necessary, or press the button
for "defrosting and defogging the win-
dows."<
Venting in outside air
Recommended when driving
with the convertible top open.
The degree to which the pas-
senger compartment is
heated depends on temperature selec-
tion and air distribution.
Air conditioner/Venting in outside
air
The air is cooled and dehu-
midified and Ð depending on
the temperature setting Ð
warmed again when the air
conditioner system is switched on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Do not turn on the air conditioner if out-
side air temperature is below approx.
41 7 (5 6). This will help to prevent
the windows from fogging.
If the windows fog over after switching
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Air conditioner/Recirculated air
mode
Both systems are operating.
Another advantage is that a
hot vehicle cools down more
quickly with the convertible
top closed. This way, you will get the
lowest possible vented air temperature
(turn the temperature rotary dial all the
way to the left).
Page 74 of 172

73n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioning
If the windows fog over when
using recirculated air, turn off the
recirculated air mode, and increase air-
flow if necessary, or press the button
for "defrosting and defogging the win-
dows."<
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This operation quickly re-
moves ice and condensation
from the windshield and the
side windows.
Rear window defroster
Whenever the hardtop is on,
the indicator lamp lights up
when the rear window de-
froster is turned on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Refer to page 58.
The indicator lamp is always
active. The rear window defroster
will not work if the hardtop is not in
place.<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the air outlets for the up-
per body area for your personal comfort:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range.520de043
You can adjust the direction of the air-
flow using the levers 2.
Set the air outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at
you.MicrofilterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. Your BMW cen-
ter will change this filter during routine
maintenance. A substantial reduction in
air flow indicates that the filter needs to
be replaced early.520de140
Page 75 of 172
74n
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioningRapid ventilation1 Set the rotary blower switch to
position 4 for air intake
2 Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the left
3 Rotary control for air distribution in
position
4 Select outside air
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body area.520de044
Cooling1 Set the rotary blower switch to
position 2 for air intake
2 Use the rotary temperature control
to select an interior temperature
comfortable for you
3 Rotary control for air distribution in
position
4 Select air conditioning/outside air
5 Open the air outlets for the upper
body area.520de129
Rapid cooling1 Set the rotary blower switch to
position 4 for air intake
2 Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the left
3 Rotary control for air distribution in
position
4 Select air conditioning/recirculating
air
5 Open the outlets for the upper body
area.520de097