Contents
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit128
Windshield wiper blades128
Lamps and bulbs129
Changing a wheel135
Battery136
Fuses138
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door140
Luggage compartment lid,
storage compartment140
Passenger-side door141
Closing the convertible top141
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump starting143
Towing144Airbags148
Radio reception148
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)149
Safety belt tensioner149
Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimmer150
Xenon lamps151Engine data154
Dimensions155
Weights156
Capacities157
Electrical system158
Drive belts158
107n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment 1 Brake fluid reservoir112
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting143
3 Coolant expansion tank111
4 Engine oil filler neck109
5 Engine oil dipstick109
6 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system108
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
127n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit128
Windshield wiper blades128
Lamps and bulbs129
Changing a wheel135
Battery136
Fuses138
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door140
Luggage compartment lid,
storage compartment140
Passenger-side door141
Closing the convertible top141
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Jump starting143
Towing144
Repairs
137n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Battery
A highly explosive gas is
generated when the battery is
charged.
If you happen to get acid in
your eyes, rinse thoroughly for
some minutes with clear water.
Consult a physician immediately. If you
get acid spray on your skin or clothing,
rinse with plenty of water. If acid is acci-
dentally ingested, 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.
Removing and installing
Do not disconnect the battery
cable when the engine is running.
Disconnecting the battery cable when
the engine is running will cause a volt-
age surge which will damage the vehi-
cle's onboard electronics.
Do not make any modifications in the
wires to the positive terminal. If you do
so, the protective function of the safety
battery terminal is no longer ensured.
Repairs and disposal may only be per-
formed by specially trained personnel.<
When removing, first disconnect the
cable to the negative terminal, then dis-
connect the cable to the positive termi-
nal. Loosen the center adjusting screw
for the battery's retaining strap (use the
screwdriver found in the onboard tool
kit) and remove the bracket.
When installing, first connect the cable
for the positive terminal, then the cable
for the negative terminal.
When installing, make sure that
the battery is seated properly, and
that the battery bracket is installed with
the center adjusting screw, because
otherwise in the event of an accident,
the battery will not be secure enough.<
Charging the battery Charge the battery in the vehicle only
when the engine is not running. Use the
connections provided in the engine
compartment (for correct connections,
refer to "Jump starting" on page 143).
Before performing any work on
the electrical system, disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal. If
you do not, short circuits can create the
risk of fire or personal injury.<
If you plan to park the vehicle for longer
than 4 weeks, disconnect the battery
from the vehicle's electrical system by
disconnecting the cable at the negative
terminal. Then recharge the battery with
an appropriate battery charger.
If you intend to store the vehicle for
longer than 12 weeks, remove the bat-
tery, charge it and store it in a cool and
dust-free room where there is no dan-
ger of freezing. During storage, have the
battery recharged every six months.
Also, recharge the battery before it is
reinstalled. If this is not done, the bat-
tery will not be serviceable. Every time
the battery is discharged, especially
over extended periods, its service life
is reduced.
143n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Do not use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.
If the battery is discharged, the engine
can be started with the use of two
jumper cables and the battery of an-
other vehicle. Use only jumper cables
with fully insulated grips on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch the parts conducting
current while the engine is run-
ning. There is a risk of fatal injury if you
do this.<
Carefully comply with the following in-
structions to avoid personal injury or
damage to one or both vehicles:
1 Be sure that the battery on the sup-
port vehicle is also rated at 12 volts,
and that the capacities of the two
batteries (Ah) are roughly comparable
(printed on casing)
2 Leave the discharged battery con-
nected to the vehicle's electrical sys-
tem
3 Make sure that there is no contact
between the bodywork of the two
vehicles Ð short circuit risk!
4 Start by connecting the jumper cable
from the positive terminal of the sup-
port vehicle to the positive terminal
connector located in your BMW's en-
gine compartment. The cover of the
auxiliary terminal for jump starting is
identified by a "+" sign. Refer to the
illustration. Remove by pulling the tab
(arrow) 520de088
5 Then connect the negative terminals.
Attach the cable to either the support
vehicle's negative battery terminal (Ð),
or to a suitable ground on its engine
or bodywork. Then connect the other
end of the cable to a ground on the
engine or on the bodywork of the
vehicle that is to be started. This is
a special nut that is provided on the
BMW (refer to the illustration)
Follow the same sequence for
connecting the jumper cables if
you assist in jump starting another
vehicle, otherwise, you run the risk of
injury caused by spark generation at the
battery.<520de133
Jump starting
144n
Jump starting Towing6 Start the support vehicle's engine
and let it run
7 Start the engine on the vehicle need-
ing the jump start, and allow it to run
as usual. If the first start attempt is
not successful, wait a few minutes
before another attempt in order to
allow the discharged battery to
recharge
8 Before disconnecting the jumper
cables from your BMW, turn on the
lamps, set the blower to the highest
speed and allow the engine to run for
at least 10 seconds. This will prevent
a voltage surge from the voltage reg-
ulator to the electrical accessories
9 Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Have the battery recharged if necessary.
Tow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains
in the vehicle at all times. This fitting
is designed for installation in the tow
sockets located at the front and rear of
the vehicle. It is intended for towing on
paved road surfaces only.
It should not be used to pull a vehicle
out of deep snow, mud, sand, etc.
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.Access to tow socketsFront
The uppermost grille stub is clipped on
the grille Ð which is located below the
main grille on the lower right Ð and this
grille can be pulled off, if you pull for-
ward on it.520de081
Rear
Use a screwdriver to press sideways on
the opening to remove the cover (arrow).
Screw the tow fitting in until it bot-
toms firmly. If this is not done, the
threads could be damaged.
Do not tow the vehicle by any compo-
nents of the running gear, or lash them
down in any way. If you do so, the com-
ponents could be damaged, leading to
possible accidents.<
Use only a nylon towing strap to tow
the vehicle. The inherent resilience of
this material helps protect both vehicles
from sudden jerking movements.520de065
145n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Towing
Avoid "off-center" towing. Be sure
that the tow rope is pulled tightly
when the towing vehicle begins to
move.<
The towed vehicle should always
be the lighter of the two vehicles.
If this is not the case, it is no longer
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingFor instructions on jump starting, refer
to page 143.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to
push another vehicle, since damage to
the energy-absorbing bumpers could
result.
Towing a vehicle1 Put the manual-shift gear lever in
neutral
2 Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3 Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4 Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers
remain operative, and to prevent the
steering lock detent from engaging
5 Switch on the hazard-warning system
(comply with country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the
vehicle in tow, e. g. place a sign or
warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key re-
mains in position 1 even when the
electrical system has failed to prevent
the steering lock from engaging. The
steering and brakes are without power
assist when the engine is not running.
This means that increased effort is
required for steering and braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel lift or flat bed equipment
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to the tie rods, con-
trol arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension. If you do so, severe dam-
age will occur to these components.<520us014
Everything from A to ZHeadlamp washer
system108,157
Headlamp washers58
Heating and ventilation70
Heating, rapid75
Heavy loads81
Height155
High beams21,56,68
Holder for beverage
cans78
Hood release104
Horn15 I
Identification, tires101
Ignition keys28
Ignition lock53
Indicator lamps18
Inflation pressure24,96
monitoring65
INSPECTION61
Instrument cluster16
Instrument lighting67
Instruments16
Interaxle tire rotation100
Interface socket for On-
Board-Diagnostics124
Interference
cellular phone92
Interior lamps32,68
bulb replacement133
remote control32 Interior motion sensor36
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic
dimmer46,150
Intermittent wipe57
J
Jump starting143 K
Key Memory46
Key with remote control28
Keys28 L
Lamps on warning67
Leather care120
Length155
License plate lamp
bulb replacement131
Light switch67
Light-alloy wheels103
Lighter80
Loading81
Louvers70
Low beam headlamps67
Low beam light inside
rearview mirror46
Low traction road
surfaces91 Luggage compartment
capacity156
emergency release35
remote control33
Luggage compartment lamp
bulb replacement134
Luggage compartment
lid35
emergency release35
M
M+S tires102
Maintenance61,114
Manual transmission56
Microfilter73
MID (Multi-Information
Radio)62
Mirrors45
Mobile cellular phones92
Modifications,
technical4,123
Multi-Information Radio
(MID)62 N
Navigation system, refer to
the radio Owner's Manual
Neckrest44 O
OBD interface socket124 Odometer60
Oil
additives109
consumption109
fill capacity157
quality110
specifications110
viscosity110
Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick109
Oil level
check109
indicator lamp19
Oil pressure
indicator lamp18
OILSERVICE61
Onboard tool kit128
Opening and closing
from inside34
from outside30
Outlets, ventilation70
Outside temperature
display62
P
Paint blemishes117
Paint, care117