
67n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving 
under all normal operating conditions. 
All forward gears are available, the 
Adaptive Transmission Control (ATC) is 
fully operational."Kickdown"In the "Kickdown" mode, you achieve 
the maximum performance.
To activate this mode, depress the 
accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle position, at which a resistance 
point must be overcome.
M/S Manual operation and 
Sport ProgramShifting from D into M/S activates the 
Sport Program. This is indicated by 
"SD" in the gear selection display. This 
position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style. 
With the first brief touch, the automatic 
transmission shifts from the Sport 
Program to the manual mode.
When you move the selector lever 
forward in the "+" direction, the trans-
mission shifts up. When the lever is 
moved back in the "Ð" direction, the 
transmission shifts down. M1 to M5 
appear in the gear indicator.463de062
Upshifts or downshifts will only be 
carried out by the ATC at appropriate 
engine speeds and road speeds. If the 
engine speed is too high, for instance, a 
downshift will not be executed. The gear 
selected will appear briefly in the instru-
ment cluster followed by the current 
gear.
To accelerate quickly in the 
manual mode (to pass another 
vehicle, for instance), shift down manu-
ally or employ the kickdown mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever 
positions P, R and N is possible only by 
going through D. 

68n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual 
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from 
overrevving, the transmission shifts 
automatically to the next higher gear 
just before the engine speed cutoff 
point.
>If you do not do anything to inter-
vene, it will automatically downshift 
at lower speeds.
>In kickdown, it will downshift into 
the lowest gear possible, depending 
on the engine speed.
>According to the situation, for 
instance in wintry conditions, the 
vehicle can be started in 2nd or 
3rd gear.
Available displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5460us143
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop, select trans-
mission position "P," set the parking 
brake and turn the engine off (ignition 
key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission 
performance has been restored. You 
may continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, 
all selector lever positions can still be 
selected, however in the forward 
positions the vehicle has limited 
performance as it drives only in 3rd 
and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not work in the engine 
compartment when a drive gear 
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you 
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the 
information beginning on page 173. 

69n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher  Wiper/Washer system 1 High beams (blue indicator)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
lamp accompanied by periodic 
clicking sound from the relay) 
If the indicator lamp and the clicking 
from the relay are both faster than 
normal, one of the turn signal indicators 
has failed. 460de085
To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Cleaning windshield 
6 Rotary dial for control of the wipe 
interval or the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor 
460de023 

74n
1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 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 and up.460us144
Avoid engine speeds in the red warning 
zone of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
automatically interrupted in this zone; 
you will notice a loss of power.460us079
Indicates the current fuel consumption 
in mpg (in l/100 km on Canadian vehi-
cles). You can check your current 
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust 
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the 
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on 
Canadian models).460us080
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control  

75n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel gauge  Temperature gauge  Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is stationary. 
Once the indicator lamp begins to light 
up continuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel 
tank.
Tank capacity: refer to page 195.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended 
driving in mountainous areas, for 
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is 
empty. Driving to the last drop of 
fuel can result in damage to the engine 
and/or the catalytic converter.<460us081
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle: the engine is overheated. 
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not 
unusual for the needle to rise as far as 
the edge of the red zone in response to 
high outside temperatures or severe 
operating conditions. Checking coolant 
level: refer to page 142.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds from ignition 
key position 1 or after the engine is 
started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION, 
together with the remaining distance 
before the service is due.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the previous 
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of 
the number mean that the service 
interval has already been exceeded by 
the distance shown on the display. 
Please contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.460us112 

76n
The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, 
starting with the ignition key position 2, 
until the condition has been corrected.
1 Inspect the low beam and high beam 
headlamps, as well as the side lamps 
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps. 
After the completion of a trip and when 
the driver's door is opened, an acous-
tical signal is given for "Lamps on" if the 
lamps have not been switched off.
When you open the driver's door after 
stopping with the lights still on, a 
warning signal sounds for LIGHTS ON.
460de083
If you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can adjust the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows.
AdjustmentsFrom ignition key position 1.
To set ahead: turn the right knob to the 
right.
To set back: turn the right knob to the 
left.
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you continue to hold the knob.
To change the display mode: press the 
knob briefly. 
Every time you press the knob, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button (refer to 
"Odometer" on page 74).460us078
Check Control  Clock  

 
77n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Computer
 
*   
Mode selection
 
From ignition key position 1, you can 
call up information from the computer 
using the button in the turn signal lever. 
By pressing the button briefly in the 
direction of the steering column, you 
can call up a new function for display.
The displays appear in the following 
order:
Time of day, outside temperature, 
average fuel consumption, cruising 
range, average vehicle speed.
The function that was last selected will 
be displayed when the ignition is 
switched on.460de084
 
Outside temperature 
 
You can change the units of measure-
ment for the outside temperature 
display (
 
6
 
/
 
7
 
) by pressing the right-
hand reset button in the instrument 
cluster when the temperature display is 
active.
460us146
 
Ice warning 
 
If the outside temperature drops to 
approx. +37.5 
 
7
 
 (+3 
 
6
 
), the computer 
switches automatically to the outside 
temperature display. In addition, a 
signal sounds as a warning and the 
display flashes for a brief period.
The warning is repeated whenever the 
temperature has reached at least 
+43 
 
7
 
 (+6 
 
6
 
) following the last 
warning and then drops back to 
+37.5 
 
7
 
 (+3 
 
6
 
).
The ice warning does not alter the 
fact that surface ice can form at 
temperatures above +37.5 
 
7
 
 (+3 
 
6
 
), 
on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for 
instance.
 
< 

82n
DSC
* Ð BMW 320i, 325i, 330i
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability 
during acceleration and when starting 
from a full stop, as well as optimizing 
traction. In addition, it recognizes 
unstable vehicle conditions, such as 
understeering or oversteering, and, as 
far as is possible within the laws of 
physics, helps keep the car on a steady 
course by reducing the engine spped 
and brake applications to the individual 
wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you 
start the engine. DSC contains the 
functions of ADB and CBC, refer to 
page 119.
The ADB (automatic differential braking) 
copies the function of conventional 
differential and transverse lock through 
brake intervention, and increases trac-
tion whenever conditions merit, e. g. 
when driving on snow-covered roads.
If the DSC is switched off the ADB will 
still be in ready mode.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment panel will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
started. Refer to pages 21, 22.
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive and braking 
forces. 
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off by the 
button; ADB is operational.
ADB intervention is not indicated. 
The indicator lamp and the 
brake warning lamp stay lit:
DSC, ADB and DBC have been 
switched off via the button or 
are defective.
Indicator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
The vehicle will remain completely 
operational, however, without DSC. In 
the event of a fault, please see your 
BMW center. Refer to pages 21, 22.
Switch off the DSC/activate the 
ADBPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
The DSC has been switched off; ADB is 
operational.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>when rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>when driving on snow-covered 
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been 
packed down from being driven on
>or when driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 122.
The gain in traction is achieved by a 
reduction in stabilizing intervention.460de313