Page 11 of 211

 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Side lamps/Headlamps88
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Parking lamps89
Fog lamps89
Interior lamps89
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioner92
Automatic climate control98
Seat heating103
Roller sun blind103
 
Interior conveniences:
 
HiFi system104
Glove compartment104
Storage compartments105
Cellular phones107
Ashtray, front107
Cigarette lighter108
Ashtray, rear108
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system109
Ski bag110
Cargo loading112
Roof-mounted luggage rack113
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressures125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire 
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications130
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification 
Number144
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Vehicle storage152
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle153
California Proposition 
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154 
     
        
        Page 24 of 211

24n
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)The buttons integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel are provided so  that 
you can operate a number of accesso-
ries quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
>selected radio functions
>the cruise control
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via 
the MFL, the corresponding 
system controls must be switched on.< 
Refer to the individual accessory 
manuals for more detailed descriptions.
1 Press briefly: 
Receive a call, initiate dialing and 
terminate a call
Press longer:
Voice recognition
*: switch on and off
2 Radio/Cellular phone: select
3 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward 
or scan station keys or scroll in the 
phone listings
4 Radio/Cellular phone: volume
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward 
or scan station keys or scroll in the 
phone listings
460de065
6 Horn: the entire surface functions as 
the horn
7 Cruise control: resume stored setting
8 Cruise control: store and accelerate 
(+); decelerate and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate 
     
        
        Page 25 of 211

25n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons
*
The buttons integrated in the sports 
steering wheel are provided so that you 
can operate a number of accessories 
quickly and without being distracted 
from traffic conditions. You may 
operate:
>selected radio functions
>the cruise control
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via 
the sports steering wheel, the 
corresponding system controls must be 
switched on.<
Refer to the individual accessory 
manuals for more detailed descriptions.
1 Radio/Cellular phone: select
2 Press briefly: 
Receive a call, start dialing, terminate 
a call
Press longer:
Voice recognition
*: switch on and off
3 Radio/Cellular phone: volume
4 Radio/Cellular phone: scan backward 
or scan station keys or scroll through 
the phone listings
5 Radio/Cellular phone: scan forward 
or scan station keys or scroll through 
the phone listings
46cde085
6 Horn: the entire surface functions as 
the horn
7 Cruise control: resume stored setting 
8 Cruise control: store and accelerate 
(+); decelerate and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate 
     
        
        Page 79 of 211

79n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptThe PDC assists you when you back 
into a parking space. A signal warns 
you of the distance to an obstacle. To 
do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the 
rear bumper measure the distance to 
the nearest object. The monitoring 
range of the two corner sensors 
extends to approx. 2 feet (60 cm) 
behind the bumper. The two center 
sensors cover a distance of approx. 
4.9 feet (1.50 meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally about one second after you select 
reverse with the ignition key in position 2. 
PDC is deactivated when you shift back 
out of reverse.
Acoustical signalsThe distance to the nearest object is 
indicated by a tone sounding at various 
intervals. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become 
shorter. A continuous warning tone 
sounds if the distance to a recognized 
object is less than 1 foot (30 cm).
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. three seconds if the distance to 
the obstacle remains constant during 
this time (if you are moving parallel to 
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated 
by a continuous high-pitched tone 
when the system is activated the first 
time. Please refer the problem to your 
BMW center.The PDC does not remove the 
driver's personal responsibility for 
evaluating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when 
sensors are involved, there is a blind 
spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. This applies especially in 
those cases where the system 
approaches the physical limits of ultra-
sonic measurement, as occurs with tow 
bars and trailer couplings, and in the 
vicinity of thin and painted objects.  
Certain sources of sound, such as a 
loud radio, could drown the PDC signal 
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free 
of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high-pressure spray to the 
sensors for a prolonged period of time. 
Maintain an adequate distance of more 
than approx. 4 inches (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
* 
     
        
        Page 87 of 211

87n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic 
signal is sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the event of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. A full-size spare tire that has the 
same dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics, 
and will be also be monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the 
system activated.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe 
and sudden tire damage caused 
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has been trained to 
work with the RDC system and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio 
frequency can interfere with the RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on 
during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire
*, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information. 
     
        
        Page 115 of 211

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
115n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Under the hood:
Hood134
Engine compartment136
Washer fluids138
Washer nozzles138
Engine oil139
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Vehicle Identification 
Number144
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System145
Caring for your vehicle146
Airbags151
Airbags152
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications to the 
vehicle153
California Proposition 
65 Warning153
OBD interface socket154
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures116
Driving notes117
Catalytic converter117
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)118
Disc brakes120
Brake system121
Winter operation122
Power steering123
Cellular phones124
Radio reception124
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure125
Tire condition125
Tire replacement126
Tire rotation127
Wheel and tire 
combinations128
Winter tires129
Snow chains129
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications130 
     
        
        Page 177 of 211
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)178
Airbags179
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)180
Radio reception181
Four-wheel drive182
Safety belt tensioner183
Interior rearview mirror 
with automatic dimming 
feature184
Rain sensor185
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)186
Self-diagnostics187
Xenon lamps188
Technol- 
     
        
        Page 181 of 211

181n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Radio receptionThe AM frequency bands (medium-
wave, long-wave and short-wave) make 
it possible to receive stations from a 
great distance, because the broadcast 
signals travel not only along the ground 
as surface waves, but also as 
atmospheric waves that are reflected 
from the ionosphere.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides 
substantially better sound quality than 
AM. However, because FM transmis-
sions rely on line-of-sight broadcast 
waves, their effective reception range is 
limited. 360de084
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been 
minimized by a number of innovative 
system designs:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes 
sure that, for broadcast stations 
sending on several frequencies, the 
radio automatically tunes to the 
frequency with the best reception 
quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs 
several FM antennas integrated within 
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast 
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best 
FM reception quality at any given time. 
The selection of the antenna takes 
place within milliseconds, and is there-
fore not noticed by the radio listener.