
Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure28
Opening and closing:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment41
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
Sliding/Tilt sunroof45
Adjusting:
Seats47
Seat and mirror memory51
Steering wheel52
Mirrors52
Car Memory, Key Memory54
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts55
Airbags57
Transporting children safely60
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock63
Starting the engine63
Switching off the engine64
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic67
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher70
Washer/Wiper system70
Rear window defroster72
Cruise control73
Everything under control:
Odometer75
Tachometer75
Energy Control75
Fuel gauge76
Temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Computer77
Technology for driving comfort
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)81
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)83
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)85
Contents

11n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams87
Instrument panel lighting87
High beams/Parking lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps88
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner90
Automatic climate control96
Seat heating101
Roller sun blind101
Interior convenience:
HiFi system101
Glove compartment102
Storage facilities102
Cellular phone104
Ashtray, front104
Cigarette lighter105
Ashtray, rear105
Clothes hooks105
Loading and transporting:
Through-loading system106
Ski bag107
Cargo loading108
Roof-mounted luggage rack109
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures112
Driving notes113
Catalytic converter113
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)115
Disc brakes117
Brake system118
Winter operation119
Power steering121
Cellular phones121
Radio reception121
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure122
Tire condition122
Tire replacement123
Tire rotation124
Wheel and tire
combinations125
Winter tires126
Snow chains126
Approved wheel and tire
specifications127
Under the hood:
Hood130
Engine compartment132
Washer fluids134
Washer nozzles134
Engine oil135
Coolant137
Brake fluid138
Vehicle Identification
Number139
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System140
Caring for your vehicle141
Airbags146
Vehicle storage147
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications148
California Proposition
65 Warning148
ODB interface socket149

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
15n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure28
Overview

17n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cockpit
1 Parking lamps/Low beams87
2
d
Turn signal indicator70
>
Parking lamps88
>
High beams88
>
Headlamp flasher70
>
Computer77
3 Washer/Wiper system70
4 Shift lever/Selector lever
*
66
For vehicles equipped with manual
transmission:
To shift into reverse, push the gear
shift lever to the left, overcoming
the slight resistance
5 Hazard warning flashers25
6 Central locking system34
7 Rear window defroster72
8 Horn: the entire surface functions as
the horn
9 Adjusting steering wheel52
10 Front fog lamps88

19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for fuel reserve76
2 Indicator lamp for turn signal
indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for:
>
Battery charge current20
>
High beams23
>
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and Energy control75
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge
with "Coolant temperature too high"
indicator76
7 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC/DBC)20
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 > Brake pads22
>
Tire Pressure Control
(RDC)
*
20, 22
>
Airbags21
>
Please fasten safety belts21
>
Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock789 Program display for automatic
transmission
*
69
Indicator lamp for automatic
transmission
*
21, 69
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
*
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:
>
Odometer75
>
Trip odometer75
>
Clock78
>
Service Interval76
Indicator for computer, operation
using the turn signal lever, refer to
page 77:
>
Clock
>
Outside temperature
>
Average fuel consumption
> Range >
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control77
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7514 Indicator and warning lamps
(clockwise) for:
>
Front fog lamps23
>
Add washer fluid22
>
Coolant level23
>
Electronic Throttle Control
(EML)
*
23
>
Service Engine Soon22
You can display the outside
temperature and distance driven
in different units of measurement.
<

20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems of 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
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. There is a malfunction
of the alternator V-belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not
continue driving, otherwise, the
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. If the V-belt is defective,
increased steering effort is also
required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil and top off as
required. If the oil level is correct,
please contact the nearest BMW
center.
Do not continue driving. If you do
so, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to
page 85.
Brake hydraulic system l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 118 and 138.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsRed and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
The brake warning lamp and the
yellow indicator lamps both light
up for ABS and ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC and ADB system has
failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively.
Avoid hard brake applications.
Please have the system checked by
your BMW center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 82, 116.
Indicator and warning lamps
for CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC
and ADB/DBC for Canadian
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an acoustic
signal also sounds when starting off.
For additional information, refer to
page 65. Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts l
A warning signal will sound at
the same time. Lights up for a
few seconds or until the safety belt is
fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 55.
Airbags l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 57, 175.
Orange: consult the nearest BMW
center
Automatic transmission
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 69.

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 116.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as
soon as possible. Do not drive more
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information, refer to
page 135.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add more engine
oil the next time you stop for gas.
For additional information, refer to
page 135.
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 118.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
Check tire inflation pressure:
refer to pages 27, 85.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs drive
force and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off by
means of the switch or it is defective,
or, the DSC has been turned off, ADB is
operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in the event of a malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) and
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC and ADB are switched
off by means of the switch or are defec-
tive.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 82.
Indicator and warning lamps
DSC and ADB for Canadian
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 134.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 149.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.