Page 179 of 211

179n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Deceleration sensors continuously
monitor the acceleration forces acting
upon the vehicle. If, as the result of a
frontal collision, a deceleration is
reached at which the protection of the
safety belts alone is no longer
adequate, the gas generators of the
driver and passenger-front airbags are
ignited simultaneously. However, the
passenger-side airbag is only triggered
if an additional sensor has recognized
that the passenger seat is occupied.
In the event of a side collision, the head
protection and side airbags in the front
and rear
* are triggered if necessary.
390de319
The airbags located under the marked
covers inflate and unfold in a matter of
a few milliseconds. In this process, they
tear through the designed separation
points of the upholstered covers or
press them out.
Because the inflation process must be
virtually instantaneous, it is necessarily
accompanied by a certain amount of
ignition and inflation noise. The gas
required to inflate the airbags is not
dangerous, and the smoke associated
with it dissipates.
The entire process is completed within
fractions of a second.
Airbags
Page 183 of 211
183n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Safety belt tensionerThe safety belt tensioner responds to
severe frontal collisions by tightening
the belts to ensure that occupants
remain firmly positioned in their seats.
A gas-pressure system retracts the
buckle assembly to tension the
shoulder and lap belts within fractions
of a second. This further reduces the
tendency to slide under the lap belt. 390de330
Page 188 of 211

188n
Xenon lamps
*
The xenon lamp provides forward illu-
mination with significantly more bright-
ness and uniformity than the traditional
halogen lamp.
In a xenon lamp, an electric arc replaces
the filament in order to generate intense
illumination. A gas mixture in a quartz
glass tube with metal vapor is ignited by
a high electric voltage. The arc that is
generated is then sustained by a lower
voltage. When the lamp is turned on,
there is a brief warm-up period.
Maximum brightness is attained in
approx. 15 seconds.390de134
Xenon lamps provide significantly-
improved visibility, especially during
adverse weather conditions and driving
situations, (driving at night in heavy rain
or through road repair areas where
there are no lane markers, for instance).
Vehicles with xenon lamps are
equipped with automatic headlamp
range control. As a result, the lane
ahead of you is always optimally
lighted, even under varying load condi-
tions, and drivers in oncoming traffic
are not blinded.
Xenon lamps make a significant contri-
bution to highway safety since other
highway users, bicyclists and motorcy-
clists in the right lane, and pedestrians
are more easily detected.
Page 202 of 211

Everything from A to ZFootwell lamps89
bulb replacement164
Four-wheel drive182
Front fog lamps89
bulb replacement161
Frost protection,
radiator142
Fuel28
Fuel consumption78
Fuel consumption
display75
Fuel filler door
releasing following an
electrical malfunction172
Fuel gauge75
Fuel injection192
Fuel quality28
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp75
Fuel specifications28
Fuel tank capacity195
Fuel tank gauge75
Functional status187
Fuses170 G
Gasoline28
Gasoline gauge75
Glove compartment104 Glove compartment lamp,
bulb replacement164
Gross vehicle weight194
H
Handbrake64
Handsfree system107
Hazard warning flashers26
Hazard warning triangle26
Head restraints48
Headlamp covers,
care146,159
Headlamp flasher69,89
Headlamp washer
system138,195
Headlamp washers71
Headlamps88
Heated seats103
Heating, rapid96
Heavy loads112
Height193
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon104
High beams23,69,89
bulb replacement159
High Performance Synthetic
Oils140
High-mount brake lamp163
Hood release134 Horn17
Hubcap166
Hydraulic Brake assistant,
refer to DBC
I
Ice warning77
Icy roads77
Identification, tires128
Ignition key32
Ignition lock62
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflated pressure28,125
Inflation pressure
monitoring86,186
INSPECTION75
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel18
Interaxle tire rotation127
Interface socket108
for Onboard
Diagnostics154
Interference
cellular phone124
Interior lamps36,89
bulb replacement163
remote control36
Interior motion sensor42 Interior rearview mirror52
automatic dimming
feature53,184
Interlock62
Intermittent wipe69
J
Jack165
Jump-starting173 K
Key Memory53
Keys32
with remote control32 L
Lamps and bulbs158
LAMPS ON warning88
Lashing eyes112
LATCH attachment of the
child seat59
Leather care150
Length193
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement163
Light switch88
Light-alloy wheels130
Lighter108
Load-securing devices112
Page 209 of 211
So that you will have important
specifications available when you
stop to refuel, we recommend
that you supplement this table
with data which apply to your
vehicle.
Fuel
Engine oil The oil volume between the
two marks on the oil dipstick
corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Designation Premium Unleaded
Gasoline
AKI: minimum 91
QualityTire inflation pressures
Summer Winter
Front Rear Front Rear
4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage
Refueling
BMW recommends Castrol