
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Sports steering wheel25
Hazard warning flashers26
Warning triangle26
First-aid kit26
Refueling27
Fuel specifications28
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
Tailgate38
Cargo area40
Alarm system41
Electric power windows43
Sliding/tilt sunroof44
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats46
Seat and mirror memory49
Steering wheel50
Mirrors51
Car Memory, Key Memory52
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts53
Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock61
Starting the engine61
Switching off the engine62
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Turn signal indicator/
Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system68
Rear window defroster70
Cruise control71
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer73
Tachometer73
Energy Control73
Fuel gauge74
Coolant temperature gauge74
Service Interval Display74
Check Control75
Clock75
Computer76
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)79
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)80
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)85 

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsRed and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
If the brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and ASC+T/
DSC: 
Then the entire ABS, CBC, 
ASC+T/DSC and ADB/ADB-X/
DBC
 control 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 79, 80.
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/ADB-X/DBC indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied Ð an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 63. 
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 53.
Airbags l
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center. 
For additional information, refer to 
pages 55, 172. 
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 
pages 65, 67.  

147n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags Vehicle storage1 Front airbags for driver and 
passenger
2 Side Impact Head Protection 
System for driver and passenger 
(front)
3 Side airbags for driver and passenger 
(front and rear
*)
Important safety notices 
Do not remove the airbag restraint 
system's gas generator. Have 
testing and service procedures per-
formed by specially qualified techni-
cians only. In the event of a malfunc-
tion, deactivation or triggered actuation 
(as a response to an accident) of the 
airbag restraint system, consult your 
BMW center for repairs or service 
operations. 
463de041
Modifications may not be made on 
either the wiring or the individual 
components in the airbag system. 
These include the padded steering 
wheel hub, the instrument panel, the 
side trim panels of the front or rear 
doors and the roof pillars or the sides 
of the headliner. Do not apply adhesive 
materials to these components, cover 
or modify them in any way. Do not 
attempt to remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel.
To ensure compliance with official 
safety regulations, entrust disposal of 
airbag generators to a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or undesired airbag activa-
tion, either of which could result in 
personal injury.
to store the vehicle for more than 
three months.  

179n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Self-diagnostics All of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested 
regularly and automatically; the driver 
does not have to perform any extra 
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps also come on 
briefly after the ignition has been turned 
on.
While you are driving, the functional 
status of the actuator motors (for the 
windshield wipers, power windows, 
seats, sliding/tilt sunroof, etc.) is 
constantly analyzed by current 
measurements in their relays.460de177
In the same manner, the electrical 
resistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag 
components is measured at all times. 
Any fault in this system would be 
detected immediately by a current fluc-
tuation that would necessarily accom-
pany it. The fault would be indicated 
immediately by the airbag warning 
lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the 
overall functional status of your vehicle 
is monitored. For example, all of the 
flaps of the heating and ventilation 
system travel to the nearest limit posi-
tion. This action ensures that the 
system will be able to provide 
defrosting, regardless of other circum-
stances, e. g. if a malfunction in the air 
conditioner/climate control system 
should occur during the night while the 
vehicle is parked.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time 
the engine is shut off. During this cycle, 
the actuator motors move all air condi-
tioner/automatic climate control flaps to 
their limit stops in both directions. The 
limit positions and the return travel 
paths are checked in this manner in 
order to ensure that appropriate adjust-
ments for the operating elements can 
be made at any time.You will hear the sounds of the air flaps 
as the air conditioning system/auto-
matic climate control carry out their 
self-diagnostic functions after the igni-
tion has been turned off. All of the other 
self-diagnostics functions operate 
silently in the background.
Any possible defects detected during 
these self-diagnostics can be read out 
by your BMW center and quickly 
corrected during the vehicle's next 
regularly scheduled maintenance. 

Everything from A to ZRemote control35 
Removal from service of the 
vehicle147 
Removing condensation 
from the windows94 
Reporting safety defects7 
Restraint system54 
Retaining straps40 
Reverse17,64 
Roll-up cover107 
Roof load capacity186 
Roof luggage rack111 
Rubber parts121 S 
Safety belt height 
adjustment53 
Safety belt tensioners175 
Safety belts53 
height adjustment53 
Safety defects, reporting7 
Safety feature43 
Safety lock buttons38 
Seat 
electric power48 
mechanical46 
Seat adjustment46 
Seat heating100 
Seat memory49 
Securing cargo110 
Securing loads110 Selector lever, automatic 
transmission65 
Self-defrosting mirrors51 
Self-diagnostics179 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet
(US models)140 
Service Interval Display74 
Setting the temperature98 
Shiftlock65 
Side airbags58 
Side impact Head Protection 
System58 
Side lamps87 
bulb replacement154 
Ski bag106 
Skid control122 
Sliding/tilt sunroof44 
close in the event of an 
electrical short166 
convenience operation34 
Slippery roads122 
Snow chains121 
Socket104 
for electrical 
appliances104 
for flashlights104 
for vacuum cleaner104 
refer also to power 
outlet105 
Space-saver spare tire159 Spare key32,35 
with radio remote 
control32,35 
Spare tire159 
Spark plugs188 
Speaker103 
Speed control71 
Speedometer18 
Sports seat48 
Sports steering wheel25 
Starting assistance167 
Starting 
problems115,167 
Starting the engine61 
Steel wheels129 
Steering123 
Steering wheel lock61 
Steering wheel, 
adjusting50 
Steptronic65 
Stereo system Ð harman 
kardon101 
Stopping the vehicle62 
Storage compartments102 
Storing the vehicle147 
Stroke184 
Summer tires127 
Sun visors51 
Sunroof44 
Switching off the engine62 
Symbols4,163 Synthetic oils136 
T 
Tachometer73 
Tail lamps156 
bulb replacement156 
Tailgate 
emergency release166 
Tailgate lamp, bulb 
replacement157 
Tank capacity187 
Technical data184 
Technical 
modifications6,148 
Telephone 
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual 
Telephone hookup103 
Temperature adjustment98 
Temperature display, 
outside temperature76 
Temperature gauge, engine 
coolant74 
Temperature 
layering93,100 
Thigh support area, 
adjusting48 
Third brake lamp157 
Tilt alarm42 
Tilt sensor alarm system36 
remote control36 
Tire changing159