
 
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 

 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel159
Battery162
Fuses164
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal 
filter165
 
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door166
Sliding/Tilt sunroof166
Tailgate166
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting167
Towing the vehicle168Airbags172
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)173
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)173 
Radio reception174
Four-wheel drive175
Safety belt tensioner175
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimmer176
Rain sensor177
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)178
Self-diagnostics179
Xenon lamps180Engine data184
Dimensions185
Weights186
Capacities187
Electrical system188
Drive belts188 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for 
fuel reserve74
2 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 Control73
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator74
7 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for:
 > Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)/(DBC)20, 21 >
 Antilock Brake System (ABS)22  
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)20, 22
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Please fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control
 
* 23
8 Adjusting knob for the clock759 Program display for automatic 
transmission65, 67
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission21, 65, 67
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) or DSC and 
ADB/ADB-X22
11 Indicator for: 
>
 
Odometer73
 
>
 
Trip odometer73
 
>
 
Clock75
 
>
 
Service Interval74
Display for computer, operation 
via the turn signal lever, refer to 
page 76: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 > Cruising range  >
 Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control75
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero7314 Indicator and warning lamps 
(clockwise) for:  
>
 
Fog lamps23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Throttle Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Service engine soon23
You can display the outside 
temperature and distance driven 
in different units of measurement.
 
< 

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.  

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
 and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
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)85Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting87
High beams/Parking lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps88
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner90
Automatic climate control96
Seat heating100
Cabin convenience:
HiFi system101
Glove compartment101
Storage compartments102
Cellular phone103
Ashtray, front104
Cigarette lighter104
Ashtray, rear105
Power outlet105
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag106
Cargo area107
Cargo loading110
Roof-mounted luggage rack111 

61n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0  Steering lock engaged The key can be inserted or removed in 
this position only.
After removing the key, turn the 
steering wheel slightly to the left or right 
until the lock engages.
If the key has been left in the ignition, 
an acoustic signal will sound after the 
door has been opened.460de022
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from the 
"Park" position until the engine is 
running (ignition key at position 2).
In order to turn the key to position 0 or 
to remove it, first move the selector 
lever to the position "Park" (Interlock).<
1  Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to 
the right or left often makes it easier to 
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready 
for operation.2  Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3  Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: 
Depress the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine 
from starting if the clutch is not 
depressed.< 
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Put the manual-shift gear lever in idle 
or in P for an automatic transmission.
>Depress the clutch pedal. 
Do not run the engine in enclosed 
areas. The exhaust gases contain 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an 
extreme health risk, and can lead to 
unconsciousness and death.
Never leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Do not press the accelerator pedal 
when starting the engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time, but do not keep 
turning it for more than approx. 
20 seconds. Release the ignition key 
immediately when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle 
remains stationary. Instead, drive off 
immediately at a moderate engine 
speed.<
Steering/Ignition lock  Starting the engine  

62n
Starting the engine Switching off the engine If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold start at very low temperatures 
approx. +5 7 (Ð15 6) at high altitude 
over 3,300 ft (1000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage 
the starter for a longer period 
(approx. 10 seconds).
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at start-up are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from dischar-
ging, always switch off electrical 
devices which are not in use and the 
ignition when the vehicle is not being 
driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Never remove the ignition key 
while the vehicle is still moving. 
If you did so, the steering lock would 
engage when the steering wheel is 
turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined 
surfaces, since placing the lever in 
1st gear or reverse may not provide 
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."< 

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It acts on the rear wheels.
The lock engages automatically when 
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp 
in the instrument panel comes on when 
the ignition key is in position 2. Refer to 
page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button (arrow) and lower the lever.460us024
If, in exceptional circumstances, 
it  should be necessary to apply the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull the lever with exces-
sive pressure. Keep your thumb 
pressed against the release button 
while carefully pulling the lever up to 
apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always apply the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined surfaces, 
since placing the lever in 1st gear or 
reverse may not provide adequate 
resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided 
braking, apply the parking brake lightly 
from time to time when coasting to a 
standstill (at a traffic signal, for 
instance), provided that it is safe to do 
so.