
 
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.
 
< 

 
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 will light up while the vehicle is 
moving. You will see how to react to 
this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current 
 
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. The engine could 
be damaged due to overheating. 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 level and refill as required. 
If the oil level is correct, please contact 
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal 
will go off: a tire failure has 
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 85.
Brake warning lamp 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 122 and 138.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

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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.  

30n
Opening and closing:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð 
from the outside34
Opening and closing Ð 
from the inside38
Tailgate39
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
Controls 

46n
For maximum safety when adjusting 
the seat position, please observe the 
following:
Never try to adjust your seat while 
driving the vehicle. The seat could 
respond with an unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle 
control could lead to an accident. 
Be sure that the safety belt remains 
firmly against your body at all times. In 
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over the hips, leading to 
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety 
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced 
if the belt is worn loosely.
While driving, do not recline the back-
rest too far (this applies to the 
passenger side especially), because 
otherwise there is the danger of sliding 
underneath the safety belt during an 
accident, thereby negating the safety 
belt's protection.<
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column, 
sit all the way back in the seat and rest 
your back fully against the backrest.
The ideal sitting posture is when your 
head forms a straight line with your 
spine.
For long-distance driving, you may wish 
to increase the backrest angle slightly 
to reduce muscular tension. You should 
be able to grasp the steering wheel at 
its highest point with your arms slightly 
bent.
After a seat adjustment, adjust the 
height of the safety belt also. Refer to 
page 53.1 Backward/forward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the 
desired position.
After releasing the lever, apply pres-
sure to the cushion to ensure that the 
latch engages securely
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to 
or remove weight from the seat as 
required
460de109
Seat adjustment  Mechanical seat 

53n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Drive with your safety belt onFasten your safety belt at the beginning 
of every trip.
To fasten: 
Make sure you hear the catch engage in 
the belt buckle.
To release: 
Press the red button in the buckle. Hold 
the belt and guide it back into its reel.The two rear safety belt buckles which 
are integrated in the rear seat are for 
passengers sitting on the left and right. 
The belt buckle with the word "CENTER"
 
is intended exclusively for passengers 
sitting in the middle.
For care instructions, refer to page 144.
460us074
Safety belt height adjustmentYou can adjust the safety belts to fit 
your own physical dimensions by using 
the safety belt height adjustment. 
Slide the button downward or upward.460de136
For your safety, please comply 
with the following instructions for 
wearing safety belts. If you do not, the 
safety belts may not be able to provide 
their maximum protection. The 
following information also applies to 
your passengers:
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a
passenger's lap.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it 
firmly across your hips and shoulder. 
Do not allow the belt to rest against 
hard or fragile objects in your pockets. 
Do not route the belt across your neck, 
or run it across sharp edges. Be sure 
that the belt does not become caught 
or jammed.
Be sure that the safety belt fits snugly 
against your body at all times. You 
should avoid wearing bulky clothing 
that prevents it from doing so. Pull the 
belt periodically to re-tension it across 
your shoulder. In the event of a frontal 
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over 
your hips, leading to abdominal injury. 
In addition, the safety belt's restraint 
effectiveness is reduced if the belt is 
worn loosely.
Expectant mothers should always wear 
their safety belts, taking care to posi-
Safety belts