
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Maintenance and care
 
Lamps:
 
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
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures114
Driving notes115
Catalytic converter115
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)116
Disc brakes118
Brake system120
Winter operation121
Power steering123
Cellular phone123
Radio reception123
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure124
Tire condition124
Tire replacement125
Tire rotation126
Wheel and tire 
combinations127
Winter tires128
Snow chains128
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications129
 
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
Airbags147
Vehicle storage147
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications 
to the vehicle148
California Proposition 
65 Warning148
OBD interface socket149 

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 

39n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
TailgateOpening from outsidePress the button in the handle recess 
(arrow): the tailgate opens slightly.
The luggage compartment lamp goes 
on when the tailgate is opened. 
For opening manually in the event 
of an electrical malfunction, refer to 
page 166.
Opening from the inside, refer to 
page 38.460de010
ClosingThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the tailgate (arrows) make it 
easier to pull down.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the rear window was not 
opened unintentionally.<
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the tailgate lid is 
clear when it is closed, as with all 
closing procedures.<463de031
Operate the vehicle only when 
the tailgate or rear window is 
completely closed so that no exhaust 
fumes penetrate the interior of the 
vehicle. If it should happen that the 
tailgate or rear window are left open 
anyway while driving:
>Close all windows, including the 
sliding/tilt sunroof. 
>Increase the air supply for the air 
conditioner or automatic climate 
control to a high level. Refer to 
page 90 or 96.< 

70n
Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster 7 Rear window wiperRear window wiper in intermittent 
mode. When reverse gear is engaged, 
continuous operation is switched on 
automatically
You can also program the interval:
>Switch briefly from position 0 to 
position 7.
>The time until reactivation (from 
position 0 to 7) is the programmed 
interval (max. 30 seconds).8 Cleaning rear windowWasher fluid sprayed on the rear 
window.
Refer to page 152 for changing the 
wiper blades.
Cleaning headlamps
* 
If the headlamps are on, they will also 
be cleaned every fifth time you activate 
cleaning windshield.
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will freeze 
on the windshield. If you do so, your 
vision could be obscured. Use an anti-
freeze agent. Refer to page 134. 
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. If you do so, the washer 
pump could be damaged.
* when the ignition key is 
in position 2.
The illustration shows the button set-up 
for vehicles equipped with automatic 
climate control. For other layouts, refer 
to page 90.To activate>Press the button once: as long as the 
indicator lamp remains on, the rear 
window defroster continues at high 
output (rapid thaw).
>Press button twice: the rear window 
defroster operates continuously.To deactivateIf the indicator lamp is still on, press the 
button.462us036 

96n
Automatic climate control
* 
460us050 

97n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control
*
1 Air onto the windshield and the side 
windows
2 Air flow toward the upper body
The side rotary dials provide infi-
nitely-variable regulation of the air 
supply, while the levers change the 
air-flow direction. The center rotary 
dial controls the temperature of the 
air as it flows out. Refer to page 100
3 Front footwell ventilation
There are corresponding air vents in 
the rear footwell as well
4 Recirculated air mode/Automatic 
recirculated air control (AUC)99
5 Air supply99
6 Temperature98
7 Automatic air distribution98
8 Individual air distribution98
9 Air grill for interior temperature 
sensor Ð please keep clear and 
unobstructed
10 Display for temperature and air 
supply98
11 Defrost windows and remove 
condensation99
12 Air conditioner99
13 Rear window defroster70, 99 

98n
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on 
AUTO button 7). Select an interior 
temperature that is comfortable for 
you Ð we recommend +72 7 (+22 6). 
When the outside temperature is above 
+41 7 (+5 6), you can also use the air 
conditioner 12. This will dry the air as 
well as preventing condensation on the 
window surfaces Ð if there are passen-
gers with damp clothing, for example. 
Set the outlets 2 so that the air flows 
past you and is not directed straight at 
you. Set the rotary dial between the air 
outlets 2 for the upper body to a 
medium position, since air that is some-
what cooler promotes driving without 
fatigue.
Detailed setting options are described 
for you in the following section.
Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program assumes 
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and 
adapts the temperature to external 
influences (summer, winter) to meet 
preferences you can specify. This 
program maintains a comfortable in-car 
climate regardless of the season. Select 
an interior temperature that is comfort-
able for you Ð we recommend  +72 7 
(+22 6). The selected temperature 
and  AUTO for the air flow appear in 
the display 10 (refer to the overview on 
page 96). Open the air outlets for the 
upper body area. Switch on the air 
conditioner in warm weather. The 
maximum cooling capacity is achieved 
when you set rotary dial 3 (refer to 
page 100) to cold.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO 
program by selecting specific 
distribution patterns to suit your 
own individual requirements. 
You can direct air to flow onto the 
windows  , toward the upper body   
and into the footwell  .
Temperature 
The figures in the display 
provide a general indication of 
interior temperature. We recommend 
+72 7 (+22 6) as a comfortable 
setting, whether the air conditioner is 
operating or not. When you start the 
vehicle, the system ensures that the 
selected temperature is reached as 
quickly as possible. It then maintains 
this temperature, regardless of the 
season.
Set rotary dial 3 (refer to "Draft-free 
ventilation" on page 100) to a medium 
setting, since air that is somewhat 
cooler promotes driving without fatigue. 
You can use this setting for mixing air to 
make minor comfort modifications.
You can set uncontrolled heater 
output up to +90 7 (+32 6). At 
+60 7 (+16 6), full cooling output is 
available from an activated air condi-
tioner.< 

99n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control
*
Air supply
 
By pressing the left or right half 
of the button, you can vary the 
air supply. By doing this, you switch off 
the automatic control for the air supply. 
Nevertheless, the automatic air distri-
bution remains unchanged.
When you set the lowest blower speed 
by pressing the left half of the button, 
all of the displays are canceled: the 
blower, heating and air conditioner are 
switched off, and the air supply stops. 
You can reactivate the system by 
pressing any button of the automatic 
climate control.
Defrost windows and remove 
condensation
This program quickly removes 
ice and condensation from the 
windshield and side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ð depending on the 
temperature setting Ð rewarmed when 
the air conditioner system is switched 
on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started.
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off when outside air temperatures 
are below approx. +41 7 (+5 6). This 
will help to prevent the windows from 
fogging up. 
If the windows fog over after switching 
the air conditioner off, switch it back on.
Condensation forms in the air 
conditioner system during opera-
tion, that then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated air control 
(AUC)
You can respond to unpleasant 
external odors by temporarily 
blocking the outside air. The system 
then recirculates the air already within 
the vehicle. By repeated actuation of 
the button, you can select one of three 
different operation modes.
>Indicator lamps off: fresh air flows 
into the vehicle.
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC 
mode: the system detects pollutants 
in the outside air and responds by 
deactivating the outside air flow as 
required. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle.
Depending on air quality require-
ments, the system automatically 
switches between outside air supply 
and recirculation of the air already 
within the vehicle. 
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the 
flow of outside air is permanently 
blocked. The system recirculates the 
air already within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the 
recirculated air mode, switch this 
mode off and increase the air supply as 
required.
is turned on, the indicator lamp 
comes on; refer to page 70.