
 
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 

 
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
 
15n
 
Index DataTechnologyRepairs Car care Controls Overview
 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  
Overview 

28n
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.
Required fuel:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use 
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen 
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
You will find the inflation pressures on 
the inside door pillar (visible with door 
open).Check tire pressures On the next page you will find all the tire 
pressure and ambient air temperature 
specifications stated in the units usually 
used in your country (psi; kilopascal).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC):
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to 
page 85.460de163
Check tire inflation pressures Ð
including the space-saver spare 
wheel, or spare wheel Ð regularly, at 
least every two weeks and before 
beginning any extended driving. Incor-
rect tire pressure can otherwise lead to 
tire damage and accidents.
Inflate the spare tire to the highest tire 
inflation pressure specified for your 
vehicle.< 

29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BMW Tires
All pressure specifications in 
the table are indicated in psi 
(kilopascal) for cold tires 
(cold = ambient temperature) 
325
325xiAll summer tires and 
the all season tire 
205/55 R 16 91 H M+S32 (220) 38 (260) 38 (260) 45 (310)
All winter tires and 
the all season tire 
205/50 R 17 93 V M+S
35 (240) 41 (280) 41 (280) 48 (330)
Space-saver tire in the luggage 
compartment61 (420)
For all season tires use the same inflation pressure as for summer tires.
For extra load tires 205/50 R 17 93 W use the same tire inflation pressure as for 
winter tires.
Tire inflation pressureObserve tire approval 
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table 
apply to tires made by BMW-approved 
manufacturers. Your BMW center is 
familiar with these pressures. Higher 
pressures may be specified for tires 
made by other manufacturers. You will 
find a list of approved tires beginning 
on page 129.
Your vehicle is equipped with tires that 
meet US and European standards. We 
recommend the exclusive use of 
BMW-approved tires.  

85n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
The conceptThe RDC monitors the tire pressures at 
all four wheels, even when the vehicle 
is moving. The system provides an alert 
whenever the inflation pressure drops 
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires. 
In order for the RDC system to "learn" 
the correct tire inflation pressure, first 
check the tire inflation pressure in all 
tires. Then compare these pressures 
with the tire inflation pressure chart 
(page 29) and adjust if necessary. Then 
activate the system. 
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster informs you when-
ever the tire pressure is not 
normal.
Activate the system Depending on the type of equipment, 
the switch either has the letters RDC on 
it or the RDC-symbol.
1 Turn the ignition key to position 2 
(do not start the engine).
2 Press the switch long enough for the 
indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster to light up yellow for a few 
seconds.
3 After a few minutes driving time, the 
RDC sets the current inflation pres-
sure in the tires as the target values 
to be monitored.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire 
inflation pressure. Otherwise, the RDC 
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.460us297
Loss of tire pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped 
significantly over a long period of time 
(which is normal for any tire), the indi-
cator lamp will come on with a yellow 
lamp.
This alerts you that you should have the 
tires inflated to the specified pressures 
as soon as possible.
If you are prompted to check the 
tire pressure shortly after a 
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were 
not accurate. Please check the inflation 
pressure again and make corrections 
according to the inflation pressure 
table. Then activate the system once 
again.<  

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
 and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
113n
Index DataTechnologyRepairs Car care Controls Overview
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 
specifications129Under 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 modifications148
California Proposition 
65 Warning148
OBD interface socket149
Car care 

124n
Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are 
matched to the vehicle and have been 
selected to provide optimum safety and 
driving comfort on your vehicle. 
It is not merely the tire's service life, but 
also driving comfort and Ð above all 
else Ð driving safety that depend on the 
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent 
cause of tire damage. It also signifi-
cantly influences the roadholding ability 
of your BMW.
Check the tire inflation pressure Ð 
for the space-saver spare tire or 
spare tire Ð on a regular basis (refer to 
page 28), at least twice a month, and 
before starting out on any extended 
trip. If this is not done, incorrect tire 
pressures can cause driving instability 
and tire damage, ultimately resulting in 
an accident.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread 
wear, signs of damage and for foreign 
objects lodged in the tread. Check the 
tread depth. 
Tread depth should not be allowed to 
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though 
the legally specified minimum tread 
depth is only 0.063 in (1.6 mm). At a 
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm), tread 
depth indicators (arrow) in the tread-
groove base indicate that the wear 
limit Ð applicable by law throughout 
Europe Ð has been reached. Below 
0.12 in (3 mm) tread depth, there is an 
increased risk of aquaplaning, even at 
relatively moderate speeds and with 
only small amounts of water on the 
road.390de331
Never continue driving on a 
deflated (flat) tire. A flat tire greatly 
impairs steering and braking response, 
and can lead to complete loss of 
control over the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that 
the permitted load on the tires is not 
exceeded. Overloading can lead to 
overheating and increases the rate at 
which damage develops inside the 
tires. You could have a blowout as a 
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during 
normal vehicle operation can indicate 
tire failure or some other vehicle defect. 
The same applies to irregularities 
related to your usual driving style, such 
as pulling hard to the left or right. 
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed 
carefully to the nearest BMW center or 
professional tire center, or have the 
vehicle towed in to have it and its tires 
inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including 
sudden and complete air loss) can 
endanger the lives of both the vehicle 
occupants and other road users.<
Tire inflation pressure Tire condition