
 
6n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels 
containing up to and including 
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight (that is, 
15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will 
not void the applicable warranties re-
specting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel 
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, etc.) among gasolines offered for 
sale in the United States and Canada. 
The use of poor quality fuels may result 
in driveability, starting and stalling 
problems especially under certain envi-
ronmental conditions, such as high am-
bient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
 
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-
mum performance when installed on 
your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free 
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for 
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made 
by other manufacturers to verify if it can 
be used on a BMW safely and without 
risk to either the vehicle, its operation, 
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from 
all BMW centers.
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, com-
promise its safety, interfere with the 
vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. 
See your BMW center for additional 
information.
Do not use key or remote to lock doors 
or trunk with anyone inside the car. See 
Owner's Manual for more details.
 
<
 
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
 
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this Owner's 
Manual for information on a particular 
part or assembly. 
 
For your own safety 

123n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power steering Cellular phone
*
Radio reception 
Changes in steering response, e. g. high 
steering effort:
Consult a BMW center to have the 
system checked. 
If the power steering fails, 
increased effort will be required to 
steer the vehicle.<
Only mobile communications systems 
(cellular phone, radio, etc.) with an 
output up to 10 watts are permitted. 
Mobile communications devices not 
specifically designed for use in your 
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while 
operating your vehicle. BMW can 
neither test nor assume responsibility 
for every individual product being 
offered on the market. We recommend 
that you consult your BMW center 
before purchasing any device of this 
kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to 
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, do not use a cellular phone or 
other radio device with an antenna 
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be 
mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on a 
car-carrier train or driving it 
through a car-wash, remove the 
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality 
obtained from mobile radios vary 
according to a variety of factors, 
including the broadcast range of the 
transmitter and the directional orienta-
tion of the antenna. Interference factors 
such as high-tension power lines, 
structural or natural obstructions can all 
lead to unavoidable reception interfer-
ence, regardless of how well the vehicle 
sound system is operating.
Climatic factors such as intense solar 
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also 
interfere with reception.
Cellular or portable phones not recom-
mended by BMW can also generate 
interference in the radio when making 
telephone calls. This phenomenon 
assumes the form of a low-pitched hum 
emanating from the speaker system.
Please refer to the Owner's Manual 
provided with your sound system for 
detailed information on its use. 

174n
Radio receptionThe AM frequency bands (medium-
wave, long-wave and short-wave) make 
it possible to receive stations from a 
great distance, because the broadcast 
signals travel not only along the ground 
as surface waves, but also as atmo-
spheric waves that are reflected from 
the ionosphere.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides 
substantially better sound quality than 
the other frequencies. However, 
because FM transmissions rely on line-
of-sight broadcast waves, their effec-
tive reception range is limited. 360de084
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been 
minimized by a number of innovative 
system designs:
The Radio Data System (RDS) makes 
sure that, for broadcast stations trans-
mitting on several frequencies, the
radio automatically tunes to the 
frequency with the best reception 
quality.
The Diversity Antenna system employs 
several FM antennas integrated within 
the rear window to provide three sepa-
rate sources for receiving broadcast 
waves. An integral processor automati-
cally selects the antenna with the best 
FM reception quality at any given time. 
The selection of the antenna takes place 
within milliseconds, and is therefore not 
noticed by the radio listener. 

178n
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)
*
This system regularly checks tire pres-
sure and monitors all four tires even 
while driving, so you do not have to. 
Behind the valve stem in every wheel, 
there is an electronic chip which is 
designed for severe-duty applications 
and long service life. It contains a pres-
sure sensor, a transmitter and a battery. 
The pressure is measured in extremely 
short time intervals and then transmitted 
by a radio signal. If an irregularity is 
detected, the transmission rate is 
increased. 463de006
There is an antenna located right near 
every wheel in the vehicle body. This 
antenna picks up signals from its 
respective wheel. A central electronics 
system evaluates the quadruple signals 
which it receives and forwards any 
changes. 
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety. 

Everything from A to ZA 
ABS (Antilock Brake 
System)22,116 
Accessories6 
Activated-charcoal 
filter100,165 
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)65,173 
Adding engine oil135 
Adding washer 
fluid134,187 
Adjust 
backrest47 
steering wheel50 
temperature92 
thigh support area48 
Air conditioner90 
Air distribution92,98 
Air nozzles90 
Air outlets96 
ventilation90,96 
Air pressure124 
Air supply92,99 
Airbags21,58,147,172 
Alarm system41 
Antenna123 
Antenna Diversity174 
Antifreeze137 
radiator121 
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)22,116 
Anti-theft alarm system41 
Aquaplaning115,124 Armrest102 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability 
Control plus 
Traction)22,173 
Ashtray104 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)65,173 
Attaching vacuum 
cleaner104 
AUC (Automatic climate 
control)96 
Automatic car washes141 
Automatic climate 
control96 
remove condensation from 
the windows98 
Automatic cruise control71 
Automatic dimming, interior 
rearview mirror52 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction 
(ASC+T)22,173 
Automatic transmission21 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65 
Automatic washer 
rear window69 
windshield69 
Average consumption77 
Average speed77 
Axle loads186 
B 
Backrest, adjusting47 
Backup lamps64 
bulb replacement156 
Battery162,188 
capacity188 
charging164 
discharged167 
removal and 
installation163 
Battery charge current20 
Battery safety terminal163 
Belts53 
Beverage holder102 
Blower92,99 
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils136 
BMW sports seat48 
Bore184 
Brake 
fluid138 
hydraulic system20 
pads22 
Brake lamps 
bulb replacement156 
Brake system118 
faults120 
Break-in procedure114 
Bulb replacement153 
Bulbs and lamps153 
C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning148 
Capacities187 
Car Memory52 
Car radio123 
reception174 
refer also to the separate 
Owner's Manual 
Car telephone103 
Car vacuum cleaner, 
connecting104 
Car wash141 
Care 
upholstery145 
vehicle exterior142 
vehicle finish143 
vehicle interior144 
wool velour145 
Cargo loading110 
Catalytic converter115 
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)21,117 
Cellular phone123 
refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual 
Center armrest102 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp157 
Central locking system34 
button38 
Changing a tire159 
   

Everything from A to Z
193n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel159 
Charge indicator lamp20 
Check air pressure28 
Check Control75 
Check engine oil level135 
Child restraint 
systems54,60 
Child-safety locks58 
Child's seat54 
Cigarette lighter104 
Cleaning windshield68 
Clock75 
refer also to the Radio or 
Computer Owner's Manual 
Cockpit16 
Coin holder102 
Combination switch68 
Compression184 
Computer76 
Configure settings52 
Consumption77 
display74 
Contents10 
Control elements20 
Coolant121,137,187 
antifreeze121 
Coolant temperature 
gauge74 
Cooling system187 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)21,117 Cruise control71 
Cruising range77 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder102 
Curb weight186 
Current check indicator20 
D 
Dashboard16 
Data 
dimensions185 
engine184 
technical184 
weights186 
Daytime-driving lamp 
switch87 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)118 
Defrost position94,98 
Defrostable rear window99 
Defrosting 
rear window92 
windows94,98 
Digital clock75 
Dimensions185 
Dipstick, engine oil135 
Disc brakes118 
Displacement184 
Display lighting87 
Displays18 
Distance warning78 Diversity Antenna 
system174 
Door key32,35 
Door locks, care121 
Doors 
child-safety locks58 
emergency operation34 
unlocking and locking34 
DOT Quality Grades125 
Draft-free ventilation93 
Drive belts188 
Driving hints115 
Driving in winter121 
Driving lamps87 
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control)81,173 
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC)118 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)22,81,173 
E 
Electric power seat48 
Electric power windows43 
Electrical accessories, 
failure164 
Electrical system188 
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33 
Elements of operation16 Emergency operation, 
doors34 
Energy Control73 
Engine 
coolant137,187 
data184 
starting61 
Engine oil 
capacity187 
consumption135 
pressure20 
quality136 
specifications136 
viscosity136 
Engine speed184 
Exterior mirrors51 
F 
Failure messages75 
Fault displays75 
Fault, ABS117 
Filler cap cover27 
Filling capacities187 
Filling the washer 
reservoir187 
First-aid kit26 
Fittings, tow starting and 
towing168 
Flashlight101 
Flat tire124,159 
Fog lamps88