
 
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 

32n
Keys1 The master keys with remote control 
determine the functions for the Key 
Memory; refer to page 52
There is an extended-life battery in 
every master key that is charged 
automatically in the steering lock as you 
drive.
For this reason, if you have a master key 
that is otherwise not used, use that key 
at least once every year while driving for 
an extended period to charge the 
battery. Refer also to page 35.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for constant use 46cde059
3 Door and ignition key
The lock for the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key, 
which is an advantage when using for 
valet parking, for instance
Replacement keysReplacement keys are available exclu-
sively through your authorized BMW 
center. Since the keys belong to a 
security system, your BMW center is 
obligated to ensure that a person 
requesting a key is authorized to do so 
(refer to "Electronic vehicle immobilizer" 
on page 35).
If possible, take all of the master 
keys that belong to the vehicle 
with you when you pick up your 
replacement key. 
Whenever you receive a new replace-
ment key, turn that key to position 2 in 
the ignition lock once (ignition switched 
on) and then back. This allows the elec-
tronic vehicle immobilizer to "learn" the 
new key.< 

34n
Central  locking  system Opening and closing Ð from the outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the
>doors
>tailgate and rear window
>fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the door lock and 
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating the central locking system 
from inside does not lock the fuel filler 
door (see page 38). When it is actuated 
from the outside, the anti-theft system 
is activated simultaneously. Both the 
door locks and release handles remain 
locked. The alarm system is also armed 
or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central 
locking system unlocks automatically in 
the event of an accident. But the system 
only unlocks those doors that were not 
locked separately using the safety 
buttons, refer to page 38. In addition, 
the hazard warning flashers and interior 
lamps come on.
Using the keyOne turn of the key in the driver's door 
lock unlocks the driver's door only. 
Turning the key a second time unlocks 
all of the remaining doors, the tailgate 
and the fuel filler door.
You can have a signal set as an 
acknowledgment message that 
the vehicle is closed correctly.<460de006
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power 
windows and sliding/tilt sunroof via the 
door lock.
>To open: if the door is closed, hold 
the key firmly in the "Unlock" posi-
tion.
>To close: if the door is closed, hold 
the key firmly in the "Lock" position.
Watch during the closing process 
to be sure that nobody is inadvert-
ently injured. Releasing the key stops 
the operation.
to unlock/lock the door. 

35n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outside Using the remote controlThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions that only the remote control 
can execute:
>Switching on the interior lamps, refer 
to page 38.
With this function, you can also 
"search for" your car Ð when parked 
in an underground garage, for 
instance. 
>Opening the rear window, refer to 
page 39.
The rear window will open slightly, 
regardless of whether it was previ-
ously locked or unlocked. 
When you unlock the vehicle, the anti-
theft system is deactivated, the alarm 
system is disarmed, and the interior 
lamps are turned on. When you lock the 
vehicle, the systems are activated and 
armed, and the lamps go off.
You can have a signal set as an 
acknowledgment message that 
the vehicle is closed correctly.<
Master keysKeys with remote control are master 
keys. Refer to page 32.
Children might be able to lock the 
doors from the inside. For this 
reason, always take the vehicle's keys 
with you so that the vehicle can be 
opened again from the outside at any 
time.<463de024
Master keys that are used repeat-
edly are always ready for opera-
tion since the battery in the key is 
charged automatically in the steering 
lock as you drive.
If it is no longer possible to unlock the 
vehicle via the remote control, the 
battery is discharged. Use this key while 
driving for an extended period in order 
to recharge the battery. Refer also to 
page 32.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key or the spare key (refer 
to page 32) when leaving the vehicle for 
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.< 

37n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsideOpening the rear windowPress button 3.
The rear window opens slightly. It can 
now be tilted up.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the rear window was not 
opened unintentionally.<46cde058
Panic mode (trigger alarm)By pressing button 3 for 2 to 5 seconds, 
the alarm can be sounded in the event 
of danger, if the alarm system is armed. 
Pressing on button 1 will turn the alarm 
off. 
The LED (light-emitting diode) will light 
up briefly whenever you press on the 
individual buttons.System interferenceExternal systems or devices may cause 
local interference in the functions of the 
remote control.
If this should occur, you can unlock and 
lock the vehicle via the door lock with 
a master key.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units 
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal 
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the 
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could 
void the user's authority to operate this 
equipment.<  

41n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the tailgate 
is opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle 
(interior motion sensor).
>To a change of the vehicle's tilt Ð if 
someone attempts to steal the wheels 
or tow the vehicle without authoriza-
tion, for example.
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for 
30 seconds.
>Activating the hazard warning flashers 
for approx. five minutes.
>Flashing the high beams flash on and 
off in rhythm with the hazard warning 
flashers. 
To activate and deactivate the 
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
by using a key or the remote control, 
the alarm system is also armed or 
disarmed at the same time.
The interior motion sensor and tilt alarm 
sensor are activated 30 seconds after 
the last locking operation.
If the alarm system has been armed 
correctly, the hazard warning flashers 
flash once.
You can have one signal set as 
acknowledgment when arming 
and disarming.<
You can also open the rear window 
when the system is armed by pressing 
button 3 of the remote control (refer to 
page 37). When it is closed, the rear 
window is once again secured.
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located under the 
inside rearview mirror.
>The indicator lamp flashes 
continuously: the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes when it 
is armed: doors, the hood, tailgate 
or rear window have not been prop-
erly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the remaining areas 
are deadlocked, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after 
10 seconds. However, the interior 
motion sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out when the 
system is disarmed: no manipulation 
or attempted intrusions have been 
detected in the period since the 
system was armed.463us010 

42n
Alarm system
*
>The indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is 
disarmed: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.
Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. Doing this prevents a false alarm 
from being triggered (in garages with 
elevator ramps, for instance), or when 
the vehicle is transported by trailer or 
train:
Lock the vehicle (= arm the system) 
twice. Press button 2 on the remote 
control twice in succession or lock the 
vehicle twice with the key (refer to 
page 36).
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed.
Reset the alarm system in order to 
reactivate both the tilt sensor alarm 
system and interior motion sensor.
Interior motion sensorThe transmitter and receiver of the inte-
rior motion sensor are located in a trim 
panel in the vehicle's roof.
In order for the interior motion sensor 
to function properly, the windows and 
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely 
closed.
However, be sure to deactivate the 
interior motion sensor (refer to the 
previous column "Avoiding uninten-
tional alarms"), when you wish to leave 
the windows or the tilt/sunroof open.460de159 

43n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Electric power windowsOpen and close the windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
>Press the switch up to but not past 
the resistance point:
The window will continue to open as 
long as you hold the switch.
>Press the switch past the resistance 
point:
The window will move automatically. 
Pressing the switch again stops the 
opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.460de013
In the rear, there are separate switches 
under the windows.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the power 
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long 
as neither of the front doors was 
opened during that time. 
Remove the key from the ignition 
and close the doors when you 
leave the vehicle, so that children 
cannot operate the power windows and 
possibly injure themselves.< 
For the convenience opening mode 
with the door lock or remote control, 
refer to page 34 or 35.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside 
upper frame of each of the windows. If 
pressure is exerted against this contact 
strip while a window is being raised, the 
system will respond by stopping the 
window and then retracting it some-
what.
Despite this safety feature, be 
extremely careful that the closing 
path of the window is not obstructed 
whenever it is being closed. Otherwise, 
an object might not touch the contact 
strip in some situations (with very thin 
objects, for instance).
You can override this safety feature by 
pulling the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<