
 
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 

 
17n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit
 
1 Parking lamps/Low beams87
2
 
d
 
Turn signal indicator68
 
>
 
Parking lamps88
 
>
 
High beams88
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher68
 
>
 
Computer
 
* 
76
3 Washer/Wiper system68
4 Shift lever/Selector lever
 
* 
64 
For vehicles equipped with manual 
transmission: 
To engage reverse gear, press the 
lever to the left and overcome the 
slight resistance you will encounter 
5 Hazard warning flashers26
6 Central locking system34
7 Rear window defroster70
8 Horn sports steering wheel
 
* 
: the 
entire surface 
9 Adjusting steering wheel50
10 Fog lamps
 
* 
88 

 
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. 

23n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to 
page 149.
Service Engine Soon warning 
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
* 
There is a fault in the engine's 
electronic control system. The 
electronics allow for continued driving 
with reduced engine output or rpms. 
Please have the system inspected by 
your BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top 
off the coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 137.
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator 
Flashes when the turn signal is 
operated. Rapid flashing indi-
cates a system malfunction. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 68.
Cruise control
Comes on when the cruise 
control is activated. Available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 71.
Fog lamps
Comes on whenever you switch 
on the fog lamps. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated. 
For additional information, refer to 
pages 68, 88. 

26n
Hazard warning flashers  Warning triangle
* 
First-aid kit
* 
The button flashes intermittently when 
the hazard flashers are on.
To help you locate the switch in an 
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the vehicle's lamps 
are on.
The turn signal indicator function 
takes priority over the hazard 
warning function. This means that with 
the ignition key in position 1, you can 
still use the turn signal indicator funtion, 
even if the hazard warning flashers are 
being used at the same time.< 460us002
The hazard warning triangle is stored 
on the left-hand side of the luggage 
compartment behind the cover panel.
To open: press the button (arrow) and 
remove the cover.
Comply with legal requirements 
for keeping a hazard warning 
triangle in the vehicle.<463de035
The first-aid kit is located under the front 
passenger's seat.
To open: pull the handle and fold the 
cover down.
To close: fold the cover up.
Some of the articles in the first-aid 
kit may be used within a limited 
time only. For this reason, check the 
expiration dates of each of the items 
regularly, and replace any with passed 
dates. You can acquire replacements
in any drugstore or pharmacy. 
Comply with legal requirements for 
keeping a first-aid kit in the vehicle.< 460de003 

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 

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.