Page 3 of 215

 
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and 
security when you drive it. We therefore have this request:
Read this Owner's Manual to get summarized information, before you start out in 
your new BMW. It contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in 
gaining maximum use and satisfaction from the unique range of technical features 
on your BMW. This manual also contains information on maintenance and care, 
designed to ensure your safety and the proper operation of your vehicle, and to 
maintain your vehicle's value.
This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It 
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important 
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information  Booklet 
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). 
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Warranty Rust Perforation
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is listed in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG 
     
        
        Page 6 of 215

 
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 (i.e. 15 % 
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void 
the applicable warranties respecting 
defects in materials or workmanship. 
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility, 
composition, additives, for example) 
among gasolines offered for sale in the 
United States and Canada. The use of 
poor quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental 
conditions, such as high ambient 
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 
optimum 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 from  
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, 
compromise 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.
 
<
 
 
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.  
     
        
        Page 9 of 215
 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
9n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview 
     
        
        Page 11 of 215

 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
 
Lamps:
 
Side lamps/Low beams93
Instrument panel lighting93
High beams/Parking lamps94
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
 
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioner96
Automatic climate control102
Seat heating107
 
Interior convenience:
 
Glove compartment107
BMW Universal Transmitter108
Storage facilities110
Cellular phone111
Ashtray, front111
Cigarette lighter112
Ashtray, rear112
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop116
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phone129
Radio reception129
Hardtop130
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure132
Tire condition132
Tire replacement133
Tire rotation134
Wheel and tire 
combinations135
Winter tires136
Snow chains136
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications137
 
Under the hood:
 
Hood140
Engine compartment142
Washer fluids144
Washer nozzles144
Engine oil145
Coolant147
Brake fluid148
Vehicle Identification 
Number149
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System150
Caring for your vehicle151
Cleaning and care of the 
convertible top157
Airbags159
Vehicle storage160
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications161
California Proposition 
65 Warning161
ODB interface socket162 
     
        
        Page 15 of 215
 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
15n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27  
Overview 
     
        
        Page 31 of 215

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock69
Starting the engine69
Switching off the engine70
Parking brake71
Manual transmission72
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/Wiper system76
Rear window defroster78
Cruise control79
Everything under control:
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy Control81
Fuel gauge82
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer83
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Automatic Stability Control plus 
traction (ASC+T)88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)89
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)91Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams93
Instrument panel lighting93
High beams/Parking lamps94
Fog lamps94
Interior lamps94
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
Air conditioner96
Automatic climate control102
Seat heating107
Interior convenience:
Glove compartment107
BMW Universal Transmitter108
Storage facilities110
Cellular phone111
Ashtray, front111
Cigarette lighter112
Ashtray rear112
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
hardtop116 
     
        
        Page 68 of 215

68n
Rollover protection system3 Continue pressing down on the 
protective bar (1) from above until 
you hear it click into place. 
4 Replace the cover panel and press 
down firmly.
5 Press the rear section of the headrest 
closed (2).46cde035
Do the same for the second protective 
bar. If you are not familiar with these 
procedures, consult your BMW center.
Have the rollover protection system 
checked by your BMW center after it 
has been inadvertently triggered.
Do not move the convertible top 
under any circumstances if the 
rollover protection system has 
extended. 
Do not use the rear headrests as 
storage shelves. 
Absolutely no modifications are to be 
made to any of the rollover protection 
system's individual components or any 
of its wiring. 
Only your BMW center is to carry out 
any work on the rollover protection 
system. 
Work done on the system that is carried 
out improperly could lead to failure in 
an emergency or accidental airbag acti-
vation. 
To have the system checked and to 
ensure long-term operation: be sure to 
adhere to the Service Interval Display 
for maintenance intervals. Every 2 years 
at the latest, the rollover protection 
system must be inspected by a BMW 
center.c 
     
        
        Page 99 of 215

99n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Air conditionerDraft-free ventilation You can adjust the air outlets for the 
upper body area to select the optimum 
air flow rates and directions for your 
personal requirements:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the 
air outlets through an infinitely-variable 
range. You can adjust the direction of 
the air flow with levers 2.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past 
you and is not directed straight at you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you to mix the air 
from the outlets for your upper body 
with more or less cool air..460de040
Microfilter An activated-charcoal microfilter, which 
traps incoming dust and pollen, has 
been installed in your vehicle. Your 
BMW center will replace it during regu-
larly scheduled maintenance. A 
substantial reduction in air supply indi-
cates that the filter must be replaced 
before normal maintenance.
For additional details on the filter 
change, refer to page 180.
Rapid ventilation1 Set the blower speed rotary dial for 
the air flow rate to position 4.
2 Switch on the air conditioner.
3 Turn the rotary temperature control 
completely to the left (blue). 
4 Rotary control for air distribution in 
position .
5 Open the air outlets for the upper 
body.463de018