
77n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washer/Wiper system1 Intermittent mode or rain 
sensor
* 
Intermittent mode:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from 
four wipe intervals. 
In addition, the wipe interval is varied 
automatically depending on road 
speed.
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is positioned on the 
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. When the rain 
sensor is activated, the windshield 
wiper is controlled automatically, 
depending on the degree of wetness on 
the windshield (in both snow and rain). 
You do not have to be concerned with 
switching the windshield wiper on or off 
or adjusting the wipe interval between 46cde095
intermittent and full wipe. Instead, you 
can concentrate fully on the traffic 
conditions. This is especially important 
under adverse weather conditions. 
To activate the rain sensor: 
From ignition key position 1 and up, you 
can move the lever to position 1. The 
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in 
position 1. It is then only necessary to 
activate the rain sensor from ignition 
key position 1 and up. To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use cleaning windshield 5.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor: 
Turn rotary dial 6.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
Put lever in position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in 
damage caused by undesired wiper 
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain 
sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers operate at normal speed (not on 
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Cleaning windshield The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period.
If you pull the lever only briefly, the 
system sprays washer fluid onto the 
windshield without activating the 
wipers. 

82n
Fuel gauge  Coolant temperature Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational. 
Once the indicator lamp stays on 
continuously, there are still approx. 2 
gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the 
fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity: refer to page 199.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended 
driving in mountainous areas, for 
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is 
empty. Driving to the last drop of 
fuel can result in damage to the engine 
and/or the catalytic converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle: the engine is overheated. 
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not 
unusual for the needle to rise as far as 
the edge of the red zone in response to 
high outside temperatures or severe 
operating conditions. To check the 
coolant level: refer to page 147.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or after the 
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION, 
together with the distance remaining 
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the 
preceding driving conditions.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of 
the number mean that the service 
interval has already been exceeded by 
the distance shown on the display. 
Please contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.46cus006 

83n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, start-
ing with the ignition key in position 2, 
until the condition has been corrected:
1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam 
headlamps, as well as the side lamps 
2 Door open 
3 Luggage compartment lid open 
4 Check brake and tail lamps 
When you open the driver's door after 
stopping with the lights still on, a warn-
ing signal sounds for LIGHTS ON.462de272
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 on, you can 
call up information from the computer 
using the button in the turn signal lever. 
Every time you press the button briefly 
in the direction of the steering column, 
you can call up a new function for dis-
play. 
The displays appear in the following 
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel 
consumption, cruising range, average 
vehicle speed.
From ignition key position 1 on, the last 
active setting is displayed.46cde096
Check Control Computer
  

84n
Computer ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can adjust the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows.
Adjustments From ignition key position 1:
To set ahead: turn the right button to 
the right.
To set back: turn the right button to the 
left. 
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you hold the button down.
To change the display mode: press the 
knob briefly. 
Every time you press the knob, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button (refer to "Odome-
ter" on page 81).46cus007
Outside temperature You can change the units of measure 
(6/7) for the outside temperature 
display by pressing the right-hand reset 
button in the instrument cluster while 
the temperature display is active.46cus008 

89n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
ASC+T DSC*Reactivating ASC+TPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with ASC+T. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. This is why you should not 
use the additional safety margin the 
system provides as an excuse to take 
risks.<
For additional details concerning 
ASC+T, please refer to the chapter 
"Advanced Technology" on page 189.
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability 
during acceleration and when starting 
from a full stop, as well as optimizing 
traction. In addition, it recognizes 
unstable vehicle conditions, such as 
understeering or oversteering, and, as 
far as is possible within the laws of 
physics, helps keeping the car on a 
steady course by reducing the RPMs 
and brake applications to the individual 
wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you 
start the engine. DSC includes the 
functions of ADB and CBC, refer to 
page 123.
The ADB (Automatic Differential 
Braking) copies the function of conven-
tional differential and transverse lock 
through brake intervention, and 
increases traction whenever conditions 
merit, e. g. when driving on snow-
covered roads.
If the DSC is switched off the ADB will 
still be in ready mode.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly 
after you switch on the ignition. 
Refer to page 21, 22.
Indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking 
forces. 
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the 
button; ADB is operational.
ADB control intervention is not indi-
cated.
The indicator and the brake 
warning lamps will remain on 
the continuously:
The DSC, ADB and DBC have 
been switched off via the button 
or are defective.
The vehicle will remain completely 
operational, however, without DSC. In 
the event of a fault, please see your 
BMW center. Refer to page 21, 22.
Indicator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models. 

90n
DSC*Switch DSC off/activate ADBPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC has been switched; ADB is opera-
tional.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the ADB for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose 
surfaces.
>When driving on snow-covered 
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been 
packed down from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
Refer also to page 128.
The gain in traction is achieved by a 
reduction in stabilizing intervention.46cus045
Switch DSC and ADB off>Hold the DSC switch down for at 
least 3 seconds. The indicator lamp 
and the yellow brake warning lamps 
will remain on continuously.
In this case, no interventions to 
increase stability and traction for engine 
and brakes are carried out.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with DSC switched 
on as often as possible.<
Switch DSC and ADB on againPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp or the indicator lamps will go out.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. We therefore urge you to 
avoid using the additional safety margin 
of the system as an excuse for taking 
risks.
The DSC will not carry out any stabi-
lizing intervention when the ADB is in 
ready mode.
Do not make any modifications to the 
DSC system. Allow only authorized 
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
For additional details concerning DSC, 
please refer to the chapter "Advanced 
technology" on page 189. 

97n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Air conditioner1 Air onto the windshield and onto the 
side windows 
2 Air for the upper body area 
The side rotary dials open and close 
the air supply through an infinitely-
variable range; the levers will change 
the direction of the air flow. The 
center rotary dial controls the 
temperature of the air as it flows out. 
Refer to page 98
3 Air for the front footwell 
There are also vent outlets for the 
rear footwell as well
4 Air supply
Heating and ventilation are available 
starting with position 1. Refer to 
page 98
5 Temperature98
6 Air distribution toward 
>the windows   
>the upper body 
>the footwell 
All intermediate settings are possible. 
Refer to page 98
7 Rear window defroster98
8 Air conditioner98
9 Recirculated-air mode98 

98n
Air conditionerAir supply
You can select blower speeds 
from 1 to 4. The heating and 
ventilation become more and 
more effective as the air 
supply settings are increased. In posi-
tion 0, the blower and the heater are 
switched off. By using position 0, you 
can totally block the interior ventilation 
outlets by pressing the button for the 
recirculated-air mode.
Temperature
In order to increase the 
temperature of the passenger 
compartment, turn it to the 
right (red). Temperature regu-
lation will keep the interior temperature 
you have selected constant.
Air distribution 
You can direct air to flow onto 
the windows  , toward the 
upper body   and into the 
footwell  . All intermediate 
settings are possible. In the   setting, 
there is a low flow of air onto the 
windows to keep them free of conden-
sation. The "6 o'clock" setting is recom-
mended as a normal setting (refer also 
to the illustration and overview on 
page 96).
Rear window defroster 
When the rear window defroster 
is activated, the indicator lamp 
comes on. The rear window defroster 
switches off automatically. Refer to 
page 78.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ð depending on the 
temperature setting Ð rewarmed when 
the air conditioner is switched on. 
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. 
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off at outside temperatures 
below approx. 41 7 (+5 6). This will 
help to prevent the windows from 
fogging up. 
If the windows fog over after switching 
the air conditioner off, switch it back 
on.
Condensation forms in the air 
conditioner system during opera-
tion, which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.
<< < <
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant 
external odors by temporarily 
blocking the outside air. The system 
then recirculates the air already within 
the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the 
recirculated air mode, switch this 
mode off and increase the air supply as 
required.<< < <