
177n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
BatteryBattery careThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original 
electrolyte will normally last for the 
service life of the battery under 
moderate climatic conditions. 
For all questions that regard the 
battery, please consult your BMW 
center. Since the battery is absolutely 
maintenance free, the following is for 
your information only.<
SymbolsYou will find the following symbols on 
your vehicle battery. To avoid injury, 
please comply with the corresponding 
precautions whenever you work with or 
near the battery.
Before handling the battery, 
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not 
allow particles containing 
battery  acid or lead to come into 
contact with your eyes, your skin, or 
your clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and 
protective gloves. Do not tip the 
battery. Battery acid can leak from the 
ventilation openings.
Do not allow children access to 
batteries and battery acid. 
Never allow sparks or open 
flame in the vicinity of the 
battery. Avoid sparks from elec-
trical cables or electrical equipment. 
Turn the key to position 0 in the ignition 
lock when disconnecting or connecting 
the battery. Do not short circuit the 
battery terminals. This creates a risk of 
injury from high-energy sparks.
A highly explosive gas is gener-
ated when the battery is 
charged.
If you happen to get acid in your 
eyes, rinse thoroughly for 
15 minutes with clear water. 
Consult a physician immediately. If you 
get acid spray on your skin or clothing, 
rinse with plenty of water. If electrolyte 
is accidentally ingested, consult a 
physician immediately.
In order to protect the battery 
case from ultraviolet radiation, 
do not place it in direct sunlight. 
A discharged battery can freeze. Store 
the battery in areas where temperature 
remains above freezing. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
187n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)188
Airbags189
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)189
Radio reception190
Safety belt tensioner190
Interior rearview mirror 
with automatic dimming 
feature191
Rain sensor191
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)192
Self-diagnostics192
Rollover protection system193
Xenon lamps193
Technol- 

192n
Tire Pressure Control* Self-diagnostics 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 extended-life electronic chip 
that contains a pressure 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. 
Located near each wheel and 
embedded in the vehicle body is an 
antenna that receives signals from the 
wheel. A central electronics system 
evaluates the quadruple signals and 
forwards any changes. 
The RDC provides an important contri-
bution to driving safety.46cde078
All 
of the important electrical and elec-
tronic systems in the vehicle are tested 
regularly and automatically Ð the driver 
does not have to perform any extra 
operations or adjustments.
The indicator lamps come on brießy 
after the ignition has been turned on, for 
example.
While you are driving, the functional 
status of the actuator motors (for the 
windshield wipers, power windows, 
seats, etc.) is constantly being analyzed 
by electrical measurements in the relays.
In the same manner, the electrical 
resistance of the airbag ignition genera-
tors and all of the remaining airbag 
components is measured at all times. Any 
fault in this system would be detected 
immediately by a current ßuctuation that 46cde052
would necessarily accompany it.
 The fault 
would be indicated immediately by the 
airbag warning lamp.
Even after you shut off the engine, the 
overall functional status of your vehicle is 
monitored. For example, all of the ßaps of 
the heating and ventilation system travel 
to the nearest limit position. This action 
ensures that the system will be able to 
provide defrosting, regardless of other 
circumstances, e. g. if a malfunction in the 
air conditioner/automatic climate control 
system
* should occur during the night 
while the vehicle is parked.
A calibration cycle runs every tenth time 
the engine is shut off. During this cycle, 
the actuator motors of all the heating and 
ventilation ßaps travel to their limit stops 
in both directions. The limit positions and 
the return travel paths are checked in this 
manner in order to ensure that appro-
priate adjustments for the operating 
elements can be made at any time.
You will hear the sounds of the air ßaps as 
the air conditioner/automatic climate 
control* carries out its self-diagnostic 
functions after the ignition has been shut 
off. All of the other self-diagnostics func-
tions operate silently in the background.
Any possible faults detected during these 
self-diagnostics can be read out and 
corrected by your BMW center
 during the 
next regularly scheduled maintenance. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
195n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine data196
Dimensions197
Weights198
Capacities199
Electrical system200
Drive belts200 
Data 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
203n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Everything from A to Z204
Owner service procedures210
Index 

Everything from A to Z
A 
ABS (Antilock Brake  System) 22,122  
Accessories 6 
Activated-charcoal  filter 106,180  
Adaptive Transmission  Control (ATC) 73,188  
Adding engine oil 145 
Adding washer  fluid 144,199  
Adjusting backrest 52 
Adjusting headrests 53 
Adjusting the steering  wheel 57 
Adjusting the  temperature 98,104  
Adjusting thigh support 54 
Air conditioner 96 
Air distribution 98,104  
Air nozzles 96,102  
Air outlets 96,102  
ventilation 96,102  
Air pressure, tires 27,132  
Air supply 98,105  
Airbags 21,61 ,159 ,189  
sitting properly with 62 
Alarm system 42 
Antenna 129 
Antenna, Diversity 190  Antifreeze
147 
radiator 127 
Antilock Brake System  (ABS) 22,122  
Anti-theft alarm system 42 
Aquaplaning 121,132  
Armrest 110 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability  Control plus  
Traction) 22,88  
Ashtray  front 111 
rear 112 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission  Control) 73,188  
Attach vacuum cleaner 112 
AUC (Automatic  recirculated-air 
control) 105 
Automatic car washes 151 
Automatic climate  control 102 
remove window 
condensation 105 
Automatic cruise control 79 
Automatic dimming, interior  rearview mirror 58 
Automatic recirculated-air  control (AUC) 105 
Automatic Stability Control  plus Traction 
(ASC+T) 22,88   Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 21,73  
Automatic windshield  washer 77 
Average consumption 85 
Average speed 86 
Avoiding unwanted  alarm 43 
Axle loads 198 
B 
Backrest  adjusting 52 
locking 21,55  
releasing 55 
Backup lamps 72 
bulb replacement 169 
Battery 176,200  
capacity 200 
charge current 20,176  
charging 178 
discharged 183 
removal and 
installation 178 
Belts 60 
Beverage holder 111 
Blower 98,105  
BMW High Performance  Synthetic Oils 146 
BMW Maintenance  System 150  BMW sports seat
54 
Bore 196 
Brake fluid 148 
Brake hydraulic system 20 
Brake lamps, bulb  replacement 169 
Brake pads 22,126  
Brake system 126 
Brakes 125 
malfunctions 126 
Break-in procedures 120 
Bulb replacement 166 
C 
California Proposition  65 Warning 161 
Capacities 199 
Car Memory 59 
Car radio 129 
reception 129,190  
refer also to the Radio 
Owner's Manual 
Car washes 151 
Care  convertible top 157 
exterior 152 
interior 154 
leather upholstery 155 
rubber seals and 
components 127  

Everything from A to Z
207n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interlock69 
Intermittent mode, wiper 
system76 J 
Jack173 
Jump-starting183 K 
Key Memory59 
Keys32 
with remote control32 L 
Lamps and bulbs166 
LAMPS ON warning93 
Lashing eyes115 
LATCH attachment of the 
child seat64 
Leather care155 
Length197 
License plate lamp, bulb 
replacement171 
Light-alloy wheels137 
Lighter112 
Loads, securing114 
Load-securing devices115 
Low beam headlamps93 
bulb replacement167 
Lug bolts174 Luggage 
compartment40,41 
capacity198 
emergency release39 
floor panel40 
lid39 
lighting39 
lock separately39 
remote control36 
Luggage compartment 
lamps, bulb 
replacement172 
Luggage rack116 
Lumbar support55 
M 
M+S tires136 
Maintenance82,150 
Malfunction displays83 
Manual convertible top, 
operating45 
Manual transmission72 
Manually controlled 
recirculated-air105 
Memory57 
MFL (Multi-function steering 
wheel)24 
Microfilter99,180 
Mirror memory57 
Mirrors57 
Mobile phones129 Modifications, 
technical6,161 
Motion sensor, interior43 
Mounting child safety 
seat64 
Mounting the roof 
carrier130 
Multi-function steering 
wheel (MFL)24 
N 
Navigation system, refer to 
the radio Owner's Manual O 
OBD interface socket162 
Odometer81 
Oil 
additives145 
capacity199 
consumption145 
dipstick145 
quality146 
specifications146 
viscosity146 
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models)/Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) Oil filter change199 
Oil level 
check145 
indicator lamp20 
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp20 
OILSERVICE82 
Onboard tool kit166 
Opening and closing 
from the inside38 
from the outside34 
Operating the convertible
top manually in the event 
of an electrical 
malfunction181 
Outside temperature 
display84 
P 
Paint blemishes152 
Paint, care152 
Paintwork 
minor repairs153 
waxing153 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)87 
Parking brake71 
Parking help87 
Parking lamps94 
Parking, winter128  

Owner service procedures
A 
Activated-charcoal  filter 180 
Adding brake fluid 148 
Adding engine coolant 148 
Adding engine oil 145 
Air pressure, checking 27 
Antifreeze 147 
Avoiding unwanted  alarm 43 
B 
Backup lamps, bulb  replacement 169 
Battery  add distilled water 177 
charging 178 
Brake faults 126 
Brake fluid, adding 148 
Brake lamps, bulb  replacement 169 
Brakes, brake faults 126 
C 
Changing a tire 173 
Changing a wheel 173 
Changing the 
microfilter 180  Checking air pressure
27 
Checking engine oil  level 145 
D 
Defrost setting 100,105  
Defrosting the  windows 100,105  
Difficult steering 129 
Doors, emergency  actuation 34 
E 
Electrical accessories,  failure 179 
Emergency operation  convertible top 181 
doors 34 
fuel filler door 180 
Engine coolant, adding 148 
Engine oil  add 145 
level checking 145 
quality 146 
specifications 146 
viscosity 146 
Eyelets, towing 184 
F 
False alarm, avoiding 43 
First-aid kit 25 
Flat tire 173 
Fog lamps, bulb  replacement 169 
Footwell lamps, bulb  replacement 172 
Fuel filler door  manual release after  
electrical fault 180 
Fuses, replacing 179 
G 
Glove compartment lamp,  bulb replacement 172 
H 
Hazard warning flashers 25 
Hazard warning triangle 25 
Headlamp cover, care 167 
High beam headlamps, bulb  replacement 167 
Hood release 140 
I 
Indicator lamps 20 
Inflation pressures 27,132  Interior lamps, bulb 
replacement 171 
Interior motion sensor,  switching off 43 
J 
Jack 173 
L 
License plate lamp, bulb  replacement 171 
Low beam headlamps, bulb  replacement 167 
Luggage compartment  emergency release 39 
Luggage compartment  lamps, bulb 
replacement 172 
Luggage compartment lid  emergency release 39 
M 
Maintenance 150 
Microfilter, changing 180 
Motion sensor, switching  off 43