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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable, refer to
page 157.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
going through car washes (refer to
page 77) Ñ otherwise, the wipers could
be damaged if they inadvertently start
working.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inaccessi-
ble to the automatic washer Ð such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also damage the
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's sur-
face. Inadequate distance and exces-
sive pressure can damage or weaken
the finish, making it more susceptible to
subsequent attack. In addition,
moisture could penetrate to vehicle
components, leading to long-term
damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do
not wipe dry with a cloth (scratches).
Never use abrasives or strong solvents
to clean the covers. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle
154n
Caring for your vehicleWindow careYou can use window and glass cleaner
to clean inside window surfaces and
mirrors without smearing and streaking.
Never use polishing pastes or abrasive
(quartz) cleansers on mirror lenses.
Clean the wiper blades with soapy
water. The wiper blades should be
replaced twice a year Ð before and after
the winter months. This is especially
important for vehicles with a rain
sensor.
Use only wiper blades approved
by BMW.<
Caring for other vehicle
components and materials Light-alloy wheels should be treated
with alloy wheel cleaner, especially
during the winter months. However, do
not use aggressive products contain-
ing acids, strong alkalis or abrasive
cleaning agents, nor steam cleaners
operating at temperatures above
140 7 (+60 6) (follow the manufac-
turer's instructions).
If your vehicle has chrome parts
*, such
as the window frames and door handles,
clean these parts carefully with ample
clean water and a shampoo supplement
if desired, especially if they have an
accumulation of road salt. Use a chrome
polish for an additional treatment.
Plastic components, vinyl upholstery,
headliners (hardtop), lamp lenses, the
clear cover of the instrument panel and
components with a sprayed dull black
surface can be cleaned with water (add
plastic shampoo as required). Do not
allow moisture to soak through the
seats or headliner (hardtop). Never use
solvents such as lacquer thinner,
heavy-duty grease remover, fuels, or
similar substances. Rubber components should be cleaned
with water only; a rubber treatment or
silicone spray may also be applied.
Do not remove safety belts to clean
them. Clean them with mild soapy
water only. Do not use chemicals or dry
cleaners to clean safety belts, since this
could damage the belt fabric.
After cleaning, never allow the inertia
reel to retract the belts until they are
completely dry. Dirty safety belts
prevent the inertia reel mechanism from
retracting the strap properly, and thus
constitute a safety hazard.
Heavily soiled floor carpets and mats
*
can be cleaned with an interior cleaner.
The floor mats can be removed from
the vehicle for cleaning.
Use only a damp cloth to clean trim
panels made of real wood
* and other
parts constructed of real wood
*. Follow
up by drying with a soft cloth.
Use the cleaning and car-care
products available at your BMW
center.<
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Airbags 1 Front airbags for driver and
passenger
2 Side airbags for driver and passenger
(front and rear
*)
Important safety notices
Do not attempt to remove the gas
generators of the airbag supple-
mental restraint system from the
vehicle. Testing and servicing must be
performed by trained technicians only.
In the event of a malfunction, deactiva-
tion, or triggered actuation (as a
response to an accident) of the airbag
restraint system, consult your BMW
center for repairs or service operations.
46cde048
Do not modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in
the airbag system. These include the
padded steering wheel hub, the instru-
ment panel, the side trim panels of the
front doors and in the rear. Do not apply
adhesive materials to these compo-
nents or cover them over or alter them
in any other way. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering
wheel.
To ensure compliance with official
safety regulations, entrust disposal of
airbag generators to a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the
system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal
injury.<
160n
Vehicle storage
If you plan on parking the vehicle
for more than three months, have
the maintenance operations described
on this page performed.<
Preparations for storageHave your BMW center perform the
following procedures:
1 Clean and apply a rustproofing agent
or other treatment to the engine,
engine compartment, undercarriage,
axles and major components in
accordance with approved repair
procedures. First wash the vehicle
surface, then clean the interior,
following up with paint and chrome
care, after which you clean the
rubber seals for the hood and doors.
2 Change the engine oil and oil filter at
operating temperature. As an addi-
tional corrosion protection measure,
an anticorrosive agent can be added
to the engine in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
3 Check the coolant level and concen-
tration and top up if necessary.
4 Check the fluid level of the wind-
shield washer fluid reservoir and top
up if necessary.
5 Fill the fuel tank completely to pre-
vent the formation of condensation.
6 Increase the tire inflation pressure to
51 psi (350 kilopascal).
Before parking the vehicle1 To prevent the brake discs and
drums from corroding, dry the park-
ing and footbrake by applying the
brakes.
2 Park the vehicle in a covered, dry and
well-ventilated space. Place the
transmission in 1st gear or set the
selector lever to the "P" position.
Chock the wheels to prevent the
vehicle from rolling if necessary. Do
not set the parking brake.
3 Remove the battery, charge it
completely and store it in a cool (but
frost-free) room.
4 Remove the hardtop and store
separately. Refer to page 130.
5 Close the convertible top.During storageRecharge the battery every six months.
If it is not recharged, it will not be
serviceable. Every time the battery is
drained, especially over extended
periods, its service life is reduced.
Removing the vehicle from
storageRecharge the battery if the "Magic
Eye"
* turns black. Refer to page 176.
Then have Inspection I performed by
your BMW center, including a brake
fluid replacement if necessary. Refer
to the Service Manual.
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit166
Windshield wiper blades166
Lamps and bulbs166
Changing a wheel173
Battery176
Fuses179
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal
filter180
In case of electrical
malfunction:
Fuel filler door180
Convertible top181
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting183
Towing the vehicle184
Repairs
173n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel
Take these precautionary
measures if you have either a flat
tire or are changing the tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position, remove the key
and engage the steering lock. Shift into
1st or reverse gear (selector lever in
"Park" with automatic transmission) and
engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
Set up a warning triangle
* or portable
hazard warning on the roadside at an
appropriate distance from the rear of
the vehicle. Comply with all safety
guidelines and regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as it could slide sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. If this is done,
the jack might not be able to reach its
full support capacity because of the
limited height.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack. Failure to comply with this
creates a risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW has a space-saver spare tire
for temporary use to ensure your
mobility.
To remove the space-saver spare
tire, take out the floor panel in the
luggage compartment completely (refer
to page 41).<
You will need the following:In order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are through
using them.
>Jack (1)
Raise the floor panel in the luggage
compartment (refer to page 41) and
unclip the jack from where it is stored
(arrow).
After use, swing the crank back and
clip into place.
>Wedge (2)
Located behind the jack on the wall
in the luggage compartment. Loosen
the wing nut to remove it.46cde038
174n
Changing a wheel>Space-saver spare tire
Next to the jack.
Loosen the wing nut (arrow) by hand,
remove the storage shelf and take the
wheel out.
>Lug wrench Ð in the onboard tool kit
on the underside of the luggage
compartment lid (refer to page 166).46cde039
Procedure1 Read and comply with the safety
precautions provided on the
previous page.
2 Secure the vehicle from rolling:
Place the wedge against the rear
surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If
the vehicle is parked on a down-
ward slope, place the wedge
securely in front of this tire. If the
wheel must be changed on a
surface with a more severe slope,
take additional precautions to
secure the vehicle from rolling.
3 If your wheels are equipped with full
wheel covers
*: reach into the venti-
lation openings and pull the cover
off.
46cde055
4 Loosen the lug bolts with a g turn.
5 Position the jack at the jacking point
closest to the flat tire (refer to the
center illustration) so that the jack
base is vertically below the jacking
point and the entire surface of the
head of the jack will move into the
square recess of the jacking point
(refer to the illustration detail) when
the jack is cranked.
6 Crank the vehicle up until the wheel
in question is raised from the
ground.
7 Unscrew the lug bolts and remove
the wheel.
8 Remove accumulations of mud or
dirt from the mounting surfaces of
the wheel and hub; clean the lug
bolts.462de252
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Changing a wheel9 Position the new wheel or the
space-saver spare tire on the hub
and screw at least two lug bolts
finger-tight into opposite bolt holes.
10 Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely.
11 Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle.
12 Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern.462de266
13 If your wheels are equipped with full
wheel covers
*: position the wheel
cover with the valve opening over
the valve (arrow) and press it onto
the wheel with both hands.
14 Check and correct the tire's inflation
pressure at the earliest possibility.
For vehicles with Tire
Pressure Control (RDC):
Reactivate the system after
mounting the space-saver spare tire
or after correcting the air pressure.
Refer to page 91.
Only use original BMW full wheel
covers, otherwise, the trim piece
may not fit securely. The full wheel
cover may not be installed on the
space-saver spare tire since this could
damage the cover.<
462de279
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated lug wrench [torque specifi-
cation: 72 lb.ft (100Nm)] at the earliest
opportunity.<
When storing the wheel, be sure that
you do not damage the retaining pin in
the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.