
 
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 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve82
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 control81
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator82
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)/DBC20
 
>
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Rollover protection system67
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock849 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
75
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
21, 75
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
*  
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:
 
>
 
Odometer81
 
>
 
Trip odometer81
 
>
 
Clock84
 
>
 
Service Interval82
Indicator for computer, 
operation using the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 83: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control83
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8114 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for: 
 
>
 
Front fog lamps23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Throttle Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Service engine soon22
You can display the outside 
temperature and distance driven 
in different units of measurement.
 
< 

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsRed and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
The brake warning lamp and the 
yellow indicator lamps for ABS 
and ASC+T/DSC both light up: 
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC
 and
 ADB/DBC system has 
failed. Continue driving 
cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid hard brake applications. 
Please have the system checked by 
your BMW center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 88, 123.
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC
 indi-
cator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied Ð an acoustic 
signal also sounds when starting off. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 71. Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts l 
A warning signal will sound at 
the same time. Flashes, if the backrest 
is not locked. Lights up until the safety 
belt is fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts, refer to page 60.
Airbags l
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 61, 189.
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
Automatic transmission 
Because of a malfunction, the 
automatic transmission shifts 
only in the emergency program. Please 
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 75. 

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 123.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level 
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute 
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more 
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 145.
Engine oil level 
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: add oil at the 
earliest opportunity (when you stop to 
refuel).
For additional information, refer to 
page 145.
Brake pads l
 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information, refer 
to page 126.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l 
Check tire inflation pressure: 
refer to pages 27, 91.
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC l 
Indicator lamp flashes: 
The system is active and governs drive 
force and braking force. 
The indicator lamp remains on:
ASC+T has been switched off via the 
button or it is defective, or the DSC has 
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center 
in the event of a fault. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) and 
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC
 and ADB/DBC are 
switched off via the button or are defec-
tive. 
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
DSC and ADB/DBC indicator 
and warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid. 
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
up the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 144.
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 
inspected by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 162.
Service Engine Soon warning 
lamp for Canadian models. 

40n
Luggage compartment lid Luggage compartmentClosingThe handle recesses in the interior trim 
panel of the luggage compartment lid 
(arrows) make it easier to pull the lid 
down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage 
compartment lid is clear when it is 
closed, as with all closing procedures.<46cde047
Do not drive with the luggage 
compartment lid open, since 
exhaust fumes could penetrate the inte-
rior of the vehicle. Should it be abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle 
with the luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows.
>Increase the air supply for the air 
conditioner or automatic climate 
control to a high level. Refer to 
page 96 or 102.<
Hook in the floor panel1 Press the button (arrow).
2 Grab the handle and pull up.46cde031 

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 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
119n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phones129
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 
specifications137Under 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
OBD interface socket162
Car care 

122n
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The concept ABS enhances active safety by helping 
to prevent the wheels from locking 
under braking. This is because locked 
wheels are dangerous. When the front 
wheels slide, the driver loses steering 
control over the vehicle. Traction loss at 
the rear wheels can cause the rear end 
to break into an uncontrolled skid.
The system can achieve the shortest 
braking distances possible under most 
conditions (on straight-aways and in 
curves, on asphalt, ice, wet road 
surfaces, etc.).
ABS is designed to meet two essential 
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability.
>To help maintain steering control and 
maneuverability Ð on all types of road 
surfaces (asphalt, concrete, mud, wet 
road surfaces, snow, ice).
Braking with ABSAt about 6 mph (10 km/h), the system 
becomes operative. Whenever the 
vehicle's speed drops below approx. 
4 mph (6  km/h), the ABS is deactivated. 
This means that the wheels can lock in 
the final phase of a panic stop Ð a factor 
of no significance in actual use.
If you are in a situation that requires full 
braking, you will exploit the full benefits 
of the ABS system if you apply maxi-
mum brake pressure ("panic stop"). 
Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can nevertheless 
avoid possible obstacles with a 
minimum of steering effort.
The ABS system closed-loop control 
circuit cycles in fractions of a second. 
A pulsation at the brake pedal, together 
with the sounds associated with the 
hydraulic controls, tells you that the 
brake system is within its maximum 
limit range and reminds you that you 
should adapt road speed to the road 
conditions.
On road surfaces that have a loose 
surface layer on a firm base with good 
traction (on gravel or snow, for 
example), or when snow chains are 
mounted, braking distances may be 
longer than with locked wheels. Nevertheless, ABS possesses the 
advantage of vehicle stability and 
steering response.
Information for your safetyNot even ABS can suspend the laws of 
physics. ABS cannot prevent the 
consequences of brake applications 
with inadequate clearances for safety 
between vehicles, when exceeding the 
speed limit, or the risks involved when 
aquaplaning occurs. Responsibility for 
these types of situations remains in the 
hands (and at the feet) of the driver. You 
should never allow the added safety of 
ABS to lull you into a false sense of 
security, or mislead you into taking 
increased risks.
Do not make any modifications to 
the ABS system. 
Service procedures on ABS are to be 
performed by authorized technicians 
only.<