
 
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 

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. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Opening and closing Ð from the outsidePanic mode (triggering alarm)By pressing button 3 for 2 to 5 seconds, 
the alarm can be sounded in the event 
of danger, if the alarm system is armed. 
Pressing button 1 will turn the alarm off. 
The LED (light-emitting diode) will light 
up briefly whenever you press the indi-
vidual buttons.Non-BMW systemsThe proper functioning of the remote 
control system may be affected by 
other devices or equipment operating in 
the immediate vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open 
and close the vehicle using the master 
key in either the door or luggage 
compartment lock.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units 
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal 
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the 
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could 
void the user's authority to operate this 
equipment.<  

70n
Starting the engine Switching off the engine Do not press the accelerator pedal 
while starting the engine.
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time, but do not actuate it 
for more than approx. 20 seconds. 
Release the ignition key immediately 
when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle 
remains stationary. Instead, begin 
driving immediately at a moderate 
engine speed.<
If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance): 
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures, 
starting at about +57 (Ð156) and 
at high altitudes over 3,300 ft 
(1,000 meters):
>On the first start attempt, engage the 
starter for a longer period (approx. 
10 seconds).
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at start-up are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from 
discharging, always deactivate elec-
trical devices that are not in use. Switch 
the ignition off when the vehicle is not 
being driven.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key 
while the vehicle is still moving. 
If you did so, the steering lock would 
engage when the steering wheel is 
turned. 
Whenever you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and lock the 
steering wheel. 
Vehicles with manual transmission: 
Always apply the parking brake 
when parking on slopes and inclined 
surfaces, since placing the shift lever 
in 1st gear or reverse may not provide 
adequate resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "Park."< 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.
The lock engages automatically when 
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster comes on 
when the ignition key is in position 2. 
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button (arrow) and lower the lever.460us024
If, in exceptional circumstances, 
it should be necessary to engage 
the parking brake while the vehicle is 
in motion, do not pull the lever with 
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb 
pressed against the release button 
while carefully pulling the lever up to 
apply moderate pressure. 
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear axle. 
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is applied. 
Vehicles with manual transmission: 
Always apply the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined 
surfaces, since placing the shift lever in 
1st gear or reverse may not provide 
adequate resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided 
braking, apply the parking brake lightly 
from time to time when coasting to a 
standstill (at a traffic signal, for 
instance), provided that it is safe to do 
so. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
You have the option of driving with a 
normal automatic transmission or 
switching to manual.
When you move the selector lever from 
the "D" position to the left into the M/S 
range, the performance-oriented shift 
programs of the automatic transmission 
are engaged. As soon as you briefly 
touch the selector lever in the "+" or "Ð" 
direction, Steptronic shifts gears and 
manual operation becomes active. 
Whenever you want to use the auto-
matic mode again, move the selector 
lever to the right into position "D."
The automatic transmission with Step-
tronic is equipped with Adaptive Trans-
mission Control (ATC). ATC reacts with 
precision to your individual driving style 
and the current driving conditions. It is 
for this reason that various shift 
programs are used.
You will find additional information 
about ATC in the chapter called 
"Advanced Technology" on page 188.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + Ð
Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in 
selector lever positions P ("Park") or N 
("Neutral").Range selectionA detent prevents inadvertent shifts into 
certain selector lever positions. To 
release the shift-lock mechanism, press 
the button on the front side of the 
selector handle (arrow).46cus054
While the vehicle is stationary and 
before shifting out of "Park" or 
"Neutral," depress the brake, other-
wise you will not be able to move the 
selector lever (Shiftlock). 
Hold the footbrake down until starting 
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep" 
when a drive position is engaged.<
If you leave the vehicle with the 
engine running, move the selector 
lever to the "Park" or "Neutral" position 
and apply the parking brake. If you fail 
to do this, the vehicle could move. Do 
not leave the vehicle unattended with 
the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P  ParkSelect only when the vehicle is 
stationary. The transmission locks to 
prevent the rear wheels from turning.R  ReverseSelect only when the vehicle is 
stationary.N  NeutralSelect "Neutral" only if your journey is 
interrupted for a longer period. 

74n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
D  Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving 
under all normal operating conditions. 
All forward gears are available and the 
ATC is fully operational."Kickdown"In the "kickdown" mode, you achieve 
maximum performance. To activate this 
mode, depress the accelerator pedal 
beyond the full-throttle position, at 
which a resistance point must be over-
come.
M/S Manual mode and 
Sport ProgramShifting from D into M/S activates the 
Sport Program and indicates SD in the 
gear indicator. This position is recom-
mended for a performance-oriented 
driving style.
With the first brief touch, the automatic 
transmission shifts from the Sport 
Program to the manual mode. When 
you move the selector lever forward in 
the "+" direction, the transmission shifts 
up. When the lever is moved back in the 
"Ð" direction, the transmission shifts 
down. M1 to M5 appear in the gear 
indicator.46cus055
Upshifts or downshifts will be carried 
out by the ATC only at appropriate 
engine and road speeds, e. g. the 
engine will not downshift if engine 
speed is too high. The gear selected 
will appear briefly in the instrument 
cluster followed by the current gear.
To accelerate quickly in the 
manual mode (to pass another 
vehicle, for instance), shift down manu-
ally or employ the "kickdown" mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever 
positions P, R and N is possible only by 
going through D. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
In the following situations, the Step-
tronic "thinks" for you in the manual 
mode:
>In order to prevent the engine from 
overrevving, the transmission shifts 
automatically to the next higher gear 
just before the RPM cutoff point.
>At low speeds, the transmission 
shifts down automatically and you do 
not have to act
>In the "kickdown" mode, the trans-
mission shifts down to the lowest 
gear which is possible, depending on 
the engine speed.
>Depending on the situation Ñ when 
driving in adverse winter conditions, 
for example Ñ you may also start out 
in 2nd or 3rd gear.
Possible displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
46cus005
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the 
transmission selector lever to "P." Set 
the parking brake and turn the engine 
off (ignition key to position 0). 
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission 
performance has been restored. You 
may continue to drive as usual. 
If the indicator lamp does not go out, 
you can place the selector lever in all 
positions. However, the vehicle will now 
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear. 
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not work in the engine 
compartment when a drive gear 
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you 
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the 
information beginning on page 183.