
 
6n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels  
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 15 % 
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void 
the applicable warranties respecting 
defects in materials or workmanship. 
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility, 
composition, additives, for example) 
among gasolines offered for sale in the 
United States and Canada. The use of 
poor quality fuels may result in drive-
ability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental 
conditions, such as high ambient 
temperature and high altitude. 
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand. 
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance. 
Follow the relevant safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
 
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts  
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested  
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free  
from defects in material and workman-
ship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for  
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product from  
other manufacturers to verify if it can be 
used on a BMW safely and without risk 
to either the vehicle, its operation, or its 
occupants. 
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories  
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers.
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW  
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as C.B., walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with 
the vehicle's electrical system or affect 
the validity of the BMW Limited 
Warranty. See your BMW center for 
additional information.
 
<
 
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
 
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a  
particular part or assembly.  

 
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 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
31n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock69
Starting the engine69
Switching off the engine70
Parking brake71
Manual transmission72
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/Wiper system76
Rear window defroster78
Cruise control79
Everything under control:
Odometer81
Tachometer81
Energy Control81
Fuel gauge82
Coolant temperature gauge82
Service Interval Display82
Check Control83
Computer83
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)87
Automatic Stability Control plus 
traction (ASC+T)88
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)89
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)91Lamps:
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 
hardtop116 

37n
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.<  

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 

43n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Alarm system
*
>The indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is 
disarmed: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarms The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered (in garages 
with elevator ramps, for instance, or 
when the vehicle is transported by 
trailer or train):
Lock the vehicle (= arm the system) 
twice. Press button 2 on the remote 
control twice in succession or lock the 
vehicle twice with the key. Refer to 
page 34.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed.
Reset the alarm to reactivate the tilt 
alarm sensor and the interior motion 
sensor.
Interior motion sensor Transmitter and receiver for the interior 
motion sensor are located in the front 
area of the center console, invisible to 
the driver, and in the back area of the 
center console under a rack.
However, be sure to deactivate the 
interior motion sensor (see previous 
column) if children or animals are to 
remain in the vehicle.
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: LTQSDR2G5
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 to 
these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.< 

73n
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. 

75n
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.