
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
The manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible 
top48
Wind deflector50
 
Adjusting:
 
Seats52
Seat and mirror memory56
Steering wheel57
Mirrors57
Car Memory, Key Memory59
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts60
Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system67
 
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 temperature 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)91
 
Contents 

 
Contents
 
Repairs
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
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 vehicle184Adaptive 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 lamps193Engine data196
Dimensions197
Weights198
Capacities199
Electrical system200
Drive belts200 

 
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. 

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 

69n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
0  Steering lock engaged The key can only be inserted or 
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the 
steering wheel slightly to the left or right 
until the lock engages.
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: 
Do not move the selector lever from the 
"Park" position until the engine is 
running (ignition key at position 2). In 
order to turn the key back to position 0 
or to remove it, move the selector lever 
into position "Park" first (Interlock).<46cde093
1  Steering lock disengaged Turning the steering wheel slightly to 
the right or left often makes it easier to 
turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual electrical devices are ready 
for operation.2  Ignition onAll electrical devices and accessories 
are available for use.3  Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion: 
Step on the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine 
from starting if the clutch is not 
depressed.< 
Before starting>Engage the parking brake.
>Put manual-shift gear lever in the 
idling position or in P for automatic 
transmissions.
>Step on the clutch pedal.
Do not run the engine in enclosed 
areas. The exhaust gases contain 
carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an 
extreme health risk, and can lead to 
unconsciousness and death. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine 
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Steering/Ignition lock  Starting the engine  

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."< 

71n
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.