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
27n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Fuel specifications Tire inflation pressure The engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.
Required fuel:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index
Do not use leaded fuels. The use
of leaded fuels will cause perma-
nent damage to the system's oxygen
sensor and the catalytic converter.<
Proper inflation pressures are on a
sticker attached to the B-pillar and
visible with the driver's door open.Check tire pressuresOn the next page you will find all the tire
pressure and ambient air temperature
specifications stated in the units usually
used in your country (psi; kilopascal).
For vehicles with Tire Pressure Control
(RDC):
After correcting the tire inflation pres-
sure, reactivate the system. Refer to
page 91.462de197
Check tire inflation pressures,
including the space-saver spare
tire, regularly, at least every two weeks
and before beginning any extended
driving. Otherwise, incorrect tire pres-
sure can lead to tire damage and acci-
dents.<
82n
Fuel gauge Coolant temperature Service Interval Display When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx. 2
gallons (8 liters) of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity: refer to page 199.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies (extended
driving in mountainous areas, for
example), there may be slight fluctua-
tions of the needle.
Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty. Driving to the last drop of
fuel can result in damage to the engine
and/or the catalytic converter.<462us020
BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating
the vehicle: the engine is overheated.
Stop and switch the engine off immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response to
high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions. To check the
coolant level: refer to page 147.460de082
Remaining distance for serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The next service due appears with the
message OILSERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining
before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of
the remaining distance on the
preceding driving conditions.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by
the distance shown on the display.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.46cus006
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
121n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not drive with your foot resting
on the brake pedal. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear, and
possibly to brake failure.
Aquaplaning:
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the
tires and the road surface. This
phenomenon is referred to as aqua-
planing or hydroplaning. It is character-
ized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and the road
surface. The ultimate results are loss of
steering and braking control.
Driving through water:
Do not drive through water on the road
if it is deeper than 1 ft (30 cm), and then
only at walking speed. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.
Clothes hooks (for the hardtop):
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, be sure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do
so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently
damage both the catalytic converter
and the system oxygen sensor.
To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential
damage:
>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements.
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is
empty.
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to jump-start the vehicle with outside
assistance.
>Avoid other situations in which the
fuel is not burned, or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a problem).
Never allow the engine to run with
any of the spark plug cables discon-
nected.Be sure to comply with the
preceding instructions to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic converter. If you do not, the cata-
lytic converter could respond by
overheating, leading to serious
damage.
Very high temperatures occur in any
vehicle equipped with a catalytic
converter. Heat shields are installed
adjacent to some sections of the
exhaust system. Never remove these
shields; do not apply undercoating to
their surfaces. When driving, standing
at idle, and parking the vehicle, take
extra care to avoid contact between the
exhaust system and flammable mate-
rials (grass, hay, leaves, etc.). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter
162n
OBD interface socketThe OBD interface socket for onboard
diagnostics is located on the driver's
side, on the left-hand bottom of the
instrument panel and under a cover
panel. The cover is marked with the
letters "OBD".
The purpose of the OBD system is to
assure proper emission control system
operation for the vehicle's lifetime by
monitoring emission-related compo-
nents and systems for deterioration and
malfunction.460us250
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehicle.
Your system should be checked, how-
ever, at the earliest possible opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW center immediately. Severe
engine misfire over even a short period
of time can seriously damage emission
control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up. If the fuel filler cap is then
tightened, the indicator will usually go
out after a short period of time.<
Everything from A to Z
205n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
upholstery155
vinyl upholstery154
wool velour155
Cargo
loading114
securing114
Caring for the vehicle's
finish153
Cassette operation, refer
also to the Radio Owner's
Manual
Catalytic converter121
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21,123
CD operation, refer also to
the Radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone111,129
refer to also the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp171
Center armrest110
Central locking system34
button38
Changing a tire173
Changing a wheel173
Check Control83
Child restraints64
Child restraint
systems61,64
Child seat security65
Child's seat61,64
Cigarette lighter112 Cleaning headlamps78
Cleaning windshield77
Clock84
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the radio
Owner's Manual
Coin box, cup holder111
Combination switch76
Compression196
Computer83
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Configure settings59
Consumption85
Contents10
Convertible top45
cleaning and care157
closing following an
electrical malfunction181
compartment panel41
convenience operation34
electrical fault181
emergency closure181
Coolant127,147,199
antifreeze127
Cooling system199
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21,123
Cruise control79
Cruising range85
Curb weight198
Current check indicator20
D
Data
dimensions197
engine196
technical196
weights198
Daytime-driving lamp
switch93
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)124
Deep water121
Defrost setting100,105
Defrostable rear
window98,106
Defrosting the
windows100,105
Digital clock84
Dimensions197
Dipstick145
Disc brakes125
Displacement196
Display lighting93
Displays18
Disposal
batteries178
engine oil147
Distance warning87
Diversity Antenna190
Door key32
Door locks, care127 Doors
emergency operation34
remote control35
unlocking and locking34
DOT Quality Grades133
Draft-free
ventilation99,106
Drive belts200
Driving hints121
Driving in winter127
Driving lamps93
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22,88,189
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)124
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22,88,189
E
Electric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure179
Electrical system200
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency closure181
Emergency operation
convertible top181
doors34
fuel filler door180
Energy Control81