
 
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 

 
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.
 
< 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Many of the systems of your BMW 
monitor themselves automatically, both 
during engine starts and while you are 
driving. Indicator and warning lamps 
that are identified by "
 
l
 
" are tested for 
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge 
 
l
 
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. There is a malfunction 
of the alternator V-belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not 
continue driving, otherwise, the 
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. If the V-belt is defective, 
increased steering effort is also 
required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
  
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil and top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving. If you do 
so, the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has 
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to 
page 91.
Brake warning lamp l 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to read the 
notes on pages 126 and 148.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

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. 

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.< 

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 

81n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
1 Odometer You can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the button in the 
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1 and up.462us005
Avoid engine speeds in the red warning 
zone of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
automatically interrupted in this zone; 
you will notice a loss of power.462us017
Indicates current fuel consumption in 
mpg (in l/100 km on Canadian vehicles). 
You can check your current driving 
style to see whether it is conducive to 
economy and minimum exhaust emis-
sions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the 
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on 
Canadian vehicles).462us018
Odometer Tachometer Energy Control  

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