
 
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 

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 

78n
Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster Cleaning headlamps
* 
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned every fifth time cleaning wind-
shield is activated.
Do not use the washers if there 
is any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield. If you do so, 
your vision could be obscured. Use an 
antifreeze agent. Refer to page 144. 
Do not use the washers if the reservoir 
is empty, as otherwise the washer 
pump could be damaged.
* when the ignition key is 
in position 2.
The illustration shows the button setup 
for vehicles equipped with automatic 
climate control. For other layouts, refer 
to page 96.To activatePress the button with the convertible 
top closed or the hardtop mounted: as 
long as the indicator lamp remains on, 
the rear window defroster operates at 
high output (rapid thaw).
After the indicator lamp goes out, the 
defroster continues operating at 
reduced power for a limited period 
before deactivating automatically. 462us036
To deactivatePress the button if the indicator lamp is 
on. 

102n
Automatic climate control
*
46cus021 

103n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control
*
1 Air onto the windshield and onto the 
side windows
2 Air for the upper body area 
The side rotary dials open and close 
the air supply through an infinitely-
variable range; the levers will 
change the direction of the air flow. 
The center rotary dial adjusts the 
temperature of the air as it flows 
out, see page 106
3 Air for the front footwell 
There are vent outlets for the foot-
well in the rear as well
4 Recirculated air mode/Automatic 
recirculated air control (AUC)105
5 Air supply105
6 Temperature104
7 Automatic air distribution104
8 Individual air distribution104
9 Air grill for interior temperature 
sensor Ð please keep clear and 
unobstructed
10 Display for temperature and air 
supply104
11 Defrost windows and remove 
condensation105
12 Air conditioner105
13 Rear window defroster78, 106 

104n
Automatic climate control
*
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic system (switch on 
AUTO-button 7). Select an interior 
temperature that is comfortable for 
you Ñ e. g. 72 7 (+22 6). Whenever 
the outside temperature is above 41 7 
(+5 6), you can also use the air condi-
tioner 12. This will dry the air as well as 
preventing condensation on the 
window surfaces Ð if there are passen-
gers with damp clothing, for example. 
Set the air outlets 2 so that the air flows 
past you and is not directed straight at 
you. Set the rotary dial between the air 
outlets 2 for the upper body to a 
medium position, since air that is some-
what cooler promotes driving without 
fatigue.
Detailed setting options are described 
for you in the following section.
Automatic air distribution
The AUTO program assumes 
the adjustment of the air distri-
bution and the air supply for you and in 
addition adapts the temperature to 
external influences (summer, winter) to 
meet preferences you can specify. This 
program maintains a comfortable in-car 
climate regardless of the season. Select 
an interior temperature that is comfort-
able for you Ñ e. g. 72 7 (+22 6). The 
temperature selected and  AUTO for 
the air supply appear in display 10, 
refer to the overview on page 102. 
Open the air outlets for the upper body 
area. Switch on the air conditioner in 
warm weather. The maximum cooling 
capacity is achieved when you set 
rotary dial 3 (refer to page 106) to cold.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO 
program by selecting specific 
distribution patterns to suit your 
own individual requirements. 
You can direct air to flow onto the 
windows  , toward the upper body 
, and into the footwell  .
Temperature 
The figures in the display 
provide a general indication of 
interior temperature. We recommend 
72 7 (+22 6) as a comfortable 
setting, even if the air conditioner is on. 
When you start the vehicle, the system 
ensures that the selected temperature 
is reached as quickly as possible. It 
then maintains this temperature, 
regardless of the season.
Set rotary dial 3 (refer to "Draft-free 
ventilation" on page 106) to a medium 
setting, since air that is somewhat 
cooler promotes driving without fatigue. 
You can use this setting for mixing air to 
make minor comfort modifications.
You can set uncontrolled heater 
output up to 90 7 (+32 6). The 
air conditioner is at full cooling output 
at 60 7 (+16 6).< 

105n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Automatic climate control
*
Air supply
 
By pressing the left or right half 
of the button, you can vary the 
air supply. By doing this, you switch off 
the automatic control of the air supply. 
Nevertheless, the automatic air distri-
bution remains unchanged.
When you set the lowest blower speed 
by pressing the left half of the button, 
all of the displays are canceled: the 
blower, heating and air conditioner are 
switched off, and the air supply is 
stopped. You can reactivate the system 
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.
To defrost the windows and to 
remove condensation
This program quickly removes 
ice and condensation from the 
windshield and side windows.
Air conditioner
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and Ð depending on the 
temperature setting Ð rewarmed when 
the air conditioner is switched on.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. 
Use the button to switch the air condi-
tioner off at outside temperatures 
below approx. 41 7 (+5 6). This will 
help to prevent the windows from 
fogging up. 
If the windows fog over after switching 
the air conditioner off, switch it back 
on.
Condensation forms in the air 
conditioner system during opera-
tion, that then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Automatic recirculated air control 
(AUC)
If there are unpleasant odors or 
pollutants in the outside air, you 
can temporarily block the air supply 
from the outside. The system then 
recirculates the air already within the 
vehicle. By repeated actuation of the 
button, you can select one of three 
different operation modes.
>Indicator lamps off: fresh air flows 
into the vehicle.
>Left-hand indicator lamp on Ð AUC 
mode: the system detects pollutants 
in the outside air and responds by 
deactivating the outside air supply as 
required. The system then recircu-
lates the air already within the vehicle. 
Depending on the air quality, the 
automatic system then switches back 
and forth between outside air supply 
and recirculation of the air within the 
vehicle.
>Right-hand indicator lamp on: the 
supply of outside air is permanently 
blocked. The system recirculates the 
air already within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the 
recirculated air mode, switch this 
mode off and increase the air supply as 
required.<