
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).< 

106n
Automatic climate control
*
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster 
is activated, the indicator lamp 
comes on. The rear window defroster 
switches off automatically. Refer to 
page 78.
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the blower controls for 
the upper body area to select the 
optimum air flow rates and directions 
for your personal requirements:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the 
air outlets through an infinitely-variable 
range. You can adjust the direction of 
the air flow with levers 2.
Set the outlets so that the air flows past 
you and is not directed straight at you.
Rotary dial 3 allows you mix the air from 
the outlets for your upper body by 
warming or cooling the air as desired.460de040
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal 
filterThe microfilter filters out dust and 
pollen from the incoming air. The acti-
vated-charcoal filter helps clean the 
incoming outside air of gaseous pollut-
ants. Your BMW center will replace this 
combined filter during the regularly 
scheduled maintenance. A substantial 
reduction in air supply indicates that the 
filter must be replaced before normal 
maintenance.
For further information on the filter 
change, refer to page 180. 

125n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Disc brakesDisc brakes furnish optimum decelera-
tion and braking control and greater 
fade resistance under heavy use.
When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when 
the vehicle is not used at all, and in 
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion of the 
discs and accumulation of contamina-
tion on the brake pads. This occurs 
because the minimal pressure that must 
be exerted by the pads to clean the 
discs by brake applications is not 
reached.
If the brake discs are corroded, they will 
tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
For your own safety: use only 
brake pads that BMW has 
approved for your particular vehicle 
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if 
they are suited for use, and therefore 
cannot ensure the operating safety of 
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Driving notesWhen driving in wet conditions and in 
heavy rain, it is effective to apply light 
pressure to the brakes every few miles 
or kilometers. Be aware of traffic condi-
tions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The 
heat which is generated by the brake 
applications helps to dry the brake 
pads and discs.
Maximum braking force is obtained 
while the wheels are not locked, but 
rather when they are still barely turning 
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the 
antilock brake system ever fails, you 
should revert to pumping the brakes 
(refer to page 128).
Extended or steep mountain descents 
should be driven in the gear in which 
only minimal periodic brake application 
is required. This avoids excessive strain 
on the brakes and possible 
impairment of the braking effect.
You can further increase the engine's 
braking effect by selecting a lower gear, 
downshifting as far as first gear. When 
driving a vehicle with automatic trans-
mission, you can still downshift into first 
gear. Refer to page 74.If engine braking should prove to be 
inadequate, you should still avoid 
extended, continuous braking. Instead 
of maintaining low to moderate pres-
sure over an extended period of time, 
you should decelerate by applying 
more substantial pressure to the brake 
pedal (watch for following traffic), 
releasing the pedal, and then repeating 
the application (staggered braking). The 
cooling phases between active braking 
intervals prevent the brakes from over-
heating, thus ensuring that full braking 
capacity remains available at all times.
Do not coast with the clutch 
depressed or with the shift lever 
or selector lever in Neutral. Do not drive 
with the engine shut off. The engine 
provides no braking effect when the 
clutch is depressed or the transmission 
is in Neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the 
engine is not running. Never allow floor 
mats, carpets or any other objects to 
protrude into the area around the brake, 
clutch or accelerator pedals, which can 
obstruct pedal travel.< 

147n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oil Coolant 
Always observe all environmental 
protection laws when disposing of 
used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed 
by your BMW center only.
Continuous exposure to used oil 
has caused cancer in laboratory 
testing.
For this reason, thoroughly wash any 
areas of skin that come into contact 
with oil using soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar 
materials so that they are inaccessible 
to children. Comply with warning labels 
and information on containers.<
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. If 
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant 
can cause burns. 
To avoid the possibility of damage later 
on, never use anything other than 
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is 
familiar with the official specifications. 
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are 
hazardous to health. You should always 
store it in its original container and in a 
location that is inaccessible to children. 
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains ethylene glycol, a 
flammable substance. For this reason, 
do not spill antifreeze with corrosion 
inhibitor on hot engine parts. It could 
ignite and cause burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the 
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze 
with corrosion inhibitor.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level for cold engine 
(approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
Unscrew the cap from the expansion 
tank.
The coolant level is correct when the 
upper end of the red float is at least 
even with the upper edge of the filler 
neck (refer to the arrow in the illustra-
tion), but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm) 
above it Ð that is, up to the second mark 
on the float (refer also to the schematic 
diagram next to the filler neck).46cde036 

199n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Capacities 
Notes
Fuel tank 
Reserve gal. (liters)
gal. (liters)approx. 16.6 (approx. 63) 
approx. 2.1 (approx. 8)Fuel specification: page 27
Windshield/headlamp washer system quarts (liters) approx. 5.6 (approx. 5.3) Specifications: page 144
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts (liters) approx. 8.9 (approx. 8.4) Specifications: page 147
Engine oil filter change quarts (liters) approx. 6.9 (approx. 6.5) BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil
Specifications: page 146
Manual and automatic transmission, transfer box 
and differentialÐ Lifetime fluid, no fluid 
change required 

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