
 
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 

 
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. 

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 

97n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Air conditioner1 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 controls the 
temperature of the air as it flows out. 
Refer to page 98
3 Air for the front footwell 
There are also vent outlets for the 
rear footwell as well
4 Air supply
Heating and ventilation are available 
starting with position 1. Refer to 
page 98
5 Temperature98
6 Air distribution toward 
>the windows   
>the upper body 
>the footwell 
All intermediate settings are possible. 
Refer to page 98
7 Rear window defroster98
8 Air conditioner98
9 Recirculated-air mode98 

98n
Air conditionerAir supply
You can select blower speeds 
from 1 to 4. The heating and 
ventilation become more and 
more effective as the air 
supply settings are increased. In posi-
tion 0, the blower and the heater are 
switched off. By using position 0, you 
can totally block the interior ventilation 
outlets by pressing the button for the 
recirculated-air mode.
Temperature
In order to increase the 
temperature of the passenger 
compartment, turn it to the 
right (red). Temperature regu-
lation will keep the interior temperature 
you have selected constant.
Air distribution 
You can direct air to flow onto 
the windows  , toward the 
upper body   and into the 
footwell  . All intermediate 
settings are possible. In the   setting, 
there is a low flow of air onto the 
windows to keep them free of conden-
sation. The "6 o'clock" setting is recom-
mended as a normal setting (refer also 
to the illustration and overview on 
page 96).
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.
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, which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.
<< < <
Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant 
external odors by temporarily 
blocking the outside air. The system 
then 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.<< < < 

100n
Air conditionerRapid heating 1 Set the blower speed rotary control 
for the air flow rate to position 3.
2 Turn the rotary temperature control 
completely to the right (red). 
3 Rotary control for air distribution in 
position .463de019
Defrost the windows and remove 
condensation1 Set the blower speed rotary control 
for the air flow rate to position 4.
2 Turn the rotary temperature control 
completely to the right (red).
3 Rotary control for air distribution in 
position .
4 Switch on the rear window defroster 
to defrost the rear window. 463de020
HeatingWhen the windows are free of ice and 
condensation, we recommend the 
following settings:
1 Set the blower speed rotary control 
for the air flow rate to position 2.
2 Use the rotary temperature control to 
select an interior temperature which 
is comfortable for you.
3 Rotary control for air distribution in 
position .390de127463de021 

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.< 

107n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The seat cushion and backrest can be 
heated with ignition key in position 2.
You can call up different heating modes 
by repeatedly pressing the button.
When the three indicator lamps are illu-
minated, the highest heating mode is 
activated. One lamp indicates the 
lowest heating mode. The temperature 
is regulated with a thermostat in each 
mode.
You can also switch the higher heating 
modes off directly: 
Press the button and hold it slightly 
longer.46cus047
To openPull the handle and the lamp comes on.ClosingFold up cover.To lockUse one of the master keys. A master 
key must also be used for unlocking.
If you turn over only your door and 
ignition keys for valet parking 
(refer to page 32), for example, access 
to the glove compartment and to the 
luggage compartment is not possible.<462de235
To prevent injury in the event of 
a crash, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlightThe flashlight is located on the left-
hand side of the glove compartment. 
It features integral overload protection 
so that it can be left in its holder contin-
uously.
Be sure that the flashlight is 
switched off when it is inserted 
into its holder. Failure to comply with 
this precaution could lead to over-
charging and damage.<
Seat heating
*
Glove compartment