
 
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. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lampsRed and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
The brake warning lamp and the 
yellow indicator lamps for ABS 
and ASC+T/DSC both light up: 
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC
 and
 ADB/DBC system has 
failed. Continue driving 
cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid hard brake applications. 
Please have the system checked by 
your BMW center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 88, 123.
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC
 indi-
cator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied Ð an acoustic 
signal also sounds when starting off. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 71. Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts l 
A warning signal will sound at 
the same time. Flashes, if the backrest 
is not locked. Lights up until the safety 
belt is fastened. 
For additional information on safety 
belts, refer to page 60.
Airbags l
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 61, 189.
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
Automatic transmission 
Because of a malfunction, the 
automatic transmission shifts 
only in the emergency program. Please 
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 75. 

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. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Engine electronics
* l 
There is a fault in the engine's 
electronic control system. The 
electronics will allow you to continue 
driving with reduced engine output or 
reduced engine speed. Please have the 
system inspected by your BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Top 
up the coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 147.
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator 
Flashes when the turn signal is 
on. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 76.
Cruise control
 
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated: available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information, refer to 
page 79.
Front fog lamps 
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information, refer to 
page 94.
Blue: for your information
High beams 
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 76, 94. 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Alarm system
*
>The indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is 
disarmed: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarms The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered (in garages 
with elevator ramps, for instance, or 
when the vehicle is transported by 
trailer or train):
Lock the vehicle (= arm the system) 
twice. Press button 2 on the remote 
control twice in succession or lock the 
vehicle twice with the key. Refer to 
page 34.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed.
Reset the alarm to reactivate the tilt 
alarm sensor and the interior motion 
sensor.
Interior motion sensor Transmitter and receiver for the interior 
motion sensor are located in the front 
area of the center console, invisible to 
the driver, and in the back area of the 
center console under a rack.
However, be sure to deactivate the 
interior motion sensor (see previous 
column) if children or animals are to 
remain in the vehicle.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units 
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal 
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the 
following:
FCC ID: LTQSDR2G5
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to 
these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.< 

56n
Seat and mirror memory*You can store and recall three different 
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions. The illustration shows the buttons 
on the driver's seat for making these 
adjustments.
The headrest setting is stored in 
the memory, but the lumbar 
support is not.
exterior mirror positions.
3 Press the 
M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up.
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as 
desired: the indicator lamp goes out.
46cde014
To select a stored settingConvenience function:
1 Open the driver's door after 
unlocking or turn the ignition key in 
position 1.
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3, 
as desired.
The adjustment cycle is canceled 
immediately if you press a seat 
adjustment switch or one of the 
memory buttons.
Security function:
1 With the driver's door closed and the 
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2.
2 Maintain pressure on the desired 
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the 
adjustment process is completed.
If you accidentally press the 
M
EMORY 
button: press the button again; the 
indicator lamp goes out.
Do not select a memory position 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected seat movement.<
Your BMW center can adjust your 
vehicle's systems in such a 
manner that your personalized settings 
are automatically set for the seat, head-
rest and exterior mirror positions when 
you unlock the vehicle with your 
personal remote control.<
If you make use of this method of 
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle. 
If you fail to do so, persons or objects 
could be injured or damaged if the seat 
should move backward.< 

62n
AirbagsOperational status
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster displays the opera-
tional status of the airbag 
system when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1 and higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
then goes out.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to come on.
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
before going out, and then lights up 
again.
If there is a system malfunction, there is 
a risk that the airbags will not be trig-
gered within their normal response 
range, even if the level of impact would 
normally have triggered them.
Have your BMW center inspect the 
system immediately. 
The airbag indicator lamp also 
comes on if the safety belt 
tensioners have been triggered.<
Sitting correctly with airbags
For your safety, comply with the 
following instructions for the 
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may 
not be able to provide their maximum 
protection. All passengers in the vehicle 
should be aware of and comply with 
this information: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide extra 
protection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all 
times. The airbags will not be triggered 
in the event of a minor accident, a 
vehicle roll-over, or collisions from the 
rear. In these instances, the safety belt 
provides optimal protection. 
Airbags are located under cover panels 
in the steering wheel, in the dashboard 
and in the side trim panels in the front 
and rear
*. 
Adjust your seat to a position that 
provides a maximum distance between 
you and the steering wheel, the instru-
ment panel and the door while still 
allowing comfortable and safe access 
to all vehicle controls. 
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries, always grasp the steering wheel 
on the rim with your hands at the 9 and 
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your 
hands on the center pad. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant. 
Do not use the cover panel above the 
passenger-side airbag as a storage 
area. 
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them 
or modify them in any other way. 
Do not install a rear-facing child 
restraint system in the front passenger 
seat of this vehicle. 
Children under 13 years of age and 
children less than 5 ft (150 cm) tall 
should ride only in the rear seat. 
Infants or small children should never 
be held on the lap of a passenger. 
If your car is equipped with side airbags 
in the rear passenger area
*, be sure 
that child restraints are mounted 
correctly and provided with the grea-
test-possible distance between the 
airbags in the side trim panels. Do not 
allow children to lean out of the child's 
seat in the direction of the side trim 
panels. If they do so, serious injuries 
can occur if the airbag is triggered.< 

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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, start-
ing with the ignition key in position 2, 
until the condition has been corrected:
1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam 
headlamps, as well as the side lamps 
2 Door open 
3 Luggage compartment lid open 
4 Check brake and tail lamps 
When you open the driver's door after 
stopping with the lights still on, a warn-
ing signal sounds for LIGHTS ON.462de272
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1 on, you can 
call up information from the computer 
using the button in the turn signal lever. 
Every time you press the button briefly 
in the direction of the steering column, 
you can call up a new function for dis-
play. 
The displays appear in the following 
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel 
consumption, cruising range, average 
vehicle speed.
From ignition key position 1 on, the last 
active setting is displayed.46cde096
Check Control Computer