Page 11 of 215

 
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 
     
        
        Page 17 of 215
 
17n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit
 
1 Side lamps/Low beams93
2
 
d
 
Turn signal indicator76
 
>
 
Parking lamps94
 
>
 
High beams94
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher76
 
>
 
Computer83
3 Washer/Wiper system76
4 Shift lever/Selector lever72 
For vehicles equipped with manual 
transmission: 
To shift into reverse, push the gear 
shift lever to the left, overcoming 
the slight resistance 
5 Hazard warning flashers25
6 Central locking system34
7 Rear window defroster78
8 Horn: the entire surface functions as 
the horn
9 Adjusting steering wheel57
10 Fog lamps94 
     
        
        Page 23 of 215

23n
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. 
     
        
        Page 31 of 215

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 
     
        
        Page 42 of 215

42n
Alarm system
*
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the 
luggage compartment lid is opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle 
(interior motion sensor).
>To a change of the vehicle's tilt Ð if 
someone attempts to steal the 
wheels or tow the vehicle without 
authorization, for example.
>If there is an interruption in battery 
voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an alarm for 30 seconds.
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes.
>The high beams flash on and off in the 
same rhythm.
To activate and deactivate the 
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
by using a key or with the remote 
control, the alarm system is also simul-
taneously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and the tilt 
alarm sensor are activated approx. 
30 seconds after you have finished 
locking the vehicle.
If the alarm system has been armed 
correctly, the hazard warning flashers 
flash once.
You can have a signal set as 
acknowledgment for both arming 
and disarming the alarm system.<
You can also open the luggage 
compartment lid when the system is 
armed by pressing button 3 of the 
remote control (refer to page 36). When 
it is closed, the lid is once again 
secured.
Indicator lamp displaysThe indicator lamp is located under the 
interior rearview mirror.
>The indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously: the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes while the 
system is being armed: the door(s), 
the hood or luggage compartment lid 
are not completely closed. Even if 
you do not close the alerted area(s), 
the remaining areas are secure, and 
the indicator lamp will flash continu-
ously after 10 seconds. However, the 
interior motion sensor is not acti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp goes out when the 
system is disarmed: no manipulation 
or attempted intrusions have been 
detected in the period since the 
system was armed.46cus033 
     
        
        Page 83 of 215
83n
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
  
     
        
        Page 93 of 215

93n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps
With the switch in this position, 
the front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on. 
For lighting on one side for parking as 
an additional feature, see page 94.
Low beam headlamps 
When you switch the ignition off 
with the low beam headlamps 
on, only the side lamps will 
remain on.
"Follow-me-home" lamps: 
If you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle, the 
low-beam headlamps will come on for a 
short time. You can also have this func-
tion deactivated.<
460us035
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhen you open the driver's door after 
turning the ignition key to position 0, 
a buzzer sounds for a few seconds to 
remind you that the headlamps have 
not been switched off.Daytime running lamps
*
If you desire, the light switch can be left 
in the second position: 
When the ignition is switched off, the 
external lighting is also switched off.
Turn the rotary dial to adjust the 
illumination intensity.
460us036
Side lamps/Low beams 
Instrument panel lighting 
     
        
        Page 161 of 215

161n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Any BMW center will be glad to inform 
you of the advisability, legal require-
ments and factory recommendations 
regarding technical modifications on 
your vehicle. For this purpose, the 
BMW center will require the Vehicle 
Identification Number and, in some 
cases, also the engine number. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)Light-emitting diodes installed behind 
translucent lenses serve as the light 
source for many of the controls and 
displays in your vehicle. The concept 
behind their operation is related to that 
employed for lasers.
Do not remove the protective lens 
and avoid staring directly at the 
unfiltered beam for extended periods 
(several hours), as inflammation of the 
iris could result.<
California laws require us to state the 
following warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its 
constituents, and certain vehicle 
components contain or emit chemicals 
known to the State of California to 
cause cancer and birth defects or other 
reproductive harm.<
Technical modifications California Proposition 65 Warning