
 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)24
Hazard warning flashers25
Warning triangle25
First-aid kit25
Refueling26
Fuel specifications27
Tire inflation pressure27
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
The manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible 
top48
Wind deflector50
 
Adjusting:
 
Seats52
Seat and mirror memory56
Steering wheel57
Mirrors57
Car Memory, Key Memory59
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts60
Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system67
 
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 temperature 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)91
 
Contents 

 
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 

30n
Opening and closing:
Keys32
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer33
Central locking system34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
outside34
Opening and closing Ð from the 
inside38
Luggage compartment lid39
Luggage compartment40
Alarm system42
Electric power windows44
The manual convertible top45
The fully automatic convertible 
top48
Wind deflector50
Adjusting:
Seats52
Seat and mirror memory56
Steering wheel57
Mirrors57
Car Memory, Key Memory59
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts60
Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system67
Controls 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
119n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures120
Driving notes121
Catalytic converter121
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)122
Disc brakes125
Brake system126
Winter operation127
Power steering129
Cellular phones129
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 
specifications137Under 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
OBD interface socket162
Car care 

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.< 

129n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Power steering Cellular phone
* Radio reception 
If the steering response changes, e.g. 
high steering effort: 
Have your BMW center inspect the 
system. 
If the power steering fails, 
increased effort will be required to 
steer the vehicle.<
Mobile communications systems 
(cellular phone, radio, etc.) are 
permitted with an output up to 10 watts 
only. Mobile communications devices 
not specifically designed for use in your 
vehicle may trigger malfunctions while 
operating your vehicle. BMW can 
neither test nor assume responsibility 
for every individual product being 
offered on the market. We recommend 
that you consult your BMW center 
before purchasing any device of this 
kind.
To ensure that your BMW continues to 
provide reliable and trouble-free opera-
tion, do not use a cellular phone or 
other radio device with an antenna 
located inside the passenger compart-
ment. The antenna should always be 
mounted on the outside of the vehicle.
Before loading the vehicle on a 
car-carrier train or driving it 
through a car wash, remove the 
antenna.<
The reception and sound quality 
obtained from mobile radios varies 
according to a variety of factors, 
including the broadcast range of the 
transmitter and the directional orienta-
tion of the antenna. Interference factors 
such as high-tension power lines, build-
ings and natural obstructions can all 
lead to unavoidable reception interfer-
ence, regardless of how well the 
vehicle's sound system is operating. 
Climatic factors such as intense solar 
radiation, fog, rain and snow can also 
interfere with reception.
Car telephones or cellular phones not 
approved by BMW can also cause 
interference in the radio during a tele-
phone call. This phenomenon assumes 
the form of a low-pitched hum 
emanating from the speaker system.
Please refer to the Owner's Manual 
provided with your sound system for 
detailed information on its use. 

145n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine oilChecking the oil level 1 Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2 Shut the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
3 After approx. 5 minutes, pull the 
dipstick out and wipe it off with a 
clean lint-free cloth, paper towel, or 
similar material.
4 Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out 
again.
5 The oil level should be between the 
two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption 
is directly influenced by your driving 
style and vehicle operating conditions.462de244
The oil volume between the two marks 
on the dipstick corresponds to approx. 
1.1 US quarts (1 liter). Do not fill beyond 
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess 
oil will damage the engine.460de189
To add oil Wait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark before adding oil. 
However, never let the oil drop below 
the lower mark. 
BMW engines are designed to 
operate without oil additives; the 
use of additives could lead to damage 
in some cases. This is also true for the 
manual transmission, the automatic 
transmission, the differential and the 
power steering.<462de245 

200n
Electrical system  Drive belts Battery 12V, 80 AhSpark plugs NGK BKR 6 EQUP
Bosch FGR 7 DQPWater pump Ð Generator Ð 
Power steering
V-belt 6 PK x 1538
A/C compressor
V-belt 5 PK x 863You can obtain Original BMW 
Parts and Accessories, as well as 
professional advice from your BMW 
center.<