
 
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 

 
Contents
 
Repairs
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit166
Windshield wiper blades166
Lamps and bulbs166
Changing a wheel173
Battery176
Fuses179
Microfilter/Activated-charcoal 
filter180
 
In case of electrical 
malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door180
Convertible top181
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting183
Towing the vehicle184Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)188
Airbags189
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)189
Radio reception190
Safety belt tensioner190
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming 
feature191
Rain sensor191
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)192
Self-diagnostics192
Rollover protection system193
Xenon lamps193Engine data196
Dimensions197
Weights198
Capacities199
Electrical system200
Drive belts200 

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 

58n
MirrorsYou can also adjust the mirrors manu-
ally by pressing against the outer edges 
of their lenses.
The mirror on the passenger's 
side features a lens with a more 
convex surface than the mirror installed 
on the driver's side. When estimating 
the distance between yourself and 
other traffic, bear in mind that the 
objects reflected in the mirror are closer 
than they appear. Estimations of the 
distance to following traffic should 
therefore not be regarded as precise.
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind 
you when driving at night, tilt the mirror 
by turning the rotary button.Sun visorsThese can be folded down toward the 
windshield and swiveled out against the 
side window.46cus034
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming feature
*
By responding to the effects of ambient 
light and the glare from following traffic, 
this mirror automatically dims through 
an infinitely-variable range.
The mirror switches to its clear, 
undimmed mode whenever the trans-
mission is placed in reverse gear 
(selector lever in "Reverse"). 
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate properly, keep the two photo-
cells clean and unobstructed. One 
photocell (arrow) is in the mirror glass, 
while the other is offset somewhat on 
the other side of the mirror.
For addition information on the electro-
chromic technology used in this mirror, 
refer to page 191.46cde023 

77n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washer/Wiper system1 Intermittent mode or rain 
sensor
* 
Intermittent mode:
You can use rotary dial 6 to select from 
four wipe intervals. 
In addition, the wipe interval is varied 
automatically depending on road 
speed.
Rain sensor:
The rain sensor is positioned on the 
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. When the rain 
sensor is activated, the windshield 
wiper is controlled automatically, 
depending on the degree of wetness on 
the windshield (in both snow and rain). 
You do not have to be concerned with 
switching the windshield wiper on or off 
or adjusting the wipe interval between 46cde095
intermittent and full wipe. Instead, you 
can concentrate fully on the traffic 
conditions. This is especially important 
under adverse weather conditions. 
To activate the rain sensor: 
From ignition key position 1 and up, you 
can move the lever to position 1. The 
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in 
position 1. It is then only necessary to 
activate the rain sensor from ignition 
key position 1 and up. To do this,
>turn rotary dial 6 briefly or
>use cleaning windshield 5.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor: 
Turn rotary dial 6.
Deactivating the rain sensor:
Put lever in position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in 
damage caused by undesired wiper 
activation.<
2 Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain 
sensor).3 Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers operate at normal speed (not on 
vehicles with rain sensor).5 Cleaning windshield The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period.
If you pull the lever only briefly, the 
system sprays washer fluid onto the 
windshield without activating the 
wipers. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
187n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC)188
Airbags189
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)189
Radio reception190
Safety belt tensioner190
Interior rearview mirror 
with automatic dimming 
feature191
Rain sensor191
Tire Pressure Control (RDC)192
Self-diagnostics192
Rollover protection system193
Xenon lamps193
Technol- 

191n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interior rearview mirror with automatic dimming feature
* Rain sensor
* 
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces blinding 
from following traffic by adapting the 
intensity of the reflected images to 
correspond to levels of light registered 
by the unit's sensors. The mirror reverts 
to its undimmed setting as soon as the 
light source disappears. One lamp 
sensor is mounted on the front of the 
mirror housing. This sensor, which is 
directed forward, measures light inten-
sity in the area ahead of the vehicle. 
The second sensor is integrated within 
the mirror's glass. The electronic 
control system compares the light 
intensity from front and rear. The differ-
ence provides the basic parameter 
used to modulate an electrical current 
and induce chemical changes in a 
semisolid layer incorporated in the lens.46cus036
The semisolid reacts chemically to this 
electrical current, thus providing 
dimming of the mirror through an infi-
nitely-variable range (electrochromic 
technology).
As a result, it is no longer necessary to 
dim the mirror manually, and the driver 
can concentrate completely on traffic 
conditions.
Depending on the degree of wetness on 
the windshield, the rain sensor controls 
the operation of the windshield wipers. 
Infrared light is carried along the surface 
of the windshield in an optical conductor 
in such a manner that it is reflected 
completely when the windshield is dry. 
The quantity of reflected light is 
measured. If there is moisture on the 
glass, the amount of light reflected is 
reduced since the infrared light at the 
surface of the windshield can escape. 
The quantity of reflected light is thus a 
means of gauging the degree of wetness 
on the windshield. When the system is 
set to the "Intermittent" wiper speed, the 
wipers react immediately Ð if water is 
splashed onto the windshield by vehicles 
traveling ahead of you, for example. As a 
result, the rain sensor provides a contri-
bution to driving safety and comfort.
390de133 

Everything from A to Z
A 
ABS (Antilock Brake  System) 22,122  
Accessories 6 
Activated-charcoal  filter 106,180  
Adaptive Transmission  Control (ATC) 73,188  
Adding engine oil 145 
Adding washer  fluid 144,199  
Adjusting backrest 52 
Adjusting headrests 53 
Adjusting the steering  wheel 57 
Adjusting the  temperature 98,104  
Adjusting thigh support 54 
Air conditioner 96 
Air distribution 98,104  
Air nozzles 96,102  
Air outlets 96,102  
ventilation 96,102  
Air pressure, tires 27,132  
Air supply 98,105  
Airbags 21,61 ,159 ,189  
sitting properly with 62 
Alarm system 42 
Antenna 129 
Antenna, Diversity 190  Antifreeze
147 
radiator 127 
Antilock Brake System  (ABS) 22,122  
Anti-theft alarm system 42 
Aquaplaning 121,132  
Armrest 110 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability  Control plus  
Traction) 22,88  
Ashtray  front 111 
rear 112 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission  Control) 73,188  
Attach vacuum cleaner 112 
AUC (Automatic  recirculated-air 
control) 105 
Automatic car washes 151 
Automatic climate  control 102 
remove window 
condensation 105 
Automatic cruise control 79 
Automatic dimming, interior  rearview mirror 58 
Automatic recirculated-air  control (AUC) 105 
Automatic Stability Control  plus Traction 
(ASC+T) 22,88   Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 21,73  
Automatic windshield  washer 77 
Average consumption 85 
Average speed 86 
Avoiding unwanted  alarm 43 
Axle loads 198 
B 
Backrest  adjusting 52 
locking 21,55  
releasing 55 
Backup lamps 72 
bulb replacement 169 
Battery 176,200  
capacity 200 
charge current 20,176  
charging 178 
discharged 183 
removal and 
installation 178 
Belts 60 
Beverage holder 111 
Blower 98,105  
BMW High Performance  Synthetic Oils 146 
BMW Maintenance  System 150  BMW sports seat
54 
Bore 196 
Brake fluid 148 
Brake hydraulic system 20 
Brake lamps, bulb  replacement 169 
Brake pads 22,126  
Brake system 126 
Brakes 125 
malfunctions 126 
Break-in procedures 120 
Bulb replacement 166 
C 
California Proposition  65 Warning 161 
Capacities 199 
Car Memory 59 
Car radio 129 
reception 129,190  
refer also to the Radio 
Owner's Manual 
Car washes 151 
Care  convertible top 157 
exterior 152 
interior 154 
leather upholstery 155 
rubber seals and 
components 127