
 
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 

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 

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.< 

57n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memory* 
 Adjusting steering wheel  Mirrors 
Passenger side exterior mirror tilt 
function(automatic curb monitor
*)
1 Move the mirror selector switch 1 to 
the "driver's mirror" position.
2 When the selector lever is placed in 
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror 
tilts downward. This allows the driver 
to see the area directly adjacent to 
the vehicle during parking (curbs, 
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic 
feature: set the mirror selection switch 
to the "passenger side" position.
462us058
1 Push the locking lever downward.
2 Adjust the steering wheel (fore/aft 
and up/down) to the desired position.
3 Pull back the lever again to clamp the 
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected movement.<460de073
Exterior mirrors1 Switch for 4-way adjustment
2 Selection switch for changing 
between mirrors462us057 

59n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car Memory, Key Memory How the system functionsYou have probably frequently wished 
that you could configure individual 
functions of your vehicle to reflect your 
own personal requirements. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has 
included several user-defined func-
tions in the vehicle's design. Your BMW 
center can make these settings for you 
in accordance with your wishes. 
There are settings related to the vehicle 
("Car Memory") and settings related to 
individuals ("Key Memory"). You can 
have up to four different basic settings 
adjusted for four different persons. The 
only requirement is that each person 
uses his or her own remote control key. 463de029
When your vehicle is unlocked with the 
remote control, the vehicle recognizes 
the individual user by means of a data 
exchange with the key, and makes 
adjustments accordingly. 
In order for you to distinguish between 
different keys, colored decals are 
supplied together with the keys.
What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with 
details on the capabilities of the Car 
Memory and Key Memory systems. 
A few examples follow below:
Examples for Car Memory:
>Various signals used as acknowl-
edgement when locking or unlocking 
your vehicle.
>Deactivating/activating the Follow-
Me-Home lamps function.
>Activating/deactivating daytime 
running lamps
*.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's 
power seat.
>Locking your vehicle after starting off.
>When unlocking your vehicle, first 
unlock the driver's door, then the rest 
of the vehicle.
You will see this symbol 
throughout the Owner's Manual. It 
is to remind you at appropriate places 
of the settings that are available to 
you.< 

110n
BMW Universal Transmitter
*
Storage facilities 
Clearing the channel keys
Read and comply with the safety 
precautions on page 108.< 
The memory of individual channel keys 
cannot be deleted. However, the three 
channel keys can be cleared together 
as follows: 
>Press and hold both outside keys of 
the BMW Universal Transmitter until 
the indicator lamp flashes, and then 
release them. 
All of the channel keys are cleared. 
User informationDo not use this BMW Universal Trans-
mitter with any garage door opener that 
lacks safety "stop" and "reverse" 
features as required by federal safety 
standards (this includes any garage 
door opener model manufactured 
before April 1, 1982).
This device complies with Section 15 of 
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to 
the following two conditions: as defined 
in the regulations, this device must not 
emit harmful interference, and must be 
shielded against interference from 
external sources to prevent unautho-
rized or inadvertent activation.To
 open the storage compartment in 
the front center armrest: press the 
button (arrow) and lift upward.
You will find additional storage 
compartments in the doors and in the 
center console above the ashtray. 
Storage nets are located on the back-
rests of the front seats.460us043 

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  

Everything from A to Z
207n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interlock69 
Intermittent mode, wiper 
system76 J 
Jack173 
Jump-starting183 K 
Key Memory59 
Keys32 
with remote control32 L 
Lamps and bulbs166 
LAMPS ON warning93 
Lashing eyes115 
LATCH attachment of the 
child seat64 
Leather care155 
Length197 
License plate lamp, bulb 
replacement171 
Light-alloy wheels137 
Lighter112 
Loads, securing114 
Load-securing devices115 
Low beam headlamps93 
bulb replacement167 
Lug bolts174 Luggage 
compartment40,41 
capacity198 
emergency release39 
floor panel40 
lid39 
lighting39 
lock separately39 
remote control36 
Luggage compartment 
lamps, bulb 
replacement172 
Luggage rack116 
Lumbar support55 
M 
M+S tires136 
Maintenance82,150 
Malfunction displays83 
Manual convertible top, 
operating45 
Manual transmission72 
Manually controlled 
recirculated-air105 
Memory57 
MFL (Multi-function steering 
wheel)24 
Microfilter99,180 
Mirror memory57 
Mirrors57 
Mobile phones129 Modifications, 
technical6,161 
Motion sensor, interior43 
Mounting child safety 
seat64 
Mounting the roof 
carrier130 
Multi-function steering 
wheel (MFL)24 
N 
Navigation system, refer to 
the radio Owner's Manual O 
OBD interface socket162 
Odometer81 
Oil 
additives145 
capacity199 
consumption145 
dipstick145 
quality146 
specifications146 
viscosity146 
Oil change intervals, see the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models)/Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) Oil filter change199 
Oil level 
check145 
indicator lamp20 
Oil pressure, indicator 
lamp20 
OILSERVICE82 
Onboard tool kit166 
Opening and closing 
from the inside38 
from the outside34 
Operating the convertible
top manually in the event 
of an electrical 
malfunction181 
Outside temperature 
display84 
P 
Paint blemishes152 
Paint, care152 
Paintwork 
minor repairs153 
waxing153 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)87 
Parking brake71 
Parking help87 
Parking lamps94 
Parking, winter128