Page 10 of 215

 
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 
     
        
        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 15 of 215
 
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
 
15n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
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  
Overview 
     
        
        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 24 of 215

24n
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
 
The controls integrated in the multi-
function steering wheel are provided 
so that you can operate a number of 
accessories quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
>Selected radio functions,
>the cruise control,
>selected cellular phone functions.
In order to operate a system via 
the MFL, the corresponding 
systems must be switched on.< 
Refer to the individual accessory 
manuals for more detailed descriptions.
1 Radio/Telephone: select
2 Telephone: receive a call, initiate 
dialing and terminate a call
3 Radio/Telephone: volume
4 Radio/Telephone: scan backward or 
scan station keys or scroll through 
the phone listings
5 Radio/Telephone: scan forward or 
scan station keys or scroll through 
the phone listings46cde085
6 Horn: the entire surface functions as 
the horn
7 Cruise control: activate stored setting 
(resume)
8 Cruise control: store and acceler-
ate (+); decelerate and store (Ð)
9 Cruise control: activate/interrupt/
deactivate 
     
        
        Page 30 of 215
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 
     
        
        Page 52 of 215

52n
For your personal safety when adjusting 
the seat position, please follow the 
instructions below carefully:
Never try to adjust your seat while 
driving the vehicle. The seat could 
respond with an unexpected move-
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle 
control could lead to an accident. 
Be sure that the safety belt remains 
firmly against your body at all times. In 
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over the hips, leading to 
abdominal injury. In addition, the safety 
belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced 
if the belt is worn loosely.
Never ride with the backrest reclined to 
an extreme angle (especially important 
for the front passenger to remember), 
otherwise, you run the risk of sliding 
under the safety belt during an acci-
dent, thus negating the protection the 
safety belt provides.<
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on the spinal column, 
sit all the way back in the seat and rest 
your back fully against the backrest. 
The ideal sitting posture is achieved 
with your head extending from your 
spine in a straight line. 
For long-distance driving, you may wish 
to increase the backrest angle slightly 
to reduce muscular tension. You should 
be able to grasp the steering wheel at 
its highest point with your arms slightly 
bent.
1 Backward/Forward adjustment
2 Cushion height
3 Backrest angle
Follow the setting instructions on 
this page. Failure to do so could 
result in diminished personal safety.<
46cde012
Seat adjustment