
 
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 

 
19n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Instrument cluster
 
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp 
for fuel reserve82
2 Turn signal indicator23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator lamp for: 
 
>
 
Battery charge current20
 
>
 
High beams23
 
>
 
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil 
level20, 22
5 Tachometer and 
Energy control81
6 Engine coolant temperature gauge 
with "Coolant temperature too high" 
indicator82
7 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for:
 
>
 
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic 
system/Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)/DBC20
 
>
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS)22 
 
>
 
Brake pads22
 
>
 
Tire Pressure Control 
(RDC)
 
* 
20, 22
 
>
 
Rollover protection system67
 
>
 
Airbags21
 
>
 
Adjust and lock backrest/Please 
fasten safety belts21
 
>
 
Cruise control23
8 Set button for the clock849 Program display for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
75
Indicator lamp for automatic 
transmission
 
* 
21, 75
10 Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
*  
and ADB22
11 Indicator for:
 
>
 
Odometer81
 
>
 
Trip odometer81
 
>
 
Clock84
 
>
 
Service Interval82
Indicator for computer, 
operation using the turn signal lever, 
refer to page 83: 
 
>
 
Clock
 
>
 
Outside temperature
 
>
 
Average fuel consumption
 
>
 
Range 
 
>
 
Average speed
12 Indicator for Check Control83
13 Trip odometer, reset to zero8114 Indicator and warning lamps (clock-
wise) for: 
 
>
 
Front fog lamps23
 
>
 
Add washer fluid22
 
>
 
Coolant level23
 
>
 
Electronic Throttle Control 
(EML)
 
* 
23
 
>
 
Service engine soon22
You can display the outside 
temperature and distance driven 
in different units of measurement.
 
< 

22n
Indicator and warning lampsYellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) l 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have 
the system inspected by your BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 123.
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level 
Lights up while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute 
minimum; therefore, add engine oil as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more 
than 30 miles (50 km) until you do. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 145.
Engine oil level 
Comes on after the engine has 
been shut off: add oil at the 
earliest opportunity (when you stop to 
refuel).
For additional information, refer to 
page 145.
Brake pads l
 
Have the brake pads checked. 
For additional information, refer 
to page 126.
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l 
Check tire inflation pressure: 
refer to pages 27, 91.
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC l 
Indicator lamp flashes: 
The system is active and governs drive 
force and braking force. 
The indicator lamp remains on:
ASC+T has been switched off via the 
button or it is defective, or the DSC has 
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center 
in the event of a fault. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) and 
brake warning lamp l
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC
 and ADB/DBC are 
switched off via the button or are defec-
tive. 
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 88.
DSC and ADB/DBC indicator 
and warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid. 
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
up the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 144.
Service Engine Soon l 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
inspected by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 162.
Service Engine Soon warning 
lamp for Canadian models. 

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 

71n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake To engageThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.
The lock engages automatically when 
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster comes on 
when the ignition key is in position 2. 
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button (arrow) and lower the lever.460us024
If, in exceptional circumstances, 
it should be necessary to engage 
the parking brake while the vehicle is 
in motion, do not pull the lever with 
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb 
pressed against the release button 
while carefully pulling the lever up to 
apply moderate pressure. 
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear axle. 
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is applied. 
Vehicles with manual transmission: 
Always apply the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined 
surfaces, since placing the shift lever in 
1st gear or reverse may not provide 
adequate resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
Place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided 
braking, apply the parking brake lightly 
from time to time when coasting to a 
standstill (at a traffic signal, for 
instance), provided that it is safe to do 
so. 

88n
ASC+TThe conceptThese systems enhance driving stability 
and traction, especially when you are 
just starting off, accelerating or in 
curves. 
ASC+T recognizes the danger present 
in traction loss and will increase driving 
stability and traction by reducing the 
engine's output, and if necessary, by 
applying the brakes to the rear wheels.
ASC+T is available as soon as the 
engine starts up.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly 
after you switch on the ignition. 
Refer to pages 21 and 22.
Indicator lamp flashes: 
ASC+T controls the drive and braking 
forces. 
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine is started, or if it comes on 
during normal driving and stays on:
There is a system malfunction or the 
system was deactivated with the 
button. Consequently, interventions to 
increase driving stability (as described 
in the preceding column) are not avail-
able. You can still drive the vehicle 
normally without ASC+T. 
Please consult your BMW center in the 
event of a malfunction. Refer to 
pages 21 and 22.
Deactivating the ASC+T Press the button; the indicator lamp 
comes on and stays on.
The illustration depicts the arrangement 
of the buttons if the vehicle is fully 
equipped. This may vary, depending on 
the equipment actually installed.
In the following exceptional situations, 
it may be effective to deactivate the 
ASC+T or DSC for a brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose 
surfaces.
>When driving with snow chains. 
Refer also to page 127.
To maintain vehicle stability, drive 
with the ASC+T activated when-
ever possible.<46cus044 

89n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
ASC+T DSC*Reactivating ASC+TPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with ASC+T. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. This is why you should not 
use the additional safety margin the 
system provides as an excuse to take 
risks.<
For additional details concerning 
ASC+T, please refer to the chapter 
"Advanced Technology" on page 189.
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability 
during acceleration and when starting 
from a full stop, as well as optimizing 
traction. In addition, it recognizes 
unstable vehicle conditions, such as 
understeering or oversteering, and, as 
far as is possible within the laws of 
physics, helps keeping the car on a 
steady course by reducing the RPMs 
and brake applications to the individual 
wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you 
start the engine. DSC includes the 
functions of ADB and CBC, refer to 
page 123.
The ADB (Automatic Differential 
Braking) copies the function of conven-
tional differential and transverse lock 
through brake intervention, and 
increases traction whenever conditions 
merit, e. g. when driving on snow-
covered roads.
If the DSC is switched off the ADB will 
still be in ready mode.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly 
after you switch on the ignition. 
Refer to page 21, 22.
Indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking 
forces. 
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the 
button; ADB is operational.
ADB control intervention is not indi-
cated.
The indicator and the brake 
warning lamps will remain on 
the continuously:
The DSC, ADB and DBC have 
been switched off via the button 
or are defective.
The vehicle will remain completely 
operational, however, without DSC. In 
the event of a fault, please see your 
BMW center. Refer to page 21, 22.
Indicator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.