
 
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 

 
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 

 
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.
 
< 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Many of the systems of your BMW 
monitor themselves automatically, both 
during engine starts and while you are 
driving. Indicator and warning lamps 
that are identified by "
 
l
 
" are tested for 
proper functioning whenever the igni-
tion key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge 
 
l
 
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. There is a malfunction 
of the alternator V-belt or in the 
charging circuit of the alternator. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the V-belt is defective, do not 
continue driving, otherwise, the 
engine could be damaged due to over-
heating. If the V-belt is defective, 
increased steering effort is also 
required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
  
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil and top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving. If you do 
so, the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication.
 
< 
Tire Pressure Control (RDC) l
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has 
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately to stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information, refer to 
page 91.
Brake warning lamp l 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged:
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to read the 
notes on pages 126 and 148.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models. 

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. 

25n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Hazard warning flashers  Warning triangle
* 
First-aid kit
* 
The button flashes on and off when the 
hazard warning flashers are on.
To help you locate the switch in an 
emergency, the button is also illumi-
nated whenever the vehicle's lamps are 
on.
The turn signal indicator function 
takes precedence over the hazard 
warning flashers function. Starting from 
ignition key position 1, you are there-
fore able to use the turn signal 
indicators, even if the hazard warning 
flashers have been activated.< 460us002
The warning triangle is stored in a 
recess on the left-hand side of the 
luggage compartment where it is 
quickly available.
To open the container, loosen the wing 
nut.
Comply with legal requirements 
that cover the availability of a 
warning triangle in the vehicle.<46cde028
The first-aid kit is located under the 
passenger seat.
To open: reach into the recess and pull 
the cover down.
To close: raise the cover until it clicks 
into place.
Some of the articles in the first-aid 
kit may be used within a limited 
time only. For this reason, check the 
expiration dates of each of the items 
regularly, and replace any with passed 
dates. You can purchase replacements 
in any drugstore or pharmacy. 
Comply with legal requirements that 
cover the availability of a first aid-kit in 
the vehicle.< 46cde084 

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 

34n
Central locking system Opening and closing Ð from the outside The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door 
is closed. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door 
>glove compartment
at the same time.
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the door lock and 
using the remote control
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock 
the fuel filler door (see page 38). When 
the system is actuated from the 
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door 
locks and the safety lock buttons 
remain locked. The alarm system is also 
armed or disarmed.
The central locking system unlocks 
automatically in the event of an acci-
dent. In addition, the hazard warning 
flashers and interior lamps come on.
Using the keyTurning the key once in the driver-side 
door will unlock only the driver's door. 
Turning the key a second time will 
unlock the passenger-side door, the 
luggage compartment lid, the fuel filler 
door and the glove compartment.
You can have a signal set as an 
acknowledgment message that 
the vehicle is closed correctly.<460de006
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power 
windows and the fully automatic 
convertible top from the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Unlock" position.
>To close: with the door closed, turn 
the key to the "Lock" position and 
hold it.
Watch during the closing process 
to be sure that no one is injured. 
Releasing the key stops the operation.
to unlock/lock the door.