118n
Brake systemBrake fluid level
If the brake warning lamp
comes on with the parking
brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low in the
reservoir (refer to page 138).
If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become notice-
ably longer, there may be a defect in
one of the hydraulic circuits of the
brake system.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. Higher brake application
pressure may be necessary under these
conditions, and brake pedal travel may
be significantly longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
If the warning lamp for the brake
pads lights up:
Only the minimum pad thick-
ness still remains on the brake pads.
Proceed to the nearest BMW center
as soon as possible to have the pads
replaced.
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
approved for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
138n
Coolant Brake fluidAdding coolant Wait until the engine cools before
removing the cap from the expansion
tank. The needle of the coolant
temperature gauge in the instrument
cluster must be located in the blue
zone. If it is not, there is a danger of
scalding.
1 Turn the cap slightly counterclock-
wise in order to allow accumulated
pressure to escape. Then open.
2 If the coolant is low, slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached Ð do not overfill.
The coolant is a mixture of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. Always maintain the pre-
scribed all-season 50:50 mixture ratio
for year-round protection against inter-
nal corrosion. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every four years.If the brake warning lamp comes on
and the parking brake has been
released:
Check the brake fluid level and if nec-
essary, fill it back up to the "MAX" mark.
For adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss can result in extended
pedal travel. Comply with the informa-
tion provided on page 118.
460de128
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the
brake fluid changed every two years by
an authorized BMW center. Refer also
to the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models). Brake fluid is hazardous to
health and damages the vehicle's paint.
You should always store it in its original
container and in a location that is
inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the "MAX"
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable
environmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<
141n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washing your vehicle You can have your BMW washed in
an automatic car wash, even when it
is new. Car wash systems that do not
employ brushes are preferable.
Wipe away tough dirt and loosen and
remove dead insects before washing
the vehicle.
In order to avoid spots, do not wash the
vehicle when the hood is warm, or
during or immediately after exposure to
strong sunlight.
When using an automatic car wash, be
sure that:
>The car wash system is suited for the
dimensions of your vehicle.
>No damage will occur on vehicles
with attached body accessories (such
as spoilers or antennas). Consult the
car wash operator if necessary.
>The wheels and tires of your vehicle
cannot be damaged by the convey-
ance devices of the car wash system.
>The vehicle is cleaned with minimum
brush pressure, and that ample water
is available for washing and rinsing.Vehicles with rain sensor:
Clean the windshield regularly. Wax
from automatic car washes or insects
can cause malfunctions in the function
of the rain sensor.
Deactivate the rain sensor when
going through car washes (refer to
page 71), as otherwise the wipers could
be damaged if they inadvertently start
working.<
Parts of the vehicle that are inacces-
sible to the automatic washer Ð such as
door sills, door and hood edges, etc. Ð
should be cleaned by hand.
In the winter months, it is especially
important to be sure that the vehicle is
washed on a regular basis. Large quan-
tities of dirt and road salt are difficult to
remove, and they also damage the
vehicle.
If spray wands or high-pressure
washers are used, be sure to
maintain an adequate distance between
the spray source and the vehicle's
surface. Inadequate distance and
excessive pressure can damage or
weaken the finish, making it more
susceptible to subsequent attack.
In addition, moisture could penetrate to
vehicle components, leading to long-
term damage.<
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do
not wipe dry with a cloth (scratches).
Never use abrasives or strong solvents
to clean the covers. Remove dirt and
contamination (such as insects) by
soaking with BMW Car Shampoo and
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use
a scraper.<
After washing the vehicle, apply
the brakes briefly to dry them.
Braking efficiency might otherwise be
reduced by the moisture and the brake
rotors could also be corroded.<
Caring for your vehicle
157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Lamps and bulbsCenter (high-mount) brake lampLED light bar on the rear window.
Please contact a BMW center in the
event of a malfunction.462de268
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
1 Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to
release the lens.
2 Replace the bulb.460de047
Interior lamps Front:
Interior lamp (6 watt bulb)
Reading lamps (2 x 6 watt bulbs)
1 Using a screwdriver, press the lamp
out toward the front.
2 Turn the bulb holder to the left and
remove it.
3 Remove and replace the bulb.460de182
162n
Changing a wheel
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated lug wrench [torque specifi-
cation: 72 lb.ft (100Nm)] at the earliest
opportunity.<
When storing the wheel, be sure that
you do not damage the retaining pin in
the spare tire recess.
If light-alloy wheels other than original
BMW light-alloy wheels have been
mounted, it may be necessary to use
different lug bolts for those wheels.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
For black-painted aluminum wheels
*,
use only those balancing weights
approved by BMW for use with light-
alloy wheels. Never attempt to balance
these wheels using standard balance
weights.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Be aware that vehicle handling will be
altered. Slower brake response time,
longer braking distances and changed
steering characteristics may be anti-
cipated when approaching limit condi-
tions.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced in
conjunction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at a time. Mount
a wheel and tire with the same size
and specifications as the others at the
earliest possible opportunity. Maintain
correct tire pressures. Refer to
page 28.<
Everything from A to Z
193n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cargo
loading108
securing108
Caring for the vehicle's
finish143
Cassette operation, refer to
the Radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter113
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)21,116
CD operation, refer to the
Radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone104,121
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp157
Center 3-point-safety belt in
the rear106
Center armrest102
Central locking system34
button38
Changing a wheel159
Changing tires159
Check Control77
Child restraint systems56
Child seat56
Child seat security62
Cigarette lighter105
Cleaning headlamps72
Cleaning windshield71
Clock78 Clock, refer also to the Radio
or Onboard Monitor
Owner's Manual
Clothes hooks105
Cockpit16
Code, refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual
Coin box, cup holder103
Combination switch70
Compression184
Computer77
Computer, refer also to the
Onboard Monitor Owner's
Manual
Configure settings54
Consumption79
Consumption display76
Contents10
Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof34
windows34
Coolant119,137,187
antifreeze119
Coolant temperature
gauge76
Cooling system187
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)21,116
Cruise control73
Cruising range79
Curb weight186
Current, check indicator20
D
Data
dimensions185
engine184
technical184
weights186
Daytime-driving lamp87
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)116
Deep water113
Defroster, rear
window92,100
Defrosting the
windows94,99
Digital clock78
Dimensions185
Dipstick135
Disc brakes117
Displacement184
Display lighting87
Displays18
Distance warning81
Diversity Antenna
system176
Divided rear backrest106
Door key32
Door locks, care119
Doors
emergency operation34
remote control35
unlocking and locking34
DOT Quality Grades123 Draft-free
ventilation93,100
Drive belts188
Driving hints113
Driving in winter119
Driving lamps87
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)22,82,175
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)116
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22,82,175
E
Electric power seat50
Electric power windows44
Electrical accessories,
failure166
Electrical system188
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer33
Elements of operation16
Emergency operation
doors34
fuel filler door167
slidling/tilt sunrrof167
Energy Control75
Engine compartment132
Engine coolant137,187
Engine data184
Everything from A to ZEngine oil135
adding135
capacity187
consumption135
level check135
pressure20
quality136
specifications136
viscosity136
Engine speed184
Engine, starting63
Engine, switching off64
Entry to the rear49
Exterior mirrors52
Eyelets, towing169 F
Failure messages77
Fault displays77
Fault, ABS116
Filling capacities187
Filling the washer
reservoir187
First-aid kit25
Fittings, towing and tow
starting169
Flashlight102
Flat tire122,159
Floor mat41
Floor panel, lift and hook41
Fog lamps88 Folding rear backrest106
Follow-Me-Home lamps87
Footbrake117
Footwell lamps88
bulb replacement158
Front fog lamps, bulb
replacement155
Front seat, adjusting47
Frost protection,
radiator137
Fuel27
Fuel consumption79
Fuel consumption
display76
Fuel filler cap26
Fuel filler door26
unlock in case of electrical
fault167
Fuel gauge76
Fuel quality27
Fuel reserve indicator
lamp76
Fuel specifications27
Fuel tank capacity187
Fuel tank gauge76
Functional status180
Fuses166
G
Gasoline27
Gasoline gauge76
Glove compartment102
Glove compartment lamp
bulb replacement158
Gross vehicle weight186 H
Handbrake65
Handsfree system104
Hazard warning flashers25
Hazard warning triangle25
Head restraints48
Headlamp cover,
care141,153
Headlamp flasher70,88
Headlamp washer
system72,134,187
Headlamps87
Heated seats101
Heating, rapid94
Heavy loads108
Height185
HiFi system Ð harman
kardon101
High beams23,70,88
bulb replacement153
High Performance Synthetic
Oil136
High-mount brake lamp157 Hood130
release130
Horn17
Hubcap161
Hydraulic Brake assistent,
refer to DBC
I
Ice warning79
Icy roads79
Identification,
tires125,127
Ignition key32
Ignition lock63
Imprint4
Indicator lamps20
Inflation
pressure27,85,122
monitoring27,85,179
INSPECTION76
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel16,18
Instrument panel lighting87
Interaxle tire rotation124
Interface socket for Onboard
Diagnostics149
Interference, cellular
phones121
Interior lamps36,88
bulb replacement157
remote control36
Everything from A to Z
195n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Interior motion
sensor36,43
Interior rearview mirror53
automatic dimming
feature53,177
Interlock63
Intermittent wipe70 J
Jack159
Jump-starting168 K
Key Memory54
Keys32
with remote control32 L
Lamp switch87
Lamps152
LAMPS ON warning87
Lashing eyes108
LATCH attachment of the
child seat60
Leather care145
Length185
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement157
Lift the floor panel up and
hook it41 Light switch87
Light-alloy wheel127
Lighter105
Loads, securing108
Load-securing devices108
Louvers90,96
Low beams87
bulb replacement153
Lug bolts161
Lug wrench160
Luggage compartment41
capacity186
floor mat41
remote control37
secure separately39
Luggage compartment
lamps, bulb
replacement158
Luggage compartment
lid39
emergency release39
Luggage compartment
lighting39
Luggage rack109
Lumbar support49
M
M+S tires126
Maintenance76
Malfunction displays77
Manual transmission66 Manually controlled
recirculated-air99
Memory51
MFL (Multi-function steering
wheel)24
Microfilter93,166
Mirror memory51
Mirrors52
Mobile phones121
Modifications,
technical6,148
Multi-function steering
wheel (MFL)24
N
Navigation system, refer to
the Onboard Monitor
Owner's Manual
Neckrest48 O
OBD interface socket149
Obstruction protection44
Odometer75
Oil
additives135
capacity187
consumption135
dipstick135
quality136
specifications136
viscosity136 Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet/
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet
Oil filter change187
Oil level
check135
indicator lamp20
Oil pressure, indicator
lamp20
OILSERVICE76
Onboard tool kit152
Opening and closing
from the inside38
from the outside34
Outside temperature
display78
P
Paint blemishes142
Paint, care142
Paintwork
minor repairs143
waxing143
Park Distance Control
(PDC)81
Parking aid81
Parking brake65
Parking lamps88
Parking, winter120