
11n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beam
headlamps84
Instrument lighting84
High beams/Parking lamps85
Fog lamps85
Interior lamps86
Reading lamps86
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control88
Heated seats93
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment94
Storage compartments95
Cellular phone96
Ashtray, front96
Cigarette lighter97
Ashtray, rear97
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag98
Cargo loading100
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop101
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phone112
Radio reception112
Hardtop113
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Tire rotation117
Wheel and tire
combinations118
Special features of winter
tires119
Snow chains119
Approved wheel and tire
specifications120
Under the hood:
Hood121
Engine compartment124
Washer fluids126
Washer nozzles126
Engine oil127
Coolant129
Brake fluid130
Vehicle Identification130
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System131
Caring for your vehicle132
Cleaning and caring for the
convertible top137
Airbags139
Storing your vehicle140
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications141
California Proposition 65
Warning141
OBD connector142

79n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The conceptThe PDC assists you when you back
into a parking space. A signal warns
you of the distance to an obstacle.
To do this, four ultrasonic sensors in
the rear bumper measure the distance
to the nearest object. The range for the
sensors located at both rear corners
ends approx. 2 ft. (60 cm) behind
the bumpers. The range for the two
middle sensors is approx. 4.9 feet
(1.50 meters).
The system is activated automatically
about one second after you engage
reverse with the ignition key in
position 2. PDC is deactivated when
you shift back out of reverse.
Acoustic signalsThe distance to the nearest object is
indicated by a tone sounding at various
intervals. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 1 ft.
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is interrupted after
approx. three seconds if the distance to
the obstacle remains constant during
this time (if you are moving parallel to
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated
by a continuous high-pitched tone
when the system is activated the first
time. Please refer the problem to your
BMW center.The PDC does not remove the
driver's personal responsibility for
evaluating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when
sensors are involved, there is a blind
spot in which objects cannot be
detected. This applies especially in
those cases where the system
approaches the physical limits of ultra-
sonic measurement, as occurs with tow
bars and trailer couplings, and in the
vicinity of thin and painted objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a
loud radio, could drown out the PDC
signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free
of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance of more
than 4 in (10 cm).<
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
103n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures104
Driving notes105
Catalytic converter105
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)106
Disc brakes108
Brake system109
Winter operation110
Power steering112
Cellular phone112
Radio reception112
Hardtop113
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressures115
Tire condition115
Tire replacement116
Tire rotation117
Wheel and tire
combinations118
Special features of winter
tires119
Snow chains119
Approved wheel and tire
specifications120Under the hood:
Hood121
Engine compartment124
Washer fluids126
Washer nozzles126
Engine oil127
Coolant129
Brake fluid130
Vehicle Identification
Number130
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System131
Caring for your vehicle132
Cleaning and caring for the
convertible top137
Airbags139
Storing your vehicle140
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications141
California Proposition 65
Warning141
OBD connector142
Car care

167n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
Airbags168
Radio reception169
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)170
Safety belt tensioner170
M3 Engine concept171
Rain sensor172
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic dimming
feature173
Xenon lamps174
Rollover protection system175
Tech-
Owner service procedures

169n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
The AM frequency bands (medium-
wave, long-wave and short-wave) allow
the reception of stations from great
distances because the broadcast
signals – propagated at ground level in
the form of surface waves – are also
reflected from the ionosphere as atmo-
spheric waves.
Frequency-modulation (FM) provides
substantially better sound quality than
the other frequencies. However,
because FM transmissions rely on line-
of-sight broadcast waves, their effec-
tive reception range is limited.
The limitations inherent to radio recep-
tion in a moving vehicle have been
minimized by a number of innovative
systems:
The "Radio Data System" (RDS) makes
sure that, for broadcast stations
sending on several frequencies, the
radio automatically tunes to the
frequency with the best reception
quality.
The Diversity Antenna integrates
several FM antennas within the
convertible top compartment lid to
provide three separate sources for
receiving broadcast waves. An integral
processor automatically selects the
antenna with the best FM reception
quality at any given time. The selection
of the antenna takes place within milli-
seconds, and is therefore not noticed
by the radio listener.
Radio reception

Everything from A to Z
187n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car telephone96
Car wash132
Care
convertible top137
exterior133
interior134
upholstery135
wool velour135
Cargo loading100
Cassette operation, refer to
the radio Owner's Manual
Catalytic converter105
starting problems105
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)107
warning lamp21
CD operation, refer to the
radio Owner's Manual
Cellular phone96, 112
refer also to the separate
Owner's Manual
Center armrest95
Center brake lamp151
Central locking system33
key38
Check Control76t
Checking brake fluid
level130t
Checking coolant
level129t
Checking engine oil
level127tChild restraint systems58
Child seat security60
Cigarette lighter97
Cleaning headlamps71
Cleaning windshield70
Clock76
refer to the "Radio and
Information Systems"
Owner's Manual or to the
"Onboard Computer"
Owner's Manual
Cockpit16
Code, refer also to the radio
Owner's Manual
Coin holder95
Combination switch69
Compression178
Computer77
refer to the "Onboard
Computer" Owner's
Manual
Configuring settings
car memory, key
memory55
Connecting portable vacuum
cleaner97
Consumption78
Consumption display74
Convertible top
compartment panel41
electrical defect162tfold down convertible top
compartment base41
operation45
Coolant110, 125t, 129
antifreeze110
temperature gauge74
Cooling system181
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)107
warning lamp21
Cruise control71
Cruising range78
Cup holder, refer to
Beverage holder
Curb weight180
DDash panel lighting84
Dashboard16
Data
dimensions179
engine178
technical178
vehicle performance181
weights180
Data link connector for
onboard diagnosis142
Daylight driving lamps
switch84
Deep water105
Defrost position91tDefrostable rear window92
Defrosting, windows91t
Difficult steering112t
Digital clock76
Dimensions179
Dipstick127
Disarm tilt alarm
sensor43t
Disc brakes108
Displacement178
Display lighting84
Displays18
Disposal of used
batteries159t
Disposal of used engine
oil128t
Distance warning79
Diversity Antenna169
Door locks, care110
Doors
emergency lock
operation34t
keys32
manual opening and
closing34
opening and closing via
remote control35
unlocking and locking35
DOT Quality Grades116
Draft-free ventilation92
Drive belts182
Driving in winter110

Everything from A to Z
191n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
SSafety belt tensioner170
Safety belts57
seat-integrated safety
belts (SGS)51
Safety buttons38
Safety defects, reporting7
Seat heating93
Seat memory54
Seat-integrated safety belts
(SGS)51
Seats, adjusting48
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet131
Service Interval
Display75, 131
Service Manual131
Side airbags61
Side impact61
Side marker lamps84
lamp malfunction147t
Side turn signals, bulb
replacement148t
Ski bag98
Snow chains110, 119, 120
Socket97
Spark plugs182
Speaker96
Special features of winter
tires119
Speedometer18Sport mode
identification83
Sports seat49
Starting
problems67t, 105
Starting the engine66
Steering112
Steering lock66
Steering wheel
adjusting55
refer also to Multifunction
steering wheel (MFL)24
Stopping the vehicle67
Storage compartments95
Storing your vehicle140
Stowing cargo100
Stroke178
Summer tires118, 120
Sun visors53
Surface ice warning77
Switching off the engine67
Symbols, used4
Synthetic oils128
TTachometer73
Tail lamps149
replacing bulbs149t
Tank capacity181
Technical data178
Technical
modifications6, 141Telephone hookup96
Temperature display
ice warning77
interior temperature90
outside temperature77
Temperature gauge
engine coolant74
Temperature layering92
Tilt alarm36, 43
remote control36
Tire
codes118, 120
condition115
damage115t
failure, repairing153
inflation pressure28, 115
pressure monitor81
pressure
specifications28
replacement116
rotation117
summer117
treads115
wear indicator115
winter117
Tire and wheel
specifications120
Tire Pressure Warning
(RDW)81
indicator lamp22
Tire Quality Grading116
Tires and wheels118Tools146t
Torque178
Tow fittings165t
Towing eyelets165
Towing the vehicle165t
Track179
Traction Control System
refer to DSC80
Transmission68
Transporting children
safely58
Tread depth, tire115
Trip odometer73
Trunk, refer to luggage
compartment40
Turn signal indicator23, 69
bulb replacement148t
Turning radius179
Two-way radios112
UUniform Tire Quality
Grading116
Used batteries,
disposal159t
Used engine oil,
disposal128tVVacuum cleaner97
Vehicle battery157