Page 10 of 183

 
Contents
 
Overview
Controls and features
 
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)23
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
 
Opening and closing:
 
Keys30
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer31
Central locking system31
Opening and closing Ð 
via the door lock32
Opening and closing Ð 
via the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð 
from the inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Luggage compartment39
Alarm system40
Electric power windows42
Sliding/tilt sunroof43
 
Adjustments:
 
Seats45
Mirrors49
Seat and mirror memory51
Steering wheel52
Car Memory, Key Memory52
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Safety belts54
Airbags56
Transporting children safely59
 
Driving:
 
Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher65
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor65
Rear window defroster67
Cruise control67
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer69
Tachometer69
Engine oil temperature gauge69
Fuel gauge70
Coolant temperature gauge70
Service Interval Display71
Check Control72
Computer72
 
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)75
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)76
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)78
M Engine dynamics control80
 
Contents 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 17 of 183
 
17n
 
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
 
Cockpit
 
1 Side lamps/Low beams81
2
 
d
 
Turn signal indicator65
 
>
 
Parking lamp82
 
>
 
High beams82
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher65
 
>
 
Computer72
3 Washer/Wiper system65
4 Hazard warning flashers24
5 Shift lever64 
6 Rear window defroster67
7 Central locking system31
8 Adjusting steering wheel52
9 Horn, entire surface
10 Fog lamps82 
         
        
        
     
        
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22n
Indicator and warning lamps
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW) l 
RDW has been switched off or 
has been deactivated because 
of a malfunction. In the event of a 
malfunction, have the system checked 
by your BMW center. 
For additional information, refer to 
pages 26, 78.
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) l 
The indicator lamp flashes when 
the system is active and governs drive 
force and braking force. 
If the indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine is started, or if it comes on 
during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been switched off via the 
button or because of a malfunction. 
In the event of a malfunction, have the 
system checked by the nearest BMW 
center.
For additional information, refer to 
page 76 and on.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. 
Top up the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 122.
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 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 135.
Warning lamp: Service Engine 
Soon for Canadian models.
Engine electronics l 
There is a fault in the engine's 
electronic control system. The 
electronics allow for continued driving 
with reduced engine output or speed. 
Please have the system inspected by 
your BMW center. 
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. 
Add coolant at the earliest 
opportunity. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 125.
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 65.
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated. Available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel (MFL). 
For additional information, refer to 
page 67.
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever fog lamps 
are on. 
For additional information, refer to 
page 82.
Blue: for your information
High beams
Lights up when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated. 
For additional information, refer to 
pages 65, 82. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 29 of 183

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
29n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Driving:
Steering/Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake63
Manual transmission64
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher65
Wiper/Washer system/Rain 
sensor65
Rear window defroster67
Cruise control67
Everything under control:
Odometer69
Tachometer69
Engine oil temperature gauge69
Fuel gauge70
Coolant temperature gauge70
Service Interval Display71
Check Control72
Computer72
Technology for driving comfort 
and safety:
Park Distance Control (PDC)75
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)76
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)78
M Engine dynamics control80Lamps:
Side lamps/Low beams81
Instrument lighting81
High beams/Parking lamp82
Fog lamps82
Interior lamps82
Reading lamps83
Controlling the climate 
for pleasant driving:
Automatic climate control84
Heated seats89
Roller sun blind89
Interior conveniences:
HiFi system90
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments91
Cellular phone92
Ashtray, front92
Cigarette lighter93
Ashtray rear 93
Clothes hooks94
Loading and transporting 
cargo:
Through-loading system95
Ski bag96
Cargo loading97
Roof-mounted luggage rack98 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 65 of 183
65n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher  Washer/Wiper system1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator 
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
accompanied by periodic clicking 
sound from the relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released. 
If the flashing indicator lamp and 
the clicking from the relay are 
both faster than normal, one of the turn 
signal indicators has failed.< 
0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor 
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe
5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe 
interval or the sensitivity of the rain 
sensorIntermittent mode(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
You can set the wipe interval at four 
stages with rotary dial 5. In addition, the 
wipe interval is varied automatically 
depending on road speed. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 67 of 183

67n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Washer/Wiper system Rear window defroster  Cruise control Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty, since this could cause 
damage to the washer pump.
*
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned every fifth time the automatic 
windshield washer is activated.Windshield washer jetsThe windshield washer jets are warmed 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
To activatePress the button: as long as the indi-
cator lamp remains on, the rear window 
defroster continues at high output 
(rapid thaw). 
After the indicator lamp goes out, the 
defroster continues operating at 
reduced power for a limited period 
before deactivating automatically. To deactivateIf the indicator lamp is still on, press the 
button.
Starting at about 20 mph (30 km/h), you 
can maintain and store any vehicle 
speed that you specify. 
You can use cruise control whenever 
the system is active while the engine is 
running.
1 Accelerate and store
2 Decelerate and store
3 Activate/interrupt/deactivate the 
system
4 Recall the stored speed.To activate the system From ignition key position 2.
Press switch  3 and the indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster (refer to page 22) 
will come on. You can now use the 
cruise control. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 72 of 183

72n
DisplayThe following information or conditions 
are displayed from ignition key posi-
tion 2 until the cause has been 
corrected: 
1 Inspect the low beam and high beam 
headlamps, as well as the side lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check brake and tail lamps. 
After completion of a trip and upon 
opening the driver's door, an acoustic 
signal will sound yet not be displayed, if 
the low beam headlamps have not been 
turned off.
Mode selectionWith the ignition key in position 1 and 
higher, you can use the button in the 
turn signal lever to retrieve information 
from the computer for display in the 
instrument cluster. By pressing the 
button briefly in the direction of the 
steering column, you can call up a 
new function for display. 
The displays appear in the following 
order:
Time of day, outside temperature, 
average fuel consumption, cruising 
range, average vehicle speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the 
last active setting is displayed.
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can set the time of day, including 
for the car radio display, as follows.
Check Control Computer
  
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 81 of 183

81n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps
With the switch in this position, 
the front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting comes on. You can use 
the side marker lamps for parking. 
Refer to page 82 for one-sided lighting 
as an additional possibility for parking.
Low beam headlamps 
When you switch the ignition off 
with the low beam headlamps 
on, only the side lamps will 
remain on.
"Follow-Me-Home" lamps: 
If you activate the headlamp 
flasher after you have parked the 
vehicle, the low beam lamps will remain 
on for a short period of time. You may 
also have this function deactivated if 
you wish.<
"LIGHTS ON" warningWhenever you open the driver's door, 
after having turned the ignition key to 
position 0, you will hear a buzzing 
sound for a few seconds to remind you 
that the lamps have not been switched 
off.Daytime running lamps
*
If you desire, the lamp switch can be 
left in the second position. When the 
ignition is switched off, the external 
lighting is also switched off.
Turn the rotary dial to control the 
lighting when the side or low beam 
lamps are on.
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument lighting