
 
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 

 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Advanced technology
Technical data
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit138
Windshield wiper blades138
Lamps and bulbs138
Repairing a flat tire145
Battery148
Fuses151
Microfilter/Activated charcoal 
filter152
 
In case of 
electrical malfunction:
 
Fuel filler door152
Sliding/tilt sunroof153
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance:
 
Jump-starting154
Towing155Airbags158
Radio reception158
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)159
Safety belt tensioner159
M3 Engine concept160
Rain sensor160
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming 
feature161
Self-diagnostics162
Xenon lamps163Engine data166
Dimensions167
Weights168
Capacities169
Electrical system170
Drive belts170 

40n
Alarm system
* 
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the 
luggage compartment lid is opened.
>To movement inside the vehicle (inte-
rior motion sensor).
>Altering the angle of the vehicle tilt 
sensor, e. g. as would occur while 
attempting to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle (tilt sensor alarm system).
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustical alarm for 
30 seconds.
>Activating the hazard warning 
flashers for approx. five minutes.
>Flashing the high beams on and off in 
rhythm with the hazard warning 
flashers.
To activate and deactivate the 
alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
by using a key or the remote control, 
the alarm system is also simultaneously 
armed or disarmed.
The interior motion sensor and the 
alarm system tilt sensor are activated 
approx. 30 seconds after the last door 
has been locked.
If the alarm system has been armed 
correctly, the hazard warning flashers 
flash once.
You can have a signal set as 
acknowledgment for both setting 
and deactivating the alarm.<
You can also open the luggage 
compartment lid when the system is 
armed by pressing button 3 of the 
remote control (refer to page 34). When 
it is closed, the lid is once again 
secured.
Indicator lampThe indicator lamp is located under the 
interior rearview mirror.
>When the indicator lamp flashes 
continuously: the system is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes when it is 
armed: the door(s), the hood or 
luggage compartment lid are not 
completely closed. Even if you do not 
close the alerted area, the remaining 
areas are deadlocked, and the indi-
cator lamp flashes continuously after 
10 seconds. However, the interior 
motion sensor is not activated.
>If the indicator lamp goes out when 
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed. 

50n
MirrorsInterior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming featureBy responding to the effects of ambient 
light and the glare from following traffic, 
this mirror automatically dims through 
an infinitely variable range. 
The mirror switches to its clear, 
undimmed mode whenever you shift 
into reverse. 
There are two photocells for automatic 
dimming. One photocell (arrow) is posi-
tioned in the mirror's glass, while the 
other is slightly offset on the opposite 
side of the mirror. For further informa-
tion regarding the mirror's electro-
chromic technology, refer to page 161.
For the mirror to function properly, keep 
the photocells clean and the area 
between the inside rearview mirror and 
the windshield free of any obstruction, 
such as stickers etc. 
Sun visorsThe sun visors can be folded down 
toward the windshield or swiveled out 
against the side windows.Lighted vanity mirror
* 
Fold down the sun visor and slide the 
cover panel to the side as required.
The mirror lamps operate from ignition 
key position 1 on. 

51n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Seat and mirror memoryYou can store and recall three different 
driver's seat and outside mirror posi-
tions. The illustration shows the buttons 
located on the side of the seat.
The memory will not retain the 
adjustments made to the lumbar 
supports or the width of the back-
rests.<
If you press the 
M
EMORY button acci-
dentally: press the button again; the 
indicator lamp goes out.
To store1 Turn the key to ignition key position 
1 or 2
2 Adjust your seat and outside mirrors 
to the desired position
3 Press the
 M
EMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4 Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as 
desired: indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected seat movement.<
Convenience function:
1 The driver's door remains open after 
unlocking or the ignition key is in 
position 1
2 Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3, 
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when 
one of the seat-adjustment or 
memory buttons is activated during 
the adjustment process.
Security function:
1 The driver's door is closed and the 
ignition key is either removed or in 
position 0 or 2
2 Maintain pressure on the desired 
memory button 1, 2 or 3, until the 
adjustment process is completed.
Your can have your vehicle's 
systems adjusted in such a 
manner that your personalized settings 
are automatically set for the seat and 
outside mirror positions when you 
unlock the vehicle with your personal 
remote control.<
If you make use of this method of 
adjustment, be sure that the foot-
well behind the driver's seat is unob-
structed before unlocking the vehicle. If 
you fail to do so, any persons or objects 
behind the seat could be injured or 
damaged by a rearward movement of 
the seat.< 

66n
Washer/Wiper system/Rain sensorRain sensor
*  
When the rain sensor is activated, the 
windshield wiper is controlled automati-
cally, depending on the degree of 
wetness of the windshield (in both snow 
and rain). You do not have to be 
concerned with switching the wind-
shield wiper on or off or adjusting the 
wipe interval between intermittent and 
full wipe. Instead, you can concentrate 
fully on the traffic conditions. This is 
especially important under adverse 
weather conditions. 
The rain sensor is positioned on the 
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror. 
To activate the rain sensor: 
>From ignition key position 1, move 
the lever to position 1. The wipers 
travel once across the windshield, 
regardless of the weather. 
>You can leave the lever permanently 
in position 1. It is then only necessary 
to activate the rain sensor from igni-
tion key position 1. To do this
>give rotary dial 5 a quick turn or 
>clean the windshield 5, refer to 
page 66. 
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor: turn rotary dial 5.Deactivating the rain sensor: put lever 
in position 0.
Deactivate the rain sensor when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in 
damage caused by undesired wiper 
activation.< 
Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain 
sensor).Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the 
wipers operate at normal speed (not on 
vehicles with rain sensor).
0 Wipers retracted
1 Clean the windshieldClean the windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid onto 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period. 
If you only pull the lever briefly, the 
system sprays washer fluid onto the 
windshield without activating the 
wipers. 
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield. If you do so, 
your vision could be obscured. For this 
reason, use an antifreeze agent. Refer 
to page 122.  

157n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
Airbags158
Radio reception158
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)159
Safety belt tensioner159
M3 Engine concept160
Rain sensor160
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic dimming 
feature161
Self-diagnostics162
Xenon lamps163
Technology
Owner service procedures 

161n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Rain sensor
*
Interior rearview mirror, automatic dimming feature
 
When the "intermittent wiper" speed 
position is selected, the wiper reacts 
immediately if water is splashed onto 
the windshield from vehicles traveling 
ahead, for example. As a result, the rain 
sensor contributes to driving safety and 
comfort. 
The interior rearview mirror with auto-
matic dimming feature reduces blinding 
from following traffic by adapting the 
intensity of the reflected images to 
correspond to levels of light registered 
by the unit's sensors. The mirror reverts 
to its undimmed setting as soon as the 
light source disappears. One lamp 
sensor is mounted on the front of the 
mirror housing. This sensor is directed 
forward. It measures light intensity in the 
area ahead of the vehicle. The second 
sensor is integrated within the mirror's 
glass. The electronic control system 
compares the light intensity from front 
and rear. The difference provides the 
basic parameter used to modulate an 
electrical current and induce chemical 
changes in a semisolid layer incorpo-
rated in the mirror glass. 
The semisolid reacts chemically to this 
electrical current, thus providing infi-
nitely-variable dimming of the mirror 
(electrochromic technology). 
As a result, it is no longer necessary to 
dim the mirror manually, and the driver 
can concentrate completely on traffic 
conditions.