
77n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner Seat heatingRapid heating 1 Set the rotary blower switch to
position 3 for air intake
2 Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the right
3 Rotary control for air distribution to
position
4 Select incoming air mode.520de045
HeatingWhen the windows are free of ice and
condensation, we recommend the
following settings:
1 Set the blower speed control for the
air flow rate to position 2
2 Use the rotary temperature control to
select an interior temperature which
is comfortable for you
3 Rotary control for air distribution in
position .520de047
The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated when the ignition key is in
position 2.
By repeatedly pressing the button, you
can select one of three different opera-
tion modes:
>Two indicator lamps on: heating at
high temperature
>One indicator lamp on: heating at low
temperature
>Indicator lamps off: seat heating
deactivated.520de048

87n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Brakes:
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Even light but
consistent pressure on the brake pedal
could lead to high temperatures, brake
wear, and possibly, to brake system
failure.
Aquaplaning:
Reduce speed while driving on wet or
slushy roads, otherwise, a wedge of
water can form between the tires and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as "aquaplaning" or "hydro-
planing." It is characterized by a partial
or complete loss of contact between
the tires and the road surface. The ulti-
mate results are loss of steering and
braking control.
Driving through water:
When there is water on the roads, do
not drive in it if it is deeper than 1 ft
(30 cm), and even then, only at walking
speed, otherwise the vehicle can
sustain damage to the engine, the elec-
trical systems and the transmission.<
The catalytic converter reduces harmful
exhaust emissions.
It is designed for use with unleaded fuel
only. Even minute quantities of lead
would be enough to permanently
damage both the catalytic converter
and the system oxygen sensor.To ensure efficient, trouble-free engine
operation and to avoid potential damage:>Be sure to comply with the scheduled
maintenance requirements
>Fill the fuel tank well before it is empty
>Tow-start only when the engine is
cold. If you attempt to tow-start with
a warm engine, unburned residual
fuel in the catalytic converter could
ignite and cause damage. It is better
to start the vehicle with a battery
charger or assistance from another
vehicle
>Avoid other situations where the fuel
is either not burned or burns incom-
pletely, such as engaging the starter
frequently or for extended periods, or
repeated start attempts in which the
engine does not start (stopping and
restarting an engine which is running
properly does not present a pro-
blem). Never allow the engine to run
with any of the spark plug cables
disconnected.Be sure to comply with the
instructions above to prevent
unburned fuel from reaching the cata-
lytic converter. Otherwise, there is the
danger of overheating and damage to
the catalytic converter.
Extreme temperatures are present with
the catalytic converter both on this and
every catalytic converter-equipped
vehicle. Heat shields are installed adja-
cent to some sections of the exhaust
system. Never remove these shields;
do not apply undercoating to their
surfaces. When driving, standing at
idle, and parking the vehicle, take care
to avoid contact between the exhaust
system and flammable materials (grass,
hay, leaves etc.). Such contact could
start a fire, resulting in serious personal
injury and property damage.<
Driving notes Catalytic converter

91n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Disc brakes Brake systemDriving notesWhen driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is advisable to apply light pres-
sure to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this braking process helps
dry the pads and rotors.
Maximum braking force is obtained
while the wheels are not locked, but
rather when they are still barely turning
immediately prior to locking. ABS main-
tains this state automatically. If the ABS
fails, you should revert to the staggered
braking technique (refer to page 93).
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely
with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times.
You can enhance the engine's braking
effect by engaging a lower gear, down-
shifting as far as first gear when
descending extremely steep slopes. Even if engine braking fails to slow the
vehicle sufficiently, you should still
make every effort to avoid prolonged
braking with continuous application of
low to moderate pressure at the pedal.
It is better to decelerate the vehicle by
applying a higher level of force at the
pedal (watch following traffic!) and then
subsequently pausing to allow the
brakes to cool briefly before starting on
your next braking cycle. By protecting
brake system components against
overheating, the cooling phases
afforded by this staggered, or intermit-
tent braking technique help maintain
consistent availability of optimal braking
response when it is needed.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed, the gear-shift lever in
neutral, or, above all, with the engine
off; otherwise, the engine will provide
no braking effect if the transmission is
in neutral, and there is no braking or
steering power assist if the engine is
not running. Never allow floor mats,
carpets or any other objects to obstruct
the accelerator, clutch or brake pedals
and pose a safety hazard by reducing
their available travel range.<
Brake fluid level
The brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake
released:
The brake fluid level in the reser-
voir is too low, refer to page 112.
If the brake fluid level is too low
and brake pedal travel has become
noticeably longer, there may be a
defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
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.<

99n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Avoid overloading the vehicle so
that the permitted load on the tires
is not exceeded. Overloading can lead
to overheating and increases the rate
at which damage develops inside the
tires. You could have a blowout as a
result.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate
tire failure or some other vehicle defect,
as can variations in normal vehicle
response, such as a pronounced
tendency to pull to the left or right.
Should this occur, respond by immedi-
ately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest BMW center or
professional tire center, or have the
vehicle towed in to have it and its tires
inspected.
Tire damage can endanger the lives of
both the vehicle occupants and other
road users.<
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufac-
turer. BMW tests and approves wheel/
tire combinations. Refer to page 103.DOT Quality GradesTread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger vehicle tires
must conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these
grades.
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1g) times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering,
aquaplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Tire condition Tire replacement

Everything from A to ZFog lamp, bulb
replacement131t
Follow-Me-Home
lamps49, 69
Footbrake90
Footwell lamps70
bulb replacement132t
Front seat adjustment45
Frost protection,
radiator111
Fuel26
gauge62
indicator62
quality26
Fuel filler door
manual release after
electrical fault140t
Fuel tank capacity157
Fuel-injection system154
Fuses138GGasoline26
quality26
Glove compartment78
bulb replacement133t
Gross vehicle weight156
HHand lamp79
Handbrake57
Handsfree car phone
system81
Hardtop96
Hazard warning
flashers24t
Hazard warning
triangle24t
Head restraint46
Headlamp covers,
care115t, 129t
Headlamp flasher70
Headlamp washer
system60, 108, 157
Headlamps70
Headlight glare in rearview
mirror48
Heated mirrors47
Heated seats77
Heating and ventilation72
Heating, rapid77
Heavy loads83
Height155
High beams23, 58, 70
Holder for beverage
cans80
Hood release104t, 104
Horn17
Hydraulic system88, 91
IIdentification, tires101
Ignition keys30
Ignition lock55
Imprint4
Incoming air mode74
Indicator lamps20
Inflation pressure26t, 98
monitoring67
INSPECTION63
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel lighting69
Instruments18
Interaxle tire rotation100
Interface socket for On-
Board-Diagnostics124
Interference
cellular phone94
radio reception94
Interior lamps34, 70
bulb replacement133t
remote control34
Interior motion sensor38
deactivating34
Interior rearview mirror
with automatic
dimmer48, 150
Intermittent mode of wiper
system59
JJump starting143KKey Memory48
Key with remote control30
Keys30LLamps and bulbs129t
Leather care120
Length155
License plate, bulb
replacement131t
Light switch69
Light-alloy wheels103
Lighter82
Loading83
Lock deicer92
Louvers72
Low beam headlamps69
Low traction road
surfaces93
Luggage compartment37
bulb replacement134t
capacity156
remote control35
Luggage compartment
lid37
emergency release37t

Everything from A to Z
165n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
MM+S tires102
Maintenance63
Malfunction, ABS89
Manual transmission58
Map lamps71
Microfilter75
Mirrors47
Mobile phones94
Modifications,
technical6, 123
Multi-Information Radio
(MIR)64NNavigation system, refer to
the radio Owner's Manual
Neckrest46
Neon lamps129OOBD interface socket124
Odometer62
Oil
additives109
consumption109
fill capacity157
quality110
specifications110
viscosity110Oil change intervals, see the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick109
Oil filter change157
Oil level
check109
indicator lamp21
Oil pressure
indicator lamp20
OILSERVICE63
Onboard tool kit128t
Opening and closing
from inside36
from outside32
Operation in winter92
Outlets, ventilation72
Outside temperature
display64
PPaint, care117
Paintwork
minor repairs118
waxing118
Parking brake57
Parking lamps70
Parking, winter93Performance154
Phone, refer to cellular
phone94
Pocket flashlight79
Pollen75
Power steering94
Power windows40
Pressure tires26t, 98
monitoring67
RRadio64, 94
refer also to the radio
Owner's Manual
Radio reception94, 148
Rapid heating77
RDW (Tire Pressure
Warning)67
Reading lamps71
Rear fog lamp70
bulb replacement131t
Rear window
defroster60, 75
Rearview mirror47
Recirculated air mode74
Refill washer
reservoir108t
Refueling25
Remaining fuel indicator62
Remote control33Removing condensation
from the windows75t
Removing the vehicle from
storage122
Replacement keys30
Replacing fuses138t
Replacing lamps and
bulbs129t
Replacing windshield wiper
blades128t
Replenish washer
fluid108t
Reporting Safety Defects7
Restraint systems53
Return used
batteries138t
Reverse17, 58
Roof load capacity156
Rotating the tires100
Rubber parts92
SSafety belt tensioner149
Safety belts50
Safety buttons36
Seat adjustment45
Seat heating77
Securing cargo83
Self-defrosting mirrors47
Service Booklet114