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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Parking brake The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe lock engages automatically when
you lift the lever, and the indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Refer to page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.520de024
If, in rare circumstances, it should
be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull hard on the lever.
Keep your thumb pressed against the
release button while carefully pulling
the lever up to apply moderate pres-
sure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces,
as selecting first gear or reverse may
not provide adequate resistance to
rolling.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.
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1 Odometer With the ignition key in position 0, you
can activate the displays shown in the
illustration by pressing the button in the
instrument cluster (arrow).2 Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero,
press the button (arrow) with the igni-
tion key in position 1.520us004
Never allow engine speed to climb until
the needle enters the tachometer's red
sector.
To protect the engine, the engine-
management system automatically
interrupts the fuel supply in this range,
producing the sensation of a sudden
loss of power.520de029
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
Once the indicator lamp comes on and
stays on, there are approx. 2.5 gallons
(10 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank.
For fuel tank capacity, refer to
page 157.
Certain operating conditions (such
as those encountered in mountainous
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving
to the last drop of fuel can result
in damage to the engine or catalytic
converter.<520us005
Odometer Tachometer Fuel gauge
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)The conceptRDW monitors the tire pressure in all
four wheels while driving. The system
provides an alert whenever the inflation
pressure drops significantly in one of
the tires.
For RDW to "learn" the correct tire infla-
tion pressure, check the inflation pres-
sure in all tires, comparing them with
the values in the inflation pressure table
(refer to page 27), and make correc-
tions as necessary. Then activate the
system.
The indicator lamp within the in-
strument cluster flashes to alert
you to substantial pressure loss
in any of the tires.
To activate the system 1 Turn the ignition key to position 2
2 Press the switch long enough for
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster to light up red for a few
seconds
3 RDW carries out an automatic
initialization process while you are
driving, and stores this data to aim for
optimal conditions. This one-time
"learning" process lasts at least
10 minutes, after which the RDW is
able to detect and report a flat tire.520de117
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement.
Do not reactivate the system after
periodic corrections of inflation pres-
sures to maintain them at the levels
stored during an earlier initialization
process.
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Side lamps (Side marker lamps)
With the switch in this position,
the front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
When leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti-
vating the lighting on just one side, refer
to page 70.
Low beam headlamps
When you switch off the ignition
and the low beams are still on,
only the side lamps (side marker
lamps) remain on.
520de036
"Follow-me-home lighting":
If you actuate the headlamp
flasher after you have parked the
vehicle and shut off the engine, the low
beams will remain on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.<
"LAMPS ON" warningIf you turn the ignition key to position 0,
an acoustic signal will sound for a few
seconds after the driver's door has
been opened if the low beam head-
lamps have not been switched off.Daytime running lamps
*
The headlamps are automatically
switched on for daylight driving when
ignition key is in position 2.
Turn the knob to adjust the lighting
intensity.520us008
Side lamps/Low beams Instrument panel lighting
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High beams/Parking lamps
Rear fog lamp Interior lamps
1 High beam (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Parking lampsParking lamp, left or rightWhen leaving the vehicle parked, you
also have the additional option of acti-
vating the lighting on just one side:
With the ignition key in position 0, move
the turn signal lever in the desired
direction (for left or right side); allow the
detent to engage.520de025
The yellow indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up
whenever the rear fog lamp is
switched on.
Obey the legal stipulations regarding
foglamp use.
520de039
The interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching the interior lamps on
and off manuallyTurn the knob.
If you want the interior lamps to
remain off, keep the knob turned for
approx. 3 seconds.
Turn the knob again to turn it back on.Footwell lampsThe footwell lamps operate in the same
way as the interior lamps.520de040
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Heating and ventilation/Air conditioner
If condensation starts to form on
window surfaces during operation
in the recirculated-air mode, switch it
off and return the ventilation system to
the incoming air mode; turn up the
blower and select the defroster if
necessary to clear the windows.<
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
This operation quickly
removes ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and
the side windows.
Rear window defroster
Whenever the hardtop is on,
the indicator lamp lights up
when the rear window
defroster is turned on. The rear window
defroster switches off automatically.
Refer to page 60.
The indicator lamp is always
active, however the rear window
defroster will not work if the hardtop is
not in place.<
Draft-free ventilation You can adjust the air outlets for the
upper body area for your personal
comfort:
Use rotary dials 1 to open and close the
air outlets through an infinitely-variable
range.520de043
You can adjust the direction of the
airflow using the levers 2.
Set the air outlets so that the air flows
past you and is not directed straight at
you.MicrofilterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the outside air. Your BMW center
will change this filter during routine
maintenance. A substantial reduction in
air flow indicates that the filter needs to
be replaced early.520de140
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IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storage compartmentsIn the center consoleTo open:
Flip the cover up (arrow 1) Ð access to
the ashtray and cigarette lighter.
When the glove compartment has been
unlocked, press the button (arrow 2) Ð
cellular phone holder.
To close:
Flip the cover back into place.Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
For operating
the cellular phone holder
,
refer to page 140.
520de050
Behind the seatsBy way of example, the illustration
shows the storage compartment behind
the driver's seat.
To open:
Unlock by turning the master key all the
way to the left.
The cover will open slightly and can
then be flipped all the way up.
To close:
Press down until you hear it snap into
place. The cover has been locked
again.
If you turn over only your door and
ignition key (refer to page 30) for
valet parking access is impossible.<520de082
Rechargeable flashlight Located in the storage compartment
behind the driver's seat.
Because of overload-protection, the
flashlight can remain in its holder.
Be sure that the flashlight is
switched off when it is inserted
into its holder. Failure to do so could
lead to overcharging and damage.<520de070
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Cigarette lighterPush down. You can remove the lighter
from its socket for use as soon as it
snaps back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette
lighter by the knob only. Holding
or touching it in other areas could result
in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been
removed. This is yet another reason you
should never allow unsupervised chil-
dren to remain alone in the vehicle.<520de053
Cigarette lighter socketThis socket is suitable for attaching
power supplies for flashlights, car
vacuum cleaners, or other appliances
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at
12 volts. Avoid damaging the socket by
inserting plugs of improper shapes or
sizes.