
11n
Controls and features
Operation, care and maintenance
Lamps:
Side lamps/low beams69
Instrument panel lighting69
High beams/parking lamps70
Rear fog lamp70
Interior lamps70
Reading lamps71
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner72
Seat heating77
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment78
Storage compartments78
Drink holder80
Cellular phone81
Ashtray81
Cigarette lighter82
Loading and transporting:
Cargo loading83
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures86
Driving notes87
Catalytic converter87
Antilock Brake System (ABS)88
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)90
Disc brakes90
Brake system91
Winter operation92
Power steering94
Cellular phone94
Radio reception94
Wind deflector95
Hardtop96
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure98
Tire condition98
Tire replacement99
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Special features of winter
tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103
Under the hood:
Hood104
Engine compartment106
Washer fluids108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113
Maintenance and care:
The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags121
Vehicle storage122
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications123
California Proposition 65
Warning123
OBD interface socket124

19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp for
fuel reserve62
2 Speedometer with indicator and
warning lamps for
>
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)22
>
Engine electronics22
3 Instrument panel lighting69
4 Tachometer62
with indicator and warning lamps
for:
>
Battery charge current20
>
Convertible top operation41
>
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)20
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)21
>
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
system/Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)20
>
Service Engine Soon22
>
Engine oil pressure/Engine oil
level20, 21
5 Coolant temperature gauge with
"Coolant temperature too high"
warning lamp63
6 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Rear fog lamp22
>
Turn signal, right23
7 Clock648 Control knob for:
>
Clock64
>
Trip odometer, reset to zero62
9 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Please fasten safety belts21
>
High beam23
>
Airbags21
10 Indicator for:
>
Odometer62
>
Trip odometer62
>
Service Interval63
11 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Turn signal, left23
>
Brake pads22

20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Many of the systems for your BMW
monitor themselves automatically, both
during engine starts and while you are
driving. Indicator and warning lamps
identified by "
l
" are tested for proper
operation whenever the ignition key is
turned. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
The indicator lamps signal defects in
monitored systems either by remaining
lit after the engine is started or by
coming on in the course of normal
vehicle operation. Refer to the following
section for detailed information on how
to respond to the various types of warn-
ings.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
The alternator is no longer
charging the battery. Indicates a
defect in the alternator drive belt or the
charging circuit. Please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Never attempt to continue driving
if the V-belt is defective: the
engine could overheat and sustain
serious damage. A broken or damaged
V-belt will also lead to a sudden
increase in steering effort.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop vehicle and switch off
engine immediately. Check the
engine oil level and top up as required.
If the oil level is correct, please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving. The
engine could sustain damage
owing to inadequate lubrication.
<
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)
l
Flashing warning lamp in addi-
tion to an acoustic signal: a tire
failure has occurred. Carefully reduce
speed to less than 50 mph (80 km/h),
and avoid hard braking or steering
maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to
page 67.
Brake warning lamp
l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged,
check the brake fluid level. Before
driving further, be sure to read the
notes on pages 91 and 112.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
The red brake warning lamp
comes on together with the
yellow indicator lamps for ABS
and DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and
DBC control system has failed.
Continue driving cautiously and
defensively. Avoid hard brake
applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center
as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 65, 88.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp
l
Comes on when the parking
brake is applied Ð an additional
acoustic signal sounds when the
vehicle is set in motion.
For additional information, refer to
page 57.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
Together with an acoustic
signal. Comes on until the safety
belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 50.
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 51, 148.
Yellow: check at the earliest
opportunity
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Unrestricted conventional brake system
performance remains available. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 88.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
add engine oil as soon as possible. Do
not drive more than approx. 30 miles
(50 km) without stopping to add oil.
For additional information, refer to
page 109.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add engine oil at
the earliest opportunity (when you stop
to refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 109.

63n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval Display BlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the lamp comes on in the course of
normal vehicle operation, the engine
has overheated. Turn it off immediately
and let it cool down.520de031
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. It is not
unusual for the needle to rise as far as
the edge of the red zone in response
to high outside temperatures or severe
operating conditions.
For checking coolant level, refer to
page 111.
Remaining distance before
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the
ignition key is in position 1 or after the
engine is started.
The remaining distance in miles and the
next scheduled service will appear
together with the display OILSERVICE
or INSPECTION.
The computer bases its calculations
for the remaining distance on the
previous driving style.
A flashing display and a "Ð" in front of
the number indicate that service is past
due by the number of miles displayed.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.520us006

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
85n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Car care Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures86
Driving notes87
Catalytic converter87
Antilock Brake System (ABS)88
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)90
Disc brakes90
Brake system91
Winter operation92
Power steering94
Cellular phone94
Radio reception94
Wind deflector95
Hardtop96
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure98
Tire condition98
Tire replacement99
Tire rotation100
Wheel and tire
combinations101
Special features of winter
tires102
Snow chains102
Approved wheel and tire
specifications103Under the hood:
Hood104
Engine compartment106
Washer fluids108
Washer nozzles108
Engine oil109
Coolant111
Brake fluid112
Vehicle Identification
Number113
Maintenance and care:
The BMW Maintenance
System114
Caring for your vehicle115
Airbags121
Vehicle storage122
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications123
California Proposition 65
Warning123
OBD interface socket124

101n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Wheel and tire combinations The right choice
Use only wheels and tires
approved by BMW for the corre-
sponding vehicle model, as otherwise
the tires may make contact with the
body as the result of tolerances despite
the same nominal size being used,
resulting in serious accidents. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used,
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for
driving safety.<
For wheel and tire specifications
approved by BMW, refer to page 103.
The correct wheel-tire combina-
tion affects different systems that
otherwise will not function properly,
e.g. ABS, DSC and RDW.
For this reason, use only tires of the
same brand and tread pattern on the
vehicle and, for example, restore the
approved wheel-tire combination
following a flat tire as soon as
possible.<
Codes on tires and wheels The code on tires has the following
meaning.
Codes on radial tires:
The speed rating indicates the approved
maximum speed for the tire.
Summer tires:
S = up to 112 mph (180 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)
ZR = over 150 mph (240 km/h) For example:
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
(not on ZR tires)
Speed rating
(before R on ZR tires)
245/45 R 18 96 W
Winter tires:
Q M+S = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T M+S = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H M+S = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
Codes on light-alloy wheels:
Protect tire valves from dirt by using
screw-on valve stem caps. Dirt in the
valves frequently leads to slow leaks.
Tires with emergency driving character-
istics also possess an additional identi-
fication mark that varies by manufac-
turer, e. g.:
Bridgestone RFT
Dunlop DSST
Goodyear EMT
Michelin ZPStorage Store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light when-
ever possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel. For example:
Rim width
in inches
Code letter for
flange type
Symbol for full-drop
center rim
Rim diameter in inches
Hump on the 2 rim shoulders
8x18EH 2
J

107n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Engine compartment 1 Brake fluid reservoir112
2 Auxiliary terminal for jump
starting143
3 Coolant expansion tank111
4 Engine oil filler neck109
5 Engine oil dipstick109
6 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system108