Page 11 of 170

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
Page 85 of 170

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
Page 91 of 170

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.<
Page 165 of 170

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