Page 10 of 170

Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel quality26
Tire inflation pressure26
Locks and security systems:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing Ð from the
outside32
Using the key32
Using the remote control33
Opening and closing Ð from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid37
Alarm system38
Electric power windows40
The automatic convertible
top41
Adjustments:
Seats45
Steering wheel47
Mirrors47
Car Memory, Key Memory48
Passenger safety systems:
Safety belts50
Airbags51
Transporting children safely53
Driving:
Ignition and steering lock55
Starting the engine56
Turning the engine off56
Parking brake57
Manual transmission58
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher58
Washer/Wiper system59
Rear window defroster60
Cruise control61
Everything under control:
Odometer62
Tachometer62
Fuel gauge62
Coolant temperature gauge63
Service Interval Display63
Clock64
Multi-Information Radio (MIR)64
Technology for safety and
driving convenience:
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)65
Dynamic Performance
Control66
Tire Pressure Warning (RDW)67
Contents
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 15 of 170
Overview
Controls and features
Operation, care
and maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
15n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel quality26
Tire inflation pressure26
Overview
Page 17 of 170
17n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Cockpit
1
d
Turn signal indicator58
>
Parking lamps70
>
High beams70
>
Headlamp flasher58
2 Side lamps/Low beams69
3 Washer/Wiper system59
4 Hazard warning flashers24
5 Central locking system32
6 Rear window defroster for the
hardtop60
7 Shift lever58
To engage reverse gear, pull the
lever across the gate to the left to
overcome the detent
8 Cruise control61
9 Adjusting the steering wheel47
10 Horn: entire surface
11 Rear fog lamp70
12 Unlocking the hood104
13
d
Unlocking the luggage
compartment lid37
>
Unlocking the fuel filler door25
Page 19 of 170

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
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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.
Page 21 of 170

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.
Page 22 of 170

22n
Indicator and warning lamps
Brake pads l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 91.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) l
Malfunction in the DBC system.
The brake system continues to
provide unrestricted conventional
performance.
For additional information, refer to
page 90.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating engine
torque.
If the indicator lamp does not go out
after the engine is started, or if it comes
on during normal driving and stays on:
DSC has been switched off or has been
deactivated because of a malfunction.
In the event of a malfunction, have the
system checked by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 65.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 124.
Service Engine Soon warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
Malfunction in the engine's
electronic control system. The
electronics revert to a default mode
permitting continued operation, but at
lower than usual engine speeds and
with reduced power. Please have the
system inspected by your BMW center.
Yellow: for your information
Rear fog lamp
Lights up whenever the rear
foglamp is turned on.
For additional information, refer to
page 70.