
37n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Alarm system
*
Electric power windows
>If the indicator lamp goes out when
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have
been detected in the period since the
system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for
10 seconds when the system is
disarmed: an attempted entry has
been detected in the period since the
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion
sensor may be switched off at the same
time. You can do this to prevent a false
alarm from being triggered in garages
with elevator ramps, for instance, or
when the vehicle is transported by
trailer or train:
Lock the vehicle twice (= arm the
system). Press button on the remote
control twice in succession or lock the
vehicle twice with the key.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion sensor are
deactivated for as long as the system
remains armed.
Interior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to
function properly, the windows and the
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely
closed.
Nevertheless, you should deactivate
the interior motion sensor (refer to
previous column) if
>children or animals are left in the
vehicle
>the windows or the sliding/tilt sunroof
are being left open.
To open and close windowsWith ignition key in position 1 or 2.
>Press the switch up to the resistance
point: the window retracts; it remains
in motion for as long as you maintain
pressure on the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the windows in the same
manner by pulling the switch.
Separate switches are located under
the windows in the rear passenger
area.

38n
Electric power windowsAfter the ignition has been switched off:
You can still use the electric power
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long
as no one opens any of the front doors.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the
lock and remember to close the doors
to prevent children from operating the
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
For the convenience mode via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
pages 30 or 31.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside
upper frame of each of the front
windows. If pressure is exerted against
this contact strip while a window is
being raised, the system will respond
by stopping the window and then
retracting it a small distance.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful to ensure that
the closing path of the window is not
obstructed. Some types of objects
might fail to trigger the contact strip in
some situations (very thin objects, for
instance).
You can override this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
Safety switch
*
With the safety switch, you can prevent
the rear windows from being opened or
closed via the switch in the rear
passenger area (by children, for
example).
Press the safety switch whenever
children are riding in the rear of
the vehicle. Careless use of the power
windows can lead to injury.<

39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sliding/tilt sunroof
*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the sliding/tilt
sunroof and keep it in your field of
vision until it is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always
extract the ignition key from the lock
and remember to close the doors to
prevent children from operating the
sliding/tilt sunroof and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
Raising Ð opening Ð closingWith ignition key in position 1 or 2.
After the ignition has been switched off,
you can still operate the sliding/tilt
sunroof for up to 15 minutes as long as
neither of the front doors has been
opened.
Raising/opening/closing: press the
switch or slide it in the desired direction
until you feel resistance.
If you briefly press the switch in the
"raise" direction while the sunroof is
open, the sunroof will rise to its upper-
most position.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the sunroof. When
the sunroof is opened, the headliner
retracts with it.
Do not use force to close the
headliner insert with the sunroof in
its raised position, as damage to the
mechanism could result.<
To use the convenience mode via the
remote control or the door lock, refer to
pages 30 or 31.
Automatic opening and closingPress the switch past the resistance
point briefly: the sunroof travels to
either the fully-closed or fully-open
position.
Pressing the switch again stops the
motion immediately.

47n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat and mirror memory
*
Seat heating
*
Steering wheel
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt
function(automatic curb monitor
*)
1. Move the mirror selector switch 1 to
the "driver's mirror" position
2. When the selector lever is placed in
"Reverse," the passenger-side mirror
tilts downward to help the driver
monitor the area directly adjacent to
the vehicle during parking (curbs,
etc.).
You can deactivate this automatic
feature by setting the mirror selector
switch to the "passenger-side" posi-
tion.
The seat cushion and backrest can
be heated with the ignition key in posi-
tion 2.
You can select different heating modes
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.
Adjustments1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust the steering column's rake
and reach to suit your seat position
3. Pull the lever back in to clamp the
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving, other-
wise you run the risk of an accident due
to unexpected movement.<

56n
Ignition lock Starting the engine 0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engine
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion:
Do not move the selector lever from
position "P" until the engine is running
(ignition key position 2).
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. Therefore, the ignition key cannot
be turned to position 0 and removed
until the selector lever is in
position "P."<
Vehicles with manual transmis-
sion:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine
from starting if the clutch is not
depressed.<
Steering lockedThe key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until you hear the lock engage.
The sound system remains operational
for approx. 20 minutes after you switch
off the ignition (ignition key in position 0
or key extracted). Simply switch it back
on.Steering unlocked You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
Before starting>Engage the parking brake
>Ensure that the shift lever is in
neutral, or, with an automatic trans-
mission, that the selector lever is in
position "P"
>Depress the clutch pedal.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<
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
lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
>Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal.

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Starting the engine Switching off the engine
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time, but do not actuate it
for more than approx. 20 seconds.
Release the ignition key immediately
when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, drive off
immediately at a moderate engine
speed.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (if it is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures of roughly +5 7 (Ð15 6) or below
and at altitudes of over 3,300 ft
(1,000 m):
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period (approx.
10 seconds)
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at startup are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging,
always deactivate electrical devices
that are not in use. Switch the ignition
off when the vehicle is not being driven.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can lead to catalyst
damage.<
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and slopes, as first gear
or reverse may not provide adequate
resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."<

62n
Washer/Wiper system 0 Wipers retracted
1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2 Normal wipe
3 Fast wipe
4 Brief wipe
5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensorIntermittent mode(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
You can select any of four sweep inter-
vals with rotary dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval varies
automatically depending on road
speed.
Rain sensor
*
The rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly ahead of the inte-
rior rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
>With the ignition key in position 1
or 2, move the lever to position 1.
The wipers will make at least one
sweep across the windshield.
You can leave the lever in position 1 at
all times. With the ignition key in posi-
tion 1 or 2, all you then need to do to
activate the rain sensor is
>briefly turn the rotary dial 5, or
>clean the windshield 1, refer to
page 63.To adjust the sensitivity of the rain
sensor:
Turn rotary dial 5.
To switch off the rain sensor:
Return lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by
undesired wiper activation.<
Normal wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers switch automatically to intermit-
tent wipe (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the
wipers revert to operate at normal
speed (not on vehicles with rain
sensor).

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Fuel gauge Temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayOnce the indicator lamp stays on
continuously, there are still approx.
2 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel
tank.
For information on the fuel tank
capacity, refer to page 143.
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 and/or catalytic
converter.<
When you switch on the ignition, the
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an
operation check.
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 during normal
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Shut off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
For instructions on checking the
coolant level, refer to page 117.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Remaining distance to 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 next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance
remaining in miles (kilometers) before
the next scheduled service. The
computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding
driving style.
A flashing message and a "Ð" in front of
the number mean that the service
interval has already been exceeded by
the distance shown on the display.
Please contact your BMW center for an
appointment.