
 
Foreword
 
Congratulations, and thank you for choosing a BMW.
Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and 
security when you drive it. Therefore we have one request:
Please take the time to read this Owner's Manual and familiarize yourself with the 
information that we have compiled for you before starting off in your new BMW. The 
manual contains important data and instructions intended to assist you in obtaining 
maximum satisfaction from your BMW's unique array of advanced technical 
features. It also contains information on vehicle maintenance designed to enhance 
operating safety while simultaneously helping you to maintain your BMW's value 
throughout an extended service life. For additional information refer to the supple-
mental manuals.
This OwnerÔs Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It 
should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important 
operating, safety and maintenance information.
This manual is supplemented by a Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
(US models) or a Warranty and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian models). 
We recommend that you read this publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warranties:
Ð New Vehicle Limited Warranty
Ð Limited Rust Perforation Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
Ð Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
Ð California Emission Control System Limited Warranty
Detailed descriptions of these warranties are provided in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US models) or in the Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models).
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
BMW AG 

 
9n
 
Overview
Controls
Maintenance
Repairs
Data
Index
 
Your individual vehicle
 
On purchasing your BMW, you have  
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This 
Owner's Manual describes all models 
and equipment that BMW offers within 
the same group. 
We hope you will understand that  
equipment and features are included 
that you might not have chosen for your 
vehicle. You can easily identify any 
differences with the aid of the asterisk 
 
*
 
 
 
 
used to identify all optional equipment 
and accessories. 
If your BMW features equipment which  
is not described in this Owner's Manual 
(car radio or telephone, for instance), 
Supplementary Owner's Manuals are 
enclosed. We ask you to read these 
manuals as well.  
 
Status at time of printing
 
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, 
ongoing development conceived to 
ensure that our vehicles continue to 
embody the highest quality and safety 
standards combined with advanced, 
state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, it is possible that the features 
described in this Owner's Manual could 
differ from those on your vehicle. Nor 
can errors and omissions be entirely 
ruled out. You are therefore asked to 
appreciate that no legal claims can be 
recognized on the basis of the data, 
illustrations or descriptions in this 
Owner's Manual.
 
Status at time of printing
For your own safety 

 
18n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS and 
ASC+T/DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC and
 
  
ADB/ADB-X/DBC
 
  
control system has failed. 
Continue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Please have the system checked 
by your BMW center as soon as 
possible.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 72, 73
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/ADB-X/DBC indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Parking brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied Ð an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 58
Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Fasten safety belts 
 
l 
 
An acoustic warning also 
sounds in some versions. Lights 
up either for several seconds or until 
the belt is engaged, depending upon 
version.
For additional information on safety 
belts: refer to page 45
Airbags 
 
l
 
Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 49
 
Orange: consult the nearest 
BMW center
 
Automatic transmission
The transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by 
reverting to operation in its emergency 
default program. Please consult the 
nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to 
page 59 

30n
Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlConvenience opening modePress and hold button to open the elec-
tric power windows and sliding/tilt 
sunroof.To lock and securePress button.
Do not lock the vehicle if anyone 
will be remaining inside, as it 
would then be impossible for the occu-
pant(s) to disengage the locks from the 
inside.< To switch on the interior lampsAfter locking the vehicle, press button 
again.To switch off the tilt alarm sensor
* 
and the interior motion sensor
* 
Press button a second time immedi-
ately after locking.
For additional information, refer to 
page 37.
To open the luggage 
compartment lidPress button.
The luggage compartment lid will open 
slightly, regardless of whether the lid 
was previously locked or unlocked.
Before and after a trip, be sure 
that the luggage compartment lid 
has not been opened unintentionally.
danger by holding down the button for 
between two and five seconds. 
Press the button to cancel the alarm.External systemsThe remote control system's operation 
may be affected by other units or 
equipment operating in the immediate 
vicinity of your vehicle.
If this should occur, you can still open 
and close the vehicle using the master 
key in either the door or luggage 
compartment lid locks.
For US owners onlyThe transmitter and receiver units 
comply with part 15 of the FCC (Federal 
Communication Commission) regula-
tions. Operation is governed by the 
following:
FCC ID: LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the 
following two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications to 
these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate the equip-
ment.<  

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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."< 

60n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
N  NeutralSelect only when stopping for an 
extended period.D  Drive (automatic shift program)This position is designed for driving 
under all normal operating conditions. 
All forward gears are available.KickdownIn the kickdown mode, you achieve 
maximum acceleration and in 
position D top speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the 
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport ProgramMove the selector lever from D to M/S 
to activate the Sport Program; SD 
appears in the display panel. The M/S 
mode is recommended for perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Once in the M/S mode you can tap the 
selector lever to switch the automatic 
transmission from the Sport Program to 
its manual selection mode.
This mode allows you to execute 
upshifts manually by tapping the lever 
toward "+," while downshifts are 
selected by tapping in the "Ð" direction. 
The displays M1 through M5 appear in 
the display panel to indicate your 
current gear selection.
The Adaptive Transmission Control 
(ATC) executes upshifts and downshifts 
only when the new gear will provide a 
suitable combination of engine and 
road speed, for example ATC will not 
execute downshifts if the engine speed 
to too high.  The desired, then the actual 
gear, briefly appear in the instrument 
cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the 
manual mode (to pass another 
vehicle), shift down manually or employ 
the kickdown mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever 
positions P, R and N is possible only by 
going through D. 

66n
Odometer Tachometer Energy control 1 Odometer
2 Trip odometerOdometer You can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the button in the 
instrument cluster.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the button with the ignition key in 
position 1 or 2.
Do not operate the engine with the 
needle in the red overspeed zone of the 
gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
interrupted when you approach this 
sector.
Indicates the current fuel consumption 
in mpg (in liters/100 km on Canadian 
models). This allows you to see whether 
your current driving style is conducive 
to fuel economy with minimum exhaust 
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the 
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on 
Canadian models). 

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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.