5n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)83
Flat Tire Monitor85
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Standing lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps89
Controlling the climate for
pleasant driving:
Air conditioning90
Automatic climate control93
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment96
BMW Universal Transmitter97
Storage compartments99
Cellular phone100
Ashtray, front100
Ashtray, rear101
Loading and transporting:
Ski bag102
Cargo loading103
Roof-mounted luggage rack for
the hardtop105
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)109
Brake system109
Hardtop110
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Wheel and tire
combinations116
Winter tires116
In the engine compartment:
Hood118
Engine compartment
essentials119
Washer fluids120
Engine oil121
Coolant123
Brake fluid124
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System125
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications126
California Proposition
65 Warning126
OBD interface socket127
39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers the perfect protec-
tion against weather and one person
can open and close it easily and simply.
So that you will get the most out of
enjoying your convertible, here are a
few tips: it is advisable to close the
convertible top when the vehicle is
being parked. The closed convertible
top not only protects the passenger
compartment from unforeseeable
damage from the weather, it also
provides a certain degree of theft
protection.
In addition, keep valuables only in the
locked luggage compartment, even
with the convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage
rack on the convertible top.
Closing the electric power
windows: to help ensure that the
windows seal securely, you should
either close the rear windows first or
close all four windows at the same
time.<
To open the convertible top
Never attempt to open or close
the convertible top unless the
vehicle is completely stationary. To
prevent vehicle damage the top
compartment's lock will not disengage
unless the luggage compartment lid is
closed.<
1. Flip the locking handle out (refer to
illustration), and turn it as far as the
end stop will allow
2. Raise the convertible top a little bit
(release the tension)
3. To unlock, press the button with igni-
tion key in position 1. The top
compartment lid's lock disengages
and the lid itself rises a small
distance. The side windows will
lower slightly
If the indicator lamp lights up
when you press the button, this
indicates that the top compartment's
floor panel has been raised, preventing
the lock from disengaging, refer to
page 35. You should respond by folding
the top compartment panel back to its
original position and then reclosing the
luggage compartment lid.<
42n
Manual convertible top Fully-automatic convertible top
*
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger
compartment can cause the convertible
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air
supply via the ventilation controls so
that a vacuum does not occur in the
vehicle.<
The fully-automatic convertible top
combines the benefits of effective
protection against the elements with
simple and convenient operation.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your
convertible, please observe the
following:
>We strongly recommend that you
close the convertible top before
leaving the vehicle parked. When
closed, the top not only guards the
passenger compartment from unfore-
seeable damage from the weather,
but also affords a degree of protec-
tion against theft. However, even
when the top is closed valuables
should always be stored in the locked
luggage compartment
>Never attempt to mount any kind of
roof rack or luggage carrier on the
convertible top
>Never retract or attempt to move the
convertible top at temperatures
below 14 7 (Ð 10 6), as damage
could result.
Never store the convertible top
while it is wet to avoid permanent
damage from moisture.<
Driving when the opening or
closing process has not been
completed can cause vehicle damage or
personal injury.
Try to make sure that the vehicle is
completely stationary before using the
fully-automatic convertible top, other-
wise the system could respond by stop-
ping in mid-travel.
If you set the convertible top in motion
with the vehicle stationary and then have
to start suddenly Ð for instance, at a
traffic light Ð you can still complete the
operation by driving as slowly as
possible and again pressing and main-
taining pressure on the button. To avoid
possible legal violations, always
remember that traffic regulations always
take priority over these instructions.
Before closing the top always ensure
that the windshield frame is clear and
free of any obstructions that could
prevent it from seating correctly.
Do not lay objects on the convertible
top, as they could fall off when it moves,
causing vehicle damage or personal
injury.
Always keep your hands and fingers well
away from the top's mechanism while it
is opening and closing. Ensure that chil-
dren remain at a safe distance from the
top's travel range while it is in motion.<
105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop
*
A special roof-rack system is available
as an optional extra for your BMW.
Please observe the precautions
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers (arrow), please
use the tool which is provided with the
roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the
center of gravity of the vehicle when
they are loaded. For this reason, they
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember
not to exceed the approved roof load
capacity, the approved gross vehicle
weight or the maximum axle loads
when loading the rack. These weights
are listed under Technical Data on
page 146.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky,
and attempt to distribute it evenly.
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on
the bottom). Make sure that no objects
will be in the way when the luggage
compartment lid is opening or closing.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or
being lost during driving (danger to
following traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden
acceleration or braking. Do not corner
at high speeds.
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the
roof load increase the aerodynamic
resistance: increased fuel consumption
and additional stress on the vehicle's
body are the result.
110n
Brake system Hardtop
*
Disc brakesLimited vehicle use, extended periods
with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase
the tendency for corrosion to form on
the rotors; this is often accompanied by
a simultaneous accumulation of
contamination on the brake pads. The
pads must exert a certain minimal level
of pressure against the rotors for the
disc brakes' inherent self-cleaning
effect to remain effective.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is useful to apply light pressure
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 process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
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. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 74.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission
or selector lever in neutral. Do not coast
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and brake
pedals and obstruct their movement.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that the manufacturer
has released for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer cannot eval-
uate non-approved brake pads to
determine if they are suited for use, and
therefore cannot ensure the operating
safety of the vehicle if they are
installed.<
It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the
hardtop is generally in constant use.
But you can also remove it at any time
with no problem. Before the fabric top
is stored in the convertible top
compartment, it must be absolutely dry
in order to avoid water spots and
mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. In addition, a roof-rack can be
mounted, for more information, please
contact your BMW center.
When suspending articles of
clothing from the hooks, be sure
that they will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on
the hooks. If you do so, they could
cause personal injury during braking or
evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift
* or hardtop rack
*
at your BMW center.
Everything from A to ZManual transmission66
Manually controlled recircu-
lated-air95
Master keys28
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)22
Microfilter92, 96
Mirror defrosting55
Mirror memory53
Mirrors55
Mobile phone, refer to
cellular phone100
Modifications,
technical10, 126
Motion sensor, refer to
interior motion sensor36
Mounting the roof rack110
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)22 O
OBD interface socket127
Odometer74
Oil
additives121
capacity147
consumption121
quality122
specifications122
viscosity122 Oil change intervals, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet (US
models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
(Canadian models)
Oil dipstick121
Oil filter change147
OIL SERVICE75
Onboard computer76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Onboard tool kit130
Opening and closing
from the inside32
via the door lock31
via the remote control29
Original hand-held
transmitter97
Outside temperature
display77
P
Paint care, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park assistant79
Park Distance Control
(PDC)79 Parking aid79
Parking brake66
Parking lamps
bulb replacement131
PDC (Park Distance
Control)79
Phone, refer to cellular
phone100
Pocket light96
Power windows38
Q
Quality Grades, tires114 R
Radiator147
Rain sensor70
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)83
Reading lamps
front89
rear89
Rear fog lamps
bulb replacement133
Rear lamps133
Rear reading lamps89
Rear window
defroster91, 95 Rearview mirror55
Recirculated-air mode91
Refueling22
Remote control29
Remove window
condensation92, 94
Replace windshield wiper
blades130
Replacement keys28
Replacing lamps and
bulbs130
Reporting safety defects11
Reverse66
Rollover protection
system61
Roof weight146
Roof-mounted luggage
rack105
S
Safe with safety belts48
Safety belts48, 52
seat-integrated51
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety tires115, 138
Seat heating54
Seat memory53
Seat-integrated safety belt
system (SGS)51