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14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams87
2
>
Turn signal indicators69
>
Standing lamps88
>
High beams88
>
Headlamp flasher69
>
Computer763 Wiper/Washer system/Rain
sensor70
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster91, 95
7 Horn: the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel54
9 Fog lamps88
Cockpit
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15n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
1 Fuel gauge75
2 Indicator lamps for turn signals203 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning
lamps17 to 205 Tachometer and Energy control74
6 Engine coolant temperature
gauge75
Instrument cluster
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20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top
off the fluid at the earliest
opportunity. For additional information
refer to page 120
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 at your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity. For addi-
tional information refer to page 127
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine electronics
l
There is a fault in the electronic
engine-management system.
You can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected at your
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity. For additional information refer to
page 123
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is
operated.
Rapid flashing indicates a system
malfunction.
For additional information refer to
page 69
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise
control is activated: available for
operation via the multifunction steering
wheel.
For additional information refer to
page 72
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch
on the fog lamps.
For additional information refer to
page 88
Blue: for your information
High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher
is actuated.
For additional information refer to
pages 69, 88
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31n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockOne turn of the key in the driver's door
lock unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks
all of the remaining doors, the luggage
compartment lid and the fuel filler door.
Do not lock the vehicle if there are
passengers still inside, because
they would not be able to unlock the
doors.<
You can have a signal set to
confirm that the vehicle's locks
have engaged securely.<
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power
windows and the fully-automatic
convertible top via the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold
the key in the "Unlock" position
>To close: with the door closed, hold
the key in the "Lock" position.
Watch the closing process care-
fully and be sure that no one is
trapped by the closing motion.
Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key to the extreme left or right
to unlock/lock the driver's door.
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Parking brake Manual transmission The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in
position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button (arrow) and lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull it with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing)
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when
the parking brake is engaged.
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 "P."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake lightly
from time to time when coasting to a
standstill (at a traffic signal, for
instance), provided that it is safe to do
so.
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
completely stopped. Press the gearshift
lever to the left to overcome the slight
resistance.
When you select reverse the backup
lamps will turn on automatically when
the ignition key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch leads to severe and
premature clutch wear.<
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Indicator/Headlamp ßasher
Available displays
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to "P."
Engage the parking brake and turn the
engine off (ignition key to position 0).
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission
performance has been restored. You
may continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Do not work in the engine
compartment when a drive gear
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 140.
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
lamps accompanied by a periodic
clicking sound from the relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond
the detent. It then returns to the center
position when released.
If the flashing of the turn signal
indicators and the clicking from
the relay are both faster than normal,
one of the turn signal indicators has
failed.<
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76n
Check Control ComputerWhen you turn the ignition key to posi-
tion 2, any of the following symbols may
appear to call your attention to problem
areas; the symbols remain in the
display panel until the problem is
corrected:
1 Check the low and high beams as
well as the parking lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check tail or brake lamps
When you open the driver's door after
completing a journey, an acoustic
warning signal will sound if the head-
lamps are still on.
Mode selectionFrom ignition key position 1, you can
call up information from the computer
using the button in the turn signal lever.
The information is displayed in the
instrument cluster. By pressing the
button briefly toward the steering
column, you can call up a new function
for display.
The displays appear in the following
order:
Time of day, outside temperature,
average fuel consumption, cruising
range, average vehicle speed.
When the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 1 or higher the last active setting is
displayed.
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time
display, you can make this setting in the
radio display (refer to the Radio
Owner's Manual).
You can set the clock and the time
display in the car radio as follows.
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77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
ComputerSettingsFrom ignition key position 1 and time
displayed in the instrument cluster:
To set ahead: turn the button to the
right.
To set back: turn the button to the left.
The setting speed will increase the
longer you continue to hold the button.
To change the display mode: press the
button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the
clock display alternates between the
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is
displayed for a few seconds after you
press the left button, refer to
Odometer on page 74.
Outside temperatureYou can change the units of measure
(6/7) for the outside temperature
display by pressing the right-hand reset
button in the instrument cluster while
the temperature display is active.
Ice warningIf the outside temperature drops to
about 37.5 7 (+3 6), then the
computer will automatically switch to a
display of the outside temperature. In
addition, a signal sounds as a warning
and the display flashes for a brief
period.
The ice warning does not alter the
fact that surface ice can form at
temperatures above 37.5 7 (+3 6), on
bridges or shaded road surfaces, for
instance.<