Preface
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 information about these warranties is listed 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
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
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 70, 71
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and
ADB/DBC indicator and warning
lamps for Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
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 56
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 44
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 48
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 57
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.
Never use the remote control to
lock the doors when leaving
passengers in the vehicle, as they
would then be unable to open the door
from the inside.
and 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 it 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 systemsExternal systems or devices may cause
local interference in the functions of the
remote control.
Should this occur, you can still open
and close the vehicle using the master
key in either the door or luggage
compartment 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.<
55n
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 start-up 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."<
58n
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, i.e., ATC will not execute
downshifts if the engine speed is 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.
64n
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.
Never allow the engine to operate 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). You can check your current
driving style to see whether it is condu-
cive to economy and minimum exhaust
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the
display goes to Maximum (zero on
Canadian models).
65n
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 fuel tank capacity, refer to
page 135.
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. Stop and switch the engine off
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to
page 111.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 INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining in
miles (kilometers) before the next sched-
uled 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 inter-
val has already been exceeded by the
distance shown on the display. Please
contact your BMW center for an
appointment.
67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
ComputerAdjustmentsWith the ignition key in position 1or 2
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 adjustment 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 64.
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.<