
 
16n
 
Instrument cluster
 
7 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 20
8 Reset trip odometer to zero
9 Indicator for Check Control6610 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/odometer64
 
>
 
Clock66
 
>
 
Service Interval65
 
>
 
Computer6611 Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission18, 59
12 Control button for the clock66
13 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 20 

49n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Airbags
The airbags do not deploy in 
response to minor collisions, rear 
impacts and certain kinds of vehicle 
rollover.<
For your safety, comply with the 
following instructions for the 
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may 
not be able to provide their maximum 
protection. All passengers in the vehicle 
should be aware of and comply with 
these directions: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide extra 
protection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all 
times. The airbags will not be triggered 
in the event of a minor accident, a 
vehicle rollover, or collisions from the 
rear. In these instances, the safety belt 
provides optimal protection. 
Airbags are located under cover panels 
in the steering wheel, in the instrument 
panel, in the side trim panels in the 
front and rear
*, in the roof panels, and 
in the sides of the inside roof lining. 
Adjust your seat to a position that 
provides maximum distance between 
you and the steering wheel, the instru-
ment panel and the door while still 
allowing comfortable and safe access 
to all vehicle controls. 
To avoid sustaining hand and arm inju-
ries, always grasp the steering wheel 
on the rim with the hands at the 9 and 
3 o'clock positions. Do not place your 
hands on the center pad. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbag and an occu-
pant. 
Do not use the cover panel above the 
passenger-side airbag as a storage 
area. 
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them 
or modify them in any other way. 
Do not install a rear-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger 
seat of this vehicle. 
Children under 13 years of age and less 
than 5 ft (150 cm) tall should ride only in 
the rear seat. Infants or small children 
should never be held on the lap of a 
passenger. 
If your vehicle is equipped with side 
airbags in the rear passenger area
*, be 
sure that child restraints are mounted 
correctly, with the greatest-possible 
distance between the airbags in the 
side trim panels. Do not allow children 
to lean out of the child's seat in the 
direction of the side trim panels. If they 
do so, serious injuries can occur if the 
airbag is triggered.
restrained (infants and small children in 
appropriate child-restraint systems; 
larger children and adults using the 
safety belts). Never let an occupant's 
head rest near or on a side airbag: in 
the event of deployment the airbag 
could cause a serious or fatal injury. 
Please note that the word Airbag 
embossed on the door trim panel indi-
cates the airbag's location. 
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an automo-
bile is in the rear seat. However, a child 
sitting in the rear seat and not properly 
restrained may place his or her head on 
or near the airbag, if one is installed. 
For example, a child Ñ even though 
belted Ñ may fall asleep with his or her 
head against the side airbag. It may be 
difficult for a driver to ensure that chil-
dren in the rear seat will remain prop-
erly positioned at all times and do not 
place their heads on or near the side 
airbag. 
Therefore, we recommend that the 
rear-seat side airbags, if installed, be 
deactivated if children will be riding in 
the rear seat. 
The rear-seat side airbags may already 
have been deactivated, either at the  

66n
Check Control Computer The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, 
starting with the ignition key in 
position 2, until the condition has been 
corrected.
1 Check the low beams 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 
parking, a signal sounds to remind you 
if the headlamps have not been 
switched off.
Mode selectionWith ignition key in position 1 or 2, you 
can request information from the 
computer using the button in the turn 
signal lever. 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, outside temperature, average fuel 
consumption, cruising range, average 
vehicle speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, 
the last active setting is displayed.
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can adjust the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows. 

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.< 

111n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. If 
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later 
on, never use anything other than 
factory-approved, nitrite and amino-
free extended-duty antifreeze with 
corrosion inhibitor. Your BMW center is 
familiar with the official specifications. 
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents 
are hazardous to health. You should 
always store them in their original 
container and in a location which is out 
of reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor contains the flammable 
substance ethylene glycol. For this 
reason, do not spill extended-duty anti-
freeze with corrosion inhibitor on hot 
engine parts. It could ignite and cause 
serious burns.<
Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level for cold engine 
(approx. 68 7 or +20 6):
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank 
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure 
to escape. Then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the 
upper end of the red float is at least 
even with the upper edge of the filler 
neck, but no more than 0.8 in (2 cm) 
above it Ð that is, up to the second 
mark on the float (refer also to the 
schematic diagram next to the filler 
neck)
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the 
coolant is low, slowly add coolant 
until the correct level is reached Ð do 
not overfill.
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the 
disposal of extended-duty antifreeze 
with corrosion inhibitor.< 

Everything from A to Z
139n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning114 
Canned beverage holder88 
Capacities135 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car keys28 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo loading93 
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)18, 71 
Cellular phone89 
refer also to the separate 
"Owner's Manual" 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp122 
Center 3-point belt in the 
rear91 
Center armrest87 
Central locking system28 
button32 Changing a wheel123 
Check Control66 
Check engine oil level109 
Checking tire inflation 
pressure24 
Child restraint 
installation52 
Child-restraint anchorage 
points51 
Clean the headlamps61 
Cleaning windshield61 
Clock66 
refer also to the "Radio 
Owner's Manual" or to the 
"Onboard Computer 
Owner's Manual" 
Clothes hooks90 
Cockpit14 
Coin box88 
Compartments87 
Compression132 
Computer refer also to the "Onboard 
Computer Owner's 
Manual" 
Configuring individual 
settings with Vehicle and 
Key Memory53 
Consumption68 
display65 
Convenience operation via 
the door lock 
sliding/tilt sunroof31 
windows31 
Coolant111 
Coolant temperature 
gauge65 
Cooling system, 
capacity135 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)18, 71 
Correct sitting posture40 
Cover, sun blinds86 
Cruise control62 
Cruising range68 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder88 
Curb weight134 Current check indicator17 
D 
Dash lighting78 
Dashboard14 
Data 
dimensions133 
engine132 
technical132 
weights134 
Daytime driving lamp77 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)19, 72 
Deep water99 
Defrost setting82, 84 
Defrost windows82, 84 
Defrostable rear 
window81, 85 
Digital clock66 
Dimensions133 
Dipstick, engine oil109 
Displacement132 
Display lighting78 
Displays15 
Distance warning69