60n
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Indicator/Headlamp flasher
Possible 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, select trans-
mission position "P", engage the
parking brake and switch 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. Drive
off normally.
If the indicator lamp does not go out, all
selector lever positions can still be
selected; however in the forward posi-
tions the vehicle has limited perfor-
mance as it drives only in 3
rd and 4
th
gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest BMW
center.
Never 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 134.
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.<
67n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control ClockThe 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 Tailgate open
4 Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after
parking, a signal sounds to remind you
if the headlamps have not been
switched off.
If 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.
SettingWith ignition key position 1 or 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 65.
104n
To ensure that your vehicle provides
maximum economy throughout a long
service life, we request that you
observe the following information.
Engine and differentialUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Constantly vary both engine and vehicle
speed, remembering not to exceed
4,500 rpm or 100 mph (160 km/h)
during this period.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Do not use full throttle, and avoid
pressing the accelerator beyond the
kickdown point during these initial
miles.
You can then proceed to increase both
engine and vehicle speed once the
initial 1,200 miles (2,000 km) have
elapsed.
You should also observe the same
break-in procedures if the engine or
differential is replaced later in the
course of the vehicle's life.
TiresDue to technical factors associated
with their manufacture, tires do not
achieve their full traction potential until
after an initial break-in period. We thus
ask you to drive with extra care during
the first 200 miles (300 km).
Always obey all official speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as aquaplaning, or hydro-
planing, and can lead to partial or
complete loss of traction, vehicle
control and braking effectiveness.
Reduce your speed on wet roads.
rotors achieve the optimal pad-surface
and wear patterns required for trouble-
free operation and an extended service
life later on.
To break-in the separate parking brake
drums, apply the parking brake lightly
when coasting to a standstill (at a traffic
signal, for instance), provided that
traffic conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is
engaged.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off Ð
when towing, for example Ð substan-
tially higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.
operate at optimum efficiency.
Remember to engage the clutch care-
fully during this initial period.
Break-in procedures
118n
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The brake warning lamp comes
on when the parking brake is
not engaged: the brake fluid
level is too low, refer to page 17.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for deter-
mining and correcting the cause of
brake fluid loss, consult your BMW
center. Your BMW center is familiar
with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids (DOT 4).
Brake fluid loss results in extended
brake pedal travel. Refer to the informa-
tion on page 106.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,
it absorbs moisture from the air
over time.
In order to ensure the brake system's
safety and reliability, have the brake
fluid changed every two years by a
BMW center, refer to page 66 or to the
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet (US models) or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet (Canadian
models).
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its original container and in a loca-
tion which is out of reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the
brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<
129n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbs Changing a wheelTailgate lamp5 watt bulb
1. Pull out the bulb holder (arrow)
2. Replace the bulb.
Safety measures in the event of a
flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm, flat,
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position and engage the
steering lock. Shift into 1st or reverse
(selector lever in Park with automatic
transmission) and engage the parking
brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all local safety guidelines and
regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could
prevent the jack from extending to its
full height and reduce its support
capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a spare tire
or a space-saver spare tire designed for
temporary use in maintaining the
vehicle's mobility in an emergency.
To remove the spare tire, lift the
floor panel in the cargo area
completely out, refer to page 99.<
132n
Changing a wheel
Only use original BMW full wheel
covers, otherwise, the trim piece
may not fit securely. The full wheel
cover may not be installed on the
space-saver spare tire, since this could
damage the cover.<
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind.
To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the
tightness of the lug bolts checked with
a calibrated torque wrench [torque
specification: 72 lb ft (100 Nm)] at the
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire
recess take care to avoid bending the
threaded rod.
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels
have been replaced with other light-
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be
required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle
handling such as delayed braking
response, longer braking distances and
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced if winter
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at a time. Rein-
stall wheels and tires of the same size
and specification as soon as possible.
Maintain correct tire pressures, refer to
page 24.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains
possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor,
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to page 78 or 80.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to
reach a safe parking location, a service
station or the nearest BMW center.
With a low vehicle load, this can also be
considerably more than 155 miles
(250 km).
P
Paintwork, refer to the
"Caring for your vehicle"
manual
Park assistant70
Park Distance Control
(PDC)70
Parking aid70
Parking brake57
Parking lamps82
bulb replacement126
Partition net97
PDC (Park Distance
Control)70
Phone94
Pocket light92
Power seat adjustment42
Power windows
safety switch38 Q
Quality Grades, tires108
R
Radiator143
Rain sensor61
RDC (Tire Pressure
Monitor)78
Rear backrests, folding97
Rear fog lamps
bulb replacement127
Rear lamps127
Rear reading lamps84
Rear window34
Rear window
defroster86, 90
Rearview mirror47
Recirculated-air mode86
Reclining seat40
Refilling washer
reservoir114
Refueling22
Remote control29
Remove window
condensation87, 89
Replace rear window wiper
blades124 Replace windshield wiper
blades124
Replacement keys28
Reporting safety defects11
Retractable luggage cover,
refer to cargo area cover
Reverse57
Roof load capacity142
Roof-mounted luggage
rack100
S
Safe with safety belts40
Safety belts40
height adjustment44
Safety defects, reporting11
Safety tires109, 132
Seat adjustment40
Seat heating46
Seat memory45
Seat, manually-adjusted40
Securing cargo100
Selector lever, automatic
transmission58
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US
models)119 Service Interval
Display66, 119
Setting temperature86
Shiftlock58
Shoulder strap height
adjustment44
Side airbags48
Side Impact Head Protection
System48
Sitting correctly with
airbags40
Ski bag96
Sliding/tilt sunroof38
electrical malfunction39
manual operation39
Socket for power
appliances94
Sound system91
Spare key28
Spare tire129
Speedometer15
Sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42
Standing lamps83
Starting problems56
Starting the engine55
Steering wheel46