
 
17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
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 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for 
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this in the 
following section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
 
 
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The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and 
serious engine damage. If the drive belt 
is defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
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Engine oil pressure
 
  
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Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level and top off as 
required. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious 
damage from inadequate lubrication.
 
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Brake warning lamp 
 
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If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before 
driving further, be sure to comply with 
the instructions on pages 106 and 118
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
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In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: a tire failure has occurred. 
Reduce vehicle speed immediately and 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake 
applications. As you steer the vehicle, 
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information refer to 
pages 78, 80 

 
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/ADB-X/DBC
 
  
control system has failed. 
Continue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid full brake applica-
tions. Please have the system checked 
by your BMW center as soon as 
possible.
For additional information refer to 
pages 71, 73
CBC, ABS and ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/ADB-X/DBC indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Parking brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged Ð an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. 
For additional information refer to 
page 57
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 
 
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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 58 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low. 
Top off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. For additional information 
refer to page 114
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
 
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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 by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information refer to 
page 12 1.
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 117
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signals 
are on. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction.
For additional information refer to 
page 60
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated: available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information refer to 
page 63
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the fog lamps.
For additional information refer to 
page 83
 
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 60, 83 

36n
Alarm system
*
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes while the 
system is armed: the door(s), the 
hood, the tailgate or rear window are 
not completely closed. Even if you do 
not close the alerted area(s), the 
remaining areas are secured, and the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously 
after 10 seconds. However, the inte-
rior motion sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out when the 
system is disarmed: no manipulation 
or attempted intrusions have been 
detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is 
disarmed: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered in garages 
with elevator ramps, for instance, or 
when the vehicle is transported by 
trailer or train:
Lock the vehicle twice (= arm the 
system). Press the button on the 
remote control twice in succession or 
lock the vehicle twice with the key.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor 
are deactivated as long as the system is 
armed.
Interior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and 
sliding/tilt sunroof must be completely 
closed.
Nevertheless, you should switch off the 
interior motion sensor (refer to previous 
column) if 
>children or animals are left in the 
vehicle
>the windows or the sliding/tilt sunroof 
are being left open.
The system deactivates the tilt-
alarm sensor and the interior 
motion sensor if closing is interrupted in 
the first 10 seconds and then restarted 
when the convenience closing feature 
is used to close the sunroof and 
windows. The alarm must then be 
disarmed and reactivated before it will 
resume operation.< 

66n
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 143.
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. Switch off the engine immedi-
ately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to 
page 117.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating temperature. 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 INSPEC-
TION, together with the distance 
remaining in miles (kilometers) before 
the next scheduled 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 
interval has already been exceeded by 
the distance shown on the display. 
Please contact your BMW center for an 
appointment. 

80n
Flat Tire Monitor
*
The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor 
keeps track of pressure levels in all four 
tires in order to detect and warn of any 
substantial pressure loss. 
The system actually detects pressure 
loss by monitoring differences in the 
relative speeds of the four wheels. It 
interprets variations outside specified 
limits as severe pressure loss, and then 
responds by generating a warning.
To initialize the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the 
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes 
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or 
replacement. Do not carry out further 
system initialization after adjusting the 
inflation pressure and letting the system 
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressure in all 
the tires, comparing them with the 
inflation pressure table on page 25, 
and correct their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press button as long as you need to 
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. After a little 
while, the indicator lamp will go out 
by itself
4. After a few minutes driving time, the 
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current 
pressure levels as the reference, and 
from that point on, can detect and 
report a flat tire. 

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Flat Tire Monitor
*
Activate/deactivate the systemThe Flat Tire Monitor automatically 
assumes operation whenever you turn 
the ignition key to position 2. Unless 
manually deactivated, it is always on 
during normal vehicle operation.
To deactivate the system: press the 
button, the yellow indicator lamp comes 
on.
To activate the system: press the 
button again, the indicator lamp goes 
out.
You should deactivate the system 
before driving with snow chains, as the 
chains can generate spurious warnings 
and/or prevent the system from 
detecting actual pressure loss. 
In the event of a flat tire
The red warning lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
warn of pressure loss and tire 
failure. This visual alert is accompanied 
by an acoustic warning signal. Reduce 
your speed immediately, and steer and 
brake gently as you bring the vehicle to 
a stop. 
To reset the warning lamp: after 
replacing the flat tire you will need to 
reset the red warning lamp manually: 
maintain pressure on the Flat Tire 
Monitor button until the warning lamp 
goes out. Then reinitialize the system.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot 
provide you with advance warning 
of sudden and severe tire damage 
caused by external factors.
The system also does not detect the 
gradual and minor loss of pressure that 
all tires display over extended periods 
of time.<
Check the tire inflation pressures 
on a regular basis, correcting 
them as necessary, refer to page 24.
The system may respond to operation 
on slippery or snow-covered road 
surfaces with false warnings or delays 
in detecting actual pressure loss.
Performance-oriented driving (slip at 
the drive wheels, high rates of lateral 
acceleration) can also increase the time 
that the Flat Tire Monitor requires to 
detect a flat tire.<
System malfunctionsThe yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up and remains on 
until the problem is corrected.
Please refer the problem to your BMW 
center. 

82n
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on. You can 
use the parking lamps for 
parking. For lighting on one side for 
parking as an additional feature, refer to 
page 83.
Low beams 
When the ignition is switched off 
while the low beams are on, the 
headlamps go out and only the 
parking lamps remain on.
Follow me home lamps
When you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle with the 
lamps turned off, the low-beam head-
lamps will come on for a short time.You 
can also have this function deacti-
vated.<
LIGHTS ON warningWhen you open the driver's door after 
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal 
for a few seconds to remind you if the 
lamps have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps
*
If you desire, the lamp switch can be 
left in the second position: 
When the ignition is switched off, the 
external lighting is also switched off.
You can have the activation 
settings for the daytime driving 
lamps programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlight control
* 
When the switch is set to this 
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the 
low beams in response to changes in 
ambient light ( in tunnels, at dusk, etc.) 
as well as rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights 
remain on constantly when you 
switch on the front fog lamps after the 
headlights have come on automati-
cally.< 
Automatic headlight control 
cannot serve as a substitute for 
the driver's judgement in determining 
when the vehicle lights should be 
switched on. For example, the sensors 
are not able to detect fog.  To avoid 
safety risks, you should respond to 
these kinds of low-visibility situations 
by switching the headlights on manu-
ally.< You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
light control adjusted.<