109n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving notes Antilock Brake System Brake system
Brakes: do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal. Even
light but consistent pedal pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear
and possibly even brake failure.
Aquaplaning: when driving on wet or
slushy roads, reduce vehicle speed. If
you do not, a wedge of water may form
between the tires and the road surface.
This phenomenon can lead to partial or
complete loss of contact between the
tires and road surface, vehicle control
and braking ability.
Driving through water: do not drive
through water on the road if it is deeper
than 1 ft (30 cm), and then only at
walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.
Clothes hooks (with hardtop): when
hanging clothing from the hooks, be
sure that they will not obstruct the
driver's vision. Do not hang heavy
objects on the hooks. If you do so, they
could cause personal injury during
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking during braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
Brake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
center. It may be necessary to
apply higher levels of pressure to the
pedal when stopping and braking
distances may also be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
110n
Brake system Hardtop
*
Disc brakesLimited vehicle use, extended periods
with the vehicle parked or in storage,
and operating conditions in which
braking is restricted to gentle, low-
pressure applications will all increase
the tendency for corrosion to form on
the rotors; this is often accompanied by
a simultaneous accumulation of
contamination on the brake pads. The
pads must exert a certain minimal level
of pressure against the rotors for the
disc brakes' inherent self-cleaning
effect to remain effective.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect that even extended
brake applications will fail to cure.
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not pose a hazard
to you or to other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that your
brake system will respond with undi-
minished efficiency when you need it.
When descending steep hills and
extended grades, downshift to a gear
that will allow you to continue safely with only a minimal amount of braking.
By minimizing the loads placed on the
brake system, this strategy helps
ensure that optimal brake system
response will remain available at all
times. Use care to avoid exceeding the
approved engine-speed range, refer to
page 74.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission
or selector lever in neutral. Do not coast
with the engine shut off. The engine
provides no braking effect when the
clutch is depressed and there is no
power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and brake
pedals and obstruct their movement.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that the manufacturer
has released for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer cannot eval-
uate non-approved brake pads to
determine if they are suited for use, and
therefore cannot ensure the operating
safety of the vehicle if they are
installed.<
It is not necessary to remove the fabric
top even in the winter, when the
hardtop is generally in constant use.
But you can also remove it at any time
with no problem. Before the fabric top
is stored in the convertible top
compartment, it must be absolutely dry
in order to avoid water spots and
mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and
clothes hooks that can be used just by
pressing. In addition, a roof-rack can be
mounted, for more information, please
contact your BMW center.
When suspending articles of
clothing from the hooks, be sure
that they will not obstruct the driver's
vision. Do not hang heavy objects on
the hooks. If you do so, they could
cause personal injury during braking or
evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation
or removal. Work with extreme caution
in order to avoid paint damage and
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or
removal, you can obtain a specially
designed hardtop lift
* or hardtop rack
*
at your BMW center.
133n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Lamps and bulbsTail lampsTail lamps (4): 21/4 watt bulbs
Remaining bulbs: 21 watts
1 Turn signal yellow
2 Backup lamps white
3 Tail lamp red
4 Tail lamp/brake lamp red
Section of the right luggage compart-
ment:
Bulbs in the fender:
All of the bulbs are integrated in a
central bulb holder.
1. Unscrew the bulb holder (arrow in
close-up view) and remove it
2. Unplug the power supply plug. Set
the bulb holder aside (on the luggage
compartment floor, for example)
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and replace the
bulb
4. Plug in the power supply fitting
5. Screw the bulb holder back on
(arrow in close-up view).
Bulbs in the luggage compartment lid:
1. Use a screwdriver to release the clip
134n
Lamps and bulbs2. Fold the trim panel down (1). Release
the bulb holder (2) and remove it
3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb
to the left. Remove and exchange the
bulb
4. Press the bulb holder into place
continuing until you hear it engage
5. Reinstall the trim panel with the clip.
Center (high-mount) brake lampLED strip on the rear window.
Please contact your BMW center in
case of a malfunction.
License plate lamps5 watt bulb
1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and
press toward the left (arrow) to
release the lens
2. Replace the bulb.
138n
Changing a wheelDriving 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 in
conjunction with winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at one time.
Reinstall wheels and tires of the same
size and specification as soon as
possible. Maintain correct tire pres-
sures, refer to page 25.<
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 83 or 85.
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).Safety tires are only possible in
conjunction with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<
If the defective wheel cannot be seen
as such immediately from the outside,
check the tire inflation pressure at all
four wheels.
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center. For safety reasons,
do not have a safety tire repaired. Your
BMW center has the information
needed for working with safety tires
and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your
BMW center to reequip your
vehicle from summer to winter tires Ð or
vice versa.<
Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 109
Access to the rear51
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter96
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)68
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)81
Adding
brake fluid124
coolant123
engine oil121
washer fluids120
Adjusting
electric power seats49
head restraints50
lumbar support50
mirrors55
steering wheel54
Air conditioning90
temperature setting91
Air distribution91, 94
Air nozzles90
Air outlets
ventilation90, 93 Air supply91, 94
Airbags18, 56
sitting correctly48
Alarm system28, 36
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
disposal123
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 109
Anti-theft system28, 29, 32
Aquaplaning109
Armrest99
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)80
Ashtray
front100
rear101
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)68
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner101
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)95
Automatic climate
control93, 94
Automatic cruise control72 Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)81
Automatic dimming feature,
mirrors56
Automatic headlight
control87
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)95
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)80
Automatic transmission67
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 67
Average fuel
consumption78
Average speed78
Axle loads146
B
Backup lamps66
bulb replacement133
Battery139
care139
charging139
disposal139
Battery charge current
indicator17 Belts, safety52
Beverage holder100
Blower91, 94
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil122
BMW Maintenance
System125
BMW sports seat,
adjustment49
BMW Universal
Transmitter97
Bore144
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Brake fluid124
disposal124
warning lamp17, 124
Brake fluid level109
Brake hydraulic system,
warning lamp17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement133
Brake pads19
A-Z
Everything from A to Z
151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system108, 109
brake pads110
brake rotors,
corrosion110
defect in hydraulic
circuits109
disc brakes110
Break-in procedure108
Bulbs and lamps,
replacement131 C
California Proposition
65 Warning126
Canned beverage
holder100
Capacities147
Car care, refer to the "Caring
for your vehicle" manual
Car phone100
Car wash systems, refer to
the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual
Care of upholstery materials,
refer to the "Caring for your
vehicle" manual Cargo loading103
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control)18, 81
Cellular phone
refer also to the
"Telephone Owner's
Manual"
Center (high-mount) brake
lamp134
Center armrest99
Central locking system28
inside control button32
Changing a wheel135
Charging the battery139
Check Control76
Check engine oil level121
Checking coolant level123
Checking tire pressures24
Child-restraint systems59
Cigarette lighter101
Cleaning headlamps71
Cleaning windshield71 Clock76
refer also to the
"Telephone Owner's
Manual"
Clutch108
Cockpit14
Coin box100
Compartments99
Compression ratio144
Computer76
refer also to the "Owner's
Manual for Onboard
Computer"
Configuring individual
settings via Vehicle and
Key Memory63
Consumption78
display75
Convenience operation via
driver's door lock
fully-automatic convertible
top31
power windows31
Convertible top
compartment panel35
Convertible top, fully
automatic operation42 Coolant123
capacity147
Coolant temperature
gauge75
Cooling system,
capacity147
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC)18, 81
Correct sitting posture48
Cruise control72
Cruising range78
Cup holder, refer to
beverage holder100
Curb weight146
D
Data
dimensions145
engine144
weights146
Daytime driving lamps87
DBC (Dynamic Brake
Control)82
Defrost windows92, 94
Digital clock76
Dimensions145
Dipstick, engine oil121
Displacement144
Everything from A to ZDisplay lighting88
Displays15
Disposal
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents123
battery139
brake fluid124
engine oil122
Distance warning79
Door keys28
Doors
electrical malfunction31
locking and unlocking29
manual operation31
DOT Quality Grades,
tires114
Draft-free ventilation92, 95
Drive belts17
Driving notes109
DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)81
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control19, 81
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC)82
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)19, 81
E
Easy access to the rear51
Electric power seats,
adjustment49
Electric power windows38
Electrical malfunction
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
Electrical malfunction,
closing only
fully-automatic convertible
top44
Elements of operation14
Emergency release of
luggage compartment lid
from luggage
compartment's interior34
Energy Control74
Engine and differential108
Engine compartment
essentials119
Engine coolant, refer to
coolant123 Engine data144
Engine oil
consumption121
disposal122
fluid capacity147
quality122
specifications122
viscosity122
Engine oil level121
check121
indicator19
Engine oil pressure
indicator17
Engine speed144
Engine, starting64
Engine, switching off65
Enlarging luggage
compartment35
Entering the rear51
Exterior mirrors55
F
Failure messages76
Filling capacities147
Fittings, tow starting and
towing141
Flashlight96 Flat Tire
Monitor85, 115, 138
Flat tires113, 135, 138
Floor panel, luggage
compartment35
Fog lamps88
Follow me home lamps87
Front fog lamps88
Front reading lamps89
Fuel consumption78
Fuel consumption
display75
Fuel filler door22
electrical malfunction22
manual operation22
Fuel gauge75
Fuel reserve indicator75
Fuel specifications23
Fuel tank capacity147
Fuel tank gauge75
Fuel-injection system144
Fully-automatic convertible
top42
electrical malfunction,
closing only44
manual closing44
Fuses139