
 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit130
Windshield wiper blades130
Lamps and bulbs130
Changing a wheel135
Battery139
Fuses139
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting140
Towing the vehicle141Engine data144
Dimensions145
Weights146
Capacities147Everything from A to Z150 

 
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
The system runs an operational check 
on the indicator and warning lamps 
identified with the 
 
l
 
 symbol each time 
you switch on the ignition. 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 in the 
following section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
 
 
l
 
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.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
l
 
Stop the vehicle immediately 
and switch off the engine. 
Check the engine oil level; 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.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp 
 
l 
 
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 109 and 124
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/
Flat Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
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 to avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information refer to 
pages 83, 85 

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Keys Central locking systemThe key set1 Master keys with remote control 
determine the functions of the Key 
Memory, refer to page 63. You can 
mark individual keys for subsequent 
identification by applying the colored 
decals that you received when 
accepting delivery of your vehicle
Each master key is equipped with 
an extended-life battery. This 
battery is recharged in the ignition lock 
during normal operation. 
For this reason, if you have a master key 
that is not in regular use you should use 
that keys approx. once a year while 
driving for an extended period to charge 
the battery, refer also to page 29.<
2 Spare key for storage in a safe place, 
such as in your wallet. This key is not 
intended for constant use 
3 Door and ignition key
The locks for the luggage compart-
ment lid and the glove compartment 
cannot be operated with this key Ð 
this is useful for valet parking, for 
example.
The conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The system engages and 
releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door
>glove compartment.
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the remote control 
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
Activating it from inside does not lock 
the fuel filler door, refer to page 32. 
When the system is actuated from the 
outside, the anti-theft system is acti-
vated simultaneously. Both the door 
locks and release handles remain 
locked. The alarm system is also armed 
or disarmed.
If locked from the inside, the central 
locking system unlocks automatically in 
the event of an accident, except on 
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to 
page 32. In addition, the hazard 
warning flashers and interior lamps 
come on. 

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Opening and closing Ð via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control gives you an excep-
tionally convenient method for 
unlocking and locking your vehicle. 
Furthermore, it provides two additional 
functions which you can only use via 
the remote control:
>To switch on the interior lamps, refer 
to page 30.
With this function, you can also 
search for the vehicle, when it is 
parked in an underground garage, for 
instance
>To open the luggage compartment 
lid, refer to page 30.
The luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly, regardless of whether it 
was previously locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock (lock) the vehicle, 
you simultaneously deactivate (activate) 
the anti-theft system, disarm (arm) the 
alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on (off).
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Since children might be able to 
lock the doors from the inside, you 
should always take the vehicle keys 
with you so that the vehicle can be 
opened again from the outside at any 
time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock 
the vehicle via the remote control, 
the battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the door 
and ignition key or the spare key when 
leaving the vehicle for valet parking, for 
example, refer to page 28.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<
1 Unlock
2 Lock and secure, switch on interior 
lamps, deactivate tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensor
3 Open the luggage compartment lidTo unlockPress the button once to unlock the 
driver's door. 
Press a second time to disengage all 
vehicle locks. 

36n
Luggage compartment Alarm system
*
The fittings at the corners of the 
luggage compartment provide you with 
a convenient means of attaching 
luggage nets
* and flexible straps for 
securing luggage.
Refer also to Cargo loading on 
page 103.
The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the 
luggage compartment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle 
(interior motion sensor)
>To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle 
such as those occurring during 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>The acoustic alarm sounds for 
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in 
rhythm with the hazard warning 
flashers.
To arm and disarm the alarm 
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
via the driver's door lock or with the 
remote control, the alarm system is also 
simultaneously armed or disarmed.
You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm 
arming and disarming.<
You can open the luggage compart-
ment lid even when the system is 
armed by pressing the button on the 
remote control, refer to page 30. When 
it is closed, the lid is once again 
secured. 

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Fully-automatic convertible top
*
When closing the electric power 
windows while underway, always 
remember to either start by closing the 
rear windows or to close all of them at 
once. Failure to adhere to this 
sequence can prevent the windows 
from sealing tightly at high speeds.< 
At higher speeds, the ensuing 
vacuum in the passenger 
compartment can cause the convertible 
top to begin fluttering. Increase the air 
supply via the ventilation controls so 
that a vacuum does not occur in the 
vehicle.<
1 Close
2 OpenTo open and closeFrom ignition key position 1 and with 
the vehicle stationary.
To avoid placing unnecessary loads on 
the battery, you should avoid operating 
the top when the engine is switched off.
1. Read and comply with the preceding 
safety precautions
2. Before opening the convertible top, 
ensure that the convertible top 
compartment panel is back down 
into its original position, refer to 
page 35
3. Ensure that the luggage compart-
ment lid is closed
4. Maintain pressure on the corre-
sponding button for the convertible 
top operation. The red indicator lamp 
flashes whenever the convertible top 
mechanism is in operation. It goes 
out when the opening or closing 
process has been completed.
If it continues flashing after the 
control button is released, the 
process has not completed opening 
or closing. The operation can be 
resumed in the desired direction by 
pressing the button again.
If the yellow indicator lamp lights up 
continuously with the button 
pressed, the convertible top 
compartment panel has been raised 
and the top cannot be moved, refer 
to step 2.
The convertible top stops moving 
immediately when the button is 
released. You can resume operation in 
the desired direction by pressing the 
button again.< 

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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 "P."< 

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Interior lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.Switching the interior lamps on 
and off manuallyPress button 1 briefly:
If you want the interior lamps to remain 
off all the times, press and hold the 
button for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to 
normal operation.Front reading lamps
*
Switch on and off with the button 2 
adjacent to each lamp.
Rear reading lampsRear reading lamps are also provided 
for rear seat passengers when the 
hardtop is installed, refer to page 110. 
Switch on and off with the button adja-
cent to each lamp.
To avoid subjecting the battery to 
excessive loads, all of the lamps 
within the vehicle are automatically 
switched off approx. 15 minutes after 
you turn the ignition key to position 0.<