
 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)81
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)83
Flat Tire Monitor85
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams87
Instrument lighting88
High beams/Standing lamps88
Fog lamps88
Interior lamps89
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning90
Automatic climate control93
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment96
BMW Universal Transmitter97
Storage compartments99
Cellular phone100
Ashtray, front100
Ashtray, rear101
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag102
Cargo loading103
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop105
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures108
Driving notes109
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)109
Brake system109
Hardtop110
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure113
Tire condition113
Tire replacement114
Wheel and tire 
combinations116
Winter tires116
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood118
Engine compartment 
essentials119
Washer fluids120
Engine oil121
Coolant123
Brake fluid124
 
Maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System125
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications126
California Proposition 
65 Warning126
OBD interface socket127 

39n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers the perfect protec-
tion against weather and one person 
can open and close it easily and simply.
So that you will get the most out of 
enjoying your convertible, here are a 
few tips: it is advisable to close the 
convertible top when the vehicle is 
being parked. The closed convertible 
top not only protects the passenger 
compartment from unforeseeable 
damage from the weather, it also 
provides a certain degree of theft 
protection.
In addition, keep valuables only in the 
locked luggage compartment, even 
with the convertible top closed.
Never mount a roof-mounted luggage 
rack on the convertible top.
Closing the electric power 
windows: to help ensure that the 
windows seal securely, you should 
either close the rear windows first or 
close all four windows at the same 
time.<
To open the convertible top
Never attempt to open or close 
the convertible top unless the 
vehicle is completely stationary. To 
prevent vehicle damage the top 
compartment's lock will not disengage 
unless the luggage compartment lid is 
closed.<
1. Flip the locking handle out (refer to 
illustration), and turn it as far as the 
end stop will allow 
2. Raise the convertible top a little bit 
(release the tension)
3. To unlock, press the button with igni-
tion key in position 1. The top 
compartment lid's lock disengages 
and the lid itself rises a small 
distance. The side windows will 
lower slightly
If the indicator lamp lights up 
when you press the button, this 
indicates that the top compartment's 
floor panel has been raised, preventing 
the lock from disengaging, refer to 
page 35. You should respond by folding 
the top compartment panel back to its 
original position and then reclosing the 
luggage compartment lid.< 

42n
Manual convertible top Fully-automatic convertible top
*
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.<
The fully-automatic convertible top 
combines the benefits of effective 
protection against the elements with 
simple and convenient operation. 
To gain maximum satisfaction from your 
convertible, please observe the 
following:
>We strongly recommend that you 
close the convertible top before 
leaving the vehicle parked. When 
closed, the top not only guards the 
passenger compartment from unfore-
seeable damage from the weather, 
but also affords a degree of protec-
tion against theft. However, even 
when the top is closed valuables 
should always be stored in the locked 
luggage compartment
>Never attempt to mount any kind of 
roof rack or luggage carrier on the 
convertible top
>Never retract or attempt to move the 
convertible top at temperatures 
below 14 7 (Ð 10 6), as damage 
could result.
Never store the convertible top 
while it is wet to avoid permanent 
damage from moisture.<
Driving when the opening or 
closing process has not been 
completed can cause vehicle damage or 
personal injury. 
Try to make sure that the vehicle is 
completely stationary before using the 
fully-automatic convertible top, other-
wise the system could respond by stop-
ping in mid-travel. 
If you set the convertible top in motion 
with the vehicle stationary and then have 
to start suddenly Ð for instance, at a 
traffic light Ð you can still complete the 
operation by driving as slowly as 
possible and again pressing and main-
taining pressure on the button. To avoid 
possible legal violations, always 
remember that traffic regulations always 
take priority over these instructions.
Before closing the top always ensure 
that the windshield frame is clear and 
free of any obstructions that could 
prevent it from seating correctly.
Do not lay objects on the convertible 
top, as they could fall off when it moves, 
causing vehicle damage or personal 
injury.
Always keep your hands and fingers well 
away from the top's mechanism while it 
is opening and closing. Ensure that chil-
dren remain at a safe distance from the 
top's travel range while it is in motion.< 

105n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop
* 
A special roof-rack system is available 
as an optional extra for your BMW. 
Please observe the precautions 
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers (arrow), please 
use the tool which is provided with the 
roof-rack system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the 
center of gravity of the vehicle when 
they are loaded. For this reason, they 
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's 
handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember 
not to exceed the approved roof load 
capacity, the approved gross vehicle 
weight or the maximum axle loads 
when loading the rack. These weights 
are listed under Technical Data on 
page 146.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky, 
and attempt to distribute it evenly. 
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on 
the bottom). Make sure that no objects 
will be in the way when the luggage 
compartment lid is opening or closing.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or 
being lost during driving (danger to 
following traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden 
acceleration or braking. Do not corner 
at high speeds. 
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the 
roof load increase the aerodynamic 
resistance: increased fuel consumption 
and additional stress on the vehicle's 
body are the result. 

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. 

Everything from A to ZManual transmission66 
Manually controlled recircu-
lated-air95 
Master keys28 
MFL (Multifunction steering 
wheel)22 
Microfilter92, 96 
Mirror defrosting55 
Mirror memory53 
Mirrors55 
Mobile phone, refer to 
cellular phone100 
Modifications, 
technical10, 126 
Motion sensor, refer to 
interior motion sensor36 
Mounting the roof rack110 
Multifunction steering wheel 
(MFL)22 O 
OBD interface socket127 
Odometer74 
Oil 
additives121 
capacity147 
consumption121 
quality122 
specifications122 
viscosity122 Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet (US 
models) or the Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet 
(Canadian models) 
Oil dipstick121 
Oil filter change147 
OIL SERVICE75 
Onboard computer76 
refer also to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Onboard tool kit130 
Opening and closing 
from the inside32 
via the door lock31 
via the remote control29 
Original hand-held 
transmitter97 
Outside temperature 
display77 
P 
Paint care, refer to the 
"Caring for your vehicle" 
manual 
Park assistant79 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC)79 Parking aid79 
Parking brake66 
Parking lamps 
bulb replacement131 
PDC (Park Distance 
Control)79 
Phone, refer to cellular 
phone100 
Pocket light96 
Power windows38 
Q 
Quality Grades, tires114 R 
Radiator147 
Rain sensor70 
RDC (Tire Pressure 
Monitor)83 
Reading lamps 
front89 
rear89 
Rear fog lamps 
bulb replacement133 
Rear lamps133 
Rear reading lamps89 
Rear window 
defroster91, 95 Rearview mirror55 
Recirculated-air mode91 
Refueling22 
Remote control29 
Remove window 
condensation92, 94 
Replace windshield wiper 
blades130 
Replacement keys28 
Replacing lamps and 
bulbs130 
Reporting safety defects11 
Reverse66 
Rollover protection 
system61 
Roof weight146 
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack105 
S 
Safe with safety belts48 
Safety belts48, 52 
seat-integrated51 
Safety defects, reporting11 
Safety tires115, 138 
Seat heating54 
Seat memory53 
Seat-integrated safety belt 
system (SGS)51