
 
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 

 
17n
 
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 

 
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 control system 
has failed. Continue driving 
cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid full brake applications. Please 
have the system checked by your BMW 
center as soon as possible.
For additional information refer to 
pages 80, 81
CBC, ABS, ASC+T/DSC and 
ADB/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 you start 
off. 
For additional information refer to 
page 66
Parking brake warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety 
belts 
 
l 
 
An acoustic warning also 
sounds in some versions. Flashes if the 
backrest is not locked. Lights up either 
for several seconds or until the belt is 
engaged, depending upon version.
For additional information on safety 
belts refer to page 52
Airbags 
 
l
 
Please have the system 
inspected at your BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 56
 
Orange: consult the nearest 
BMW center
 
Automatic transmission
The automatic 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 67 

 
20n
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid is too low. Top 
off the fluid at the earliest 
opportunity. For additional information 
refer to page 120
SERVICE ENGINE SOON 
 
l
 
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 at your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. For addi-
tional information refer to page 127
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 123
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is 
operated. 
Rapid flashing indicates a system 
malfunction.
For additional information refer to 
page 69
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated: available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information refer to 
page 72
Fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the fog lamps.
For additional information refer to 
page 88
 
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 69, 88 

75n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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 147.
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. Shut off the engine immediately 
and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to 
page 123.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. 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 operating 
conditions in the preceding period.
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. 

82n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
*
To switch DSC off/activate ADBPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC is deactivated; ADB is operational. 
In the following rare situations, it may 
prove useful to deactivate the ADB for a 
brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving on snow-covered 
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been 
packed down from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
Under these special circumstances 
traction is increased by deactivating the 
control systems that enhance traction 
under normal conditions.
To switch DSC and ADB offHold the DSC button down for at least 
3 seconds. The indicator lamp and the 
yellow brake warning lamps light up 
and remain on continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and 
traction are deactivated, and there is no 
active braking intervention or torque 
control.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC 
switched on whenever possible.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. An 
appropriate driving style always 
remains the responsibility of the driver. 
We therefore urge you to avoid using 
the additional safety margin of the 
system as an excuse for taking risks.
When ADB is in its standby mode, DSC 
is deactivated; DSC does not intervene 
to enhance vehicle stability under these 
conditions.
Do not make any modifications to the 
DSC system. Allow only authorized 
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the 
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the 
brake pedal by automatically braking 
the vehicle with maximum boost to 
achieve the shortest-possible braking 
distances during "panic stops." This 
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted 
against the brake pedal until the 
braking maneuver has been completed. 
DBC is deactivated when you release 
the brake pedal. 

85n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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.
Initializing 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 pressures in 
all the tires, comparing them with the 
inflation pressure table on page 25, 
and adjusting if necessary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2 
3. Press the button until the yellow indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster 
lights up. After a little while, the indi-
cator 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. 

86n
Flat Tire Monitor
*
To 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 damaged 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.<
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.