
 
9n
 
Overview
Controls
Maintenance
Repairs
Data
Index
 
Your individual vehicle
 
On purchasing your BMW, you have  
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This 
Owner's Manual describes all models 
and equipment that BMW offers within 
the same group. 
We hope you will understand that  
equipment and features are included 
that you might not have chosen for your 
vehicle. You can easily identify any 
differences with the aid of the asterisk 
 
*
 
 
 
 
used to identify all optional equipment 
and accessories. 
If your BMW features equipment which  
is not described in this Owner's Manual 
(car radio or telephone, for instance), 
Supplementary Owner's Manuals are 
enclosed. We ask you to read these 
manuals as well.
 
Status at time of printing
 
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, 
ongoing development that is conceived 
to ensure that our vehicles continue to 
embody the highest quality and safety 
standards combined with advanced, 
state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, it is possible that the features 
described in this Owner's Manual could 
differ from those on your vehicle. Nor 
can errors and omissions be entirely 
ruled out. You are therefore asked to 
appreciate that no legal claims can be 
entertained on the basis of the data, 
illustrations or descriptions in this 
Owner's Manual.
 
Status at time of printing
For your own safety 

 
10n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels  
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 
15 % MTBE or 3% methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will 
not void the applicable warranties 
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel 
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels 
may result in driveability, starting and 
stalling problems especially under 
certain environmental conditions, such 
as high ambient temperature and high 
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts  
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested  
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been 
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free  
from defects in material and workman-
ship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for  
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made  
by other manufacturers to ascertain 
whether it can be used on a BMW 
safely and without risk to either the 
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. 
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories  
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW  
approved accessories such as alarms, 
 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,  
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with 
the vehicle's electrical system or affect 
the validity of the BMW Limited 
Warranty. Contact your BMW center for 
additional information. 
Do not use key or remote to lock doors  
or luggage compartment with anyone 
inside the vehicle. For more details 
refer to page  31.
 
<
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly. 

 21n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Multifunction steering wheel (MFL)
 
* 
The buttons integrated in the multifunc-
tion steering wheel are provided so  that 
you can operate a number of accesso-
ries quickly and without being 
distracted from traffic conditions. You 
may operate:
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
the cruise control
 
>
 
selected cellular phone functions.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.
 
<
 
 
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing, 
terminate a call.
 
Switch between phone and radio, 
cassette and CD.
Forward:
 
>
 
Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: search function
 
>
 
CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
 
>
 
Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast 
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
 
>
 
Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind: functions as forward.
 
Volume
Cruise control: to select a stored 
setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate (+) 
or decelerate and store (Ð).
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate. 

66n
Check Control Computer The following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols, 
starting with the ignition key in 
position 2, until the condition has been 
corrected.
1 Check the low beams and high 
beams, as well as the parking lamps
2 Door open
3 Luggage compartment lid open
4 Check tail or brake lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
parking, a signal sounds to remind you 
if the headlamps have not been 
switched off.
Mode selectionWith ignition key in position 1 or 2, you 
can request information from the 
computer using the button in the turn 
signal lever. By pressing the button 
briefly toward the steering column, you 
can call up a new function for display.
The displays appear in the following 
order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel 
consumption, cruising range, average 
vehicle speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, 
the last active setting is displayed.
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display (refer to the Radio 
Owner's Manual).
You can adjust the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows. 

69n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*
The conceptPDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers by 
providing an acoustic signal to indicate 
the distance between your front and 
rear bumpers and the nearest object. 
The monitoring range for the front and 
two rear sensors extends outward 
roughly 2 ft (60 cm), while the rear 
bumper's two centrally located sensors 
detect objects at distances of up to 
approx. 4.9 ft (1.50 meters).
The system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you 
select reverse or move the selector 
lever into the "R" position with the igni-
tion key in position 2. PDC is deacti-
vated when you shift back out of 
reverse.
Acoustic signalsThe distance to the nearest object is 
indicated by a tone sounding at various 
intervals. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become 
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the 
presence of an object less than 1 ft 
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. three seconds if the distance to 
the obstacle remains constant during 
this time (if you are moving parallel to 
a wall, for instance).
System malfunctions will be indicated 
by a continuous high-pitched tone 
when the system is activated the first 
time. Please refer the problem to your 
BMW center.The PDC does not remove the 
driver's personal responsibility 
for evaluating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles. Even when 
sensors are involved, there is a blind 
spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. This applies especially in 
those cases where the system 
approaches the physical limits of ultra-
sonic measurement, as occurs with tow 
bars and trailer couplings, and in the 
vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped 
objects.
Certain sources of sound, such as a 
loud radio, could drown the PDC signal 
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free 
of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the 
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance of more 
than 4 in (10 cm).< 

74n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with 
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic 
signal is sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed 
immediately and stop the vehicle in a 
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the 
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is 
provided for temporary use only in 
the case of a tire failure. It does not 
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. The spare tire
 that has the same 
dimensions as the tires already 
mounted on the vehicle is equipped 
with the necessary RDC electronics 
and will be also monitored once the 
tires have been mounted and the 
system activated.<
The RDC cannot alert you to 
severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your 
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information 
needed for working with RDC and is 
equipped with the necessary special 
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio 
frequency can interfere with the RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on 
during the malfunction. 
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault 
>if a wheel is mounted without the 
appropriate electronics 
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics 
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for 
additional information. 

Everything from A to Z
139n
OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning114 
Canned beverage holder88 
Capacities135 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car keys28 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo loading93 
CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)18, 71 
Cellular phone89 
refer also to the separate 
"Owner's Manual" 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp122 
Center 3-point belt in the 
rear91 
Center armrest87 
Central locking system28 
button32 Changing a wheel123 
Check Control66 
Check engine oil level109 
Checking tire inflation 
pressure24 
Child restraint 
installation52 
Child-restraint anchorage 
points51 
Clean the headlamps61 
Cleaning windshield61 
Clock66 
refer also to the "Radio 
Owner's Manual" or to the 
"Onboard Computer 
Owner's Manual" 
Clothes hooks90 
Cockpit14 
Coin box88 
Compartments87 
Compression132 
Computer refer also to the "Onboard 
Computer Owner's 
Manual" 
Configuring individual 
settings with Vehicle and 
Key Memory53 
Consumption68 
display65 
Convenience operation via 
the door lock 
sliding/tilt sunroof31 
windows31 
Coolant111 
Coolant temperature 
gauge65 
Cooling system, 
capacity135 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)18, 71 
Correct sitting posture40 
Cover, sun blinds86 
Cruise control62 
Cruising range68 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder88 
Curb weight134 Current check indicator17 
D 
Dash lighting78 
Dashboard14 
Data 
dimensions133 
engine132 
technical132 
weights134 
Daytime driving lamp77 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)19, 72 
Deep water99 
Defrost setting82, 84 
Defrost windows82, 84 
Defrostable rear 
window81, 85 
Digital clock66 
Dimensions133 
Dipstick, engine oil109 
Displacement132 
Display lighting78 
Displays15 
Distance warning69