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14n
1 Parking lamps/Low beams77
2
 
>
 
Turn signals59
 
>
 
Standing lamps78
 
>
 
High beams78
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher59
 
>
 
Computer663 Washer/Wiper system/
Rain sensor60
4 Hazard warning flashers
5 Central locking system286 Rear window defroster81, 85
7 Horn: the entire surface
8 Adjusting the steering wheel46
9 Fog lamps78
 
Cockpit 
     
        
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15n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
1 Fuel gauge65
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals203 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning 
lamps17 to 205 Tachometer and Energy control64
6 Engine coolant temperature 
gauge65
 
Instrument cluster  
     
        
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17n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps 
 
Technology that monitors itself 
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
l
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. 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 to this below.
 
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 engine. Check 
the engine oil level and 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 100 and 112
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 to 
stop the vehicle. Avoid hard brake 
applications. As you steer the vehicle, 
use caution and avoid overcorrecting.
For additional information: refer to 
pages 73, 75 
     
        
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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 108
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 by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity. 
For additional information: refer to 
page 115
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 
opportunity. For additional information: 
refer to page 111
 
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 59
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise 
control is activated. Available for 
operation via the multifunction steering 
wheel.
For additional information: refer to 
page 62
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information: refer to 
page 78
 
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 59, 78 
     
        
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Opening and closing Ð via the door lockOne turn of the key in the driver's door 
lock unlocks the driver's door only. 
Turning the key a second time unlocks 
all of the remaining doors, the luggage 
compartment lid and the fuel filler door.
Never lock the doors when leaving 
passengers in the vehicle, as they 
would then be unable to open the door 
from the inside.<
You can have a signal set to 
confirm that the vehicle's locks 
have engaged securely.<
Convenience operationYou can also operate the power 
windows and the sliding/tilt sunroof via 
the door lock.
>To open: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Unlock" position
>To close: with the door closed, hold 
the key in the "Lock" position.
Whenever closing the windows or 
sliding/tilt sunroof you should 
always monitor their path and progress 
to ensure that no injuries occur. 
Release the key to stop the windows 
(sliding/tilt sunroof).<
Manual operation (in the event of electrical malfunction)
Turn the key all the way to the left or 
right to unlock/lock the driver's door. 
     
        
        Page 56 of 147

56n
Parking brake  Manual transmission The parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates on the rear 
wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, the 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster 
comes on when the ignition key is in 
position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button (arrow) and lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances 
make it necessary to engage the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull it with excessive 
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed 
against the release button while care-
fully pulling the lever up to apply 
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on hills and inclined surfaces, 
as first gear or reverse may not provide 
adequate resistance to rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
place the selector lever in "Park."<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided 
braking, apply the parking brake lightly 
from time to time when coasting to a 
standstill (at a traffic signal, for 
instance), provided that it is safe to do 
so.
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is 
stationary. Press the shift lever to the 
left to overcome the slight resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will 
turn on automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on 
slopes by slipping or "riding" the 
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. 
Riding the clutch leads to severe and 
premature clutch wear.< 
     
        
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Automatic transmission with Steptronic
*
Indicator/Headlamp ßasher
 
Available displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control 
module
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the 
transmission selector lever to "P." 
Engage the parking brake and turn the 
engine off (ignition key to position 0). 
Wait a few seconds, then start the 
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a 
few seconds, normal transmission 
performance has been restored. You 
may continue to drive as usual. 
If the indicator lamp does not go out, 
you can place the selector lever in all 
positions. However, the vehicle will now 
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear. 
If this happens, avoid extreme engine 
loads and consult the nearest BMW 
center.
Never work in the engine 
compartment when a drive gear 
(forward or reverse) is engaged. If you 
do this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the 
information beginning on page 128.
1 High beams (blue indicator lamp)
2 Headlamp flasher (blue indicator 
lamp)
3 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
accompanied by periodic clicking 
sound from the relay)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond 
the detent. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
If the flashing of the turn signal 
indicators and the clicking from 
the relay are both faster than normal, 
one of the turn signal indicators has 
failed.< 
     
        
        Page 66 of 147

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.