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Airbags
Never apply stickers or adhesive-
backed objects of any kind to the 
airbag covers. Never attempt to reup-
holster the covers or modify them in any 
way. If the airbags deploy in response 
to an accident, if you note any signs of 
system malfunction, or if you wish to 
have any parts of the airbag passenger-
restraint system deactivated, always 
contact your BMW center, to whom we 
strongly urge you to entrust all testing, 
repair and dismantling operations. 
Never attempt to modify or tamper with 
either the system's electrical wiring or 
any of its individual components. 
System components include the uphol-
stered surfaces on the steering wheel, 
instrument panel, the trim panels on the 
front and rear doors (with rear airbags) 
and the roof braces as well as the sides 
of the headliner above the doors. 
Never attempt to remove or dismantle 
the steering wheel. 
To ensure compliance with official 
safety regulations, always entrust 
disposal of airbag generators to your 
BMW center. Attempts to carry out 
service procedures undertaken by 
anyone other than specially-trained 
professionals can result in system 
failure or undesired airbag deployment, 
both of which can lead to personal 
injury. If the airbags deploy in response 
to an accident, always remember to 
avoid all contact with system compo-
nents, as they are hot and can cause 
burns in the period immediately 
following deployment.<
All vehicle occupants should 
always sit upright and be properly 
restrained (infants and small children in 
appropriate child-restraint systems; 
larger children and adults using the 
safety belts). Never let an occupant's 
head rest near or on a side airbag: the 
inflating airbag could cause a serious or 
fatal injury. Please note that the word 
"Airbag" imprinted on the door trim 
panel indicates the airbag's location.
Accident research shows that the 
safest place for children in an automo-
bile is in the rear seat. However, a child 
sitting in the rear seat and not properly 
restrained may place his or her head on 
or near the side airbag, if installed. For 
example, a child Ð even though belted Ð 
may fall asleep with his or her head 
against the side airbag. It may be diffi-
cult for a driver to ensure that children 
in the rear seat will remain properly 
positioned at all times and do not place 
their heads on or near the side airbag. 
Therefore, we recommend that the 
rear-seat side airbags, if provided, be 
deactivated if you plan to transport chil-
dren in the rear seat.
The rear-seat side airbags may already 
have been deactivated, either at the 
time of manufacture or by a BMW 
center. Labels in the rear door opening 
should indicate the status of your rear-
seat side airbags. If you are uncertain of 
their status, or wish to have the airbags 
activated or deactivated, please 
contact your BMW center.< 
Even when all these guidelines are 
followed, there is still a small residual 
risk of injuries to the face, hands and 
arms occurring in isolated instances. 
The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild temporary hearing loss 
in extremely sensitive individuals.
Airbag warning information is also 
provided on the sun visors. 

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Level control system
*
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The warning lamp for the level 
control system comes on, or the 
message "SELFLEVEL 
SUSP.INACT" appears in the Check 
Control: there is a malfunction in the 
self-level control system.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If it is 
riding significantly lower in the rear than 
in the front, or if it is sitting at an incline 
(left rear compared to right rear), 
consult the nearest BMW center. Drive 
with appropriate caution in the mean-
time. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance or driving comfort is notice-
ably reduced.
Even if the attitude of the vehicle is 
normal, you should consult the nearest 
BMW center if the warning lamp indi-
cates a system fault.
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all 
four wheels, even when the vehicle is 
moving. The system provides an alert 
whenever the inflation pressure drops 
significantly below the specified pres-
sure in one or more tires.
In order for the system to "learn" the 
correct tire inflation pressure, check the 
inflation pressure in all tires. Refer to 
the table of "Tire inflation pressures" 
beginning on page 27 and make any 
necessary corrections. Then activate 
the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster or the Check 
Control will inform you if the tire 
pressure is not correct.
Activate the system1. Turn the ignition key to position 2 (do 
not start the engine)
2. Maintain pressure on the button until 
the yellow indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster comes on for 
several seconds or the message 
"SET TIRE PRESSURE" appears in 
the Check Control panel
3. After you have driven for a few 
minutes, the RDC will import the 
current inflation pressure in the tires 
as the reference values which the 
system will monitor.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure if the tire inflation pressure must 
be corrected. Otherwise, the RDC func-
tions automatically when the ignition 
key is in position 2, and thus operates 
whenever the vehicle is driven.390de704 

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HoodTo unlockPull the lever located under the left-
hand side of the instrument panel.
Do not work on your vehicle 
without appropriate skills. Failure 
to work in an informed, professional 
manner when servicing components 
and materials constitutes a safety 
hazard for vehicle occupants and other 
road users. If you are not familiar with 
the guidelines, please have the opera-
tions performed by your BMW center.<390de759
To openPull the release handle and open the 
hood.390de760
To closeAllow the hood to fall from a height 
of about 12 in (30 cm) so that it audibly 
engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the hood is clear 
when it is closed, as with all closing 
procedures.
If you notice that the hood is not 
completely closed while driving, stop 
immediately and close it securely.< 390de761 

Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
I 
Ice warning80 
Identification, tires135 
Ignition lock66 
Immoblizer function94 
activating code94 
deactivating code94 
selecting code94 
Important in the engine 
compartment138 
Imprint4 
Independent ventilation 
system112 
Indicator and warning 
lamps19 
Inflation pressure26t 
monitoring99 
Inflation pressure, 
tires26, 133 
INSPECTION82 
Instrument 
cluster15, 16, 17 
Instrument displays15 
Instrument lighting102 
Instrument panel16, 17 
Instrument panel switch76 
Instruments15 
Intensive cleaning139 Interior lamps103 
Interior mirror58 
Interior motion sensor42 
avoiding unintentional 
alarms44 
deactivate35 
Interior rearview mirror57 
automatic dimmer58 
Interlock66 
J 
Jack157 
Jump-starting162t K 
Key Memory64 
Key with remote control32 
Keys32 
Kickdown71, 74 L 
Lamps and bulbs151t 
LATCH child-restraint 
system63 
LATCH child-restraint 
system, sport wagon64 Leather care, refer to the 
"Caring for your vehicle" 
manual 
Length of vehicle169 
Level control system21, 99 
inactive99t 
License plate lamps 
bulb replacement156t 
Liftgate, refer to tailgate40 
Light switch101 
Lighter118 
LIGHTS ON warning101 
LIMIT91 
Load-securing devices126 
Louvers104, 107 
Low beams101 
bulb replacement151t 
Low-fuel warning lamp81 
Lug bolts158 
Lug wrench157t 
Luggage 
compartment38, 42, 123 
capacity171 
manual operation38t 
Luggage compartment 
lid38 
electrical malfunction38 
emergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior41 opening from the 
outside39 
opening separately38 
remote control35 
secure separately38 
Luggage compartment's 
interior, emergency 
release41 
Luggage net42 
Luggage straps42 
Lumbar support50 
M 
M+S tires136 
Maintenance82, 144t 
Malfunction displays83t 
Manual operation 
doors33 
fuel filler door24 
luggage compartment 
lid38 
sliding/tilt sunroof47 
tailgate39 
Manual transmission69 
Manually controlled 
recirculated-air110 
Manually-adjusted seat50 
Master key32 
Maximum cooling110 
Memory settings