
 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)96
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)97
Level control system99
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)99
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams101
Instrument lighting102
High beams/Standing 
lamps102
Fog lamps102
Interior lamps103
Reading lamps103
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning104
Automatic climate control107
Roller sun blind112
Parked-car ventilation 
system112
 
Cabin convenience:
 
BMW Universal Transmitter113
Glove compartment116
Storage compartments116
Cellular phone117
Beverage holder117
Ashtray, front117
Cigarette lighter118
Ashtray, rear118
 
Loading and transporting 
cargo:
 
Through-loading system119
Ski bag120
sport wagon:
Luggage compartment123
Roll-up cover123
Partition net123
Storage areas in the luggage 
compartment124
Cargo loading126
Roof-mounted luggage rack127
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures130
Driving notes131
Antilock Brake System131
Brake system132
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure133
Tire condition133
Tire replacement134
Wheel and tire 
combinations135
Special characteristics of winter 
tires136
Snow chains136 

 
9n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
The individual vehicle
 
On buying 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 
which 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 designed 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. We therefore request your 
understanding for the fact that we are 
unable to recognize any legal claims 
based on the data, illustrations or 
descriptions in this manual.
 
The individual vehicle
Status at time of printing 

 
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 equiva-
lent amount of co-solvent) will not void 
the applicable warranties covering 
defects in materials or workmanship. 
Field experience has indicated signifi-
cant differences in fuel quality (volatility, 
composition, additives, etc.) 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, espe-
cially under certain environmental 
conditions, such as high ambient 
temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related 
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching to 
a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Follow 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 thor-
oughly 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 from 
other manufacturers to confirm that 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 (for instance, CBs, 
walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar 
accessories) may cause extensive 
damage to the vehicle, compromise its 
safety, interfere with the vehicle's elec-
trical system, or affect the validity of the 
BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW 
center for additional information.
 
<
 
 
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.
 
For your own safety 

 
11n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
The following applies only to vehicles owned and operated in the US.
 
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
 
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should 
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of 
North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (201) 307-4000 .
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a 
group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-
vidual problems between you, your dealer or BMW of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can 
also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.  

 
22n
Steering wheel with multifunction buttonsThe controls integrated within the multi-
function steering wheel (MFL) and the 
sports steering wheel
* have been 
designed to allow you to operate a 
number of accessories both quickly and 
safely, without taking your eyes from 
the road:
>selected control functions for the 
radio along with CD, MD and 
cassette player
>recirculated-air control of the air 
conditioner system or the heated 
steering wheel
* (MFL only)
>the cruise control
>various phone functions
* and
>voice entry
*.
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.
Extended pressure:
Activate/deactivate voice entry.
Switch between phone and radio, 
cassette, CD and MD.
Forward:
>Radio
Press briefly: station scan in FM band
Extended pressure: search function
>CD/MD
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.
Recirculated-air mode and automatic 
recirculated-air control (AUC) or heated 
steering wheel: activate/deactivate. 

87n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Multi-Information Display (MID)
*
Central displayThe MID serves as the central display 
and operation for the following onboard 
systems:
>Digital clock (e. g. time display, date)
>Audio systems (radio, cassette, CD)
>Computer ( e.g. fuel consumption, 
cruising range)
>Cellular phone ( e.g. dialing).
You will find explanations and informa-
tion on operating the digital clock and 
the computer on the following pages. 
Please refer to the separate Owner's 
Manual instructions for operating the 
audio systems, the cellular phone and 
the computer.
The system rejects implausible 
numerical entries. 
Any interruption in the supply of elec-
trical power from the battery will result 
in the loss of all stored data. Once the 
power has been restored, you will need 
to reset the clock and re-enter any 
times for activating the auxiliary heater/
parked-car ventilation. Distance and 
vehicle speed data must also be 
entered again.<
1 Function button for audio systems
2 Function button for the cellular 
phone
*
3 Indicator lamp for independent 
ventilation
*
>remains on if switch-on time is 
active
>flashes while operating
4 Function button for the digital clock 
and computer
5 Indicator display for the various 
computer systems390us705
6 Display for the entry and display 
buttons. Depending on the operating 
mode, the functions and alternatives 
which can be selected at the buttons 
are displayed here
7 Entry and display buttons for oper-
ating the various computer systems 

117n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Cellular phone
*
Beverage holder
*
Ashtray, front
Hands-free systemOn vehicles with a telephone hookup
*, 
the hands-free speaker is positioned in 
the headliner.
For further information on the cellular 
phone, refer to the separate Owner's 
Manual.
390de639
Two holders for canned drinks have 
been provided in the front center 
console (illustration).
Press to open; fold back inward to 
close.390us736
To emptyPress the edge of the lid (arrow): 
The ashtray moves up and can be 
removed.
On vehicles equipped for non-
smokers, the insert is removed in 
the same way.390de742 

Everything from A to Z
177n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Brake system132 
brake fluid level132 
brake pads20, 132 
disc brakes132 
malfunctions132 
Break-in procedures130 
Bulbs and lamps151t C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning145 
Capacities173 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of paintwork, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo area 
lamps103 
opening from the 
inside40 
Cargo loading126 
Cellular phone117 Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp155 
Central locking 
system32, 37 
Changing a wheel/
tire157t 
Charge indicator lamp19 
CHECK button83 
Check Control83t 
Check engine oil 
level140t 
Child seat safety62 
Child seats61 
Child-restraint systems61 
Child-safety locks64 
Cigarette lighter118 
Clean rear window77 
Cleaning windshield77 
Climate control, refer to 
Automatic climate 
control107 
Clock88 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
Cockpit14 
Code, refer to immoblizer 
function94 
Cold start67 
Combination switch76 Comfort seat51 
Compartments116 
Computer86 
for additional information 
refer to the "Owner's 
Manual for Onboard 
Computer" 
remote control95 
Computer in the MID91 
Configuring personal 
adjustments, Vehicle and 
Key Memory64 
Consumption display81 
Consumption, fuel86, 93 
Convenience operation of 
windows and sliding/tilt 
sunroof33 
Convenience starting 
feature67 
Coolant142 
Coolant temperature 
gauge82 
Copyright4 
Cover, sun blinds112 
Cruising range86, 93 
Cup holder117 
Cup holder, refer to 
beverage holder117 
Curb monitor55 
D 
Data link connector for 
Onboard Diagnostics146 
Date 
calling up88 
changing88 
Daytime driving lamps101 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)20 
Deactivating95 
alarm system tilt 
sensor43 
interior motion sensor43 
Deep water131 
Defrost windows106, 109 
Defroster mode106, 109 
Digital clock in the MID88 
Dimensions169 
Dipstick, engine oil140t 
Displacement168 
Display lighting102 
Displays16, 17 
Disposal 
antifreeze with corrosion 
inhibitor142t 
used batteries160t 
used oils141t