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Mirrors AirbagsInterior and exterior mirrors with 
automatic dimming feature
*
These mirrors automatically respond to 
glare from following vehicles by 
dimming through an infinitely-variable 
range. The mirrors automatically revert 
to their clear, undimmed setting when-
ever you select reverse.
The dimming function is regulated by 
two photocells; one is integrated in the 
mirror's lens (arrow), while the other is 
located at an offset position on the rear 
of the mirror.
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate efficiently, ensure that the 
photocells remain clear and unob-
structed. Refrain from attaching 
stickers to the windshield in the area 
immediately in front of the mirror.390de031
1 Front airbags on the driver and 
passenger sides
2 Head protection airbags on driver 
and passenger side (front and rear
*)
3 Side airbags on driver and passenger 
side (front and rear
*) 
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and 
passenger in the event of a head-on 
collision where the protection provided 
by the safety belt alone would not be 
adequate. The head protection airbags 
and side airbags help provide protec-
tion in the event of a collision from the 
side. Each of the side airbags is 
designed to help support the upper 
body.380de643
The side airbags in the rear 
passenger area
* of your vehicle 
may already have been deactivated, 
either at the time of manufacture or by a 
BMW center. You may have them acti-
vated if you desire to do so. Please 
contact your BMW center for additional 
information.c
For information on the correct sitting 
position, refer to page 48.
The airbags will not be triggered in 
the event of a minor accident, a 
vehicle rollover or a collision from the 
rear.<  
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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
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.