
Driving
66
To release 1.Remove the floor mat and the cover on
the spare tire
2.Guide the emergency-release tool with
the screwdriver handle into the opening,
arrow 1
3.Apply the open-end wrench to the
hexagon on the emergency-release tool.
Press against the resistance from the
spring to guide the emergency-release tool
all the way in, then hold it in place. Turn the
emergency-release tool in the direction
indicated by the arrow 2, continuing until
you hear the mechanism snap into place
and feel resistance; maintain pressure on
the tool after the mechanism engages
4.Use the open-end wrench to turn the
emergency-release tool against the drive
unit's mechanical resistance, continuing to
rotate it in arrow direction 2 until you feel a
substantial increase in turning effort.
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor
mat to their original locations.
Have any defects repaired at the
nearest BMW center. The technicians
can also return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been
released manually in response to malfunc-
tion.<
Following manual release, the actual
status of the parking brake may vary
from that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in
power supply
The parking brake may only be used
again, if it is released manually after
an interruption in power supply, i. e. as a
result of a discharged or disconnected
battery. If this is not done, the parking
brake may fail to operate correctly. Even
with the parking brake engaged, there
would be a danger of the vehicle rolling on
steep hills.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored you can again use the parking
brake:
With the ignition on and the
vehicle stationary, tap the
button three times at intervals
of approx. 5 seconds. This
initializes the system as follows:
>Initializing the disengaged setting
>Engage Ð the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initialized.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
appears in red
>Release Ð the parking brake is ready for
operation. The indicator lamp in the
Info Display goes out.
Automatic transmission
with L mode While you can drive as with a conventional
automatic transmission, you also have the
option of retaining your current gear selec-
tion with the L/D button on the steering
wheel, refer to page 68. Transmission ranges

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
In the event of loss in tire pressure If the indicator lamp symbol in the Check
Control lights up in yellow, and a message
also appears, this indicates that the infla-
tion pressures in the tires have fallen to
below the specified level, which is normal
in every tire after a certain amount of time.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated to
the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
Please take note of the additional informa-
tion in the Control Display panel.
If you are prompted to check the tire
pressure shortly after a correction has
been made, this indicates that the
corrected values were not accurate. Please
check the inflation pressure again and
make corrections according to the inflation
pressure table. Then reinitialize the
system.< Flat tire If you have a flat tire, the indicator lamp
symbol in the Check Control will light up in
red, and a message will appear. In addition,
a gong sounds.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
and sudden steering and braking maneu-
vers. Replace the damaged tire.
The spare tire provided with your
vehicle is equipped with the elec-
tronics required to support RDC operation;
once the spare tire is installed, the pressure
in this tire will also be monitored following
system initialization.
Have the tires changed at your BMW
center. Your BMW center has the informa-
tion needed for working with RDC and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.
ference signals that may prevent the
system from operating as intended. The symbol will appear in yellow in the
Check Control panel and a message will
appear.
You will also see the same message
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
appropriate electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, additional
wheels with RDC electronics are on board.
Please refer to the additional information
supplied in the Control Display, and have
the system inspected at your BMW center.
Self-leveling suspension*
In the event of malfunction
A Check Control message
appearing together with this symbol
indicates a malfunction in the self-
leveling suspension. Please take note of
the additional information in the Control
Display panel.
Stop and inspect the vehicle. If the rear of
the vehicle is visibly lower than the front,
possibly accompanied by a tilt noticeable
when you compare the left rear with the
right rear, you should respond by immedi-
ately proceeding to the nearest BMW
center. Drive with appropriate caution in
the meantime. The vehicle has reduced
ground clearance and driving comfort may
be noticeably reduced. Even if the attitude
of the vehicle is normal, you should consult
the nearest BMW center if the warning
lamp indicates a system fault.
Adaptive brake lamp The adaptive brake lamp indicates the
intensity with which you are applying your
brakes to drivers of following vehicles.

Wheels and tires
170
Wheels and tiresTire inflation pressure Information for your safety The factory-mounted radial tires have been
specially selected to provide optimal
performance when installed on your
vehicle; if properly cared for they will
furnish a combination of tremendous safety
and excellent ride comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else Ð
driving safety that depend on the condition
of the tires and the maintenance of the
specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. Tire inflation pres-
sures also have a substantial effect on your
BMW's handling response.
Check tire inflation pressures regu-
larly Ð at least every two weeks and
before beginning a longer trip. If you fail to
observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a
condition that can not only compromise
your vehicle's stability, but also lead to tire
damage and the risk of an accident.
Remember to check the inflation pressure
in your spare tire. Inflate the spare tire to
the highest pressure specified for any tire
on the vehicle.<
The inflation pressures, provided on a label
affixed to the B-pillar, are visible when the
driver's door is open.
To check tire pressures The table on the next page provides the
correct inflation pressures for cool
(ambient temperature) tires in psi/kilo-
pascal.
Vehicles with RDC Tire Pressure Monitor:
Remember to reactivate the system after
correcting your tire pressures, refer to
page 92. Comply with tire approval
specificationsThe inflation pressures in the table apply to
tire sizes and tires from BMW-approved
manufacturers. Your BMW center is familiar
with these pressures. Higher pressures
may be specified for tires from other manu-
facturers.

Wheels and tires
172
Tire replacement To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
BMW tests and approves specific wheel
and tire combinations. DOT Quality Grades Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.< TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half (1g) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.< TemperatureThe temperature grades are A (the highest),
B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.<
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
Do not use retreaded tires, since
driving safety may be impaired.
Possible variations in the design and the
age (which could be substantial) of the
carcasses can lead to unusually rapid
wear.< Tire age The tire's date of manufacture is indicated
on the sidewall:
DOT ... 4901 indicates that a tire was
manufactured in week 49 of the year 2001.
Regardless of milage or wear, BMW
recommends that you replace all tires Ð
including the spare tire Ð after a maximum
of 6 years, even though the tires may have
a theoretical service life of up to 10 years.

Replacing components
184 the jack could slip to the side if you attempt
to raise the vehicle on a soft or slippery
surface such as snow, ice, tiles, etc.
Position the jack on a firm support surface.
Do not use a wooden block or similar
object as a support base for the jack, as
this would prevent it from extending to its
full support height and reduce its load-
carrying capacity .
To avoid serious or fatal injury: never lie
under the vehicle, and never start the
engine while it is supported by the jack.<
What you will need To avoid rattling noises, note the positions
of the tools before removing them, then
return them to their initial positions after
completing work.
>Lug wrench
It is stored within the spare tire area
>Wheel chock
The chock is located next to the spare tire,
or behind the trim panel on the left side of
the luggage compartment on vehicles
equipped with a trailer coupling.
Remove the floor mat and the cover above
the spare tire.
Unscrew the wingnut and remove the
wheel chock >Vehicle jack
The jack is located behind the side trim
panel on the right side of the luggage
compartment. Grasp the handle in the
upper panel and fold it down.
Undo the wingnut, see arrow, and remove
the jack.
After use, screw the jack all the way back
down and snap the handle back into place.
Spare tire 1.Undo the wingnut 1
2.Remove the disk 2 to the side
3.Unscrew the threaded rod 3 to remove it
4.Remove the wheel. Procedure 1.Read carefully and comply with the
safety precautions on page 183.
2.Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling: place the wheel chock against the
rear surface of the front tire on the side
opposite the side being raised. If the
vehicle is parked on a downward slope,
place the wheel chock securely in front of
the tire. If the wheel must be changed on a
surface with a more severe slope, take

OverviewControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
185
additional precautions to secure the
vehicle from rolling.
3.Loosen the lug bolts 1/2 a turn
4.Set up the jack beneath the jacking
point closest to the flat tire. Ensure that the
entire surface of the jack's base is in firm
contact with the ground and that the jack
itself is standing completely vertical (not
tilted), and that the fitting on the top of the
jack will align with the rectangular recess
on the vehicle when you raise it, refer to
illustration
5.Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you
are changing is raised from the ground
6.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel
7.Remove accumulations of mud or dirt
from the mounting surfaces of the wheel
and hub. Clean the lug bolts
8.Position the spare wheel. Secure the
wheel by turning at least two lug bolts into
opposite bolt holes
9.Screw in the remaining lug bolts.
Tighten all the bolts securely in a diagonal
pattern
10.Lower the jack and remove it from
beneath the vehicle.
11.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal
pattern
12.Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and valve stem
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source
of gradual air loss.
Vehicles with RDC Tire Pressure Monitor:
After mounting a spare tire or correcting the inflation pressure(s) always remember
to reinitialize the system, refer to page 92.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not attempt
to raise another vehicle model with it or to
raise any load of any kind. To do so could
cause accidents and personal injury.
To ensure safety, always have the lug bolts
checked with a calibrated torque wrench to
ensure that they are tightened to the spec-
ified torque of 140 Nm as soon as
possible.<
Reverse the removal sequence to store the
wheel and tools in the vehicle.
When you mount wheels other than Orig-
inal BMW light-alloy wheels, different lug
bolts may also be required.
Always have damaged tires replaced and
the wheel and tire assembly rebalanced at
the earliest possible opportunity.
Battery Battery care The battery is 100% maintenance-free, i. e.,
the electrolyte will last for the life of the
battery when the vehicle is operated in a
temperate climate.
For all questions that regard the
battery, please consult your BMW
center. Since the battery is maintenance-
free, the following is for your information
only.< Charging the battery Only charge the battery in the vehicle via
the terminals in the engine compartment
with the engine off. Connections, refer to
Jump starting on page 187.
To avoid short circuits, as well as
possible fires and personal injury,
always disconnect the cable from the
battery's negative terminal before working
on the vehicle's electrical system.<

195
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
A"ABC..." for
navigation 126, 127
ABS (Antilock Brake
System) 91
"ACCEPT" for
navigation 130
Accessories 8
Activated-charcoal
filter 104
Activation
Ð mobile phone 162
Activation time 106
Active head restraints,
front 48
Active seat 52
Active seat ventilation 51
Adapter for spare key 34
Adaptive brake lamp 94
Adding oil to engine 176
Adding washer fluid 73
"Address book" 134
Adjusting thigh support 46
Airbags 55
Air distribution 100, 103
Airflow
Ð rear air conditioner 105
Air outlet vents 99
Air pressure 170
Ð see also tire inflation
pressure 170
Air supply 101
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 169
Alarm system 40
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 41
All-season tires 173
"AM..." 140, 143
AM waveband 143
Anchorages 120
Antifreeze 177
Ð coolant 177
Ð washer fluid 73Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 91
Anti-theft system 35
Approved gross vehicle
weight 194
Aquaplaning 118, 171
Armrest, see Center
armrest 113
Arrival time 83
"Arrow display" with navi-
gation system 132
"AS ADDRESS" at current
location 135
"AS ADDRESS" in address
directory 134, 135
"AS ADDRESS" with desti-
nation list 130
"AS ADDRESS" with
manual destination
entry 126
"AS ADDRESS" with map-
guided destination
selection 129
"AS ADDRESS" with recent
destinations 130
"AS DEST." with address
directory 134
"AS DEST." with manual
destination entry 126
"AS DEST." with map-
guided destination
selection 129
"AS DEST." with recent
destinations 130
Ashtray
Ð front 112
Assistance window, refer to
Control Center 23
Ð help texts 23
Ð status lines 24
AUC (Automatic recircula-
ted-air control) 101
Audio 140
"AUTO," refer to Automatic
climate control 103Automatic
Ð cruise control 73
Ð headlamp control 96
Ð luggage compartment lid
operation 36, 39
Ð steering wheel
adjustment 53
Automatic air
distribution 100
Automatic climate
control 99
Ð automatic air
distribution 100
Ð rear air conditioner 105
Ð rear cooler 110
Ð settings in Control
Display 103
Automatic curb monitor 54
Automatic Hold
Ð parking 64
Ð parking brake 63
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 101
Automatic transmission
with L mode 66
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 69
"Auto P" 54, 64
"Auxiliary heater" 106
Average fuel
consumption 83
Average speed 83
Avoid false alarms 41
"Avoid motorway" 131
"Avoid route" 133
"Avoid sect." 133
"Avoid tolls" 131
Avoid unintentional
alarms 41
"A-Z" 163
BBackrest, adjusting 46, 47
Backrests, see Seats 45
Everything from A to ZContents

199
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
HHandbrake, refer to Parking
brake 62
Hand lamp 111
Hands-free
microphone 161
Hands-free system 161
Hazard warning flashers 16
Headlamp control 96
Headlamp flasher 71
Headlamps, low beam 96
Headlamp washers 72, 73
Head restraints 48
Ð front head restraints,
active 48
Heated steering wheel 53
Heating and ventilation 99
Heating while stopped 101
Height 193
Height adjustment
Ð seats 46
Ð steering column 53
"Help" 19, 22
Help texts in Control
Display 23
High beams 97
Ð bulb replacement 182
High-mount brake
lamp 183
Home address 135
Hood release 175
Horn 13
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to DBC 91IIce warning 77
Ignition key 34
Ignition lock 61
"Indep. ventil." 106
Indicator lamps 15
"Individual" 104
Individual button assign-
ments on steering
wheel 53
Inflation pressure 170
Inflation pressure control,
tires 92
Info Display 14"Information" for
navigation 129
Instrument cluster, refer to
Info Display 14
Instrument lighting 97
Instrument panel 12, 16
Instrument panel switch 71
Interior lamps 97
Ð remote control 36
Interior motion sensor 41
Interior protection
Ð deactivating 36, 41
Interior rearview mirror 52
Ð automatic dimming 52
Intermittent wipe 71
JJack 184
Jump-starting 187KKey Memory 59
Key Pad control
buttons 160
Key Pad digit buttons 160
Key Pad with mobile
phone 160
Keys 34
Ð adapter for spare key 34
Kickdown 68L"Last" 164
"Last destin." 130
LATCH, refer to LATCH
child-restraint system 58
"Left"
Ð for heated seats 51
Ð with automatic climate
control 103
Length 193
Level control system 94
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement 183
Lighter 113
Lights on warning 96
Light switch 96
"Limit" 84Limit selection,
adjustment 84
Litter container 111
L mode on automatic
transmission 66
Loading 120
Loading the vehicle 120
"LOCATION" 135
"Location" 129, 135
Lock Code 162
Locking
Ð from the outside 35
Louvers 99
Low beams
Ð automatic 96
Lower back support, refer
to lumbar support 46
Lug bolts 185
Luggage compartment
capacity 194
Luggage compartment lid
Ð emergency release 40
Ð locking separately 39
Ð opening from the
inside 39
Ð opening from the
outside 38
Ð operating via remote
control 36
Luggage compartment lid
operation,
automatic 36, 39
Luggage compartment
net 40
Luggage rack, refer to
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 120
Lug wrench 184
Lumbar support 46
MM+S tires 173
Maintenance 179
Make-up mirror 53
Malfunction displays 80
"M AM" 144, 145
Manually controlled recir-
culated air 101