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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Electric power windowsTo open and close the windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
To open:
>Press the switch up to the resistance
point: the window will lower slightly
or the vent windows will open
slightly, as long as you keep pressing
the switch
>Press the switch briefly past the
resistance point: the window moves
automatically. Pressing the switch
again stops the opening cycle.
To close: you can close the windows in
the same manner by pulling the switch.
The vent window does not close auto-
matically.
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the electric power
windows for up to 15 minutes, provided
that no door has been opened.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the
lock and remember to close the doors
to prevent children from operating the
power windows and injuring them-
selves.<
To use the convenience mode via the
door lock or the remote control, refer to
pages 29 and 31.
Safety feature A contact strip is located on the inside
upper frame of each of the windows. If
pressure is exerted against this contact
strip while a window is being raised, the
system will respond by stopping the
window and then retracting it a small
distance.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful to ensure that
the closing path of the window is not
obstructed. Otherwise, an object might
not touch the contact strip in some situ-
ations (very thin objects, for instance).
You can disable this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Sliding/tilt sunroof
*
Safety featureIf the sliding/tilt sunroof encounters
resistance
>when it is closing from the raised
position
>when it is closing from a point
roughly past the middle of its travel,
the closing cycle is interrupted and the
sliding/tilt sunroof will open again
slightly.
Despite this safety feature, be
extremely careful to ensure that
the closing path of the roof is not
obstructed. Otherwise, triggering the
closing-force limitation may not be
ensured in some situations (with very
thin objects, for instance).
You can disable this safety feature by
pressing the switch beyond the resis-
tance point and holding it.<
Manual operation In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also operate the sliding/tilt
sunroof manually
1. Remove the interior lamp, then reach
into the exposed opening and press
out the cover
2. Use an Allen wrench from the
onboard tool kit (refer to page 120) to
turn the sunroof's steel crank in the
desired direction.

46n
Safety belts Seat and mirror memory
If the safety belt system has been
subjected to the stresses involved
in an accident or otherwise damaged:
Have the entire safety belt mechanism
replaced by your BMW center,
including the safety belt tensioner. In
addition, have your BMW center
inspect the safety belt anchors. If a
child-restraint system was in the
vehicle during an accident, consult the
manufacturer's instructions regarding
replacement.<
You can store and call up three different
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
Memory will not retain the adjust-
ments made to the lumbar
supports or the width of the back-
rests.
to the desired position
3. Press the
MEMORY button: the indi-
cator lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as
desired. The indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored settingDriver's door open after unlocking or
ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when
one of the seat adjustment or
memory buttons is activated during
the adjustment process.
With the driver's door closed and the
ignition key either removed or in posi-
tion 0 or 2:
>Maintain pressure on the desired
memory button (1, 2 or 3) until the
adjustment process is completed.
If you press the
MEMORY button
accidentally: press the button
again; the indicator lamp goes out.<
Do not select a memory position
while the vehicle is moving. If you
do so, there is a risk of accident from
unexpected seat movement.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Seat and mirror memory Seat heating
*
Steering wheel
Your BMW center can adjust your
vehicle's systems in such a
manner that your personalized settings
are automatically set for the seat and
exterior mirror positions when you
unlock the vehicle with your personal
remote control.<
Before activating the programmed
adjustment feature ensure that the
footwell behind the driver's seat is
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to
do so, any persons or objects behind
the seat could be injured or damaged
by a rearward movement of the seat.<
The seat cushion and backrest can be
heated when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2.
You can call up different heating levels
by repeatedly pressing the button.
You can also switch the higher heating
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly
longer.
Adjustments1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust the steering wheel (forward/
back and up/down) to suit your
sitting position
3. Pull the lever back in to clamp the
steering wheel in the new position.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while the vehicle is moving, other-
wise there is a risk of an accident from
unexpected movement.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Mirrors Airbags Interior rearview mirror with
automatic dimming featureThis mirror automatically dims through
an infinitely variable range and switches
automatically to its clear, undimmed
mode whenever you engage reverse
gear.
There are two photocells for automatic
dimming. One photocell (arrow) is posi-
tioned in the mirror's frame, while the
other is slightly offset on the opposite
side of the mirror.
For the mirror to function perfectly,
keep the photocells clean and the area
between the inside rearview mirror and
the windshield free of any obstruction,
like stickers, etc.
1 Front airbags on the driver and
passenger sides
2 Side Impact Head Protection System
on the driver and passenger sides
(front)
3 Side airbags on the driver and
passenger sides (front and rear
*)
Protective effectThe front airbags protect the driver and
passenger in the event of a frontal
impact where the protection provided
by the safety belt alone would not be
adequate. The Side impact Head
Protection System and the side airbags
help provide protection in the event of a
collision from the side. Each of the side
airbags is designed to help support the
seat occupant's upper body.

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Ignition key positions0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting engineSteering locked The key can be inserted or removed in
this position only.
After removing the key, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left or right
until you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal is sounded after the driver's door
has been opened.
The sound system remains operational
for approx. 20 minutes after you switch
off the ignition (ignition key in position 0
or key removed). Simply switch it back
on.Steering unlocked You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation. 1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Press the clutch pedal at low
temperatures
4. Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal. Do not actuate the
starter for too short a time. Do not
turn it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle
remains stationary. Instead, begin
driving immediately at a moderate
engine speed.
Vehicles with sequential M gearbox
*
SMG II: refer to the instructions on
page 60.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust
gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to
unconsciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a potential safety hazard.<
Ignition lock Starting the engine

58n
Parking brake Manual transmission The parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates against the rear
wheels. To engageThe lever 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, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be 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.
Set the parking brake when parking on
steep hills, because under certain
conditions, putting the vehicle into first
or reverse gear may not be enough to
prevent it from rolling away.<
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.
Press the clutch pedal all the way down
each time you shift, pressing the
manual gearshift lever into its proper
end position.
When shifting gears in the
5th/6th-gear plane, be sure to
press the gearshift lever to the right in
order to prevent inadvertent selection
of a gear in the 3rd/4th-gear plane.<

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OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual transmission Sequential M gearbox
* SMG II
Reverse Select only when the vehicle is
completely stopped. Press the gearshift
lever to the left to overcome the slight
resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will
come on automatically when the igni-
tion 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 causes the clutch
assembly to wear out sooner.<
The conceptThe sequential M gearbox SMG II is an
automated manual gearbox with which
clutching and shifting is assumed by an
electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG II is operated via two shift
paddles on the steering wheel and the
selector lever in the center console.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential and automated shifting
mode
>Ability to choose between different
driving programs (Drivelogic)
>Gradient assistance
>Upshift display (shift lights)
>Throttle blip
>Driving dependent functions:
The respective driving situation (e.g.
cornering, mountain driving, braking)
is detected by sensors and taken into
account accordingly for shifting, e.g.
to achieve optimum gear selection
during deceleration and subsequent
acceleration>Slip recognition at the rear axle for
increasing driving stability, e.g.
during downshifting on slippery road
surfaces
>Operating safety through protection
against misshifting.