Contents
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Under the hood:
Hood137
Engine compartment
essentials138
Washer fluids139
Engine oil140
Coolant142
Brake fluid143
Maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance
System144
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications145
California Proposition
65 Warning145
OBD interface socket146
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit150
Windshield wiper blades150
Lamps and bulbs151
Changing a wheel156
Battery160
Fuses160
Assistance, giving and
receiving:
Jump-starting162
Towing the vehicle163Engine specifications168
Dimensions169
Weights171
Capacities173
19n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the
warning and indicator lamps marked by
"
l
" each time you switch on the igni-
tion. They each light up once for
different periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these
systems, the corresponding lamp does
not go out after the engine is started or
it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
The following section describes how
you should respond.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. This indicates a defect
in the alternator drive belt or in the
charging circuit of the alternator. Please
contact the nearest BMW center.
Stop and switch off the engine
immediately to prevent over-
heating and serious engine damage. If
the drive belt is defective, increased
steering effort is also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
May be accompanied by the
message "STOP!ENGINE
OILPRESS" in the Check Control
display panel
*
: stop the vehicle imme-
diately and switch off the engine. Check
the engine oil level; top up as required.
If the oil level is correct: please contact
the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the
engine could sustain serious
damage from inadequate lubrication.
<
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
l
Accompanied by an acoustic
warning signal: a tire failure has
occurred. Reduce vehicle speed imme-
diately and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
For additional information: refer to
page 98
Parking brake
*
/
brake system hydraulic circuits
l
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 68
Comes on although the parking brake
is released: have the brake fluid level
checked. Before continuing your
journey, be sure to read the notes on
pages 132 and 143
Also comes on with the message
"CHECK BRAKE LININGS" in the
Check Control.
Parking brake warning lamp
*
/
brake system hydraulic circuits
for Canadian models.
20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Red: as important reminder
Parking brake
*
Comes on when you engage the
parking brake.
For additional information: refer to
page 68
Parking brake warning lamp
*
for
Canadian models.
Please fasten safety belts
l
Accompanied by warning tone
and message
*
in the Check
Control panel. Remains on until the
safety belts are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts: refer to page 53.
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
page 58
Yellow: please have checked at
your earliest opportunity
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able without limitations. Please have
the system inspected by your BMW
center.
For additional information: refer to
page 131
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Engine oil level
*
Comes on while driving: the
engine oil level has fallen to the
absolute minimum; refill as soon as
possible. Do not drive more than
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information: refer to
page 140
Engine oil level
*
Comes on after the engine has
been shut off: add engine oil at
your earliest opportunity (when you
stop to refuel).
For additional information: refer to
page 140
Automatic transmission
*
Because of a malfunction, the
automatic transmission shifts
only in the emergency program. Please
consult the nearest BMW center.
For additional information: refer to
pages 72 and 75
Brake pads
*
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information: refer
to page 132
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
*
l
Malfunction in DBC system.
Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations.
Have the system repaired by your BMW
center at the earliest possible opportu-
nity.
For additional information: refer to
page 98
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
l
Check the tire inflation pressure.
Refer to pages 26, 98
82n
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to
confirm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp lights up during
normal vehicle operation, or the
message "COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
appears in the Check Control
*, the
engine is overheated. Shut off the
engine immediately and allow it to cool
down.
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Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle
may rise as far as the edge of the red
sector in normal operation.
Checking coolant level: refer to
page 142.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps
decreases as the time for your next
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been
passed.390us702
84n
Check Control>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 82
and 142
>"STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the
vehicle immediately and switch off
the engine. Refer to pages 19, 140
>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
Indicates that brake fluid is down to
roughly minimum level. Have the
reservoir topped up at the earliest
opportunity, refer to page 143. Have
the source of the brake fluid loss
repaired at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard
brake applications. Do not oversteer.
Refer to page 100
>"SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to page 99
>"SPEED LIMIT"
*
Display if the programmed speed
limit has been exceeded, refer to
page 91Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain
after the message disappears. You can
display the messages again by pressing
the CHECK button 3:
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
Message appears only when the
vehicle is initially set in motion
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, a
warning lamp with the safety belt icon
appears and an acoustic signal
sounds
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 139
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The engine oil level is at the absolute
minimum. You should respond by
topping up the oil as soon as
possible, refer to page 140. Do not
continue for more than approximately
30 miles (50 km) before adding oil>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Inspect the cap to make sure that it is
closed properly, refer to page 24. If
the cap is not closed securely it will
trigger the "Service Engine Soon"
lamp
>"OUTSIDE TEMP. +20 7 (Ð5 6)"
This display is only an example. The
current temperature is displayed at
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to
page 80
>"SET TIRE PRESSURE"
*
The RDC has imported the current
inflation pressure in the tires as the
target values which the system will
monitor.
Refer to page 99
>"CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
*
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure to specifications at the
earliest opportunity (next stop for
fuel).
Refer to page 99
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"
*
A temporary interference of the RDC
or a system fault. Refer to page 100
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 154
and 160 or consult a BMW center
85n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to
pages 151 and following, page 160
or consult your BMW center.
>"TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG"
Please consult the nearest BMW
center. Refer to pages 72 and 75
>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW center. Refer to page 132
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
Coolant too low, top up at the next
opportunity. Refer to page 142
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
*
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system,
which then reverts to an emergency
default program allowing continued
operation at reduced power and
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected at
your BMW center.
Displays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>"LIGHTS ON"
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK"
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
Add engine oil at the next opportunity
(next stop for fuel). Refer to
page 140.
This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also
heard.
Status reports remain available for a
period of approx. three minutes after
the display goes out and the key is
removed from the ignition. Press the
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple
reports, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems.ComputerYou can find a description of the
computer on pages 86 and 91 as well
as in the "Owner's Manual for Onboard
Computer."
You can select the language in
which the Check Control displays
and the status reports from the
computer will appear.<
135n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire replacement Wheel and tire combinationsUniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where
applicable 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.
This is due to the possible variations in
casing structures and, in some cases,
to their extreme age, which can lead to
a decrease in their durability.< Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT ... 2601 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in Week 26 of the year
2001.
Although tires may have a theoretical
service life of up to 10 years, BMW
strongly recommends that you replace
all tires after an absolute maximum of
6 years.
The right choice
Never mount wheels and tires that
have not been specifically
approved by BMW for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels
and tires may theoretically have the
same dimensions, variations in factors
such as manufacturing tolerances can
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires
are used, BMW cannot evaluate their
suitability, and therefore cannot be held
liable for driving safety.<
BMW has tested certain tires for each
tire size, rated them according to road
safety and approved them. Your BMW
center can inform you which tires have
been tested in this way. Observe
possible national guidelines, e.g.
regarding entry into vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects different systems
such as ABS, ATC, ASC+T/DSC. The
function of these systems is impaired if
improper wheel and tire combinations
are used.
Always ensure that all of the tires
mounted on the vehicle are the same
series, from the same manufacturer and
with the same tread pattern. If you have
to mount the spare tire in response to a
flat, etc., you should remount a tire of
the correct specifications as soon as
possible.<
The use of rims and wheel bolts
that do not meet the specifica-
tions of the original factory-installed
equipment will affect the safe operation
of your vehicle and may cause an acci-
dent and personal injury.
Never mix tires of different design, such
as steel-belted radials with radial bias-
belted or bias-ply tires, etc. Mixing tire
types will adversely affect roadholding
and can lead to loss of vehicle
control.< Storage Store tires in a cool, dry place,
protecting them against light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.
138n
1 Reservoir for brake fluid (under the
housing of the microfilter)143
2 Auxiliary terminal for
jump-starting1623 Engine oil dipstick140
4 Engine oil filler neck140
5 Coolant expansion tank1426 Reservoir for intensive-cleaning
system
*
139
7 Reservoir for windshield and
headlamp washer system
*
139
Engine compartment essentials
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