
 
11n
 
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
 
Cabin convenience:
 
Glove compartment90
Storage compartments90
Storage boxes90
Beverage holder91
Ashtray91
Cigarette lighter92
 
Loading and transporting:
 
coupe:
Roll-up cover93
Partition net93
Cargo loading94
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack95
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedure98
Driving notes99
Catalytic converter100
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)101
Disc brakes103
Brake system104
Winter operation105
Power steering106
Cellular phone107
Car radio reception107
Hardtop Ð roadster108
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Notes on inflation pressures110
Tire condition110
Tire replacement111
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire 
combinations114
Special features of winter 
tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications116
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood118
Engine compartment120
Fluids for the washer 
systems122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification127
 
Care and maintenance:
 
The BMW Maintenance 
System128
Airbags130
Storing your vehicle130
 
Laws and regulations:
 
Technical modifications132
California Proposition
65 Warning132
OBD interface socket133 

49n
IndexDataTechnologyRepiarsMaintenanceControlsOverview
For maximum safety, please comply 
with the following:
Never try to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat 
could respond with an unexpected 
movement, and the ensuing loss of 
vehicle control could result in an acci-
dent.
Be sure that the safety belt is fastened 
firmly against your body at all times. In 
the event of a frontal impact, a loose lap 
belt could slide over your hips, leading 
to abdominal injury. In addition, the 
safety belt's restraint effectiveness is 
reduced if the belt is worn loosely.
When adjusting your seat, select a 
position that provides the maximum 
distance between you and the steering 
wheel, instrument panel and door while 
still allowing comfortable and safe 
access to all vehicle controls.< 
Correct sitting postureTo reduce strain on your spinal column, 
sit all the way back in the seat and rest 
your back fully against the backrest.
In the ideal sitting posture, your head 
extends along a straight line from your 
spine.
For long-distance driving, you may wish 
to increase the backrest tilt angle 
slightly to reduce muscular tension. 
You should also be able to grasp the 
highest point of the steering wheel with 
your arms slightly bent.
After a seat adjustment in the coupe, 
adjust the height of the safety belt also, 
refer to page 52.1 Height
*
2 Backward/forward adjustment367de015
Seat adjustment 

55n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
AirbagsSitting correctly with airbags 
For your safety, comply with the 
following instructions for the 
airbags. If you do not, the airbags may 
not be able to provide their maximum 
protection. All passengers in the vehicle 
should be aware of and comply with this 
information: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide extra 
protection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at 
all times.
Adjust your seat to a position that is 
comfortable for you, allowing unre-
stricted vehicle operation, and is not 
closer to the steering wheel than neces-
sary.
Always grasp the steering wheel by the 
steering wheel rim, keeping your hands 
at the "9-o'clock" and "3-o'clock" posi-
tions in order to minimize any risk of 
injury to hands or arms if the airbag does 
deploy.
There should not be any other persons, 
animals or objects between the airbag 
and the passenger in that seat.
Do not use the cover panel for the front 
airbag on the passenger side as a 
storage area.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them 
or modify them in any other way.
If you use a child-restraint system, read 
carefully and comply with the instruc-
tions on page 56.
Be sure that child-restraint systems are 
installed correctly and with the greatest 
possible distance from the airbag in the 
side trim panel. Do not allow children to 
lean out of the child-restraint system in 
the direction of the side trim panel. 
Otherwise, serious injuries could occur 
if the airbag is triggered.<
Even when you have complied with all 
of these guidelines, there is still a small 
residual risk of minor facial, hand and 
arm injuries from airbag deployment 
occurring in isolated instances. 
The ignition and inflation noise may 
cause a mild temporary hearing loss in 
extremely sensitive individuals.
Corresponding airbag safety precau-
tions are provided on both sun visors 
and the instrument panel (US models).
For additional information concerning 
the airbag system, refer to pages 130 
and 164.This is the correct way a child should sit 
in a child restraint when side airbags 
(arrow) are provided.
367de359 

58n
0  Steering lockedThis is the only position in which the 
ignition key can be inserted and 
removed.
An acoustic warning sounds when you 
fail to remove the ignition key after 
opening the driver's door.
After removing the key, turn the 
steering wheel slightly to the left or right 
until the lock engages.367de009
Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion
*:
Your vehicle is equipped with an inter-
lock. This means that the ignition key 
cannot be turned to position 0 and 
removed until the selector lever is in 
position "P".
Furthermore, the selector lever is 
locked in position "P" when the ignition 
key is in position 0 or removed from the 
ignition lock.
To turn the key back to position 0 or to 
remove it, first move the selector lever 
to position "P".<
1  Steering unlockedYou will often find that it is easier to turn 
the ignition key from position 0 to 1 if 
you move the steering wheel slightly to 
help disengage the detent.
Individual electrical equipment and 
accessories are available for use.2  Ignition onAll electrical equipment and accesso-
ries are available for use.3  Starting the engineVehicles with manual transmission:
When starting, depress the clutch, 
since a lock otherwise prevents the 
engine from being started.
Ignition lock 

60n
Switching off the engine Parking brakeTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key 
while the vehicle is rolling. The 
steering locks and it is impossible to 
steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key and 
engage the steering lock before leaving 
the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined 
surfaces, since even placing the gear-
shift lever in 1st gear or reverse may not 
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "P".< 
The parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.To engageThe lever engages automatically when 
you pull it up, and the indicator lamp in 
the instrument panel comes on when 
the ignition key is in position 2, refer to 
page 21.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.367de028
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 up the lever to apply 
moderate pressure. 
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction at the rear 
(fishtailing).
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on slopes and inclined 
surfaces, since even placing the gear-
shift lever in 1st gear or reverse may not 
provide adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "P".< 
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. 

74n
ASC+T Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)*Reactivate the ASC+TPress the button again; the indicator 
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with ASC+T. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. We therefore urge you to 
avoid using the additional safety margin 
of the system as an excuse for taking 
risks.< 
For additional details concerning 
ASC+T, please refer to the chapter, 
"Advanced technology," page 165.
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability 
during acceleration and when starting 
from a full stop, as well as optimizing 
traction. In addition, it recognizes 
unstable vehicle conditions, such as 
understeering or oversteering, and, as 
far as is possible within the laws of 
physics, helps keep the vehicle on a 
steady course by reducing the engine 
speed and brake applications to the 
individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you 
start the engine. DSC includes the 
functions of ADB and CBC, refer to 
page 102.
The ADB (Automatic Differential 
Braking) copies the function of conven-
tional differential and transverse locks 
through brake intervention, and 
increases traction whenever conditions 
merit, e. g. when driving on snow-
covered roads.
If the DSC is deactivated the ADB is in 
ready mode.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly 
after you switch on the ignition, 
refer to page 22.
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive and braking 
forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the 
button; ADB is in ready mode.
ADB control intervention is not indi-
cated.
The indicator lamp and the 
brake warning lamp remain on:
The DSC, ADB and DBC have 
been switched off via the button 
or are defective.
The vehicle will remain completely 
operational, however without DSC. In 
the event of a fault, please see your 
BMW center.
Indicator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models. 

Overview
Controls and features
Operation, maintenance
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index Advanced technology
97n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedure98
Driving notes99
Catalytic converter100
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)101
Disc brakes103
Brake system104
Winter operation105
Power steering106
Cellular phone107
Car radio reception107
Hardtop Ð roadster108
Wheels and tires:
Notes on inflation pressures110
Tire condition110
Tire replacement111
Tire rotation113
Wheel and tire 
combinations114
Special features of winter 
tires115
Snow chains115
Approved wheel and tire 
specifications116In the engine compartment:
Hood118
Engine compartment120
Fluids for the washer 
systems122
Washer nozzles122
Engine oil123
Coolant125
Brake fluid126
Vehicle Identification127
Care and maintenance:
The BMW Maintenance 
System128
Airbags130
Storing your vehicle130
Laws and regulations:
Technical modifications132
California Proposition 
65 Warning132
OBD interface socket133
Maintenance 

101n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps 
the wheels from locking during braking, 
thereby enhancing active driving safety. 
The reason: locked wheels are 
dangerous. When the front wheels 
slide, the driver loses steering control 
over the vehicle. Traction loss at the 
rear wheels can cause the rear end to 
break into an uncontrolled skid. 
The system can achieve the shortest 
braking distances possible under most 
conditions (on straight-aways or in 
curves, on the various road surfaces).
ABS is designed to meet two essential 
requirements during every brake appli-
cation:
>To help provide vehicle stability
>Assured ability to steer and maneuver 
on the various road surfaces (asphalt, 
concrete, dirt, wet conditions, snow 
and ice). 
Braking with ABSThe system is operative once the 
vehicle exceeds a speed of approx. 
6 mph (10 km/h). It is inactive once 
again below approx. 4 mph (6 km/h). 
Therefore, the wheels could theoreti-
cally tend to lock in the final phase of a 
braking action, but this is insignificant in 
actual practice.
If you are in a situation which requires 
full braking, you will exploit the full 
benefits of the ABS system if you apply 
maximum brake pressure ("panic stop"). 
Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can avoid possible 
obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort, despite the full brake application.The ABS closed-loop control circuit 
cycles in fractions of a second. The 
pulsation at the brake pedal, together 
with sounds generated by the hydraulic 
control system, indicate to you that the 
vehicle is approaching its maximum 
braking range. It is a reminder to you 
that you must adapt the vehicle's road 
speed to existing road conditions. 
On road surfaces that have a loose 
surface layer on a firm base with good 
traction (on gravel, deep sand or snow, 
for example), braking distances may be 
longer than with locked wheels. This 
also applies for driving with snow 
chains. However, ABS continues to 
provide enhanced vehicle stability and 
steering response under these condi-
tions.