
6n
For your own safety
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels
containing up to and including
10% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8% oxygen by weight (i.e.
15% MTBE or 3% methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will
not void the applicable warranties
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel
quality (i.e. volatility, composition or
additives, etc.) among gasolines offered
for sale in the United States and
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels
may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under
certain environmental conditions such
as high ambient temperature and high
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems that you suspect could be related
to the fuel you are using, we recom-
mend that you respond by switching
to a recognized high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled
maintenance.
Follow the relevant safety rules when
you are handling gasoline.
<
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by BMW and Original
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire
the assurance that they have been thor-
oughly tested by BMW to ensure
optimum performance when installed
on your vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free
from defects in material and workman-
ship.
BMW will not accept any liability for
damage resulting from installation of
parts and accessories not approved
by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made
by other manufacturers to verify if it can
be used on a BMW safely and without
risk to either the vehicle, its operation,
or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories
and other products approved by BMW,
together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from
all BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,
wheels, suspension components, brake
dust shields, telephones (including
operation of any portable cellular phone
from within the vehicle without using an
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause
extensive damage to the vehicle,
compromise its safety, interfere with
the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the BMW Limited
Warranty. Consult your BMW center for
additional information.
<
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed
by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
<
Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult
the relevant section of this Owner's
Manual for information on a particular
part or assembly.
For your own safety

Contents
Overview
Controls and features
Cockpit16
Instrument cluster18
Indicator and warning lamps20
Hazard warning flashers24
Warning triangle24
First-aid kit24
Refueling25
Fuel specifications26
Tire inflation pressure26
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
With the key32
With the remote control33
Opening and closing from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid36
Electric power windows38
Sunroof, coupe39
Convertible top40
Adjustments:
Seats49
Mirrors50
Safety systems:
Safety belts52
Airbags54
Transporting children safely56
Driving:
Ignition lock58
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine60
Parking brake60
Manual transmission61
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62Turn signals/High beams64
Washer/Wiper system65
Rear window defroster66
Cruise Control67
Everything under control:
Odometer68
Tachometer68
Fuel gauge68
Coolant temperature gauge69
Service Interval Display69
Clock70
Computer70
Technology for safety and
convenience:
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)73
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)74
Lamps:
Parking lamps/Low beams76
Fog lamps76
Interior lamps77
Reading lamps78
Controlling the climate
for pleasant driving:
Heating and ventilation80
Heating and ventilation/
Air conditioner84
Seat heating89
Contents

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

19n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Instrument cluster
1 Fuel gauge with indicator lamp
for reserve range68
2 Indicator lamp for turn signals23
3 Speedometer
4 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Battery charge current20
>
High beams23
>
Engine oil pressure20
5 Tachometer68
6 Coolant temperature gauge69
7 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Brake pad wear22
>
Brake hydraulic
system20, 21, 22
>
Parking brake21
>
Airbags21
8 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Service Engine Soon22
>
Automatic transmission
*
22
>
Safety belts21
>
Engine oil level21
>
Antilock Brake System (ABS)21
9 Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC
*
)22
10 Trip odometer/Gear indicator for
automatic transmission with
Steptronic
*
6811 Service Interval Display69, 128
12 Odometer68
13 Indicator and warning lamps for:
>
Front fog lamps
*
23
>
Engine electronics22
14 Trip odometer reset button68
The illustration shows the instrument
cluster in the US version. In the Cana-
dian models, some of the indicator and
warning lamps have a different appear-
ance, refer to pages 20 to 23.

20n
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are
identified by "
l
" are tested for proper
functioning whenever the ignition key is
turned. 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.
You will see how to react to this in the
following section.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. The alternator drive
belt is defective or there is a malfunc-
tion in the charging circuit of the alter-
nator. Please contact the nearest BMW
center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and
serious engine damage. If the drive belt
is defective, increased steering effort is
also required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop the vehicle immediately
and switch off the engine.
Check the engine oil level and top off 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.
<
Brake hydraulic system
l
The brake fluid level is too low.
Before driving further, be sure to
read the notes on pages 104 and 126.
Brake hydraulic system warning
lamp for Canadian models.

21n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsMaintenanceControlsOverview
Indicator and warning lamps
Red and yellow: continue to drive
cautiously
The red warning lamp for the
brake hydraulic system comes
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS, ASC+T/
DSC
*
:
The entire ABS, CBC, ASC+T/
DSC
*
and
ADB/DBC
control
system has failed. Continue
driving cautiously and defen-
sively. Avoid hard brake applications.
Have the system checked by your BMW
center as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
pages 73, 74 and 102.
Warning lamps for Canadian
models.
Red: an important reminder
Parking brake
Comes on when the parking
brake is engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page 60.
Parking brake warning lamp for
Canadian models.
Please fasten your safety belt
l
Together with an acoustic signal.
Comes on until the safety belts
are fastened.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page 52.
Airbags
l
Please have the system
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
pages 54 and 164.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
l
Comes on during normal vehicle
operation: ABS has been deac-
tivated in response to system malfunc-
tion. Conventional braking efficiency
is available without limitations. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.
For additional information, refer to
page 101.
Antilock Brake System warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the
oil level is at 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 123.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity (when
you stop to refuel).
For additional information, refer to
page 123.

22n
Indicator and warning lamps
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
page 64.
Brake pads
l
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information, refer
to page 104.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
*
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off with the
button or it is defective, or the DSC
*
has been switched off, ADB is
operational.
Please consult the nearest BMW center
in case of a malfunction.
For additional information, refer to
pages 73, 74.
Indicator lamp for Automatic
Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
*
and brake
hydraulic system warning
lamp
l
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC
*
and ADB/DBC have been
switched off with the button or there is
a system malfunction.
Please consult the nearest BMW
center.
For additional information, refer to
page 74.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Service Engine Soon l
If the indicator lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems
checked by your BMW center at the
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to
page 133.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics l
There is a fault in the engine's
electronic control system. You
can continue to drive with reduced
engine output or engine speed. Please
have the system inspected by your
BMW center.

28n
Opening and closing:
Keys30
Electronic vehicle
immobilizer31
Central locking system32
Opening and closing from the
outside32
Opening and closing from the
inside36
Luggage compartment lid36
Electric power windows38
Sunroof, coupe39
Convertible top40
Adjustments:
Seats49
Mirrors50
Safety systems:
Safety belts52
Airbags54
Transporting children safely56
Driving:
Ignition lock58
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine60
Parking brake60
Manual transmission61
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
Controls