
79n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Storage compartmentsIn the center console To open:
Flip the cover up (arrows 1) Ð access to 
the ashtray and cigarette lighter. 
When the glove compartment has been 
unlocked, press the button (arrow 2) Ð 
cellular phone holder.
To close:
Flip the cover back into place. Manual operation(in the event of electrical malfunction)
For operating the cellular phone holder, 
refer to page 142.520de050
Behind the seatsBy way of example, the illustration 
shows the storage compartment behind 
the driver's seat. 
To open:
Unlock by turning the master key all the 
way to the left. 
The cover will open slightly and can 
then be flipped all the way up. 
To close: 
Press down until you hear it snap into 
place. The cover has been locked 
again. 
If you turn over only your door and 
ignition key for valet parking (refer 
to page 30), access is impossible.<520de082
Rechargeable flashlight
 
Located in the storage compartment 
behind the driver's seat. 
Because of overload-protection, the 
flashlight can remain in its holder. 
Be sure that the flashlight is 
switched off when it is inserted 
into its holder. Failure to do so could 
lead to deep discharge and damage.<520de070 

82n
Cigarette lighterPress in. You can remove the lighter 
from its socket for use as soon as it 
snaps back out. 
Hold or touch the hot cigarette 
lighter by the knob only. Holding 
or touching it in other areas could result 
in burns. 
The cigarette lighter remains opera-
tional when the ignition key has been 
removed. This is yet another reason you 
should never allow unsupervised chil-
dren to remain alone in the vehicle.<520de053
Cigarette lighter socketThe socket is suitable for attaching 
power supplies for flashlights, car 
vacuum cleaners, or other appliances 
up to a rating of approx. 200 watts at 
12 volts. Avoid damaging the socket by 
inserting plugs of improper shapes or 
sizes.  

130n
The onboard tool kit is located under 
the luggage compartment's floor panel. 
520de059
1. To move the wipers to the fold-out 
position:
Turn the ignition on. Set the wiper 
lever in position 1 (intermittent 
mode). Turn the ignition back off 
during the wiper-delay pause. The 
wipers will then be roughly vertical
2. Swivel the wiper arm completely out 
from the windshield
3. Position the wiper blade at an angle 
and pull the release spring (arrow)
4. Fold the wiper blade down and 
unhook it toward the windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper 
arm toward the top
6. Insert a new wiper blade and press it 
until you hear it click into place. 520de060
Fold the wipers back onto the 
windshield before turning the igni-
tion key to position 1 or 2. If you do not, 
the wipers could be damaged.<
Use only wiper blades approved 
by BMW.<
Onboard tool kit  Windshield wiper blades  

138n
Battery 
Battery posts, terminals, and 
related accessories contain lead 
and lead compounds. Wash hands after 
handling.<
Installation location The battery is located under the 
luggage compartment's floor panel. Charge conditionYou can read the charge condition of 
the battery with the "Magic Eye" 
hydrometer (arrow): 
>Green: adequate charge
>Black: not charged adequately. The 
battery must be recharged. Please 
contact your BMW center for addi-
tional information
>Yellow: replace the battery.520de076
The service life specified for the 
battery can be achieved only if it is 
always kept adequately charged. If the 
vehicle is primarily used for stop-and-
go traffic, be sure to check the charge 
state often.<
MaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. That means that the original 
battery acid will normally last for the 
service life of the battery under 
moderate climatic conditions. 
For all questions regarding the 
battery, please consult your BMW 
center. Since the battery is absolutely 
maintenance-free, the following is for 
your information only.
please comply with the following 
precautions whenever you work with or 
near the battery.
Before handling the battery, 
please read the following infor-
mation.
Wear eye protection. Do not 
allow particles containing 
battery acid or lead to come into 
contact with eyes, skin, or clothing.
Battery acid is extremely corro-
sive. Wear eye protection and 
protective gloves. Do not tip the 
battery. Battery acid can leak from the 
ventilation openings.
Be sure that children keep well 
away from batteries and battery 
acid.
Never allow sparks or open 
flame near the battery. Do not 
smoke in the vicinity of the 
battery. Avoid creating sparks when 
working around electrical cables or 
equipment. Turn the key to position 0 in 
the ignition when disconnecting or 
connecting the battery. Do not short-
circuit the battery terminals. This 
creates a risk of injury from high-energy 
sparks. 

147n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Towing the vehicle
Avoid "off-center" towing. Be sure 
that the tow rope is pulled tightly 
when the towing vehicle begins to 
move.<
The towed vehicle should always 
be the lighter of the two vehicles. 
If this is not the case, it is no longer 
possible to control vehicle response.<
Tow-startingFor instructions on jump-starting, refer 
to page 145.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to 
push another vehicle, since damage to 
the energy-absorbing bumpers could 
result.
Towing a vehicle1. Put the shift lever in neutral
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph (70 km/h)
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles (150 km)
4. Leave the ignition key in position 1 to 
ensure that the brake lamps, turn 
signals, horn and windshield wipers 
remain operative, and to prevent the 
steering lock detent from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard warning system 
(comply with country-specific regula-
tions).
Find some means of identifying the 
vehicle in tow, e. g. place a sign or 
warning triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key 
remains in position 1 even when 
the electrical system has failed to 
prevent the steering lock from 
engaging. The steering and brakes are 
without power assist when the engine is 
not running. This means that increased 
effort is required for steering and 
braking.<
Towing with a commercial tow 
truck>Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel lift or flatbed equipment
>Please comply with applicable towing 
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in 
a towed vehicle for any reason.<520us014 

Everything from A to Z
A
ABS (Antilock Brake System) 21, 88
Accessories 6
Activated charcoal filter 75
Add brake fluid 114t
engine coolant 114t
engine oil 111t
washer fluid 110, 161
Adjust seats 45
steering wheel 47
temperature 74
washer nozzles 110t
Adjustment setting  configuration 49
Air conditioner 72
Air distribution 74
Air outlets 72
Air pressure 99
Air supply 74
Airbags 21, 51 , 123 , 150
Alarm system 38
Antenna 94
Antifreeze 113
radiator 92
Antifreeze/corrosion protection 92
Antilock Brake System  (ABS) 21, 88 Anti-theft alarm system
38
Anti-theft protection 32
Approved gross vehicle  weight 160
Aquaplaning 99
Ashtray 81
Attach vehicle vacuum  cleaner 82
Automatic car washes 117
Automatic headlamp  washers 60
Automatic windshield  washer 60
Avoiding a false alarm 39t
Axle weights 160
B
Backrest
adjusting 45
unlock 46
Backup lamps 58
bulb replacement 133t
Battery 138, 162
add distilled water 138t
capacity 162
charge current 20
charging 139t
discharged 145t
recycling 140t
removing and  
installing 139t Belts
50
Beverage holder 80
Blower 74
BMW High Performance  Synthetic Oil 112
Bore 158
Brake hydraulic  system 20, 92
Brake system faults 92t
fluid 114t
pads 22, 92
refer also to ABS, DBC and 
Disc brakes
Break-in procedure 86
Bulbs and lamps 131tC
California Proposition 65 
Warning 125
Can holder 80
Car Memory 49
Car phone 81, 94
Car radio 64, 95
reception 95, 151
refer also to the radio  
Owner's Manual
Car wash 117
Care exterior 119
for the vehicle finish 120
interior 121 Catalytic converter
87
CBC (Cornering Brake  Control) 21, 89
CD player, refer to the radio  Owner's Manual
Cellular phone 94
refer also to separate  
Owner's Manual
Central locking system 32
key 36
Changing a wheel 137t
Changing the oil filter 161
Changing tires 137t
Checking air pressure 26t
Checking engine oil  level 111t
Child restraint systems 54
Child seat safety 54
Child seats 53
Child-restraint systems 53
Cigarette lighter 82
Clean headlamps 60
Clock 64
Cockpit 16
Code, refer to the radio 
Owner's Manual
Combination switch, turn  signal indicator/headlamp 
flasher 59
Compartments 79
for stowing items 78
Compression 158 

Everything from A to Z
167n
IndexDataTechnologyRepairsCar careControlsOverview
Connector for Onboard 
Diagnostic126
Consumption display62
Controls16
Convertible top41
closing in event of 
electrical 
malfunction143t
manual operation143t
Coolant113, 161
Coolant temperature 
gauge63
Copyright4
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)21, 89
Cruise control61
Curb weight160
Current check indicator20DDashboard16
Data
dimensions159
engine158
technical158
weights160
Daytime driving lamps69
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)90
Deactivating the tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion 
sensor34Deep water87
Defrosting the 
windows60, 75
Difficult steering20, 94
Dimensions159
Dipstick111
Disc brakes90
Displacement158
Display lighting69
Displays18
Disposal
engine oil113
used batteries140t
Door keys30
Door warning lamp, bulb 
replacement134t
Doors
emergency 
actuation32t
mirrors48
remote control33
unlocking and locking32
DOT Quality Grades100
Draft-free ventilation75
Drink holder78, 80
Drive belts162
Driving in winter92
Driving notes87
DSC (Dynamic Stability 
Control)22, 65, 152
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC)90Dynamic Performance 
Control66
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)22, 65, 152
EElectric defrosting of 
mirrors48
Electric power seats45
Electric power windows40
Electrical equipment 
failure140t
Electrical failure
convertible top143t
doors32t
fuel filler door142t
luggage 
compartment142t
passenger-side 
door143t
Electrical system162
Electronic vehicle 
immobilizer31
Emergency operation
convertible top143t
doors32t
fuel filler door142t
luggage 
compartment142t
passenger-side 
door143tEmergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior38
Engine
coolant113, 161
data158
output158
speed158
starting56
switching off57
Engine compartment108
Engine oil111
add111t
consumption111
filling capacity161
filter change161
pressure indicator 
lamp20
quality112
specifications112
viscosity112
Engine oil level
check111
Equipment
options and accessories5
Exit lamps, bulb 
replacement134
Exterior finish119
Exterior mirrors48 

Everything from A to ZFFailure to start146t
Fault in ABS89
Filler cap cover25
Filling capacities161
Filling the washer 
reservoir161
First-aid kit24
Fittings, tow-starting and 
towing146t
Flashlight79
Flat tire137t
Flat Tire Monitor67
Fog lamp, bulb 
replacement133t
"Follow me home" 
lamps49, 69
Footbrake90
Footwell lamps71
bulb replacement134t
Front seat adjustment45
Frost protection, 
radiator113
Fuel26
gauge62
indicator62
quality26
Fuel filler door
manual release after 
electrical fault142tFuel injection system158
Fuel tank capacity161
Fuses140
GGasoline26
quality26
Glove compartment78
bulb replacement135t
Gross vehicle weight160HHand lamp79
Handbrake57
Hands-free system81
Hardtop96
Hazard warning 
flashers24t
Hazard warning 
triangle24t
Head restraint46
Headlamp covers, 
care117t, 131t
Headlamp flasher70
Headlamp washer 
system60, 110, 161
Headlamps70
Headlight glare in rearview 
mirror48
Heated mirrors48
Heated seats77
Heating and ventilation72Heating, rapid77
Heavy loads83
Height159
High beams23, 58, 70
Holder for beverage 
cans80
Hood release105t
Horn17
Hydraulic system88, 92
IIdentification, tires102
Ignition keys30
Ignition lock55
Imprint4
Incoming-air mode74
Indicator lamps20
Inflation pressure26t, 99
monitoring67
INSPECTION63
Instrument cluster18
Instrument panel lighting69
Instruments18
Interaxle tire rotation101
Interface socket for Onboard 
Diagnostic126
Interference
cellular phone94
radio reception95
Interior lamps34, 71
bulb replacement135t
remote control34Interior motion sensor39
deactivating34
Interior rearview mirror with 
automatic 
dimmer48, 154
Intermittent mode of wiper 
system59
JJump-starting145KKey Memory49
Key with remote control30
Keys30LLamps and bulbs131t
Leather care122
Length159
License plate lamp, bulb 
replacement133t
Light switch69
Light-alloy wheels104
Lighter82
LIGHTS ON warning69
Loading83
Lock deicer92
Louvers72
Low beam headlamps69