
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
39
the ignition key immediately when the
engine starts.<
Extended starting attempts, charac-
terized by excessively frequent or
long periods with the starter engaged, can
damage the catalytic converter.<
If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down.
Cold starts at very low temperatures –
starting at approx. +57 / –156
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter
>On the first start attempt, engage the
starter for a longer period –
approx. 10 seconds.
Manual transmission
1.Engage the parking brake
2.Gearshift lever in idling position
3.Depress clutch pedal
4.Start the engine.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress footbrake
2.Place selector lever in position P or N
3.Start the engine.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, place the selector
lever in position P and pull the parking
brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the ignition key while
the vehicle is still moving. If you did so,
the steering lock would engage when the
steering wheel is turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and engage the steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when park-
ing on downhill roads.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Place the selector lever in position P and
turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Parking brake
The parking brake is designed primarily to
prevent the vehicle from rolling when
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.
The brake warning lamp lights up
when the parking brake is engaged;
if you start driving, an acoustic sig-
nal is heard as well.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models
To engage
The detent engages automatically and the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2.
To release
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the but-
ton 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 carefully pulling up the lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking
and loss of traction – fishtailing – at the rear
axle.

Driving
40 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 sur-
faces, since shifting into 1st gear or reverse
may not provide adequate resistance to
rolling. Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: place the selector lever in
position 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 example –
provided that it is safe to do so.<
Manual transmission
6-gear transmission*
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, it is
important to press the gear shift lever to the
right to avoid accidentally engaging 3rd or
4th gear.
Reverse
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. Press the gearshift lever to the left
to overcome the resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn
on automatically when the ignition 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, oth-
erwise, the ensuing friction to the clutch
plates will cause a great deal of wear and
tear on the clutch.<
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic*
You can drive as with a normal automatic
transmission. In addition, you can also shift
manually.
When you move the selector lever from the
D position to the left into the M/S range, the
performance-oriented shift programs of the
automatic transmission are engaged. As
soon as you briefly tap the selector lever in
the "+" or "–" direction, Steptronic changes
the gear. The manual mode is engaged.
When you wish to use the automatic trans-
mission mode again, move the selector
lever to the right to position D.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Engine started
The engine can only be started in selector
lever positions P – Park – or N – Neutral.
Range selection
A detent prevents inadvertent shifting into
selector lever positions R and P. To disen-
gage the detent, press the button on the
front of the selector lever button, see
arrow.
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of P or N, depress
the footbrake in order to disengage the
selector lever's lock mechanism – Shift-
lock.
Hold the footbrake down until starting off.
The vehicle will otherwise "creep" when a
drive position is engaged.<

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
41
If you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever to the P position and apply the park-
ing brake. If you fail to do this, the vehicle
could move.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine poses a safety haz-
ard.<
PPark
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary. The transmission locks to prevent
the rear wheels from turning.
RReverse
Select reverse only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
NNeutral – idling
Select only when stopping for an extended
period.
DDrive – automatic shift program
This position is designed for driving under
all normal operating conditions. All forward
gears are available.
Kickdown
In the kickdown mode, you achieve maxi-
mum acceleration in position D.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-throt-
tle position.
M/S Manual mode and
Sport program
When you change from D to M/S, the Sport
program is activated. This is indicated in the gear indicator by SD. The M/S mode is
recommended for performance-oriented
driving.
With the first brief touch, the automatic
transmission shifts from the Sport program
to the manual mode.
When you tap the selector lever in the "+"
direction, the transmission shifts up. When
the lever is tapped in the "–" direction, the
transmission shifts down. M1 to M 5 appear
in the gear indicator.
The Adaptive Transmission Control ATC
executes upshifts or downshifts only when
the new gear will provide a suitable combi-
nation of engine and road speed, i.e. ATC
will not execute downshifts if the engine
speed is too high. The desired gear will
appear briefly in the instrument cluster, fol-
lowed by the actual gear.
If you are driving in the manual mode
and wish to accelerate rapidly – to
pass another vehicle, for example – shift
down manually or with the kickdown func-
tion.<
Shifting from M/S to selector lever posi-
tions P, R and N is possible only by going
through position D.
Available indicators
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the trans-
mission system.
All of the selector lever positions can con-
tinue to be engaged; in the forward drive

Everything under control
48
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may
rise as far as the edge of the red sector dur-
ing normal operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to indicate an
operational check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Switch off the
engine immediately and allow it to cool
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to
page 80.
Service interval display
Remaining distance to next service
The displays shown in the illustration
appear for a few seconds when the ignition
key is in position 1 or after the engine is
started.
The next service due appears with the
message OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION,
together with the distance remaining in
miles – in kilometers in Canada – before the
next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding driv-
ing style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of the
number mean that the service interval has
already been exceeded by the distance
shown on the display. Please contact your
BMW center for an appointment.
Outside temperature
If the vehicle is not equipped with a com-
puter, the display in the instrument cluster
always shows the outside temperature.
Clock
If you wish to have a permanent time dis-
play, you can have it appear in the car radio
display, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display
in the car radio as follows.
To adjust
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Keep button 2 pressed for several sec-
onds until the hours are displayed and
the colon flashes
2.Press button 1 repeatedly until the
required hour is set
Minutes
3.Press button 2 to switch to the minutes
display

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
49
4.Press button 1 repeatedly until the
required minutes are set
5.Press button 2 to confirm the settings.
The set time of day is transferred to the car
radio display or appears in the instrument
cluster display.
Display mode
In ignition key position 0:
Press button 1.
The time of day is displayed for several
seconds.
Computer*
Mode selection
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
you can use the button in the turn signal
lever to retrieve information from the com-
puter for display in the instrument cluster.
Every time you press the button briefly in
the direction of the steering column, a new
function is called up for display.
The displays appear in the following order:
time of day, outside temperature, average
fuel consumption, cruising range, average
vehicle speed.
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
the last active setting is displayed.
Outside temperature
To change the units of measure –
˚C/˚F
While the temperature display is active,
keep the button in the turn signal lever
pressed until the display changes.
Ice warning
If the outside temperature drops to approx.
377/+36, the computer automatically
switches to the outside temperature dis-
play.
In addition, a signal sounds and the display
flashes for a brief period.
Clock
Setting the 12-hour or 24-hour
mode*
If the vehicle is equipped with a computer,
you can have the time displayed in either a
12-hour or 24-hour mode.
While the time display is active, press the
computer button in the turn signal lever
until the display changes.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
51
Technology for safety and driving
convenience
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC
The concept
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine.
For additional details on the system
and the various functions, please
refer to the "Technology" brochure.<
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamps in the instrument clus-
ter go out shortly after you switch on the
ignition.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
The system is active and governs
drive torque and braking intervention.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC have been
switched off via the button.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC has been deactivated via the
DSC button.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC indi-
cator lamp flashes:
Dynamic Traction Control DTC indi-
cator lamp lights up permanently:
DTC is actively regulating drive
torque and braking intervention.
Interventions to increase stability are
being performed to a limited degree
only.
warning lamp for Dynamic Brake
Control DBC light up continuously:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC,
Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
Dynamic Brake Control DBC are malfunc-
tioning.
Have the system repaired at your BMW
center.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
The vehicle remains completely oper-
ational without the DSC, DTC and
DBC functions.<
In the event of a malfunction, please see
your BMW center.
If the brake warning lamp comes on
together with the yellow indicator
lamps for the Antilock Brake Sys-
tem ABS and the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
ABS and DSC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
53
>Forceful braking and braking with ABS:
Brake lamps 1 and 2 light up on both
vehicle sides together with the center
brake lamp.
Antilock Brake System ABS
The concept
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during
braking, thereby enhancing active driving
safety.
Malfunction
If the yellow indicator lamps for the
Antilock Brake System ABS come
on together with the brake warning
lamp and the indicator lamp for the
Dynamic Stability Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
ABS and DSC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
Braking with ABS
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.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The tire pressure is determined using the
signals of the ABS sensors.
The system provides an alert whenever the
tire pressure of one tire drops relative to
that of another.
Prerequisites
In order for the system to "learn" the cor-
rect tire inflation pressures, please do the
following:
>Check the inflation pressure in all tires
>Compare to the inflation pressure table
– refer to page 72 – and correct if nec-
essary
>Initialize the system.
Check the tire pressures regularly
and correct if necessary. Refer to
page 71.<
Indicator lamp
In the event of a flat tire
The indicator lamp lights up red; in
addition, an acoustic signal is
sounded:
Respond immediately by carefully reducing
vehicle speed to under 50 mph / 80 km/h.
Avoid hard brake applications and steering
maneuvers.
If your vehicle is equipped with
Run Flat tires, note the information on
page 75.<
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert you
to severe and sudden tire damage
caused by external factors. Another factor
which the Flat Tire Monitor does not recog-
nize is the even and very gradual pressure
loss that takes place in all tires over an
extended period of time.<

Controlling the climate for pleasant driving
56
Air distribution
You can direct airflow onto the
windows , toward the upper
body and into the footwell .
All intermediate settings are pos-
sible.
Air supply/blower
You can set the blower to 8 differ-
ent levels. Both heating and ven-
tilation become more effective as
the air supply rate is increased.
Temperature
In order to increase the tempera-
ture of the passenger compart-
ment, turn to the right – red zone.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the tem-
perature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the
windshield may fog over briefly when the
engine is started.
Condensation forms during operation
of the air conditioning system, which
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground underneath
the vehicle are thus normal.<
Outside-air/recirculated-air mode
If there are unpleasant odors in
the outside air, you can tempo-
rarily block the supply of incom-
ing air. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the recircu-
lated air mode, switch this mode off
and increase the air supply as required.<
Rear window defroster
The indicator lamp lights up when
the rear window defroster is
active. The rear window defroster
switches off automatically.
Ventilation
You can adjust the blower controls for the
upper body area to obtain the optimum air-
flow rates and directions for your personal
requirements:
1Rotary dials for opening and closing the
vents at any setting desired
2Lever for adjusting airflow direction
Particle filter
The built-in particle filter removes dust and
pollen from the incoming air and in the
recirculated air mode. Your BMW center
will replace this filter during the regularly
scheduled maintenance. A substantial
reduction in airflow indicates that the filter
needs to be replaced earlier.
To defrost windows and remove
condensation
1Turn the rotary control to
2Turn the rotary blower control for the air
supply completely to the right
3Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the right
4To defrost the rear window, switch on
the rear window defroster