Page 96 of 178

96Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on. You can 
use the parking lamps to signal 
the position of the vehicle when it is 
parked. For lighting on one side for 
parking as an additional feature, refer to 
page 97.
Low beams
When the ignition is switched off 
while the low beams are on, the 
headlamps go out and only the 
parking lamps remain on.
Follow me home lampsWhen you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle with the 
lamps turned off, the low-beam head-
lamps will come on for a short time.
You can also have this function 
deactivated.
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal 
for a few seconds to remind you that 
the lamps have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps*If you desire, the light switch can be left 
in the second position: When the igni-
tion is switched off, the external lighting 
is also switched off.
You can have the activation set-
tings for the daytime driving lamps 
programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is set to this 
position the system automati-
cally activates and cancels the 
low beams in response to changes in 
ambient light – in tunnels, at dusk, etc. – 
and in the event of rain and snow.
The vehicle's external lights 
remain on constantly when you 
switch on the front fog lamps after the 
headlamps have come on automati-
cally.<
Automatic headlamp control can-
not serve as a substitute for the 
driver's judgement in determining when 
the vehicle lights should be switched 
on. For example, the sensors are not 
able to detect fog. To avoid safety risks, 
you should respond to these kinds of 
low-visibility situations by switching the 
headlamps on manually.<
You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.<
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        Page 97 of 178
97
Instrument lightingTurn the rotary dial with the parking/ 
low beam lamps on to adjust the illumi-
nation intensity.
High beams/Standing lamps1High beams – blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher – blue indicator 
lamp
3Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can illumi-
nate your vehicle on either side for 
parking:
With the ignition key in position 0, 
engage the lever in the appropriate 
turn-signal position.
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98
Fog lamps*Front fog lamps
The green indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up to 
indicate that the front fog lamps 
are on.
If the automatic headlamp control 
is on, the low beams will come on 
automatically whenever you activate 
the front fog lamps.<
Interior lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.To switch the interior lamps on 
and off manuallyPress button 1 briefly:
If you want the interior lamps to remain 
off all the time, press and hold the but-
ton for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to nor-
mal operation.Front reading lamps*Switch on and off with the button 2 
adjacent to each lamp.
Rear reading lamps*Rear reading lamps are also provided 
for rear seat passengers when the 
hardtop is installed, refer to page 125. 
Switch on and off with the button adja-
cent to each lamp.
In order to prevent battery dis-
charge, all of the lamps in the 
vehicle are automatically switched off 
approx. 15 minutes after you turn the 
ignition key to position 0.<
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        Page 109 of 178
109 Interior conveniences
Glove compartmentTo openPull the handle. The lamp in the glove 
compartment comes on.To closeFold the cover back up.
To prevent injury in the event of an 
accident, close the glove com-
partment immediately after use.
master key will also be required to 
unlock the glove compartment.
If – for example for valet parking – 
you turn over only your door and 
ignition key, refer to page 30, then 
access to the glove compartment and 
luggage compartment is not possible.<
Rechargeable flashlightThe flashlight is located on the left-
hand side of the glove compartment.
It features integral overload-protection, 
so it can be left in its holder continu-
ously.
To avoid completely discharging 
and possibly damaging the lamp, 
always ensure that it is switched off 
before inserting it in the socket.<
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110
BMW Universal Transmitter*The conceptThe BMW Universal Transmitter 
replaces up to three hand-held trans-
mitters of different devices such as 
garage-door openers, alarm systems, 
or door locking systems. The BMW Uni-
versal Transmitter recognizes and 
learns the transmitted signal of each of 
the original hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held 
transmitter can be programmed on one 
of the three channel keys. Following 
that, each of the devices can be actu-
ated with the appropriately-pro-
grammed channel key. The indicator 
lamp flashes to confirm transmission of 
the signal.
If the vehicle is sold, the memory of the 
channel keys should be cleared as 
described on page 112.
During programming and before 
every remote actuation of a pro-
grammed device by the BMW Universal 
Transmitter, check to be sure that there 
are no persons, animals or objects 
within the actuation range of the device 
in order to prevent possible injuries or 
damage. Also, comply with the safety 
precautions of the original hand-held 
transmitter.<
To Canadian residents:
During programming, your hand-
held transmitter may automatically stop 
transmitting after two seconds. This 
may not be long enough to program the 
BMW Universal Transmitter. If you are 
programming from one of these hand-
held transmitters, the Universal Trans-
mitter's light may begin to flash in a 
series of double-blinks. If this occurs, 
continue to hold the key of the Univer-
sal Transmitter while you reactivate 
your hand-held transmitter. You may 
have to repeat this function several 
times while programming.<
Before programming, read the 
User information section on 
page 112.<
Original hand-held transmitter
If this symbol is present on the 
packaging or in the instructions 
of the original hand-held trans-
mitter, it may be assumed that this 
hand-held transmitter is compatible 
with the BMW Universal Transmitter.
Checking for the conversion codeTo determine whether the original 
hand-held transmitter is provided with a 
conversion-code system, you may 
either read the instructions for the origi-
nal hand-held transmitter or program a 
channel key as described on the next 
page, left-hand column under Program-
ming.
Then press and hold the programmed 
channel key of the BMW Universal 
Transmitter. If the indicator lamp of the 
BMW Universal Transmitter flashes for 
two seconds and then comes on 
steadily, the original hand-held trans-
mitter is provided with a conversion-
code system. With a conversion-code 
system, program the channel keys as 
described on the next page, right-hand 
column under Programming a hand-
held transmitter with conversion code.
If you have additional questions, 
please consult your BMW center 
or call toll-free 1-800-355-3515.
You can also visit the website 
www.bmwusa.com.<
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113
Beverage holder, coin boxA coin box and two beverage holders 
are provided in the center console.
Cellular phone*Hands-free systemOn vehicles that are wired for a tele-
phone* or equipped with a communica-
tion package*, the cover for the hands-
free microphone is located in the head-
liner near the interior lamp.
For further information on using your 
cellular phone, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual.
Ashtray, front*To emptyPress on the edge of the open cover – 
see arrow: the ashtray moves up and 
can be removed.Cigarette lighter
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. For this reason, children 
should never be left in the vehicle unat-
tended.<
Press the lighter 1 in. You can remove 
the lighter from its socket for use as 
soon as it springs back out.
Storage compartments
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        Page 114 of 178
114
Cigarette lighter socketSuitable for attaching power supplies 
for flashlights, car vacuum cleaners, 
etc., up to a rating of approx. 200 watts 
at 12 volts. Avoid damage to the socket 
caused by inserting plugs of different 
shapes or sizes.
Ashtray, rear*To emptyPress on the edge of the raised cover in 
the opening direction – see arrow: the 
ashtray moves up and can be removed.
Ashtray, front*
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117
With the convertible top closed, 
you can increase the space in the 
luggage compartment – refer to 
page 37 – by folding back the convert-
ible top compartment panel.
We recommend that you always fold 
the convertible top compartment panel 
down as soon as you have removed 
your cargo from the luggage compart-
ment. This way, you can be sure that 
you can always operate your convert-
ible top at any time.
At the same time, when the top is 
raised you should fold the convertible 
top compartment panel back up before 
stowing large objects in the luggage 
compartment; this precaution will help 
reduce the likelihood of damage to 
either the convertible top compartment 
or your luggage.<
Securing cargo>For small, light items, use the rubber-
lined, non-skid side of the floor mat 
or secure using the luggage compart-
ment net* or elastic straps
>For large, heavy pieces, see your 
BMW center for load-securing 
devices*. Anchorages located in the 
luggage compartment can be used 
for fastening the load-securing 
devices; see arrow.
Read and comply with the information 
enclosed with the load-securing 
devices.
Cargo loading
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