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Reference
65
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deacti-
vated when
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat
is not occupied while the engine is run-
ning
>the hood is opened while the engine is
running
>the luggage compartment is opened
with the transmission in reverse while
the engine is running, and
>when the parking brake is used to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
The indicator lamp changes from
green to red, and the AUTO P letters in the
Info Display disappear.
Before starting off again, briefly press the
button to disengage the parking brake
manually, refer to page 63, or reactivate
Automatic Hold, refer to page 64.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, always move the
automatic transmission's selector lever to
position P and ensure that the parking
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start to
roll if you fail to observe these precautions.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic Hold is automatically
deactivated whenever the system
detects any tendency for the wheels to spin
in response to slippery road surfaces. Note
the status reports in the Check Control.
You can find more detailed information on
Check Control on page 85.<
Malfunctions
If a malfunction occurs, the indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the Info Dis-
play and a status report will appear in the
Check Control. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears in the
Control Display.
Releasing the parking brake
manually
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the parking brake manually.
Before proceeding to release the
parking brake manually, and each
time you park the vehicle without engaging
the parking brake, always ensure that the
automatic transmission's selector lever is
in position P, refer to page 67. Note the
range indicated in the Info Display.
If it is not possible to avoid parking on an
extremely steep slope, use some supple-
mentary means, such as a wheel chock, to
make certain that the vehicle will not roll,
refer to page 198. Otherwise the danger
exists that the vehicle could roll when
parked on a very steep hill.<
Should it also be necessary to release the
automatic transmission's lockout manually,
for instance, if the battery is discharged,
always adhere to the following sequence:
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing
the parking brake
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to
page 70.
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 202 and 203.
What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Emergency-release tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the
onboard tool kit mounted on the inside of

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67
Automatic transmission
with L mode
While you can drive as with a conventional
automatic transmission, you also have the
option of retaining your current gear selec-
tion with the L/D button on the steering
wheel, refer to page 68.
Transmission ranges
P R N D
Program display
L1 Ð L6
Buttons on steering wheel
L/D Ð
Selecting transmission range
The selector lever is at the center
position. To select transmission
ranges D, R or N, always start by pulling
toward the steering wheel, arrow 1, then
press up or down. Note the range indicated
in the Info Display.<
>Range D or R:
Press the selector lever up or down,
continuing to apply pressure to move it
past the detent
>Neutral N:
Press the selector lever as far as, but
not beyond, the detent
>Park P:
Press button P, arrow 2.
The selector lever immediately returns to
the center position when released.
Depress the brake pedal before
shifting out of P or N; the shift com-
mand will not be executed unless the brake
is applied Ð Shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a range, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.
You can activate the Automatic Hold fea-
ture to suppress the vehicle's tendency to
creep, refer to page 63.<
Shift commands are transmitted electroni-
cally. To help avoid malfunctions, each
command undergoes a plausibility check
prior to execution.
Remember to observe the Check Control
for status messages.
You can find additional information on the
Check Control on page 85.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage
the parking brake before leaving the
vehicle with the engine running. Note the
information provided in the Info Display.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<

Driving
68
P Ñ Park
Press the button.
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The transmission lockout prevents the rear
wheels from turning. The lockout disen-
gages when you press the selector lever
toward D, N or R while the engine is run-
ning.
P is automatically engaged when you
remove the remote control unit from
the ignition lock after parking the vehicle.<
R Ñ Reverse
Press the selector lever upward, con-
tinuing to apply pressure to move it past
the detent. Select R only when the vehicle
is stationary.
N Ð Neutral
Press the selector lever as far as the
detent, but no further. Select N only if your
journey is interrupted for a long period.
>From D press the selector lever up
>From R press the selector lever down.
Note the arrows indicating direction in the
range display.
N is selected automatically whenever
the remote control unit remains
locked in the ignition lock after the ignition
is switched off. This function is useful in
automatic car washes, etc.
After approx. 30 minutes the system auto-
matically engages P. Remember to
observe the Check Control for status mes-
sages.<
D Drive Ð Automatic
Press the selector lever down, con-
tinuing beyond the detent. This is the range
recommended for normal vehicle opera-
tion. All forward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in
position D.
Kickdown
The kickdown mode provides maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond full-
throttle detent point.
L mode
We recommend the L mode for times when
you wish to suppress certain shifts, for
instance, when ascending or descending
steep grades.
When the L mode is activated the transmis-
sion remains in your current gear, which
also appears in the Info Display, refer to
page 67. The transmission continues to
shift through the available ratios, but does
not proceed beyond the gear in the display.
Activating the L mode
Press the L/D button on the steering wheel.
The transmission downshifts when you
press the buttons on the rim of the steering
wheel briefly. The newly selected limit
appears in the Info Display.
The transmission only executes downshifts
that will result in a plausible combination of
vehicle and engine speeds. The transmis-
sion will no longer execute upshifts beyond
the selected range.

Driving
70 To obtain maximum acceleration, for
passing maneuvers, etc., during
operation in the manual mode, use the
kickdown or downshift manually.<
Malfunctions
A status report will appear in the Check
Control to alert you to any malfunctions in
the transmission-control system. Please
note any supplementary information that
appears in the Control Display. The direc-
tional arrows also start to flash in the Info
Display.
While it will remain still possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position,
the transmission will revert to operation in
its default mode with only a limited number
of forward gears.
Some types of malfunction will make it
impossible to engage all gears.
The engine may respond with reduced
output when accelerating from a standing
start.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
If no status messages appear in the
Info Display you should accelerate
carefully to confirm that you are driving in
the desired direction.
Never work in the engine compartment
with any of the forward or reverse gears
engaged, as the vehicle could start to
move. Engage the parking brake, refer to
page 62.<
Releasing transmission lockout
manually
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the transmission lockout man-
ually.
To prevent the drive wheels from
locking up and sliding, the transmis-
sion lockout must always be released man-
ually before the vehicle is towed.< Press the brake pedal before
releasing the transmission lockout
manually. If the brakes are not applied, the
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a
steep slope.
The transmission lockout should only be
released for towing. Remember to engage
the transmission lockout when you repark
the vehicle after moving it.
Should it also be necessary to release the
parking brake manually, owing to a dis-
charged battery, etc., always adhere to the
following sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking
brake, refer to page 65
2.Then proceed to manually release the
transmission lockout.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 202 and 203.
Releasing
1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover
panel beneath the instrument panel by
turning the lock counterclockwise, then
fold down the cover
2.Use the strap 1 to pull out the release
lever, continuing until it snaps into

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71
place Ð the transmission lockout is
released.
Re-engage the transmission lockout
after parking the vehicle at its destina-
tion. Otherwise there is a danger that the
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a
steep slope.<
Engaging again
1.Disengage the release lever by pressing
it together with the red detent lever,
arrow 1
2.Guide the release lever all the way back
into its original position Ð the transmis-
sion lockout is again engaged
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel. Now Ð
and not before Ð the key may be
removed.
Once the transmission lockout has
been re-engaged, the warning in the
Check Control should disappear, and the
symbol in the Info Display should change
from N to P. Should this fail to happen,
there is a danger that the vehicle could
start to roll.<
Information on jump-starting, tow-starting
and towing begins on page 202.
Turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher
1High beams Ð blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher Ð blue indicator lamp
3Turn signal indicators Ð the green indi-
cator lamp flashes, accompanied by a
periodic ticking from the turn signal
indicator relay
Using turn signal indicators
Move the lever beyond the detent position.
It then returns to the center position when
released. Press the lever as far as the
detent to switch off the turn signal indica-
tors.
Signaling briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond the
detent. It then returns to the center position
when released.
If the flashing of the indicator lamp and the
ticking from the relay are both faster than
normal, this indicates that one of the bulbs
is defective; if a trailer is attached, this
could also indicate that one of its turn
signal indicator bulbs is defective.

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Selecting wiper fold-out position
Important for changing wiper blades, when
folding away from windshield to prevent
blades from sticking when ice forms, etc.
1.Switch off the engine and remove the
remote control unit from the ignition
lock
2.Press the wiper lever up and maintain
pressure for about 3 seconds until the
wipers are roughly vertical Ð this is the
fold-out position.
After folding the wipers back against the
windshield you will need to reactivate the
wiper system:
1.Insert the remote control unit to activate
the radio mode in the ignition lock
2.Apply brief upward pressure to the
wiper lever. The wipers return to their
retracted position and are ready for
normal operation.
To prevent damage to the wipers,
always fold them back against the
windshield before switching on either the
radio mode or the ignition.<
Washer fluid
Windshield and headlamp washer
system
Capacity: 6.3 US quarts (6 liters).
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a
washer antifreeze, according to manufac-
turer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.< Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks
and open flames, and store it in tightly
closed containers well out of the reach of
children. Always observe the instructions
for use provided on the container.<
Programmable cruise
control
The concept
The programmable cruise control is avail-
able for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph
(30 km/h) and higher. The vehicle maintains
and stores the speed that you set using the
lever mounted on the steering column.
You can also use the multilevel preset
mode to store 6 desired speeds for later
selection with the lever on the steering
column, refer to page 75.
This feature assists you in quickly adapting
the vehicle speed to specific road condi-
tions, e.g. changes in speeds limits.
Do not use the cruise control when
driving on winding roads, in case of
heavy traffic or poor road conditions Ð
snow, rain, ice, loose road surface Ð that do
not permit a constant speed.<
One lever for all functions
Activating system
Press 1 or pull 2 lever as far as the detent.
The system maintains and stores the cur-
rent vehicle speed.

Everything under control
82
Everything under control
Odometer, outside temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly acti-
vate the time, outside temperature and
odometer displays by pressing the knob at
the upper left of the Info Display.
1 Outside temperature display, clock
The outside temperature and the time dis-
plays are active starting at the radio mode
in the ignition lock.
You can change the units of measure
Ð 6/7Ð in the "Settings" menu, refer to
page 91.
Setting the clock, refer to page 91.
Ice warning
A warning signal sounds when the outside
temperature falls to roughly +37.57
(+36); this is accompanied by a message
in the Check Control.
Please bear in mind that the ice
warning does nothing to alter the fact
that glare ice may be present on roads at
temperatures higher than +37.57 (+36),
for instance, on bridges and shade-
covered surfaces.<
2 Odometer
The odometer panel also provides displays
for the computer and the Check Control.
Regardless of the current display mode,
you can view the odometer reading for a
short period by pressing the knob at the
upper left of the Info Display. Check Control, refer to page 85.
Computer, refer to page 86.
3 Trip odometer
The trip odometer must be present in the
display before you can reset it to zero.
Reset by pressing the knob at the upper left
of the Info Display.
Tachometer
The orange warning sector gradually
moves upward as the engine warms to its

Everything under control
86
Selecting stored status reports for
viewing in the Control Display
1.Select "Car data"
2.Select and confirm
3.Select "Check" and confirm
4.The stored status reports appear in the
display. Select the desired report and
confirm your selection.
The display disappears when
the symbol is acknowledged.
Displays after completion of trip
Selected malfunction reports generated
during the trip are shown consecutively
when you switch off the ignition.
If indicated, the following message may
also appear:
"Parking lamps on!"
This message appears when you open the
driver's door after parking. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
Even with the ignition and Info Display off,
you can reactivate the screen and display
the messages.
Press the CHECK button for approx.
8 seconds, refer to page 85. The stored
status reports appear again in the display. If several messages are present, you can
continue to press the CHECK button to
view them in succession.
The Check Control function
>cancels itself automatically after a brief
period
>can be canceled by again pressing the
CHECK button for approximately
8 seconds.
You can select the language in which
Check Control status reports and
messages from the computer will appear,
refer to page 91.<
Computer
To select functions:
You can use the buttons in the turn signal
indicator lever to request a display from the
computer on the Info Display, starting at
the radio mode in the ignition lock.
1Info Display on left
2Info Display on right
A new function appears each time you
press the button.