
Things to remember when driving
124
Things to remember when driving
Break-in procedures
To ensure that your vehicle continues to
furnish optimal economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we
request that you devote careful attention to
the following section.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
During this initial period you should attempt
to avoid constant, steady-state operation
and vary both vehicle and engine speeds
as often as possible. Until the break-in
period has been completed you should
also refrain from exceeding the following:
>4,500 rpm or 105 mph (170 km/h)
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode during
these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), the engine and vehicle speeds
can be gradually increased.
You should also comply with these break-in
procedures should the engine or differen-
tial need to be replaced at a later point.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve their
full traction potential until after an initial
break-in period. Therefore, drive reservedly
during the first 200 miles (300 km).
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles (500 km) to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
General driving notes
High temperatures
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not remove
the heat shields installed adjacent to
various sections of the exhaust system,
and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any
highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead
to a fire, and with it the risk of serious pro-
perty damage as well as personal injury.<
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into the car wash
1.Fold in the door mirrors, refer to
page 52, as otherwise they could be
damaged due to the width of the vehicle
2.Leave the remote control in the ignition
lock, as otherwise the P position of the
automatic transmission will automati-
cally be selected when the remote con-
trol is removed. Also refer to page 68
3.Release the parking brake, especially
when you have activated Automatic
Hold. Refer to pages 63 and 64.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires and
road surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized by
a partial or complete loss of contact bet-
ween tires and road surface, ultimately

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reference
125
undermining your ability to steer and brake
the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft (30 cm),
and then only at walking speed at the most.
Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the elec-
trical systems and the transmission may be
damaged.<
Brake system
Braking with ABS
The best way to achieve optimal response
from the ABS is to apply maximum pres-
sure to the brake pedal during emergencyÐ
panic stops. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can never-
theless avoid possible obstacles with a
minimum of steering effort.
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.
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Disc brakes
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal every few
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to
ensure that full braking efficiency will then
be available when you need it.
Hills
You can retain full and unimpaired braking
efficiency by downshifting to a gear in
which only minimal brake applications are
needed when descending long or steep
downhill stretches.
You can further enhance the engine's bra-
king effect by selecting a lower gear in the
automatic transmission's manual mode,
downshifting as far as first gear on extre-
mely steep stretches, refer to page 68. This
strategy helps you avoid placing excessive
loads on the brake system.
Never allow the vehicle to coast with
the transmission in Neutral Ð or with
the engine switched off Ð there is no engine
braking when the transmission is in Neu-
tral, and no power-assist for brakes and
steering when the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion
When the vehicle is driven only occasio-
nally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while
contaminants accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure which must be exerted by the
pads during brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.
Brake pads
If the brake pad wear warning lamp
appears in the Check Control,
accompanied by a text: please take
careful note of the additional information in
the Control Display.

Things to remember when driving
126 Warning lamp for Canadian models.
The brake pads have reached their
minimum pad thickness. Have them
replaced at your BMW center as soon as
possible.
For your own safety: use only brake
pads that BMW has released for your
particular vehicle model. Because BMW
cannot assess the suitability of other brake
pads for use on your vehicle, we are unable
to assume continued responsibility for the
vehicle's operating safety if non-approved
pads are installed.<
Cargo loading
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as
low as possible, placing it directly
behind the bulkhead behind the rear
seats
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat
is not occupied, secure each safety belt
in the opposite buckle.
Securing the load
>Use the luggage net* or securing straps
to hold down small and light-weight
luggage and cargo, refer to page 40
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available
at your BMW center. Anchorages for
attaching these heavy-duty straps have
been provided in your vehicle's luggage
compartment, refer to the illustration
>Please observe the special instructions
supplied with the anchorage fittings.
Always position and secure the load
correctly. If you do not, it can even
endanger the passengers during braking or
evasive maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross
vehicle weight or either of the approved
axle loads, refer to page 210, as excessive
loads can pose a safety hazard, and may
also place you in violation of freeway safety
laws.
You should never transport heavy or hard
objects unsecured in the passenger com-
partment, as they could fly around and
even pose a safety hazard to the vehicle's
occupants during abrupt braking or evasive
maneuvers.<

213
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reference
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 107
Automatic transmission
with L mode 67
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 69
Ð operation via buttons in
steering wheel 69
"AUTO P" 54, 64
"AUTOSTOR" 161
"Autostore" for radio
operation 150
Average fuel
consumption 88
Average speed 88
Avoid false alarms 41
"Avoid highway" 137
"Avoid route" 139
"Avoid sect." 139
"Avoid tolls" 137
Avoid unintentional
alarms 41
"A-Z" 175
B
Backrest adjustment 47
Ð front seats 46
Ð rear seats 47
Backrests, refer to
Seats 45
Backup lamp, bulb
replacement 197
Balance 147
"Balance" in sound system
operation 148
Bass 147
"Bass" in sound system
operation 148
Battery 200
Ð discharged 202
Ð switch 201
"BC", refer to Computer 88
Belts 50
Beverage holders 118
Blinds 115
Blower 107
BMW active seat 52"BMW Assist" 19, 22, 178
Ð "Roadside
Assistance" 178
BMW Assist 178
BMW comfort seat 46
"BMW Services" 178
"Booktape" 158
Brake, malfunctions 192
Brake assistant, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC 96
Brake fluid 192
Brake hydraulic
systems 192
Brake lamp, adaptive 101
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement 197
Brake pads 125, 193
Brakes 125
Brake system
Ð brake fluid 192
Break-in procedures 124
"Brief info" information
bulletin 23
"Brightness" during
TV operation 161
"Brightness" in the Control
Center 92
Bulb changes 195
Buttons in steering
wheel 18
Ð refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic 69
C
California Proposition
65 Warning 194
Call
Ð ending 175
Ð making 174
Calling 174
Ð from telephone
directory 175
Ð from the redialing list 176
Ð from the Top 8 list 176
Ð redialing 176Can holders, refer to
Beverage holders 118
Capacities 211
Car care, refer to Care
manual
"Car data" 19, 22
Cargo, securing 126
Cargo area
Ð emergency release 40
Ð manual operation 40
Ð opening and locking
separately 39
Ð opening from the
inside 39
Ð opening from the
outside 38
Ð operating via remote
control 36
Cargo loading 126
"Car parked" 109, 112
Car phone 171, 174
Car radio, refer to
Radio 146
Car wash 124
Car wash, refer to Care
manual
Cassette 158
Cassette deck 158
Ð adjusting the tone 147
Ð "Booktape" 158
Ð controls 146
Ð Dolby 158
Ð fast forward 159
Ð music search 159
Ð operating
temperatures 158
Ð reverse 159
Ð selecting tape side 158
Ð skipping pauses 159
Ð switching on 158
Ð volume 147
CBC Cornering Brake
Control 96
CBS Condition Based
Service 193
"CD" 146, 153