
 
5n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Controls and features
 
Passenger safety systems: 
 
Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory61
 
Driving: 
 
Ignition lock62
Starting the engine62
Switching off the engine63
Parking brake64
Manual transmission64
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Indicator/Headlamp flasher68
Washer/Wiper system/Rain 
sensor68
Cruise control71
 
Everything under control: 
 
Odometer, outside temperature 
display73
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Temperature gauge75
Fuel gauge75
Coolant temperature gauge76
Service Interval Display76
Check Control77
Computer80
Multi-Information Display 
MID81
Digital clock in the MID82
Computer in the MID85
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience: 
 
Park Distance Control PDC90
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC91
Hill Descent Control HDC93
Self-leveling suspension94
2-axle self-leveling 
suspension94
Tire Pressure Monitor RDC97
Adaptive brake light98
 
Lamps: 
 
Parking lamps/Low beams99
Instrument lighting100
High beams/Standing 
lamps100
Fog lamps100
Interior lamps101
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving: 
 
Air conditioner102
Automatic climate control105
Roller sun blinds111
Independent ventilation 
system111
 
Cabin convenience: 
 
BMW Universal Transmitter112 
Glove compartment115 
Storage compartments116 
Cellular phone116 
Beverage holder116
Glasses compartment117
Ashtray, front117 
Ashtray, rear118 
Cigarette lighter, rear118
 
Loading and transporting: 
 
Ski bag119 
Cargo area 
Fold the rear backrests 
down120 
Cargo area cover121 
Partition net122 
Cover panels in the cargo 
area123 
Power outlets124 
Pull-out cargo floor124 
Cargo loading126 
Roof-mounted luggage rack127  

 
10n
 
Notes
 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, 
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones Ð including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna Ð or trans-
ceiver equipment such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar accessories, 
may cause extensive damage to the 
vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere 
with the vehicle's electrical system or 
affect the validity of the BMW Limited 
Warranty. Contact your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle center for additional 
information.
 
<
 
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
 
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly. 
 
Service and Warranty
 
This manual is supplemented by a Ser-
vice and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models or a Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for Canadian 
models. 
We recommend that you read this 
publication thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following 
warranties:
 
>
 
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
 
> 
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
 > Federal Emissions System Defect 
Warranty >
 Federal Emissions Performance War-
ranty
 
>
 
California Emissions Control System 
Limited Warranty
Detailed information about these 
warranties is listed in the Service and 
Warranty Information Booklet for US 
models or in the Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
 
Reporting safety defects
 
The following only applies to vehicles 
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a 
defect which could cause a crash or 
could cause injury or death, you should 
immediately inform the National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of 
North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, 
Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227, 
Telephone 800-831-1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it 
may open an investigation, and if it 
finds that a safety defect exists in a 
group of vehicles, it may order a recall 
and remedy campaign. However, 
NHTSA cannot become involved in indi-
vidual problems between you, your 
dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call 
the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 
1-800-424-9393 Ð or 366-0123 in 
Washington, D.C. area Ð or write to: 
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You 
can also obtain other information about 
motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.
 
For your own safety 

23n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheel with multifunction buttons
*
The buttons integrated in the steering 
wheel are provided so that you can 
operate a number of accessories 
quickly and without being distracted 
from traffic conditions. You may 
operate: 
>selected control functions for the 
radio along with CD and cassette 
player 
>the recirculated-air mode of the air 
conditioner
* or the steering-wheel 
heating
*
>the cruise control
>selected phone functions and
>the voice entry 
In order to operate a system, the 
corresponding system must be 
switched on.< 
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, 
terminate call.
Extended pressure:
Activate/deactivate voice entry.
Switch between phone and radio, 
cassette and CD.
Forward:
>Radio
Press briefly: next stored station
Extended pressure: station search 
function
>CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: fast forward in 
track
>Cassette
Press briefly: stop track scan or fast 
forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Reverse: functions as for fast forward.
Volume
Cruise control: calling up.
Cruise control: store and accelerate 
+ 
or decelerate and store 
Ð.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
Recirculated-air mode and automatic 
recirculated-air control AUC or steering 
wheel heating: switch on/off. 

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Multi-Information Display MID
 
Central displayThe MID serves as the central display 
and operation for the following onboard 
systems:
>Digital clock, e. g. time display, date
>Audio systems Ð radio, cassette, CD
>Computer, e.g. fuel consumption, 
cruising range 
>Cellular phone,  e.g. dialing.
You will find explanations and notes 
for operating the digital clock and the 
computer on the following pages. 
Please refer to the separate Owner's 
Manuals for operating the audio sys-
tems, the cellular phone and the 
onboard computer.
Any unrealistic numerical entries 
will not be accepted. 
All stored data will be lost if the power 
supply is interrupted. Time display, 
switch-on times for independent 
heating and ventilation, distance and 
cruise control speed limit may have to 
be reset once the power supply has 
been re-established.<
1 Function button for audio systems
2 Function button for the cellular phone
3 Indicator lamp for independent venti-
lation
>remains on if switch-on time is 
active
>flashes while operating
4 Function button for the digital clock 
and computer
5 Indicator display for the various 
onboard systems390us705
6 Display for the entry and query but-
tons. Depending on the operating 
mode, the functions and alternatives 
that can be selected at the buttons 
are displayed here
7 Entry and query buttons for operating 
the various onboard systems 

116n
Storage compartments  Cellular phone
* 
Beverage holder 
You will find two storage compartments 
in the armrest between the front seats.
To open the top compartment:
Press the button, refer to arrow 1.
You will find a cellular phone
* in this 
compartment.
To move the armrest or open the lower 
compartment:
Pull the handle, refer to arrow 2.
In this compartment, you will find a coin 
tray and a storage compartment* for 
cassettes or CDs.
You will find additional storage 
compartments in all of the doors as well 
as on the backrests of the front seats.
530de276
Hands-free system On vehicles with telephone prepara-
tion
*, the hands-free microphone is 
positioned in the headliner. 
For further information on the cellular 
phone, refer to the Telephone Owner's 
Manual. 
530us070
Front Below the sliding cover, refer to illustra-
tion. 
Remove the insert which is a compart-
ment for storing pens.530de277 

Everything from A to ZAABS Antilock Brake 
System20, 132
Accessories9
Activated-charcoal 
filter110
Adaptive brake light98
Adding
brake fluid144
coolant143
engine oil141
washer fluid141
Adjusting
head restraints47
mirrors53
seats44
steering wheel52
thigh support45
Air conditioner102
Air distribution103, 107
Air outlets102, 105
Air supply103, 107
Airbags20, 55
Alarm system39
Antifreeze143
Antilock Brake System 
ABS20, 132
Anti-theft system31
Approved gross vehicle 
weight170
Aquaplaning132, 134Arrival time87
Ashtray
front117
rear118
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control108
Automatic climate 
control105
removing condensation 
from the windows107
Automatic cruise control71
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic dimming
exterior rearview 
mirrors54
interior rearview mirror54
Automatic headlamp 
control99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC108
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustment52
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic65
Average fuel 
consumption80
Average speed80, 88
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms40
Axle loads170
BBackup lamps65
bulb replacement153
Battery160
charge160
discharged163
Battery charge indicator 
lamp19
Battery, disposal160
Belts49
Beverage holder116
Blower103, 107
BMW comfort seat46
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil142
BMW Maintenance 
System145
BMW sports seat45
BMW Universal 
Transmitter112
Brake fluid144
Brake fluid level144
Brake lamps
bulb replacement153
Brake light, adaptive98Brake system132
brake fluid144
brake fluid level133
brake pads indicator21
disc brakes133
hydraulic system 
indicator19
malfunctions132
Break-in procedures130
Bulbs and lamps151
CCalifornia Proposition
65 Warning146
Can holder, refer to 
beverage holder116
Capacities171
Cargo area38, 120
capacity170
cover120
lamps101
partition net122
Cargo floor, pull-out124
Cargo loading126
Cellular phone116
hands-free system116
Center Ð high-mount Ð brake 
lamp153
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp153 

Everything from A to Z
179n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Side lamps99
bulb replacement152
Sitting safely with 
airbags44
Sitting safely with safety 
belts44
Ski bag119
Sliding/tilt sunroof42
closing following an 
electrical malfunction43
convenience operation34
power loss43
remote control32
Snow chains138
Socket
power supplies118
vacuum cleaner118
Spare key30
Spare tire156
Spare wheel156
removal aid156
Spare wheel, driving159
Speaker116
Special features of winter 
tires138
Special wash program69
Speed88
Speed control71
Speed limit85, 86
Speedometer15, 17, 18Sports seat45
Standing lamps100
Starting assistance163
Starting problems63, 163
Starting the engine62, 63
Steering lock62
Steering wheel
adjustment52
adjustment, automatic52
heating53
lock62
memory50
Steering wheel with 
multifunction buttons23
Steptronic65
Stopwatch83
Storage compartments116
in the cargo area123
Summer tires137
Sunroof42
Sunshades111
Switching off the engine63
Switch-on times
input84
Symbols8
Synthetic oils142
System malfunction 
indicators77
TTachometer74
Tail lamps153
bulb replacement153
Tailgate37
opening from the 
outside36
release following an 
electrical malfunction38
remote control 
operation32
Tank capacity171
Technical 
modifications9, 146
Telephone preparation116
Temperature display, 
outside 
temperature73, 80
Temperature gauge75, 76
Temperature 
layering104, 109
Temperature setting107
Thigh support 
adjustment45
Third brake lamp153
Tilt alarm32
Tilt alarm sensor40
Tilt function, passenger side 
mirror51Time
calling up82
changing82
of arrival, estimated87
Timer
refer to Stopwatch
refer also to the Owner's 
Manual for the Onboard 
Computer
Tire134
damage134
pressure monitoring97
replacement135
tread134
Tire condition134
Tire inflation 
pressures26, 134
monitoring97
table27
Tire Pressure Monitor 
RDC97
warning lamp19, 21
Tire Quality Grading136
Tools150
Torque168
Tow fittings164
Towing the vehicle164
Tow-starting164
Track width169