
Adjustments
34 gered in every type of collision, e.g. in the 
event of minor accidents, certain vehicle 
roll-over situations or collisions from the 
rear. In these instances, the safety belt pro-
vides sufficient protection. 
Adjust your seat to a position that provides 
maximum distance between you and the 
steering wheel and the instrument panel 
while still allowing comfortable and safe 
access to all vehicle controls. 
To minimize the risk of sustaining hand and 
arm injuries, always hold the steering wheel 
on the rim with the hands at or near the 
9 and 3 o'clock positions. Do not place 
your hands on the center pad. 
Never allow any objects to obstruct the 
area between the airbags and an occupant. 
Do not use the cover panel above the pas-
senger side airbags as a storage area.
Never allow front passengers to lean 
against or rest their feet or legs on the air-
bag cover panel.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. 
Never install a rear-facing child-restraint 
system in the passenger seat of this vehi-
cle, unless the passenger airbags have 
been turned off and the indicator lamp in 
the center console indicates that the pas-
senger airbags are deactivated.
If you transport children, carefully read and 
comply with the instructions in the follow-
ing section.
Be sure that child-restraints are mounted 
correctly and as far as possible towards the 
rear and in the lowest position. <
Even when all these guidelines are 
observed, there is still a small residual risk 
of injuries resulting from contact with 
deploying airbags in isolated instances. 
The ignition and inflation noise from the air-
bags may induce a mild temporary hearing 
loss in sensitive individuals.
Transporting children safely
Deactivating/reactivating passenger 
airbags
The passenger airbags must be deac-
tivated before using a rear-facing 
child-restraint system on the passenger 
seat, refer also to page 36 for explanation.
BMW also recommends that the passenger 
airbags be deactivated if a child is trans-
ported in a front-facing child-restraint sys-
tem, regardless of the age of the child. If 
you transport a child in the passenger seat 
– not an infant in a rear-facing seat – who is 
properly seated and seat-belted at all 
times, the potential benefits of airbags 
deploying in an accident generally out-
weigh the risks of the child being injured by 
the force of a deploying airbag. 
Therefore, you should deactivate the pas-
senger airbags only if you find it difficult to 
ensure that the child will remain properly 
seated and seat-belted at all times.
Always position the passenger seat as far 
back as possible and at the lowest level.
The above warning and recommendations 
are compatible with regulations estab-
lished by the National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration – NHTSA – permitting 
the deactivation of front passenger airbags 
by means of an on-off switch for members 
of certain "at risk" groups.
Specifically, the 'at risk' groups are:
>Infants in rear-facing infant seats
>Persons with certain medical conditions
>Children aged 12 and under in the front 
passenger seat.
NHTSA provides this information via their 
website – www.nhtsa.dot.gov – or via their 
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. 
area.< 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 35
The concept
Passenger airbags can be deactivated/
reactivated with the vehicle ignition key. 
The key switch is located on the outer pas-
senger's side of the instrument panel. 
The passenger airbags can only be deacti-
vated or reactivated with the vehicle stand-
ing still, ignition off and the passenger door 
open.
Deactivation
Deactivation of the passenger airbags sys-
tem deactivates the passenger front, knee 
and side airbag. The airbags on the driver 
side remain active.
Using the vehicle ignition key, turn the key 
switch to the "OFF" position. Note, the pas-
senger airbags will remain deactivated with 
the switch in this position.
As soon as the reason for the deacti-
vation of the passenger airbags no 
longer exists, you must reactivate these air-
bags so that they can deploy in an accident 
within their normal deployment range.<
Reactivating
Using the vehicle ignition key, turn the key 
switch to the "ON" position.
All airbags in the vehicle are activated and 
will be triggered under appropriate condi-
tions.
Passenger airbags lamp
The system checks that the airbag system 
is functioning properly when the ignition 
key is turned, and the indicator lamp in the 
central console lights up for several sec-
onds.
>The indicator lamp lights up continu-
ously when the passenger airbags are 
deactivated
>If the passenger airbags are activated, it 
goes out after several seconds.
At all times, occupants should sit 
comfortably upright and be properly 
restrained – infants and small children in 
appropriate child-restraint systems; larger 
children and adults using the safety belts. 
Please note that the word "Airbag" 
imprinted on the door trim panel indicates 
the airbag's location.<
Seat position for children
This is the correct way a larger child no 
longer using a child-restraint system 
should sit wearing the safety belt, when the 
airbag system is activated. 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 77
In the engine compartment
Hood
To release the hood
Pull the lever located under the left-hand 
side of the instrument panel.
Do not work on your vehicle without 
the appropriate skills to do so. Failure 
to work in an informed, professional man-
ner when servicing components and mate-
rials constitutes a safety hazard for vehicle 
occupants and other road users. If you are 
not familiar with the guidelines, please 
have the operations performed by a BMW 
center.<
To open
1.Reach under the engine hood
2.Push the release handle up
3.Open the hood.
To close
Allow the hood to fall from a low height and 
push on both sides so that it audibly 
engages.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the hood is clear when it 
is closed, as with all closing procedures.
If you notice while driving that the hood is 
not completely closed, stop immediately 
and close it securely.< 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 83
Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65 
warning
California laws require us to state the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components 
contain or emit chemicals known to the 
State of California to cause cancer and 
birth defects and reproductive harm. In 
addition, certain fluids contained in vehi-
cles and certain products of component 
wear contain or emit chemicals known to 
the State of California to cause cancer and 
birth defects or other reproductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds. 
Wash your hands after handling. Used 
engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in laboratory animals. 
Always protect your skin by washing thor-
oughly with soap and water.<
OBD interface socket
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface 
socket is located on the left of the driver's 
side behind a specially marked cover 
located beneath the instrument panel. The 
cover has the letters OBD on it.
This interface makes it possible to access 
data on emissions – related components 
using special equipment.If the Service Engine Soon indicator 
lamp comes on either continuously 
or intermittently, this indicates a 
fault in the emissions-related electronic 
systems. Although the vehicle remains 
operational, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the earli-
est possible opportunity.
The illuminated indicator informs you of the 
need for service, not that you need to stop 
the vehicle. However, the systems should 
be checked by your BMW center at the 
next opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this indi-
cates a high level of engine misfire. Reduce 
speed and contact the nearest BMW center 
immediately. Severe engine misfiring over 
even a short period of time can seriously 
damage emission control system compo-
nents, especially the catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp for Canadian
models.
If the fuel filler cap is not on tight 
enough, the OBD system can detect 
leaking vapor and the indicator will light up. 
If the fuel filler cap is then tightened, the 
indicator will usually go out after a short 
period of time.< 

Everything from A - Z
100 Indicator lamps
– airbag 33
– alarm system 27
– brake fluid 81
– engine temperature 47
– flat tire 75
– Flat Tire Monitor 53
– reserve tank 47
Inflation pressure 71
– monitor 53
INSPECTION 48
Instrument cluster 13
Instrument lighting 46
Instrument panel 12
Interior
– central locking system 20
Interior lamps 19, 46
– remote control 19
Interior mirror
– automatic dimming 
feature 33
Interior motion sensor 19
– deactivating 28
Interior rearview mirror 32
Interlock 38
Intermittent operation, 
windshield wipers 43
J
Jack 87
– jacking points 87
Jets, refer to 
Ventilation 56, 59
Jump-starting 89
K
Key Memory 37
Keys 18
– spare 18
– with remote control 18
Knee airbags 33
L
Lamp
– passenger airbags 35
Lamp control 45
Lamp replacement 84Lamps
– backup lamp 86
– brake lamp 86
– bulb replacement 84
– center high-mount brake 
lamp 87
– daytime driving lamps 45
– defective bulbs 45
– fog lamps 46
– headlamp flasher 46
– headlamps 84
– high beams 46, 85
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
– instrument lighting 46
– interior lamps 46
– lamp replacement 84
– license plate lamps 87
– LIGHTS ON warning 45
– low beams 45, 85
– low beams, automatic 45
– parking lamps 45
– reading lamps 46
– rear lamp 86
– standing lamps 46
– turn signal indicators 86
– xenon lamps 85
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system 36
Length 95
License plate lamps
– bulb replacement 87
Light switch 45
Lighter 61
LIGHTS ON warning 45
Loads, securing 66
Lock
– door 20
Locking 19
Longlife oils 80
Low beams 45
– automatic 45
– bulb replacement 85
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Luggage 
compartment 22, 94
– capacity 94
– enlarging 22
– remote control 19Luggage compartment 
lid 21
– emergency release from 
luggage compartment's 
interior 22
– opening from the 
inside 21
– opening from the 
outside 21
– opening/closing 21
– remote control 19
M
M+S tires 76
Maintenance system 82
Malfunction
– door lock 20
– fuel filler door 70
– remote control 19
– storage compartment 60
Malfunction of electrical 
accessory 88
Manual convertible top 23
Manual operation
– door lock 20
– electrical convertible 
top 25
– fuel filler door 70
– storage compartment 60
Manual transmission 40
Master key 18
Maximum cooling 58
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
Mechanical convertible 
top 23
Mechanical seat 29
Memory
– seats 30
Memory, refer to Key Mem-
ory, Vehicle Memory 37
Microfilter 59
Microphone, cellular 
phone 61
Mirrors 32
– heating 32
Modifications, 
technical 7