
Adjustments
32
To unlock the safety belt
1.Press the red button in the belt buckle
2.Hold the belt
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
If the safety belt system has been 
stressed as a result of an accident or 
if it has been damaged in any other way: 
have the safety belt mechanism, including 
the safety belt tensioners and any child-
restraint systems, replaced by your BMW 
center. In addition, have your BMW center 
inspect the safety belt anchors. Otherwise, 
the system cannot be guaranteed to pro-
vide the required protection in the event of 
an accident.<
Steering wheel 
Adjustments
Never attempt to adjust the steering 
wheel while driving the vehicle. It 
could respond with unexpected move-
ment, posing a potential accident hazard.<
1.Push the locking lever downward
2.Adjust the steering column's reach and 
rake to suit your seat position
3.Pull the lever back in.
Mirrors 
To adjust exterior mirrors
1Switch for 4-way adjustment
2Selection switch for changing between 
mirrors
3Button
* for folding mirrors in and out
Fold the mirrors in and out by pressing the 
button repeatedly. This can be useful in car 
washes or narrow streets, for example, or 
for repositioning mirrors that have been 
folded forward.
The mirror can be folded in at driving 
speeds of up to 6.2 mph / 30 km/h.<
To adjust manually
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually:
Press on the edges of the lens.
Electric defrosting*
Both mirrors are automatically heated in 
ignition key position 2.
Interior rearview mirror 
To reduce the glare from vehicles behind 
you when driving at night, turn the rotary 
knob. 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 33
For vehicles without an alarm system: 
Tilt the small lever forward.
Interior and exterior mirrors with 
automatic dimming feature*
This mirror automatically dims through an 
infinitely variable range and switches auto-
matically to its clear, undimmed mode 
whenever you engage reverse gear or 
place the selector lever in position R.
To ensure that the mirror continues to 
operate properly, keep the two photocells 
clean and unobstructed. One photocell is 
positioned in the mirror's lens, see arrow, 
while the other is slightly offset on the 
opposite side of the mirror. Do not obstruct 
the area between the interior rearview mir-
ror and the windshield; do not apply stick-
ers to the area of the windshield in front of 
the mirror.
Airbags
1Front airbags for driver and passenger
2Side airbags for driver and passenger
3Knee airbags for driver and passenger
Protective effect
The front airbags help protect the driver 
and passenger in the event of a head-on 
collision where the protection provided by 
the safety belt alone would not be ade-
quate. The side airbags help provide pro-
tection in the event of a collision from the 
side. Each of the side airbags is designed 
to help support the seat occupant's upper 
body. The knee airbags help provide addi-
tional protection in the event of a head-on 
collision.
Do not remove or exchange the floor 
mat on the passenger side. It is a 
component of the safety system.<
For information on the correct seating posi-
tion, refer to page 29.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster shows the airbag system's 
operational readiness when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or higher.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly 
when the ignition key is in position 1 or 
higher.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine has been started, or it 
comes on again during normal driving.
BMW recommends that you respond 
to any malfunctions in the system by 
immediately having it inspected at your 
BMW center; otherwise the airbag could 
fail to respond in an accident that would 
normally trigger airbag deployment.<
For your safety, comply with the fol-
lowing instructions for the airbags. If 
you do not, the airbags may not be able to 
provide their full protection. All passengers 
in the vehicle should be aware of and com-
ply with this information: 
The airbags are supplemental restraint 
devices designed to provide additional 
protection; they are not a substitute for 
safety belts. Wear your safety belt at all 
times. The airbags are intentionally not trig- 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 43
Washer/wiper system and 
rain sensor* 
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent operation or rain sensor
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wiper speed
4Brief wipe
5Rotary dial for control of the wipe inter-
val or the sensitivity of the rain sensor
Intermittent operation
Not on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval over four 
stages with rotary dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied auto-
matically depending on road speed.
Rain sensor
The rain sensor is positioned on the wind-
shield, directly behind the interior rearview 
mirror. 
To activate the rain sensor:
>With the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher, move the lever to position 1. The 
wipers travel once across the wind-
shield, regardless of the weather.
You can leave the lever permanently in 
position 1. With the ignition key in 
position 1 or higher, it is then only neces-
sary to activate the rain sensor. To do this
>turn rotary dial 5 briefly.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sensor: 
turn rotary dial 5.
To deactivate the rain sensor:
return lever to position 0.Turn the rain sensor off in automatic 
car washes. Failure to do so could 
result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Normal wiper speed
When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers 
automatically switch to intermittent wipe – 
not on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wiper speed
When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers 
operate at normal speed – not on vehicles 
with rain sensor.
Cleaning windshield and 
headlamps
*
0Wipers retracted
1Cleaning windshield and headlamps
*
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield, otherwise vision could be 
obscured. For this reason, use an anti-
freeze agent. Refer to page 79.
Do not use the washers when the reservoir 
is empty. Otherwise damage to the washer 
pump could result.<
Cleaning the windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a 
brief period.
Cleaning the headlamps
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps are cleaned at 
reasonable intervals. 

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 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 101
N
Navigation system, refer to 
the separate Owner's 
Manual
Nets 60
O
OBD socket 83
Odometer 47
Oil 79
– additives 80
– capacity 96
– quality 80
Oil change interval, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for 
US models/Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 79
Oil dipstick 79
Oil filter change 96
Oil level 79
– checking 79
– indicator lamp 14
Oil pressure 79
– indicator lamp 14
Oil sensor 79
– indicator lamp 14
OIL SERVICE 48
Oil types 80
Onboard computer, refer to 
Computer or to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 84
Operating elements 12
Outlets, refer to 
Ventilation 56, 59
Output 94
Outside air mode
– air conditioning 56
Outside temperature 
display 48
– changing units 49
– in computer 49
P
Paintwork, refer to the Car-
ing for your vehicle bro-
chure
Panel lighting 46
Panic mode 19
Parking brake 39
– indicator lamp 14
Parking lamps 45
Particle filter
– automatic climate 
control 56
Passenger airbags
– activation/deactivation 34
Pollen, refer to
– Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 59
– Particle filter 56
Power seat 30
Power steering, electric 42
Power windows 22
Preparations for the cellular 
phone 61
Pressure monitor, tires 53
Pressure, tires 71
R
Radiator 96
Radio, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 43
Reading lamps 46
Rear lamps 86
– bulb replacement 86
Rear window defroster
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 59
Rearview mirror 32
Recirculated air mode
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
Refueling 70
Remote control 18
– interior motion sensor 19
– luggage compartment 
lid 19
– malfunction 19Remote control keys 18
Replacement key 18
Replacement of tires 73
Reserve tank indicator 
lamp 47
Restraint systems 34
Reverse 40
Run Flat tires 73, 75, 87
– flat tire 75
S
Safety belts 31
Safety defects 8
Seat adjustment
– storing 30
Seat heating 31
Seat memory 30
Seats 29
– adjustment, 
mechanical 29
– adjustment, power 30
Securing loads 66
Securing, locking the 
vehicle 19
Selector lever
– automatic 
transmission 40
– position, automatic 
transmission 40
Service 48
Service and warranty 7
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 82
Service Engine Soon 83
– indicator lamp 14
Service interval 
display 48, 82
Shiftlock 40
Side airbags 33
Snow chains 76
Socket
– for Onboard 
Diagnostics 83
– refer to Cigarette lighter 
socket 61
Spare fuses 88
Spare key 18
Special oils 80
Speed control, refer to 
Cruise control 44