
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
Everything under control
47Odometer
47Tachometer 
47Fuel gauge 
47Coolant temperature gauge 
48Service interval display
48Outside temperature
48Clock
49Computer*
Technology for safety and driving 
convenience
51Dynamic Stability Control DSC
52Brake Force Display
53Antilock Brake System ABS
53Flat Tire Monitor
Controlling the climate for pleasant 
driving
55Air conditioning
57Automatic climate control*
Interior conveniences
60Glove compartment
60Storage compartments
61Beverage holder
61Preparations for the cellular phone*
61Ashtray*
Special operating instructions
64Break-in procedures
65Driving notes
65Brake system
66Cargo loading
67Hardtop preparation*
Refueling
70Fuel filler door
70Fuel specifications
Wheels and tires
71Tire inflation pressure
73Tire condition
73Tire replacement
74Wheel and tire combinations
75Run Flat tires
76Winter tires
76Snow chains*
In the engine compartment
77Hood
78Engine compartment
79Washer fluids for washer systems
79Engine oil
80Coolant
81Brake fluid
Maintenance
82The BMW Maintenance System
82Care
Laws and regulations
83California Proposition 65 warning
83OBD interface socket
Replacement procedures
84Onboard tool kit
84Windshield wiper blades
84Lamps and bulbs
87Changing a wheel
87Battery
Giving and receiving assistance
89Warning triangle*
89First-aid kit*
89Jump-starting
90Towing and tow-starting the vehicle
Technical data
94Engine data 
94Weights 
95Dimensions
96Capacities
Everything from A - Z
97Index 

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. 

In the engine compartment
78
Engine compartment
1Reservoir for headlamp and windshield 
washer system79
2Engine oil filler neck80
3Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting894Reservoir for brake fluid81
5Chassis ground – negative terminal
6Engine oil dipstick79
7Coolant expansion tank80 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 79
Washer fluids for washer 
systems
Headlamp* and windshield washer 
system
Capacity of windshield washer system: 
approx. 3.2 US quarts / 3 liters.
Capacity when equipped with headlamp 
washer system: approx. 5.3 US quarts / 
5 liters.
Fill with water and – if required – with an 
antifreeze agent according to the manufac-
turer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the 
washer fluid before adding it to the 
reservoir.<
Antifreeze agent for the washer sys-
tems is flammable. For this reason, 
keep it away from sources of flame and 
store it only in its original container. Store it 
so that it is inaccessible to children. Com-
ply with the instructions on the contain-
ers.<
Engine oil
Engine oil pressure
The red engine oil warning lamp 
lights up:
Stop the vehicle immediately and 
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil 
level and top off as required. If the oil level 
is correct, please contact the nearest BMW 
center.
Do not continue driving, as the engine 
could sustain serious damage from 
inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The yellow engine oil indicator lamp 
lights up while driving: 
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not 
drive more than approx. 30 miles / 50 km 
until you do.
The yellow engine oil indicator lamp 
lights up after the engine is 
switched off: add engine oil at the 
earliest opportunity, when you stop to 
refuel.
Engine oil sensor
The yellow engine oil indicator lamp 
lights up within 20 seconds after 
the engine is started:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please 
have it checked by a BMW center.
Checking the oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil level should be between the two 
marks on the dipstick
6.Return the dipstick to the guide tube, 
inserting it as far as it will go.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is 
directly influenced by your driving style and 
vehicle operating conditions. 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 97
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 53
– indicator lamp 14
Accessories 7
Activated-charcoal filter 59
Air conditioning 55, 56
– air distribution 56
– air supply 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
– defrosting windows 
and removing 
condensation 56
– outside-air mode 56
– rear window defroster 56
– recirculated-air mode 56
– temperature 56
Air distribution
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
Air outlets 56, 59
Air pressure 71
– checking 71
Air supply
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
Airbags 33
– activation/deactivation 34
– indicator lamp 14, 33
– passenger airbags 
lamp 35
Alarm system 27
– arming/disarming 27
– indicator lamp 27
– tilt alarm sensor 28
– triggering 19
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires 76
Antifreeze
– coolant 81
– washer fluid 79Antilock Brake System ABS
– indicator lamp 14
Anti-theft alarm system, 
refer to Alarm system 27
Approved axle load 94
Approved gross vehicle 
weight 94
Ashtray 61
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated air control 58
Automatic
– air distribution 58
– air supply 58
– cruise control 44
– lamp control 45
Automatic car wash, refer 
to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate 
control 57, 58
– air conditioning 58
– air distribution 58
– air supply 58
– Automatic recirculated air 
control AUC 58
– defrosting windows 
and removing 
condensation 58
– maximum cooling 58
– outside air 58
– rear window defroster 59
– recirculated air mode 58
– temperature 58
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 40
– display 41
– electronic transmission 
control 41
– indicator lamp 14
– manual mode 41
– selector lever position 40
– sport program 41
Automatic windshield 
washer 44Average fuel 
consumption 50
Average speed 50
Axle load, approved 94
B
Backrest, refer to Seats 30
Backup lamps 40
– bulb replacement 86
Bandages 89
Battery 87
Battery charge current
– indicator lamp 14, 88
Belt tensioner, refer to 
Safety belts 31
Belts 31
Beverage holder 61
Blinker, refer to Turn signal 
indicators 42
Blower
– air conditioning 56
– automatic climate 
control 58
BMW High Performance 
synthetic oils 80
BMW Maintenance 
System 82
Bore 94
Brake fluid 81
– indicator lamp 14, 81
– refilling 81
Brake Force Display 52
Brake hydraulic system 65
Brake hydraulics
– indicator lamp 14
Brake lamps
– bulb replacement 86
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb 14
Brake pads 66
– indicator lamp 14
Everything from A - Z
Index 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
Reference
 103
Washer fluids
– refilling 79
Washer reservoir 79, 96
– filling 79
Washer/wiper system 43
Washing fluids 96
Water on roads
– flooding 65
Wear indicator in tires 73
Weights 94
Wheel change 87
Wheel wrench 87
Wheelbase 95
Wheels and tires 74
Width 95
Wind deflector 26
Window condensation
– removing 56, 58
Windows
– convenience operation 20
– defrosting and removing 
condensation 56, 58
– power windows 22
Windshield washer 
nozzles 44
Windshield washer 
reservoir 79
– filling 96
Windshield wipers 43
– cleaning windshield 43
– intermittent operation 43
– rain sensor 43
– replacing 84
Winter tires 76
– changing 87
– condition 76
– pressure 76
– storage 76
Wipers
– replacing 84
Work in the engine 
compartment 77
X
Xenon lamps 85