
 
Contents
 
9
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock65
Starting the engine65
Switching off the engine67
Parking brake67
Manual transmission68
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*69
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*73
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher76
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*77
Cruise control*78
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer80
Tachometer80
Energy control80
Fuel gauge81
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge81
Service interval display82
Check Control82
Clock83
Computer*84
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*86
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)87
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – 
325xi, 330xi89
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*91
Flat Tire Monitor*92
Brake force display93
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams94
Instrument lighting95
High beams/Standing lamps95
Fog lamps*96
Interior lamps96
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning98
Automatic climate control*102
Roller sun blind*106
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*107
Glove compartment107
Storage compartments108
Cellular phone*110
Ashtray, front*110
Ashtray, rear*111
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system*112
Ski bag*113
Cargo loading114
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*117
 
Controls and features 

 
17
1Fuel gauge81
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control80
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge81
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Control button for the clock83
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox19, 69, 75
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer80
 
>
 
Clock83
 
>
 
Service interval82
 
>
 
Computer84
11 Check Control82
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero80
13 Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

42
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes during 
arming: a door, the hood or luggage 
compartment lid is not completely 
closed. Even if you do not close the 
alerted area(s), the remaining areas 
are secured, and the indicator lamp 
will flash continuously after 
10 seconds. However, the interior 
motion sensor is not activated
>If the indicator lamp goes out when 
the system is disarmed: no manipula-
tion or attempted intrusions have 
been detected in the period since the 
system was armed
>If the indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is dis-
armed: an attempted entry has been 
detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the 
indicator lamp will flash continuously.Avoiding unintentional alarmsThe tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. You can do this to prevent a false 
alarm from being triggered in garages 
with elevator ramps, for instance, or 
when the vehicle is transported by train:
Lock the vehicle twice, i.e. arm the sys-
tem. Press button on the remote control 
twice in succession or lock the vehicle 
twice with the key.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion sensor are 
deactivated for as long as the system 
remains armed.
You can have the tilt alarm sensor 
and the interior motion sensor 
permanently deactivated.<
Interior motion sensorIn order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and the 
glass sunroof must be completely 
closed.
Nevertheless, you should deactivate 
the interior motion sensor, refer to 
Avoiding unintentional alarms, if
>persons or animals are left in the 
vehicle
>the windows or the glass sunroof are 
being left open.
The system deactivates the tilt-
alarm sensor and the interior 
motion sensor if the convenience clos-
ing of windows is interrupted in the first 
10 seconds and then restarted. The 
alarm must then be disarmed and reac-
tivated before it will resume opera-
tion.<
Alarm system* 

64
Vehicle Memory, Key MemoryHow the system functionsNo doubt you have reflected at one 
time or another on how great it would 
be if you could permanently configure 
your vehicle's various features and 
adjustments to mirror your own individ-
ual preferences. In engineering your 
vehicle, BMW has provided for a num-
ber of options for personal adjustment 
that can be programmed into your vehi-
cle at your BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into 
two categories, according to whether 
their primary orientation is the vehicle – 
Vehicle Memory – or the individual – 
Key Memory. Provided that each per-
son has a separate remote-control key, 
you can have your BMW center enter 
basic adjustment data for up to four 
individuals in the system.
The system then relies on a bilateral 
data exchange to identify the individual 
user and executes the selected settings 
whenever the remote control unit is 
used to disengage the door locks.
Distinguishing between keysColor-coded decals have been pro-
vided to help you distinguish individual 
keys with different settings.What the system can doYou can learn about the entire array of 
features this system offers at your BMW 
center. 
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to 
remind you at appropriate places of the 
settings that are available to you.<
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals as acknowledgment 
when locking or unlocking your vehi-
cle, refer to pages 33, 36
>Activating/deactivating the 'Follow 
me home' function, refer to page 94
>Activating/deactivating daytime driv-
ing lamps, refer to page 94
>Selecting units of measure for dis-
playing time, outside temperature, 
distance traveled and fuel consump-
tion in the instrument panel
>When you shift into Reverse, an 
acoustic signal indicates that PDC 
has been activated, refer to page 86
>Switching on the rear window 
defroster automatically, refer to 
pages 100, 105
>Activates/deactivates various alarm 
system functions, refer to page 42
>Having the onboard computer display 
– after giving an ice warning – return to 
its previous setting, refer to page 84.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Unlocking the driver's door first, then 
the vehicle's remaining locks, refer to 
page 33
>Locking the vehicle after pulling 
away, refer to page 37
>Automatically repositioning of the 
driver's seat for the corresponding 
driver when the vehicle is unlocked, 
refer to page 53
>Automatic tilting of the passenger-
side mirror, refer to Automatic curb 
monitor, page 54. 

66
If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for 
instance:
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low tempera-
tures below approx. +57/–156 and at 
altitudes over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first start attempt, it may be 
necessary to engage the starter for a 
longer period, but no longer than 
20 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent 
or long periods with the starter 
engaged, can damage the catalytic 
converter.<
Engine idle speed is controlled by the 
engine computer system. Increased 
speeds at start-up are normal and 
should decrease as the engine warms 
up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical 
devices that are not in use. Switch the 
ignition off when the vehicle is not 
being driven.Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Start the engine.Automatic transmission1. Depress footbrake
2. Place the selector lever in position P 
or N
3. Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from start-
ing off on its own, always move 
the selector lever to position P and 
engage the parking brake before leav-
ing your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.
position N
3. Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, reen-
gage the gear last selected, refer 
to the gear indicator in the display, and 
move the selector lever into neutral 
position N again.
The gearbox is automatically taken out 
of gear if the driver's door is opened 
while the engine is running and the 
driver does not actuate the pedals, the 
shift paddles or the selector lever. This 
is accompanied by a warning tone and 
the flashing gear indicator. The gear 
display N appears in the instrument-
cluster.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the 
engine running, move the selector 
lever into position N and apply the park-
ing brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
Starting the engine 

67
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in 
motion, as the steering lock could 
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key and engage the 
steering lock.
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on downhill roads. Engaging a 
gear may not sufficiently secure the 
vehicle against rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Automatic transmissionMove the selector lever into position P, 
and turn the ignition key to position 1 or 
0.SMG gearboxIf you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in position 
R, or in sequential mode, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in neutral 
position N, a warning tone and the 
flashing gear indicator in the display 
remind you that no gear is engaged to 
secure the vehicle against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. 
9 seconds.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and 
the indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on when the ignition key 
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

69
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*The conceptThe sequential manual gearbox SMG is 
an automated manual gearbox with 
which clutching and shifting is assumed 
by an electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG is operated via the selector 
lever in the center console and two shift 
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential mode: manual mode
>Drive mode: automatic operation 
>Ability to choose between two differ-
ent driving programs: Standard, 
Sport
>Operating safety through protection 
against misshifting
>Automatic upshifts and downshifts in 
the drive mode
>Automatic downshifts at minimum 
engine rpm
>Kickdown function in the drive mode.
>Acceleration assistant, refer to 
page 72.
Selector lever positionsThe current selector lever position is 
indicated by a light-emitting diode in 
the center console.
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
Position for forward driving with one-
touch functions:
Sequential mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
D: drive mode.
The SMG is ready for operation in igni-
tion key position 2.
The gearbox is automatically 
placed in neutral gear if the 
driver's door is opened while the engine 
is running and the driver does not actu-
ate the pedals, the shift paddles or the 
selector lever.
This is accompanied by an acoustic 
signal and the flashing gear indicator. 
The gear display N appears in the 
instrument cluster.
A driving position can only be engaged 
when the driver's door is closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzer 
in the area of the transmission indicates 
that the system is ready for operation.<
ShiftlockWhen the car is at a standstill, a safety 
function requires you to depress the 
brake pedal if you want to move the 
selector lever from the neutral 
position N to a driving position.Driving precautions
Use enough acceleration to pull 
away speedily when moving off on 
an uphill gradient. Never try to prevent 
the car from rolling back on an uphill 
gradient by depressing the accelerator 
pedal; always apply the handbrake. 
Otherwise you could overheat the SMG 
gearbox.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

71
instance, downshifts that would 
result in excessive engine speed can-
not be executed
>When you brake the car to a stop, the 
transmission automatically shifts 
down to first gear
>As speed diminishes the transmission 
will shift down automatically, without 
any action on your part, just before 
the vehicle slows to below each 
gear's minimum speed.
Available displaysR N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The currently engaged gear, the 
selected mode, and any malfunctions 
are displayed in the instrument cluster.Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
All selector lever positions can still be 
engaged, but in the forward driving 
positions only certain gears are actually 
available when the vehicle is driven.
Avoid extreme loads and proceed to 
the nearest BMW center.
For information on jump-starting and 
towing the vehicle, refer to page 153.Warning toneAn acoustic signal sounds if the SMG 
gearbox overheats; if possible you 
should either stop or increase your pull-
away speed so that the system can 
cool down.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex