
 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags61
Transporting children safely64
Rollover protection system68
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory70
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock71
Starting the engine71
Switching off the engine73
Parking brake73
Manual transmission74
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*75
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*79
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher82
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*83
Cruise control*84
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer86
Tachometer86
Energy control86
Fuel gauge87
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge87
Service interval display88
Check Control88
Clock89
Computer90
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*92
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)93
Flat Tire Monitor*94
Brake force display96
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams97
Adaptive headlights*98
Instrument lighting98
High beams/Standing lamps99
Fog lamps99
Interior lamps100
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning102
Automatic climate control*106
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment111
Integrated universal remote 
control*112
Storage compartments114
Cellular phone*115
Ashtray, front*115
Ashtray, rear*116
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*117
Cargo loading118
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop*121
 
Controls and features 

 
17
1Fuel gauge87
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
 to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control86
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge87
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
8Control button for
 
>
 
Clock89
 
>
 
Units of measure for exterior tem-
perature display  90
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox SMG19, 75, 
81
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer86
 
>
 
Clock89
 
>
 
Service interval88
 
>
 
Computer90
11 Check Control88
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero86
13 Indicator and warning lamps18
to 21
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

69
3. Keep pressing down on the protec-
tive bar – see arrow 1 – from on top 
until you hear it click into place
4. Put the cover panel back in place 
and press down firmly
5. Push the back panel of the head 
restraint closed – see arrow 2.
Do the same for the second protective 
bar. If you are not familiar with any of 
the procedures, consult your BMW 
center.
Have the rollover protection system 
checked out by your BMW center after 
it has been inadvertently triggered.
Do not move the convertible top 
under any circumstances if the 
rollover protection system has 
extended.
Do not use the rear head restraints as 
storage shelves.
Absolutely no modifications are to be 
made to any of the rollover protection 
system's individual components or any 
of its wiring.
Only your BMW center is to carry out 
any work on the rollover protection sys-
tem.
Work done on the system that is carried 
out improperly could lead to failure in 
an emergency or accidental activation.
Regarding having the system checked 
to ensure long-term operation: be scru-
pulous in adhering to the Service inter-
val display for maintenance intervals. 
Every 2 years at the latest, the rollover 
protection system must be inspected at 
a BMW center.<
Rollover protection system
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

88
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next 
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or 
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or 
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers 
in Canada – before the next scheduled 
service.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a "–" in front of 
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the 
distance shown on the display. Please 
contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.
Check ControlDisplayWhen the ignition key is in position 2, 
the following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols until 
the conditions have been corrected.
1Check the low and high beams as 
well as the parking lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check tail or brake lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal 
for a few seconds to remind you that 
the lamps have not been switched off. 

142Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System has 
been designed as a reliable means of 
providing maximum driving and operat-
ing safety – and as cost-effectively for 
you as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the 
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a 
significant role in maintaining its resale 
value.Service interval displayWhile conventional systems rely on 
milage alone to determine when service 
is due, the BMW Maintenance System 
reflects the actual conditions under 
which the vehicle is operated: some 
miles are more strenuous than others.
From a maintenance point of view, 
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated 
in short-distance urban driving are not 
the equivalent of the same distance 
covered at moderate cruising speeds in 
long-distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System 
includes the Engine Oil Service and 
Inspections I and II.
This service strategy accurately reflects 
your own vehicle's specific needs by 
defining maintenance intervals accord-
ing to individual operating conditions. 
Minimal use drivers – those who drive 
significantly fewer than 
6,200 miles/10,000 km annually – 
should have the engine oil changed at 
least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models/Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required 
maintenance intervals and procedures, 
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.As a precaution against corrosion, if 
your vehicle is exposed to potential 
damage from unimproved road sur-
faces we suggest that you have the 
body checked for damage from stone 
chips and gravel at the same time.
Have your BMW center perform 
maintenance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is 
recorded in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models, or 
in the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These 
entries confirm that your vehicle has 
benefitted from regular maintenance, 
and are also required for warranty 
claims.<
CareYou can find everything you need to 
know on this topic by consulting the 
separate Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure. 

Everything from A to Z
177
I
Ice warning 90
Ignition 71
Ignition key 30
positions 71
Ignition lock 71
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 39
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 87
DSC 19
Fasten safety belts 18
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 95
fog lamps 20
reserve 87
rollover protection
system 19
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 108
Individual settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 70
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 94
Inflation pressure, tires 
25, 129INSPECTION 88
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 98
Instrument panel 14
Integrated universal remote 
control 112
Interface socket for onboard 
diagnostics (OBD) 143
Interior lamps 100
remote control 32
Interior motion sensor 38
switching off 32, 39
Interior rearview mirror 60
automatic dimming 
feature 60
Interior temperature, adjust-
ment 104, 108
Interlock, refer to Steering 
wheel lock 71
Intermittent
mode, wipers 83
Interval
display, service 88
J
Jack 153
Jacking points 154
Jump-starting 159
K
Key Memory 70Keys 30
with remote control 30
Kickdown 76, 80
L
Lamp defect 149
Lamps and bulbs 149
Lashing down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading 118
Lashing eyelets, refer to 
Securing cargo 120
Lashing fittings, refer to 
Securing cargo 120
LATCH child-restraint 
mounting system 66
Leather care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
LEDs light-emitting 
diodes 100
Length, refer to 
Dimensions 167
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 153
Light switch 97
Light-emitting diodes 
(LEDs) 100
Lighter 115
LIGHTS ON warning 97
Lights, refer to Parking 
lamps/Low beams 97Load, refer to Cargo
loading 118
Loading
vehicle 118
Load-securing devices 120
Lock buttons on doors, refer 
to Locking 34
Lock, steering wheel 71
Locking
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Locking and unlocking 
doors
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Low beams 97
automatic 97
bulb replacement 149
indicator lamp, defective 
lamp 88
Lug bolts
key 154
torque 154
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

Everything from A to ZLuggage compartment
capacity 168
emergency operation, 
refer to Manual 
operation 35
enlarge volume 37
floor panel 37
lid 35
opening from outside 35
opening, remote 
control 32
opening/closing, refer 
to Luggage compartment 
lid 35
remote control 32
volume 168
Luggage compartment lid 35
emergency operation 35
emergency release 36
indicator lamp 88
opening from inside the 
vehicle 35
opening from outside 35
remote control 32
securing separately 35
unlocking manually 35
Luggage compartment light-
ing 35
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 121
Lumbar support 54M
Maintenance 88, 142
Maintenance system 142
Making telephone calls, 
refer to the telephone 
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
convertible top 48
door lock 33
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 88
Manual convertible top 41
closing 44
opening 42
operation 41
Manual operation
door lock 33
driver's door 33
fuel filler door 24
luggage compartment 
lid 35
power convertible top 48
Manual transmission 74
Master keys 30
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 57Memory, refer to Vehicle 
Memory, Key Memory 70
Microfilter
air conditioning 105
automatic climate 
control 110
Microphone, refer to Cellular 
phone 115
Mini disc operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirrors 59
heated 59
memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 57
Mobile Service 158
Modifications, technical, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5
Multifunction steering 
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 82, 83
N
Navigation system, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to 
Head restraints 54
Nets 114Nozzles, refer to Ventilation 
102, 106
Nylon rope, refer to Towing 
the vehicle 161
O
OBD interface socket 143
Odometer 86
Oil
additives, refer to Adding 
engine oil 139
capacity 169
dipstick 138
quality 139
specified engine oils 139
viscosity 139
Oil change intervals, refer 
to Service interval 
display 142
Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 138
Oil dipstick 138
Oil filter change 169
Oil level
checking 138
indicator lamp 18 

Everything from A to ZRollover protection 
system 68
indicator lamp 19
lowering 68
Roof load capacity 168
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 121
Rope, refer to Towing the 
vehicle 161
Run Flat tires 131, 156
S
Safe seating position 52
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 56
Safety belts 56
seat-integrated safety belt 
system 55
sitting safely 52
warning lamp 18
Safety systems, refer to
Antilock Brake 
System 125
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 93
Screwdriver, refer to 
Onboard tool kit 148
Seat adjustment 53
BMW sports seat 53
power 53
Seat belt tensioner, refer to 
Safety belts 56Seat heating 58
Seat memory, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory 57
Seat positions, storing 57
Seats 53
Securing cargo 120
Securing child-restraint sys-
tem 66
Securing the vehicle
from inside 34
from outside 31, 33
Selector lever
automatic transmission 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Selector lever lock, refer to 
Shiftlock 75, 79
Selector lever positions
automatic transmission 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 75
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG 75
indicator lamp 19
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 142
Service Engine Soon
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
88, 142
Shift paddles 76Shifting gears
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 79
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 76
Shiftlock 75
Shiftlock, refer to Range 
selection 79
Side airbags 61
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 151
Sitting safely
with airbags 52
with safety belts 52
Size 167
Ski bag 117
Slipstream deflector, refer to 
Wind deflector 50
SMG sequential manual 
gearbox 75
indicator lamp 19
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray 115
Snow chains 133
SOS, refer to Emergency 
call 158
Space-saver spare tire
changing a wheel 153
Spare key 30
Spare tire 153
Spare wheel 156
Special oils 139Specified oils 139
Speed gauge, refer to 
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
SPORT button 78
Sport program
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 80
Sports seat 53
Stability control, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 93
Standing lamps 99
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 159
temperature 71
Starting help DSC 93
Starting the engine 71
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine 71
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 71
Steering wheel, adjusting 59
Steptronic, refer to Manual 
operation 80
Storage compartments 114
Storage nets 114
Storing seat positions, 
refer to Seat and mirror 
memory 57
Storing tires 132