
 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags51
Transporting children safely54
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory58
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock59
Starting the engine59
Switching off the engine61
Parking brake61
Manual transmission62
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*63
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*67
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher70
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*71
Cruise control*72
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer74
Tachometer74
Energy control74
Fuel gauge75
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge75
Service interval display76
Check Control76
Clock77
Computer78
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*80
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)81
Flat Tire Monitor*82
Brake force display84
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams85
Adaptive headlights*86
Instrument lighting86
High beams/Standing lamps87
Front fog lamps87
Interior lamps88
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning90
Automatic climate control*94
Roller sun blind*98
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*99
Glove compartment99
Storage compartments100
Microphone*101
Ashtray, front*102
Ashtray, rear*102
Clothes hooks103
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Through-loading system104
Ski bag*105
Cargo loading106
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*109
 
Controls and features 

 
Contents
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures112
General driving notes113
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)115
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure116
Tire code118
Tire condition119
Run Flat tires*120
New wheels and tires121
Snow chains*122
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood123
Engine compartment 
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid128
 
Maintenance:
 
BMW Maintenance System130
 
Laws and regulations:
 
California laws132
OBD interface socket132
 
Owner service procedures
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit136
Windshield wiper blades136
Lamps and bulbs137
Changing a wheel141
Battery145
Fuses145
 
Giving and receiving 
assistance:
 
Receiving assistance146
Jump-starting147
Towing and tow-starting the 
vehicle149
 
Technical data
 
Engine data154
Dimensions155
Weights156
Capacities157 

 
17
1Fuel gauge75
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
5Tachometer and Energy Control74
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge75
7Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
8Control button for the clock77
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox SMG, transmis-
sion indicator lamp19, 65, 69
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer74
 
>
 
Clock77
 
>
 
Service interval76
 
>
 
Computer78
11 Check Control76
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero74
13 Indicator and warning lamps18
to20
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

 
20
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)
 
●
 
Malfunction in the DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
For additional information, refer to 
page 115.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Add washer fluid
The washer fluid level is too low, 
top it up at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information, refer to 
page 126.
CHECK GAS CAP*
 
●
 
This indicator lamp comes on 
when the gas cap is loose or 
missing.
Close the gas cap tightly: refer to 
page 24.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
 
●
 
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-
sions-related electronic systems. 
 
Although the vehicle remains opera-
tional, you should have the systems 
checked by your BMW center at the 
earliest possible opportunity.
For additional information, refer to 
page 132.
Service Engine Soon indicator 
lamp for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
 
●
 
There is a fault in the electronic 
engine-management system. 
You can continue to drive with reduced 
engine output or engine speed. Please 
have the system inspected at your 
BMW center.
Add coolant
The coolant level is too low. Add 
coolant at the earliest opportu-
nity.
For additional information, refer to 
page 128.
 
Green: for your information
 
Turn signal indicator
Flashes when the turn signal is 
operated.
Rapid flashing indicates a system mal-
function.
For additional information, refer to 
page 70.
 
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering 
wheel.
For additional information, refer to 
page 72.
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever you switch 
on the front fog lamps.
For additional information, refer to 
page 87.
 
Blue: for your information
 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 70, 87.
 
Indicator and warning lamps 

75
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 
16.6 gallons/63 liters.
Certain operating conditions, such as 
those encountered in mountainous 
areas, may cause the needle to fluctu-
ate slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last 
drop of fuel can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an 
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle 
may rise as far as the edge of the red 
sector during normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly as an 
operation check.
If the lamp comes on during normal 
vehicle operation: the engine has over-
heated. Stop and switch the engine off 
immediately and allow it to cool down.
To check coolant level, refer to 
page 128.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

125
1Brake fluid reservoir128
2Engine oil dipstick126
3Coolant expansion tank128
4Reservoir for the headlamp and 
windshield washer system126
5Engine oil filler neck127
6Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting147Engine compartment essentials
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

128
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. If 
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water as well as an 
additive such as antifreeze with corro-
sion inhibitor. Not all commercially 
available additives are suitable for your 
BMW. Your BMW center knows which 
additives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, as 
the engine could otherwise be 
damaged. The additives are hazardous 
to your health; therefore, follow the 
instructions on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of antifreeze with corrosion inhib-
itor.<
Checking the coolant level and 
adding coolantCheck the coolant level when the 
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206.
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank 
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure 
to escape. Then open
2. The coolant level is correct when the 
upper end of the red float rod is at 
least even with the upper edge of the 
filler neck; see arrow. The end of the 
float may stick out by a maximum of 
3/4 in/2 cm – that is, up to the sec-
ond mark on the float
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the cool-
ant is low, slowly add coolant until 
the correct level is reached – do not 
overfill.
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The warning lamp comes on 
even though the parking brake 
is released: 
The brake fluid level in the reservoir is 
too low, refer to page 18. At the same 
time, there may be significantly greater 
pedal travel. Have the system checked 
as soon as possible.
Warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
If you continue driving, extended 
pedal travel may be necessary 
and braking distances may be signifi-
cantly longer. Be sure to adapt your 
driving style accordingly.< 

Everything from A to ZClock 77
12-/24-hour mode 77
setting, refer also to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
Clothes hooks 103
Clutch
breaking in 112
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Coin box 100
Cold start, refer to Starting 
the engine 59
Compact disc operation, 
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Compartments 100
Computer 78
Condensation, refer to Air 
conditioning mode 92, 96
Configuring settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 58
Connecting a vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Power 
socket 102Consumption
display 74
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 79
Control elements, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 31
glass sunroof 30
windows 30
Coolant 128
indicator lamp 19, 75
level 128
temperature gauge 75
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 128
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 92, 96
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) 115
warning lamp 18
Cruise control 72
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage 
holders 100, 101
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights 156
Current consumption, refer 
to Energy control 74
Curve lighting, refer to 
Adaptive headlights 86Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data 154
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 157
dimensions 155
engine 154
technical 154
weights 156
Daytime driving lamps 85
DBC Dynamic Brake Control 
19, 115
Deep water, refer to Driving 
through water 113
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows 93, 96
Defrosting and demisting 
windows
air conditioning 93
automatic climate 
control 96
Defrosting windows 93, 96
Defrosting windshield, 
refer to Defrosting win-
dows 93, 96
Demisting windows
air conditioning 93
automatic climate 
control 96Differential
breaking in 112
Digital clock 77
Dimensions 155
Dipstick, engine oil 126
Displacement, refer to 
Engine data 154
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting 86
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 127
vehicle battery 145
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 80
Divided rear backrest 104
Door key 28
Door lock 31
Doors
emergency operation 31
Draft-free ventilation 93, 97
Driving light, refer to Parking 
lamps/Low beams 85
Driving notes 113
Driving through water, deep 
water 113
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 92, 96