
 
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 

 
18
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Technology that monitors itself
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
●
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
●
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is 
defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
●
 
The engine oil pressure is too 
low. Stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the engine. It is not 
possible to continue driving. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. It is very 
important that you follow the instruc-
tions on page 128 before driving on. 
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: there is a flat tire. 
Reduce speed and carefully come to a 
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to 
page 83.
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
 
●
 
 and 
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC 
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid hard brake 
applications. Please have the system 
checked by your BMW center as soon 
as possible.
Additional information beginning on 81.
CBC, ABS and DSC and DBC 
indicator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off.
For additional information, refer to 
page 61. 

28Opening and closing
KeysThe key set1Master keys with remote control. 
They govern the functions of the Key 
Memory. Certain functions in your 
vehicle may operate differently 
depending on the key, refer to 
page 58.
To distinguish between keys, you can 
mark each key with remote control by 
applying one of the colored decals 
that you received when accepting 
delivery of your vehicle
In every master key with the 
remote control feature there is an 
extended-life battery that is charged 
automatically in the ignition lock as you 
drive.
Therefore, use otherwise unused mas-
ter keys for a longer journey every six 
months so that the battery can be 
charged.<
2Spare key – for storage in a safe 
place, such as in your wallet. This key 
is not intended for constant use. The 
luggage compartment lid and the 
glove compartment cannot be locked 
and unlocked with this key. This is 
useful for valet parking, for example
Central locking systemThe conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The system simultaneously 
engages and releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the remote control 
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
The fuel filler door is not locked when 
the central locking system is activated 
from the inside, refer to page 32. When 
the system is actuated from the out-
side, the anti-theft system is also acti-
vated. This prevents the doors from 
being unlocked via the lock buttons or 
the release handle. The alarm system is 
also activated or deactivated.
If locked from the inside, the central 
locking system unlocks automatically in 
the event of an accident, except on 
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to 
page 32. In addition, the hazard warn-
ing flashers and interior lamps come on. 

38
Electric power windowsTo open and close windowsWith the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher:
>Press the switch to the resistance 
point: the window retracts, or respec-
tively the tilt-out window moves out-
ward; it remains in motion for as long 
as you maintain pressure on the 
switch
>Press the switch briefly past the pres-
sure point: the window moves auto-
matically. Pressing the switch again 
stops the opening cycle.
You can close the window in the same 
manner by pulling the switch. The tilt-
out window does not close automati-
cally.
After the ignition has been switched off: 
You can still operate the electric power 
windows for up to 15 minutes, as long 
as no one opens either of the doors.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key from the 
lock and remember to close the doors 
to prevent children from operating the 
power windows and injuring them-
selves, etc.<
For convenience operation via the 
remote control or the door lock, refer to 
page 30 or 31.Trap protectionThe front windows are each equipped 
with a contact strip located on the 
upper inside of the window frame. If 
pressure is exerted against this contact 
strip while the window is being raised, 
the system will respond by stopping the 
window and then retracting it a small 
distance.
Despite trap protection, always be 
careful to ensure that the closing 
path of the window is not obstructed. 
Some types of objects, for instance 
very thin objects, might fail to trigger 
the contact strip in some situations.
If the switch is pulled and held beyond 
the resistance point, this trap protection 
is overridden.< 

39
Glass sunroof, electric*
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the glass sunroof 
and keep it in your field of vision until it 
is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always 
remove the ignition key from the lock 
and remember to close the doors to 
prevent children from operating the 
glass sunroof and injuring themselves, 
etc.<
Opening and closingWith the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher.
>Slide the switch until you feel resis-
tance: the glass sunroof opens and 
closes as long as you hold the switch
>Slide the switch past the pressure 
point: the glass sunroof moves auto-
matically.
Tapping the switch again stops the 
motion immediately.
The headliner insert retracts with the 
glass sunroof while it is opening.
After the ignition has been switched off: 
you can still operate the glass sunroof 
for up to 15 minutes, as long as no one 
opens either of the doors.
For the convenience mode via the 
remote control or the door lock, refer to 
page 30 or 31.Raising the glass sunroofWith the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher: tap the switch.
Tapping the switch again stops the 
motion immediately.
If you briefly press the switch in the 
raise direction while the glass sunroof is 
open, the sunroof will rise to its upper-
most position.
After the ignition has been switched off: 
you can still operate the glass sunroof 
for up to 15 minutes, as long as no one 
opens either of the doors.
The headliner insert slides back some-
what when you raise the glass sunroof.
Do not use force to close the 
headliner insert with the sunroof in 
its raised position, otherwise the mech-
anism will be damaged. When leaving 
the vehicle, always remove the ignition 
key from the lock and remember to 
close the doors, otherwise children 
could operate the sunroof and injure 
themselves, etc.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

40
Trap protectionIf the glass sunroof encounters resis-
tance when closing from approximately 
the half-closed position or when closing 
from the raised position, the closing 
operation is interrupted and the glass 
sunroof reopens slightly.
Despite trap protection, always 
make sure that the sunroof can 
close without obstruction, otherwise in 
some cases, e.g. with thin objects, it is 
not guaranteed that the closing opera-
tion will be interrupted.
Trap protection is restricted when the 
switch is pressed and held beyond the 
pressure point. The sunroof opens only 
slightly. If the switch is pressed and 
held beyond the pressure point again 
within approx. 2 seconds, trap protec-
tion is overridden.<
Manual operationThe glass sunroof can also be operated 
manually in the event of an electrical 
malfunction.
1. Pull out the switch, then reach into 
the exposed opening and press out 
the cover
2. Use the Allen key from the onboard 
tool kit, refer to page 136, to turn the 
glass sunroof in the desired direc-
tion.Initializing the glass sunroof
If the glass sunroof can no longer 
be automatically opened or closed 
after manual operation, it must be ini-
tialized.<
With the key in ignition position 1 or 
higher, press and hold the switch 
beyond the pressure point until the 
glass sunroof moves slightly.
Glass sunroof, electric* 

47
Seat and mirror memory*You can store and recall three different 
driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
Memory will not retain the adjust-
ment made to the lumbar sup-
port.
to the desired position
3. Press the M
EMORY
 button: the indica-
tor lamp in the button lights up
4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as 
desired. Indicator lamp goes out.
To select a stored setting
Do not select a memory position 
while the vehicle is moving. If you 
do so, there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected seat movement.<
Ignition key in position 1:
>Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3, 
as desired.
Movement stops immediately when 
one of the seat-adjustment or mem-
ory buttons is activated during the 
adjustment process.
The driver's door is closed and the igni-
tion key is either removed or in position 
0 or 2:
>Press and hold the desired memory 
button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the adjust-
ment process is completed.
If you press the M
EMORY
 button acci-
dentally: press the button again; the 
indicator lamp goes out.
Your BMW center can adjust your 
vehicle's systems in such a man-
ner that your personalized settings are 
automatically set for the seat and exte-
rior mirror positions when you unlock 
the vehicle with your personal remote 
control.<
Before activating the programmed 
adjustment feature, ensure that 
the footwell behind the driver's seat is 
empty and unobstructed. If you fail to 
do so, persons, animals or objects 
could be injured or damaged if the seat 
should move backward.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

48
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt 
functionAutomatic curb monitor*
To activate:
1. Select the driver's mirror using the 
mirror selector switch 1
2. When shifting into Reverse or placing 
the selector lever in position R, the 
passenger-side mirror tilts down-
ward This allows the driver to see the 
area directly adjacent to the vehicle, 
e.g. the curb, during parking.
To deactivate:
Set the mirror selector switch to the 
passenger-side position.
How far the passenger mirror tilts 
can be set individually for each 
ignition key.<
Seat heating*The seat cushion and backrest can be 
heated with the ignition key in 
position 2.
You can select different heating modes 
by repeatedly pressing the buttons.
You can also switch the higher heating 
modes off directly:
Press the button and hold it slightly 
longer.
Seat and mirror memory*