
74
KickdownIn the kickdown mode, you achieve 
maximum acceleration and top speed 
in position D.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the 
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S manual operation and Sport 
programMove the selector lever from D to M/S 
to activate the Sport program; SD 
appears in the display panel. The M/S 
mode is recommended for perfor-
mance-oriented driving.
Once in the M/S mode, you can tap the 
selector lever to switch the automatic 
transmission from the Sport program to 
its manual mode.
This mode allows you to execute 
upshifts manually by tapping the lever 
toward +, while downshifts are selected 
by tapping in the – direction. The dis-
plays M1 through M5 appear in the dis-
play panel to indicate your current gear 
selection.
The transmission will only execute 
upshifts and downshifts that will result 
in an appropriate combination of vehi-
cle speed and engine rpm. For 
instance, downshifts that would result 
in excessive engine speed are not exe-
cuted. The desired, then the actual 
gear, briefly appear in the instrument 
cluster.
To accelerate quickly in the man-
ual mode for maneuvers such as 
passing another vehicle, shift down 
manually or employ the kickdown 
mode.<
Shifting from M/S to the selector lever 
positions P, R and N is possible only by 
going through D.
Automatic transmission with Steptronic* 

80Everything under control
Odometer1Odometer
2Trip odometerOdometerYou can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the left button in 
the instrument cluster.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the left button with the ignition 
key in position 1 or higher.
TachometerDo not operate the engine with the nee-
dle in the red overspeed zone of the 
gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
interrupted when you approach this 
sector.
Energy controlIndicates the current fuel consumption 
in mpg – in liters/100 km on Canadian 
models. This allows you to see whether 
your current driving style is conducive 
to fuel economy with minimum exhaust 
emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the dis-
play goes to Maximum – zero on Cana-
dian models. 

83
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the radio display, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio.
You can adjust the clock and the time 
display in the car radio as follows.
Setting
Before the clock can be set, the 
time must be showing in the 
instrument cluster display.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher
To set ahead: turn the right button to 
the right.
To set back: turn the right button to the 
left.
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you continue to hold the right 
button.
To change the display mode: press the 
right button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour and 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button, refer to Odometer 
on page 80.
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100
Air supply/Blower
You can select blower speeds 
from 1 to 4. The heating and 
ventilation become more and 
more effective as the air sup-
ply settings are increased. In position  0, 
the blower and the heater are switched 
off. The outside air supply is blocked in 
position 0.
Temperature
In order to increase the tem-
perature of the passenger 
compartment, turn to the right 
toward the red zone. The tem-
perature of the incoming air is kept con-
stant.
Air distribution
You can direct air to flow onto 
the windows  , toward your 
upper body   or into the 
footwell  . All intermediate 
settings are possible. In the setting  , 
there is a low flow of air onto the win-
dows to keep them free of condensa-
tion.
Rear window defroster
When the rear window defroster 
is activated, the indicator lamp 
comes on. The rear window defroster 
switches off automatically.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the 
rear window defroster switches on 
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-
utes after starting the engine when out-
side temperatures are below approx. 
397/+46.<
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the 
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. Air conditioning helps 
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system, 
which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Outside air/Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant 
external odors by temporarily 
blocking the supply of outside air. The 
system then recirculates the air cur-
rently within the vehicle.
If the windows should fog over in 
the recirculated-air mode, switch 
this mode off and increase the air sup-
ply as required.<
Air conditioning 

104
Tips for pleasant drivingUse the automatic mode – switch on 
with AUTO button 6. Select the desired 
interior temperature.
Detailed setting options are described 
for you in the following section.
You can make the settings of your 
vehicle in such a manner that, 
when you unlock the vehicle with the 
remote control of your personal key, 
your own personalized setting for the 
automatic climate control is initiated.
The AUTO program adjusts the 
air distribution and the air sup-
ply for you and in addition adapts the 
temperature to external influences – 
summer, winter – to meet preferences 
you can specify.
Individual air distribution
You can cancel the AUTO pro-
gram by selecting specific dis-
tribution patterns to suit your 
own individual requirements. 
While the AUTO program is then deacti-
vated, the automatic airflow control 
remains in operation. Air flows onto the 
windows  , toward the upper 
body  , and into the footwell  .
You can reactivate the automatic air 
distribution mode by selecting the 
AUTO button.Temperature
The interior temperature that 
appears in the display panel is a 
general figure intended for refer-
ence purposes. We recommend 727/ 
+226 as a comfortable setting, even if 
the air conditioning is on. When you 
start the vehicle, the system ensures 
that the selected temperature is 
achieved as quickly as possible. It then 
maintains this temperature, regardless 
of the season.
To select the units of measure, 6 or 
7, for the display, refer to page 84.
Air supply/Blower
By pressing the upper or lower 
button, you can vary the air sup-
ply. This deactivates the auto-
matic control of the air supply, AUTO 
disappears from the display panel. Nev-
ertheless, the automatic air distribution 
remains unchanged. You can reactivate 
the automatic air distribution mode by 
selecting the AUTO button.
When the lowest blower speed is set 
and you press the lower button, all of 
the displays are canceled: the blower, 
heating and air conditioning are 
switched off. The outside air supply is 
blocked. You can reactivate the system 
by pressing any button for the auto-
matic climate control.To defrost windows and remove 
condensation
This program quickly removes 
ice and condensation from the 
windshield and the side windows.
Air conditioning
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the 
temperature setting – rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the 
engine is started. Air conditioning helps 
prevent the windows from fogging up.
Automatic climate control* 

105
Condensation forms during opera-
tion of the air conditioning system, 
which then exits under the vehicle. 
Traces of condensed water of this kind 
are thus normal.<
Outside air/Automatic 
recirculated-air control (AUC)/ 
Recirculated air
You can respond to unpleasant 
external odors or pollutants by 
temporarily stopping the flow of outside 
air. The system then recirculates the air 
currently within the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to select 
one of three different operating modes.
>Indicator lamps off: outside airflow is 
on
>Left indicator lamp on – AUC mode: 
the system recognizes pollutants in 
the outside air and blocks the flow of 
air when necessary. The system then 
recirculates the air currently within 
the vehicle. Depending on the air 
quality, the automatic system then 
switches back and forth between 
outside air supply and recirculation of 
the air within the vehicle
>Right indicator lamp on: the flow of 
external air into the vehicle is perma-
nently blocked. The system then 
recirculates the air currently within 
the vehicle.
If the windows should fog over in 
the recirculated-air mode, switch 
this mode off and increase the air sup-
ply as required.
is activated, the indicator lamp 
comes on. The rear window defroster 
switches off automatically.
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed in such a way that the 
rear window defroster switches on 
automatically. This occurs within 5 min-
utes after starting the engine when out-
side temperatures are below approx. 
397/+46.<
Draft-free ventilationYou can adjust the blower controls for 
the upper body area to obtain the opti-
mum airflow rates and directions for 
your personal requirements:
1Rotary dials for infinitely variable 
opening and closing of the vent out-
lets
2Levers for airflow direction
3Rotary dial allows you to control the 
temperature of the airflow from these 
outlets as desired
Automatic climate control*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

127
Wheel and tire combinationsThe right choice
BMW recommends using only 
wheels and tires that have been 
approved by BMW for use on your par-
ticular model. Although other wheels 
and tires may theoretically have the 
same dimensions, variations in factors 
such as manufacturing tolerances can 
result in contact between tire and body-
work, ultimately leading to serious acci-
dents. BMW cannot evaluate all tires 
and wheels on the market, and is thus 
unable to guarantee that the vehicle will 
continue to perform safely if unap-
proved tires and/or wheels are 
mounted.<
For each tire size, BMW has assessed 
the safe performance of specific tire 
brands and approved them for use. 
Consult any BMW center for details. 
Comply with any local/national regula-
tions, for example by recording the tire 
type in the vehicle documents.
The correct wheel and tire combi-
nation affects various systems 
that would otherwise be impaired, for 
example ABS, DSC and ADB-X/DBC.
For this reason, use only tires of the 
same manufacture and tread configura-
tion. In the event of a flat tire, for exam-
ple, remount the approved wheel and 
tire combination as soon as possible.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place. 
Store them away from light whenever 
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel.
Do not exceed the maximum tire infla-
tion pressures specified on the tire 
sidewall.
Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends the use of winter 
tires for operation under winter road 
conditions. While all-season tires – with 
M+S designation – provide better winter 
traction than the corresponding sum-
mer tires, they generally do not achieve 
the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and 
steering response, install winter tires 
made by the same manufacturer and 
having the same tread configuration on 
all four wheels.
Never exceed the maximum 
speed for which the winter tires 
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to 
service tires can lead to damage and 
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained 
professionals only. Any BMW center 
has the required technical knowledge 
and the proper equipment and will be 
happy to assist you.
tires. These are indicated by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

137
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.The BMW Maintenance System
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex