Page 67 of 174
67
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*In addition to the fully automatic opera-
tion, you can also shift gears manually
with Steptronic, refer to page 68.
When you move the selector lever from
the D position to the left into the M/S
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the automatic transmission
are engaged. Steptronic enters the
manual selection mode and executes
the desired shift whenever you tap the
selector lever in the direction indicated
by + or –. Whenever you want to use
the automatic mode again, just shift the
selector lever toward the right to posi-
tion D.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in
position D.Selector lever positionsP R N D M/S + –Starting the engineThe engine can only be started in selec-
tor lever positions P – for Park – or N –
for Neutral.
Range selectionA catch prevents inadvertent movement
of the selector lever to positions R and
P. To deactivate the catch, press the
button on the front of the selector lever
knob, see arrow.
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of Park or Neu-
tral, depress the footbrake in order to
disengage the selector lever's lock
mechanism – Shiftlock.<
Hold the footbrake down until
starting off. Otherwise the vehicle
will 'creep' when a drive position is
engaged. To prevent the vehicle from
starting off on its own, always move the
selector lever to position P and engage
the parking brake before leaving your
vehicle with the engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
PParkSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary. Transmission locks to prevent rear
wheels from turning.RReverseSelect only when the vehicle is station-
ary.NNeutralEngage this, for example, when you are
driving through a car wash. The vehicle
can roll.DDrive, automatic shift programThis position is designed for driving
under all normal operating conditions.
All forward gears are available.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 69 of 174
69
Available displaysP R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
The selector lever position or gear cur-
rently engaged in the manual mode is
displayed.Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
parking brake and turn the engine off –
ignition key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW center.
Never work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear – for-
ward or reverse – is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 147.
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 71 of 174
71
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent mode or rain sensor
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wiper speed
4Brief wipe
5Rotary dial for control of the wipe
interval or the sensitivity of the rain
sensorIntermittent modeNot on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can select any of four sweep inter-
vals with rotary dial 5.
In addition, the wipe interval varies
automatically depending on road
speed.
Rain sensorThe rain sensor is positioned on the
windshield, directly behind the interior
rearview mirror.
To activate the rain sensor:
>With the ignition key in position 1
or 2, move the lever to position 1.
The wipers will make at least one
sweep across the windshield.
You can leave the lever in position 1
at all times. With the ignition key in
position 1 or 2, all you then need to
do to activate the rain sensor is to
>turn rotary dial 5 upward or
>clean windshield 1, refer to page 72.
To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sen-
sor: turn rotary dial 5.
To switch off the rain sensor:
Return lever to position 0.
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by
undesired wiper activation.
ers switch automatically to intermittent
wipe – not on vehicles with rain sensor.
Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wip-
ers revert to operate at normal speed –
not on vehicles with rain sensor.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 73 of 174
73
The speed stored in memory is deleted.To store and maintain speed or to
acceleratePress button + briefly:
The system registers and maintains the
current vehicle speed. Every time you
tap the button, the speed increases by
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Press and hold button +:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When
you release the button, the system
stores and maintains the current speed.
If on a downhill gradient the
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
To deceleratePress button – briefly:
If you are already driving with activated
cruise control, the speed is decreased
by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h every time
you tap the button.
Press and hold button –:
With the cruise control active, the sys-
tem automatically reduces the throttle
opening to slow the vehicle. When you
release the button, the system stores
and maintains the current speed.To interrupt the cruise controlWhen the system is activated, press the
button. The indicator lamp stays on.
You can use the cruise control again
whenever you want by calling up the
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied
>When you apply pressure to the
clutch pedal, or when you move the
automatic transmission selector lever
from D to N
>If you exceed or fall below the pro-
grammed speed for an extended
period – by depressing the accelera-
tor, for example.To recall the stored settingPress button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.
Cruise control*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 75 of 174
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
Page 77 of 174
77
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 74.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 79 of 174
79
After giving an ice warning, the
display returns to the previous
setting.<
The ice warning does not alter to
the fact that surface ice can form
at temperatures above 37.57/+36,
on bridges or shaded road surfaces, for
instance.<
Average fuel consumptionIf you press the onboard computer but-
ton BC in the turn signal lever for longer
while the average fuel consumption
value is being displayed, a new con-
sumption value is calculated from that
point in time.
If you wish, you can have the aver-
age fuel consumption displayed in
a different unit of measure.
based on the available fuel. The amount
of fuel remaining in the tank is mea-
sured, the estimated range is calcu-
lated taking into account the operating
conditions over the last 20 miles/30 km.
It is important that you refuel when
the cruising range falls below
approx. 35 miles/50 kilometers. Other-
wise, the engine cannot be guaranteed
to operate properly and damage may
result.<
Average speedAny time spent when the vehicle is sta-
tionary and the engine is shut off is
ignored for the calculation.
To reset the average speed: press the
onboard computer button BC in the
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Computer
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Page 81 of 174
81
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)The conceptDSC supports vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The DSC is operational every time you
start the engine.
DSC incorporates the Dynamic Traction
Control (DTC) and Cornering Brake
Control (CBC) functions.Indicator lamps
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out shortly
after you switch on the ignition,
refer to page 19.
>The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is
actively controlling drive torque and
braking intervention
>The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC has
been switched off with the button;
DTC and DBC are operational. DTC
control intervention is not indicated.
The indicator lamp and the
brake warning lamp continu-
ously light up in yellow:
The DSC, DTC and DBC have
been switched off manually or
there is a system malfunction.
The vehicle will remain completely
operational, however, without DSC. In
the event of a fault, please consult your
BMW center.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
Deactivating the DSC/activating
the DTCTap the DSC button; the indicator lamp
comes on and stays on.
DSC is deactivated; DTC is operational.
In the following rare situations, it may
prove useful to activate the DTC for a
brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving on snow-covered
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been
packed down from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
