
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80 tance during panic stops. This system 
exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS. 
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake 
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. When the brake pedal is released, 
DBC is deactivated. 
In the event of a malfunction, the 
warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up yellow. 
Have the system checked and repaired at 
your BMW center as soon as possible. 
Please note any information that appears 
on the Control Display. 
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Active roll stabilization* 
The concept 
Active roll stabilization minimizes body roll 
and optimizes vehicle stability during cor-
nering and evasive maneuvers. 
Dynamic stabilizers at the front and rear 
axles form the basis for active roll stabiliza-
tion. Suspension compliance adapts to suit 
driving conditions, varying from perfor-
mance-oriented during cornering to 
smooth and comfort-oriented when the 
vehicle is proceeding in a straight line. 
The system assumes operational status 
each time you start the engine. 
Driving with active roll stabilization
During vehicle operation, the system con-
tinuously runs through closed-loop control 
cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
In case of malfunction 
The symbol in the instrument clus-
ter lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there. 
You can find more information on the 
Check Control starting on page 68. If the active roll stabilization system is 
deactivated in response to malfunc-
tion, please remember to adapt your speed 
accordingly, especially in curves. 
The suspension will be noticeably softer 
and the vehicle will display a greater ten-
dency to tilt during cornering and in cross-
winds. 
If a message stating that you should stop 
appears on the Control Display in addition 
to the red symbol, stop immediately and 
switch off the engine. In this case the oil 
level in the reservoir may have dropped 
below the minimum, possibly owing to a 
leak in the hydraulic system. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears on the Control Display.<
Flat Tire Monitor 
The concept 
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the 
inflation pressures in the four fitted tires as 
you drive. The system provides an alert 
whenever the inflation pressure drops sig-
nificantly in relation to the pressure in 
another tire.
The check of the tire inflation pressure is 
based on monitoring the relative speeds of 
the wheels. A flat tire is detected and 
reported on the basis of a deviation in cer-
tain speed ratios. 
Functional requirement 
So that the Flat Tire Monitor can learn the 
correct inflation pressure, please perform 
the following: 
1.Check the inflation pressures in all tires
2.Compare with the inflation pressure 
table on page 170 and correct if neces-
sary 
3.Initialize the system. 
Limits of the system 
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate 
sudden severe tire damage caused 
by outside factors and does not detect a  

Under the hood
178
Engine compartment 
1Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Top-
ping up engine oil 
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath 
the microfilter cover, refer to page 180
3Starting-aid terminal, refer to page 192
4Dipstick for engine oil, refer to Check-
ing the oil level. The dipstick is further 
toward the rear on the 545i
5Washer fluid reservoir of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer 
to page 57
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page 179
Engine oil 
Checking oil level 
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface 
2.Switch the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating temperature 
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick 4 out and wipe it off with a clean 
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar 
material 4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out again 
5.The oil should extend to between the 
two marks on the dipstick. 
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate 
at which the engine uses oil is strongly 
influenced by driving style and operating 
conditions.
The oil quantity between the two marks on 
the dipstick is approx. 1.6 US quarts/
1.5  liters. Do not fill beyond the upper mark 
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the 
engine.  

Mobility
 181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance 
The BMW Maintenance 
System 
The BMW Maintenance System is 
designed to ensure that your vehicle will 
continue to furnish consistent reliability 
combined with optimal safety. The service 
schedule also includes operations related 
to the vehicle's comfort and convenience 
features, such as replacement of the filters 
for the inside air. The ultimate objective is 
to ensure economical maintenance by pro-
viding the ideal service for your vehicle. 
Should the day come when you decide to 
sell your BMW, you will find that a complete 
dealer service history is an asset of inesti-
mable value. 
CBS Condition Based Service 
CBS is a more advanced version of the Ser-
vice Interval Display. Sensors combine with 
highly-specialized algorithms to supply 
service information that reflects your vehi-
cle's actual operating conditions more pre-
cisely than ever before. 
The system now provides individual dis-
plays of the times or distances remaining 
until the deadlines for specific service 
operations as well as legally prescribed 
inspections: 
>Engine oil 
>Brakes: separate for front and rear 
>Brake fluid 
>Spark plugs >Vehicle check 
>Depending on national regulations: 
legally prescribed inspections. 
CBS monitors both current and upcoming 
service requirements. Your vehicle stores 
this information continuously in the ignition 
key while the vehicle is being driven. You 
should therefore hand over to the BMW 
Service Advisor the key you last used to 
drive when you take your vehicle for ser-
vice. After accessing the data stored in the 
vehicle key, your BMW Service Advisor is 
able to suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual 
vehicle. 
By letting you define a service and mainte-
nance regimen that reflects your own indi-
vidual requirements, Condition Based Ser-
vice builds the basis for trouble-free 
driving. 
You can find more detailed information on 
the service requirement display on 
page 66. 
Make sure the date in the Control 
Center is always set correctly, refer to 
page 75, as otherwise the effectiveness of 
Condition Based Service CBS is not 
ensured.
and Service Guide Booklet for Cana-
dian models 
Please consult your Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models for additional information 
on service requirements.
Have service and repair operations 
performed at your BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service 
procedures are confirmed by entries in 
your vehicle's Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and War-
ranty and Service Guide Booklet for Cana- 

Mobility
 183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Rules and regulations 
California Proposition 65 
Warning 
California laws require us to issue the fol-
lowing warning: 
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components found in the interior 
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit 
chemicals known to the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects and 
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit 
chemicals known to the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects or other 
reproductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds. 
Wash your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that 
have caused cancer in laboratory animals. 
Always protect your skin by washing 
thoroughly with soap and water.< 
OBD connector 
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface 
socket is located on the left of the driver's 
side under the instrument panel and under 
a cover. 
The cover has the letters OBD on it. 
The purpose of the OBD system is to 
ensure proper operation of the emission 
control system for the vehicle's lifetime.The system monitors emissions-related 
components and systems for deterioration 
and malfunction. 
An illuminated indicator lamp 
informs you of the need for service, 
not of the need to stop the vehicle. 
However, the systems should be checked 
by your BMW center at the earliest possible 
opportunity. 
Indicator lamp for Canadian mod-
els. 
Under certain conditions, the indicator will 
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe 
level of engine misfire. When this occurs, 
you should reduce speed and consult the 
nearest BMW center as soon as possible. 
Severe engine misfire over only a short 
period of time can seriously damage emis-
sions control components, especially the 
catalytic converter. 
When the fuel filler cap is not properly 
tightened, the OBD system can 
detect the vapor leak and the indicator 
lamp will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator lamp 
should go out within a few days.< 

Everything from A to Z
206 Directory for navigation, 
refer to Address 
book 120
Disc brakes 107
Displacement, refer to 
Engine data 198
Display lighting 88
Displays
Ð refer to Cockpit 10
Ð refer to Control Display 17
Ð refer to Instrument 
cluster 12
Displays on the windshield, 
refer to Head-Up 
Display 85
Disposal
Ð brake fluid 180
Ð coolant 179
Ð engine oil 179
Ð vehicle battery 189
Distance, refer to 
Computer 71
Distance cruise control, 
refer to Active cruise 
control 59
"Distance to destin.Ò 71
Distance to destination, 
refer to Computer 71
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 76
Divided rear seat back, 
refer to Fold down rear 
seat 101
Door entry lighting 89
Door keys 26
Door lock 29
"Door locks" 28
Doors
Ð manual operation 29
Ð remote control 28
DOT Quality Grades 173
Draft-free ventilation 94
"Driver" 42
"Driver's door only" 28
Driving light, refer to 
Parking lamps/low 
beams 87
Driving notes 106
Driving stability control 78
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes 106Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function 91
Drying the air, refer to 
Cooling function 91
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 78
Ð indicator lamp 78
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
DVD for navigation 114
Dynamic Brake Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
Dynamic Driving Control 54
"Dynamic route" for 
navigation 121
Dynamic Stability 
Control 78
Ð indicator lamp 78
Dynamic Traction 
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
E
EBV Electronic Brake Force 
Distribution 78
"Edit" on the portable 
phone 154
Electrical malfunction
Ð door lock 29
Ð fuel filler door 168
Ð glass roof 35
Ð luggage compartment 
lid 31
Electrical power windows, 
refer to Windows 33
Electronic Brake
Force Distribution EBV 78
Electronic Stability 
Program ESP, refer to 
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 78
Emergency assistance, 
refer to Roadside 
Assistance 191
Emergency call 190
Emergency operation, refer 
to Manual operationEmergency release of 
luggage compartment lid 
from luggage 
compartmentÕs interior 32
Emergency services, refer 
to Roadside 
Assistance 191
"Emission inspect." 67, 67
"Enable services" 162
"End call" 154
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control 66
Energy Control 66
Engine
Ð breaking-in 
procedure 106
Ð data 198
Ð speed 198
Ð starting 49
Engine compartment 178
Engine coolant 179
Engine hood 177
Engine oil
Ð adding 179
Ð checking the oil level 178
Ð prescribed oils 179
Engine output, refer to 
Engine data 198
Engine speed 198
"Enter address" 116
Entering destination 117
Entering house number or 
intersection 117
Entering switch-on times of 
independent ventilation/
heating 95
Entering the address 116
Entering the 
intersection 117
Entering the town/city for 
navigation 117
Entering zip code for 
navigation 117
"Entertainment" 130
"Entertainment 
settings" 131
"Equalizer" 133
"Equalizer", audio 
systems 131