
Notes
6
For your own safety 
Fuels
Use unleaded gasoline only. 
Fuels containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight – that is, 
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiv-
alent amount of co-solvent – will not void 
the applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship. Field 
experience has indicated significant differ-
ences in fuel quality – volatility, composi-
tion, additives, etc. – among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels may 
result in drivability, starting and stalling 
problems, especially under certain environ-
mental conditions such as high ambient 
temperature and high altitude. 
Should you encounter drivability problems 
which you suspect could be related to the 
fuel you are using, we recommend that you 
respond by switching to a recognized high-
quality brand. 
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance. 
Follow the relevant safety rules when you 
are handling gasoline.< 
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e. g. the use of 
modern materials and high-perfor-
mance electronics, requires specially 
adapted maintenance and repair methods. 
Therefore, only have corresponding work 
on your BMW carried out by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to 
BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly trained personnel. If work is carried 
out improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety 
risks.< 
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine 
parts and accessories approved by 
BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested 
and approved by BMW and Genuine BMW 
Parts, you simultaneously acquire the 
assurance that they have been thoroughly 
tested by BMW to ensure optimum perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for dam-
age resulting from installation of parts and 
accessories not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by 
other manufacturers to verify if it can be 
used on a BMW safely and without risk to 
either the vehicle, its operation, or its occu-
pants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories 
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on using 
these items, are available from all BMW 
centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, 
suspension components, brake dust 
shields, telephones – including operation of 
any portable phone from within the vehicle 
without using an externally mounted 
antenna – or transceiver equipment, for 
instance, CBs, walkie-talkie, ham radio or 
similar accessories, may cause extensive 
damage to the vehicle, compromise its 
safety, interfere with the vehicle's electrical 
system or affect the validity of the BMW 
Limited Warranty. Refer to your BMW cen-
ter for additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair 
of the emission control devices and 
systems may be performed by any automo-
tive repair establishment or individual using 
any certified automotive part.<  

 7Reference
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Service and warranty 
We recommend that you read this publica-
tion thoroughly. 
Your BMW is covered by the following war-
ranties: 
>New Vehicle Limited Warranty 
>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty 
>Federal Emissions System Defect 
Warranty 
>Federal Emissions Performance 
Warranty 
>California Emission Control System 
Limited Warranty. 
Detailed information about these warran-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models or in the 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models. 
Reporting safety defects 
The following only applies to vehicles 
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect 
which could cause a crash or could cause 
injury or death, you should immediately 
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-
fying BMW of North America, LLC, P.O. 
Box 1227, Westwood, New Jersey 07675-
1227, Telephone (800) 831-1117. 
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it 
may open an investigation, and if it finds 
that a safety defect exists in a group of 
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy 
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot 
become involved in individual problems 
between you, your dealer, or BMW of North 
America, LLC. 
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the 
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-
9393 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. 
area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 
20590. You can also obtain other informa-
tion about motor vehicle safety from the 
Hotline.  

Opening and closing
28
Locking and securing 
Press the   button.
Switching on interior lamps 
Press the   button if the vehicle is 
locked.
You can also use this function to locate 
your vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode* 
By pressing and holding the   button for 
more than approx. two seconds, you can 
trigger the alarm system in response to any 
impending danger.
To switch off the alarm: press any of the 
buttons.
Opening luggage compartment lid 
Press the   button:
The luggage compartment lid opens, 
regardless of whether it was previously 
locked or unlocked.
A previously locked luggage com-
partment lid is also locked after clos-
ing.
Coupe: the luggage compartment lid 
swings to the rear and upwards when 
opened. Make sure there is sufficient free 
space.<
Setting confirmation signals 
You can have unlocking or locking the vehi-
cle confirmed.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16:
1.Open the   menu
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller
3.Select "Door locks" and press the con-
troller
4.Select "Confirmation" and press the 
controller
5.Select the desired signal6.Press the controller.
 The signals are switched on.
Malfunctions 
Local radio waves can disrupt the function 
of the remote control.
Should the remote control fail to operate 
owing to interference of this kind, you can 
respond by using the master key to unlock 
your vehicle at one of the doors.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle 
via the remote control, the battery is dis-
charged. Use this remote control during an 
extended drive; this will recharge the bat-
tery, refer to page 26.
For US owners only 
The transmitter and receiver units comply 
with part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communi-
cation Commission regulations. Operation 
is governed by the following: 
FCC ID: LX8766S
LX8766E
LX8CAS
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and
>this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference 
that may cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void 
the user's authority to operate this equip-
ment.< 

Controls
 35Reference
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Mobility
Rear window 
Ignition key as of position 1:
1.Briefly press button 1:
The LEDs in button 1 and at switch 2 
light up
2.Press switch 2:
>Up to the resistance point:
The rear window continues to move 
downward as long as you continue 
to hold the switch.
You can close the rear window in the 
same manner by pulling the switch
>Briefly press the switch beyond the 
resistance point: 
The rear window moves downwards 
automatically. Briefly press the 
switch again to stop the opening 
movement.
Briefly press button 1 again to deactivate 
the function. The LEDs go out.
The rear window opens and closes 
automatically when you open or close 
the convertible top.<
After switching off ignition 
You can still operate the windows:
>Ignition key in position 1 for approx. 
15 minutes
>In position 0 or with the ignition key 
removed for approx. 1 minute, as long 
as a door has not been opened.
To open, press the switch beyond the 
resistance point.
When leaving the vehicle, remove the 
master key with remote control and 
close the doors, as otherwise children 
could operate the windows and injure 
themselves etc.
remote control, refer to page 27 or 29.
Anti-trapping mechanism 
If the closing force rises beyond a pre-
defined threshold during closing, the sys-
tem will immediately stop moving the win-
dow prior to lowering it slightly.
Convertible: the back windows and 
rear window are not equipped with an 
anti-trapping mechanism.<
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism, 
you should always inspect the front 
side window's travel path prior to closing it, 
as the safety feature might fail to detect 
certain kinds of obstructions, such as very 
thin objects, and the window would con-
tinue closing.
Pulling the switch beyond the resistance 
point and holding it limits the response of 
the anti-trapping mechanism. Under these 
conditions, the window will respond to 
forces beyond a defined threshold by only 
opening a few inches/millimeters.
If you again pull the switch past the resis-
tance point and hold it in position within a 
period of roughly 4 seconds, the anti-trap-
ping mechanism will be deactivated.<
Accessories in window area 
After installing any accessory – such as a 
clamp-on antenna for a portable phone – 
within the window's travel range, you will 
need to have the system reinitialized for 
use under the new conditions. Please con-
tact your BMW center for assistance.
Coupe:
Glass roof, electric with 
raise function* 
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the glass roof and keep 
it in your field of vision until it is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove 
the key and close the doors, as otherwise 
children could operate the roof and injure 
themselves etc.< 

Controls
 47Reference
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Mobility
Safety belts 
Fasten your safety belt before starting any 
trip. Airbags complement the safety belt as 
an additional safety device, but they do not 
represent a substitute.
Fastening 
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage 
in the belt buckle.
Please fasten safety belt 
warning lamp:
Lights up until the driver and front 
passenger have fastened their safety belts. 
Depending on the model, a signal
* sounds 
or a message
* appears on the Control Dis-
play at the same time.
The warning is also issued when the driver 
or front passenger removes his or her 
safety belt while driving.
The warning can also take place if 
objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.<
Releasing
1.Hold the belt firmly
2.Press the red button in the belt buckle
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will 
be in the correct position for adults of every 
build if the seat is correctly adjusted, refer 
to page 43.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or 
stretched in an accident: have the 
entire belt system, including the tensioning 
mechanisms, replaced at your BMW cen-
ter. Have the belt anchorage points 
inspected for damage at the same time. 
Failure to observe this precaution may pre-
vent the safety belts from effectively pro-
viding optimal protection when needed.<
Heated seats
The system regulates the temperatures of 
the seat cushion and backrest.
The temperature setting progresses one 
step through its control sequence each 
time you press the button.
To switch off:
Maintain pressure on the button for several 
seconds. 

Driving
54
Driving 
Ignition lock 
0 Steering locked 
The key can only be inserted or removed in 
this position.
After removing the key, turn the steering 
wheel slightly until it locks.
Interlock on automatic transmission 
>Only move the selector lever from 
position P with the engine running
>To turn the key back to position 0 or to 
remove it, first select the selector lever 
position P.
1 Steering unlocked 
A slight steering wheel movement often 
makes it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1.
Individual current consumers are ready for 
operation.
2 Ignition switched on 
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
3 Start engine 
Starting engine 
Do not run the engine in closed 
rooms, as otherwise the inhaling of 
toxic exhaust gases can cause uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases 
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas.Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
select idle position or position  N and apply 
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle 
with the engine running.<
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle remains 
stationary. Instead, begin to drive immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.
Special starting conditions
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down 
when starting if
>the engine fails to start on the first 
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or 
cold
>the engine is started at very low tem-
peratures, below approx. + 57/–156, 
at high altitudes, over 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick suc-
cession or repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, 
the fuel is not burned or inadequately 
burned and there is a danger of overheat-
ing and damaging the catalytic converter.<
Manual transmission 
1.Apply the handbrake
2.Gearshift lever in idle position
3.Press the clutch pedal 
If the clutch pedal is not 
depressed, the engine will not 
start.<
4.Start the engine.
Do not terminate the starting operation 
too early, but after approx. 20 seconds 
at the latest. When the engine starts, let 
go of the ignition key immediately. 

Controls
 57Reference
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>One-touch function for Sequential 
mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
>D: Drive mode.
N is automatically engaged if the 
driver's door is opened with the 
engine running and neither pedals, shift 
paddles nor the selector lever are oper-
ated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and 
the flashing display N in the instrument 
cluster.<
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed, in 
the Drive mode preceded by a D.
Shiftlock 
Press the brake pedal before shifting out 
of N; the shift command will not be exe-
cuted unless the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is completely 
stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the 
selector lever is pushed to the right and the 
brake pedal is pressed, the Sequential 
mode is activated.
The gear is changed using the shift paddles 
or selector lever.
Driving off is also possible in second gear, 
e.g. when the roadway is icy.
D Drive mode 
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are 
shifted automatically.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode: 
Briefly press the selector lever to the right 
towards D.
Kickdown:
For rapid acceleration, e.g. overtaking, 
press the accelerator pedal as far down as 
it will go: you achieve maximum accelera-
tion.
To switch back to the Sequential mode: 
briefly press the selector lever back to the 
right towards D or change the current gear 
using the shift paddles or selector lever.
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not 
hold the vehicle on a hill by applying 
the throttle, but engage the handbrake 
instead. Otherwise overheating can occur 
in the area of the transmission.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever 
>To shift up, briefly press the selector 
lever towards +
>To shift down, briefly press towards —.
Using shift paddles on steering 
wheel 
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles
>To shift down, press.
In the following situations, the SMG in the 
Sequential mode assists you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed 
only when they will result in a plausible 
combination of engine and vehicle  

Controls
 59Reference
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Mobility
P Parking 
Select only when the vehicle is completely 
stationary. The rear wheels are blocked.
R Reverse 
Select only when the vehicle is completely 
stationary.
N Neutral 
E.g. engage in car washes. The vehicle can 
roll.
D Drive, automatic position 
Position for normal vehicle operation. 
All forward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
position D.
Kickdown 
The kickdown mode provides maximum 
acceleration:
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the 
full-throttle resistance point.
M/S manual operation and 
Sport program 
Move the selector lever from position D to 
the left into gearshift gate M/S:
The sport program is activated and DS 
appears in the instrument cluster.
This position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style. It is engaged 
automatically when the Dynamic Driving 
Control is activated, see below.
When the selector lever is moved slightly 
towards + or –, the Steptronic shifts gear 
and manual operation is activated. The 
instrument cluster shows M1 through M6.Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combi-
nation of engine and vehicle speed; thus, 
for example, a downshift that would cause 
the engine to overrev will not be executed 
by the system. The selected gear appears 
briefly in the instrument cluster, followed by 
the current gear.
To use the automatic function again, move 
the selector lever to the right into posi-
tion D.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up and a 
message appears on the Control 
Display. There is a malfunction in 
the transmission system. Avoid heavy 
loads.
While it will remain still possible to move 
the selector lever to any desired position, 
the transmission will revert to operation in 
its default mode with only a limited number 
of forward gears.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Towing, refer to page, 185, jump-starting, 
refer to page 185.
Dynamic Driving Control 
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it pos-
sible for your BMW to react in an even more 
sports-oriented manner at the push of a 
button:
>The engine responds more spontane-
ously to accelerator pedal movements
>The steering conveys a feeling of even 
better contact with the road surface
>Cruise control:
The stored speed you call up is reached 
more quickly.
Additionally with SMG:
>Gearshifts are faster
>The engine speed range is used opti-
mally in the Drive mode.
With automatic transmission: 
>The Sport program is activated.