
At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning 
lamps 
Technology that monitors itself 
The indicator and warning lamps identified 
by the 
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the 
ignition or start the engine. They each light 
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored 
system, the corresponding lamp will either 
fail to go out when the engine is started, or 
it will come on again during normal driving, 
usually accompanied by a Check Control 
message. You will find more details on the 
specified pages.
Fixed indicator and warning lampsColors The indicator and warning lamps can light 
up in different colors and combinations.
>Red:
Stop immediately 
or 
important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system checked at the earliest 
opportunity
or
for your information
>Green or blue:
For your information.
Variable indicator and warning lamps 
On the display 5 of the instrument cluster, 
other indicator and warning lamps appear 
as necessary. Pay attention to the instruc-
tions of the accompanying Check Control 
messages, also refer to page 66. Turn signals60
Active steering 
+80
Brake system 
+
With handbrake engaged55
With handbrake released78, 173
With other warning lamps78
Brake system for Canadian models
Airbags 
+81
Service Engine Soon 
+176
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a malfunction 
the emissions-related electronic 
systems.
Although the vehicle remains oper-
ational, you should have the sys-
tems checked by your BMW center 
at the earliest possible opportunity
Service Engine Soon indicator 
lamp for Canadian models
Front fog lamps86
ABS Antilock Brake System +78
DTC Dynamic Traction Control78
High beams/headlamp flasher86
Please fasten safety belt 
+47
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 
+78
Check Gas Cap162
Lamp for US models 

Driving
58 speed; thus, for example, a downshift 
that would cause the engine to overrev 
will not be executed by the system
>When the vehicle is stationary, the 
transmission automatically downshifts 
into first gear
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the trans-
mission downshifts automatically even 
without your intervention.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up and a 
message appears on the Control 
Display. There is a malfunction in 
the transmission system. Avoid high 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.
Information on jump-starting and towing 
begins on page 185.
Overheating 
The warning lamp lights up and a 
message appears on the Control 
Display. In addition, an acoustic 
signal sounds. Overheating in the area of 
the transmission. If possible, stop or drive 
off quickly so that the system can cool 
down.
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic* 
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you 
can also shift manually with Steptronic, 
refer to page 59.
Selector-lever positions 
P R N D M/S + –
Possible displays 
P R N D DS M1 to M6 
The selector lever position is indicated, and 
in the manual mode the gear currently 
engaged.
Changing selector-lever positions 
An interlock prevents inadvertent gear-
shifts into selector-lever positions R and P. 
To cancel the interlock, press the button on 
the front of the selector lever knob, refer to 
arrow.
Shiftlock 
Press the brake pedal before shifting out 
of P or N; the shift command will not be 
executed unless the brake is applied.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after 
you select a driving position, maintain pres-
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready 
to start.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select selector-lever posi-
tion P and engage the handbrake before 
leaving the vehicle with the engine running.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.< 

Controls
 59Reference
At a glance
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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. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
78 The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the 
responsibility of the driver. Therefore, do 
not reduce the additional safety margin 
again by taking risks.<
DBC Dynamic Brake Control 
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this 
system automatically produces the maxi-
mum braking force boost and thus helps to 
achieve the shortest braking distance dur-
ing 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.
Malfunctions of driving stability 
control systems 
The brake system warning lamp 
lights up in red, appearing together 
with the indicator lamps for ABS 
and DSC. A message appears on 
the Control Display. Driving stability 
control and ABS have failed. Con-
ventional braking efficiency remains 
available without limitations.
While you may continue, you should 
remember to proceed cautiously and drive 
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
The DSC warning lamp lights up. 
DSC and DTC have failed. 
The stability maintenance functions 
are no longer available. The vehicle will 
remain completely operational, however, 
without DSC.Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
The warning lamp for the brake sys-
tem lights up yellow and a message 
appears on the Control Display. 
DBC has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on 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. Dur-
ing vehicle operation, the system continu-
ously runs through closed-loop control 
cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status 
each time you start the engine.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up and a 
message appears on the Control 
Display. There is a malfunction in 
the system. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
If there is a malfunction in the system, 
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, stop and 
switch off the engine as soon as possible. 
In this case the oil level in the reservoir may  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80
Report of a flat tire 
The warning lamp lights up in red 
and a message appears on the 
Control Display. In addition, an 
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat tire 
or extensive inflation pressure loss.
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden 
braking and steering maneuvers. Do 
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph/
80 km/h
Due to the reinforcement on the 
side walls of the run-flat tires, 
inflation pressure loss can not usually 
be recognized from the outside, refer to 
Run-flat tires on page 168.<
2.To continue driving, comply with the 
instructions for driving with damaged 
tires on page 168.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up yellow 
and a message appears on the 
Control Display. The Flat Tire Moni-
tor has a malfunction or has failed. Have 
the system checked as soon as possible.
Active steering* 
The concept 
The active steering is a system that actively 
varies the steering angle of the front wheels 
in relation to the steering wheel move-
ments.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the 
steering angle of the wheels is reinforced, 
i.e. the steering becomes very direct.
In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle of the wheels is 
reduced more and more. This improves the 
handling capability of your BMW over the 
entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make 
targeted changes to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the 
vehicle before the driver intervenes.
Malfunction 
The fixed warning lamp lights up.
The active steering is no longer 
operational. In the low speed range, 
greater steering wheel movement is neces-
sary. Have the system checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first 
engine starting following a power supply 
interruption, the system must be activated 
with initialization.
Initializing system 
1.Start the engine
2.With the vehicle stationary, turn the 
steering wheel from the straight-ahead 
position to the left as far as it will go and 
then back to the straight-ahead position
3.Switch off the engine.
When you start the engine again, all the 
functions of the active steering are avail-
able once again.
Brake Force Display 
The two-stage brake lamps light up in two 
stages depending on how strongly you 
brake.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the third brake 
lamp go on
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
In addition, the light area of the rear 
brake lamps is enlarged, refer to illus-
tration. 

Mobility
 163Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Warning lamp* lights up.
Fuel filler cap is not properly closed 
or is missing. Check whether the 
fuel filler cap is properly closed.
Fuel specifications 
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only. 
Required fuel 
Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to 
the Anti Knock Index AKI and is deter-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/
2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as other-
wise the lambda probe and catalytic 
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands 
Field experience has indicated significant 
differences in fuel quality: volatility, compo-
sition, additives, etc., among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. Fuels containing up to and includ-
ing 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. 
The use of poor-quality fuels may 
result in drivability, starting and stall-
ing problems, especially under certain 
environmental 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 also result in unscheduled main-
tenance.< 

Reference 199
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
C
California laws
– Event Data 
Recorders 176
– Proposition 65 
Warning 176
"Call" 148
Call
– accepting 147
– display accepted 149
– ending 148
– in absence 149
– starting 147
Calling
– from phone book 148
– from the Top 8 list 149
– redialing 149
– refer to telephone 
Owner's Manual 96
"Call sender" 151
Can holder, refer to 
Cup holders 97
Capacities 193
Car battery, refer to 
Battery 181
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
"Car data" 69
Care 175
Cargo, securing 105
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to 
the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for light-alloy 
wheels, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure'
Caring for plastic, refer to 
the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer 
to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochureCaring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure'
Car jacking points 181
Car keys, refer to 
Key set 26
Car phone 145
– location, refer to 
Center armrest 96
– refer to 
Portable phone 144
– refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
Car radio, refer to 
Radio 130
Car wash 102
– also refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Exhaust system 102
"Categories" 135
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control 76
CBS Condition Based 
Service 174
"CD" 127, 137
CD changer 137
– adjusting the tone 127
– controls 126
– fast forward/reverse 140
– installation location 140
– playing a track 139
– random play 
sequence 140
– repeating a track 139
– selecting a CD 137
– selecting a track 138
– switching on/off 126
– volume 127
CD player 137
– adjusting the tone 127
– controls 126
– fast forward/reverse 140
– playing a track 139
– random play 
sequence 140
– repeating a track 139
– selecting a track 138
– switching on/off 126
– volume 127Center armrest
– adjusting the height 96
– front 96
Center console 14
"Central locking" 27
Central locking system 26
– from inside vehicle 29
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety 6
Changing a wheel 181
Changing the language on 
Control Display 73
Changing the 
measurement units on the 
Control Display 72
Changing wheels 181
CHECK button 68
Check Control 66
"Check Control 
messages" 68
Check Gas Cap 162
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure 164
Child's seats, refer to 
Child-restraint 
systems 52
Child-restraint system 51
Chrome parts, care, refer 
to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cigarette lighter 97
Cleaning, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning windshield, refer 
to Wiper system 61
"Climate" 90
"Climate control" 91
Clock 64
– 12/24 hour mode 73
– setting time and date 73
Closing
– from inside 29
– from outside 27
Clothes hooks, Coupe 96
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to 
Starting the engine 54
"Communication" 146 

Everything from A to Z
202 Emergency services, refer 
to Roadside 
Assistance 184
"Emission inspect." 66
"Enable services" 156
"End call" 148
Engine
– break-in procedure 102
– data 190
– speed 190
– starting 54
– starting difficulties 54
– switching off 55
Engine compartment 171
Engine coolant 172
Engine hood 170
Engine oil
– checking the oil level 171
– specified engine oils 172
– temperature 65
– temperature gauge 65
– topping up 172
Engine output, refer to 
Engine data 190
Engine speed, refer to 
Engine specifications 190
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine 54
"Enter address" for 
navigation 110
Entering activation times of 
independent ventilation/
heating 93
Entering destination 111
Entering the address 110
Entering the 
intersection 111
Entering the town/city for 
navigation 111
Entering zip code for 
navigation 111
"Entertainment" 127
"Entertainment 
settings" 127
Entry map for 
destination 112
Entry to the rear 46
"Equalizer", refer to 
Adjusting the tone 129
"ESN" 134ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control 77
Exhaust system 102
Exterior mirrors 48
– automatic dimming 
feature 48
– automatic heating 48
Eye for towing, refer to 
Tow fitting 186
F
Fader, refer to 
Adjusting the tone 128
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control 66
False alarms, refer to 
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 33
False alarms with Flat Tire 
Monitor 79
Fastening safety belts, refer 
to Safety belts 47
Fastest route for 
navigation 116
"Fast route" for 
navigation 116
First aid, refer to 
First-aid kit 184
First-aid kit 184
First-aid pouch, refer to 
First-aid kit 184
Flashing on locking/
unlocking 28
Flashlight, refer to 
Rechargeable 
flashlight 95
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor 79
– run-flat tires 80, 168
Flat Tire Monitor 79
– false alarms 79
– initializing the system 79
– limits of system 79
– malfunction 80
– warning lamp 80
Flooding, refer to 
Water on roads 103"FM", reception 
range 127, 130
FM, waveband 130
Fog lamps 86
– indicator lamp 86
Folding up the convertible 
top compartment floor, 
convertible 32
Footwell lamps 87
Forward, fast
– CD changer 140
– CD player 140
For your own safety 6
Front airbags 81
Front head restraints 45
Front seat adjustment 43
"FTM" 79
Fuel
– average consumption 69
– display 65
– fuel specifications 163
– high-quality brands 163
– quality 163
– tank capacity 162
Fuel display, refer to 
Fuel gauge 65
Fuel filler door 162
– releasing in the event of 
an electrical 
malfunction 162
Fuel gauge 65
Fuel specifications 163
Fuses 182
G
Garage-door opener, refer 
to Integrated universal 
remote control 94
Gasoline
– refer to Fuel 
specifications 163
– refer to Required fuel 163
Gasoline display, refer to 
Fuel gauge 65
Gear changes
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 57