Things to remember when driving
102
Things to remember when driving 
Break-in procedures 
To ensure that your vehicle continues to 
provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we 
request that you devote careful attention to 
the following section.
Engine and differential 
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
You should attempt to vary both vehicle 
and engine speeds. Until the break-in 
period has been completed, you should 
also refrain from exceeding an engine 
speed of 4500 rpm or a driving speed of 
100 mph/160 km/h.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kickdown mode during 
these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, the engine and vehicle speeds 
can be gradually increased.
SMG Sequential manual 
transmission
Do not use the acceleration assistant dur-
ing the break-in period, refer to page 60.
Tires 
Due to technical factors associated with 
their manufacture, tires do not achieve their 
full traction potential until after an initial 
break-in period. Therefore, drive reservedly 
during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system 
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve opti-
mized contact and wear patterns between 
brake pads and rotors.
Clutch 
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this 
break-in period, engage the clutch gently.
After component replacement 
You should also comply with these break-in 
procedures should the components men-
tioned above need to be replaced at a later 
point.
General driving notes 
Hot exhaust system 
Extreme temperatures occur at the 
catalytic converter on this and every 
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not remove 
the heat shields installed adjacent to vari-
ous sections of the exhaust system, and 
never apply undercoating to them. When 
driving, standing at idle and while parking, 
take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any 
highly flammable materials such as hay, 
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead 
to a fire, and with it the risk of serious prop-
erty damage as well as personal injury.<
Parking vehicle 
Condensation forms in the air conditioner 
system during operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed 
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into a car wash 
Fold in the exterior mirrors manually, as 
otherwise they could be damaged due to 
the width of the vehicle.
Hydroplaning 
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a 
wedge of water can form between tires and  
Everything from A to Z
198 Automatic
– air distribution 89
– air volume 89
– cruise control 62
– curb monitor 45
– headlamp control 85
– service notification 156
– station search 131
– steering wheel 
adjustment 49
– storing stations 132
Automatic car wash 102
– also refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate 
control 88
– automatic air 
distribution 89
– convertible program 91
– settings using Control 
Center 90
– switching off 90
"Automatic programs" 91
Automatic recirculated-air 
control, AUC 89
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– convenience start 55
– Dynamic Driving 
Control 59
– interlock 54
– kickdown 59
– selector lever interlock 58
– shiftlock 58
– starting engine 55
– towing 186
– tow-starting 187
– warning lamp 59
"Automatic ventilation" 92
AUTO program with 
automatic climate 
control 89
"Autostore" on the 
radio 130, 132
"AUTO" with automatic 
climate control 91
Average fuel 
consumption 69
– setting units 72
Average speed 69"Avoid ferries" for 
navigation 116
Avoid freeways for 
navigation 116
"Avoid highways" for 
navigation 116
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 33
"Avoid tollroads" for 
navigation 116
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights 190
"A - Z" 148
B
Backrests, refer to 
Seats 43
Backup lamps, refer to 
Reverse gear 56
– replacing the bulbs 180
Balance, refer to 
Adjusting the tone 128
Balance adjustment in 
audio mode
– right/left 128
Bass, refer to 
Adjusting the tone 127
"Bass", refer to 
Adjusting the tone 128
Battery 181
– in the remote control 26
– jump-starting 184
Being towed 186
Belts, refer to 
Safety belts 47
Beverage holder, refer to 
Cup holders 97
Black ice, refer to 
Ice warning 64
Blower, refer to 
Air volume 89
BMW Assist 155
– enabling 155
– services offered 156
BMW maintenance 
system 174
"BMW Service" 157
"BMW Service 
settings" 155Bore, refer to 
Engine data 190
Bottle holder, refer to 
Cup holders 97
Brake Assistant, refer to 
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control 78
Brake fluid 173
– warning lamp 173
Brake Force Display 80
Brake hydraulic 
system 173
Brake lamps
– replacing the bulbs 180
– two-stage brake lamps 80
Brake pads 173
– break-in procedure 102
Brake pedal, refer to 
Brakes 103
Brake rotors 103
Brakes 103
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System 76
– brake fluid 173
– Brake Force Display 80
– brake pads 102, 173
– break-in procedure 102
– handbrake 55
Brake system 102
– brake fluid level 173
– brake pads 173
– brake rotors 103
– break-in procedure 102
– warning lamp 13, 78, 173
Brake wear warning
– brake pads 173
– warning lamp 173
Breakdown assistance 156
Breakdown services, refer 
to Roadside 
Assistance 184
Breaking-in the clutch 102
Breaking-in the 
differential 102
Break-in procedures 102
"Brightness" 72
Buttons on the steering 
wheel 11