
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repealed, even with DSC.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  

Mobility
 169Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Recommended tire sizes and makes 
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire 
size, classifies them as road-safe and 
approves them. You can find out about 
these at specialized dealers or at your 
BMW center. Observe any country-specific 
regulations, e.g. on making a correspond-
ing entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been spe-
cially selected to provide optimized perfor-
mance when installed on your vehicle; if 
properly cared for, they will provide a com-
bination of safety and excellent ride com-
fort.
Run-flat tires 
In the event of replacement, use run-flat 
tires, refer to page 168, as there is no spare 
wheel available for flats.
For safety reasons, BMW recom-
mends that you do not have damaged 
run-flat tires repaired; they should be 
replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter 
tires 
BMW recommends winter tires for use in 
cold winter driving conditions. Although all-
season M+S tires provide better winter 
traction than summer tires, they generally 
fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Run-flat tires 
If you switch from summer to winter tires, 
or vice versa, use run-flat tires, refer to 
page 168, as in the event of a flat tire there 
is no spare tire available. Your BMW center 
will be glad to advise you.
Observing speed ratings 
Never exceed the maximum speed for 
which the winter tires are rated. 
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled 
professionals only. The technicians at your 
BMW center will be glad to assist you with the required professional knowledge and 
specialized equipment.<
Storage 
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
place with as little exposure to light as pos-
sible. Always protect tires against all con-
tact with oil, grease and fuels. Do not 
exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure 
indicated on the side wall of the tire.
Snow chains* 
BMW only tests certain snow chains, clas-
sifies them as road-safe and approves 
them. Consult your BMW center for more 
information. BMW recommends using 
these approved, narrow-link snow chains. 
These snow chains are approved exclu-
sively for use in pairs on the rear wheels 
with the tire size 245/45 R 18.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions 
when mounting snow chains.
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 30 mph/
50 km/h with the chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Runflat Indicator 
after mounting snow chains.
When you are driving with snow chains, it 
can be beneficial to switch off DSC briefly, 
refer to page 77.< 

Under the hood
172
Topping up engine oil 
Wait until the level has dropped to just on 
the lower dipstick mark before adding oil. 
In this area a message also appears on the 
Control Display.
Store oil, grease etc., well out of the 
reach of children; always observe all 
warning labels on the containers.<
Specified engine oils 
The quality of the engine oil selected has 
critical significance for the operation and 
service life of an engine. BMW continu-
ously approves specific oils after confirm-
ing their suitability for use in its vehicles 
with extensive testing.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small 
amounts of another synthetic oil between 
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH 
specification or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils 
which have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America 
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website: 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use 
could even lead to damage in some 
cases.<
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in 
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class 
depends on the climatic conditions in the 
area where you typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all 
ambient temperatures.
Coolant 
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping 
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and the addition 
of antifreeze and anticorrosion agent. Not 
all commercially available additives are 
suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW cen-
ter for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, as other-
wise engine damage may result. The 
additives present a health hazard; observe 
the instructions on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable envi-
ronmental rules and regulations when 
disposing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level 
1.The engine must be at ambient temper-
ature
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank 
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue 
turning to open 

Everything from A to Z
208 Screw thread for tow 
fitting 186
Seats 43
– adjusting 43
– heating 47
– memory, refer to Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel 
memory 44
– sitting safely 42
– sports seat 43
– storing the setting 44
– thigh support 43
Securing load 98
"Select as destination" 113
"Select current speed" 71
Selecting audio sources, 
refer to Operation using 
Control Center 126
Selecting frequency 
manually 131
Selecting menu items 18
Selecting new scale for 
navigation system 
display 120
Selecting route 116
Selection options with 
navigation system 116
Selector lever
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– manual transmission 56
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 56
Selector lever interlock, 
refer to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 57
Sequential manual trans-
mission, SMG 56
"Service" 65, 156
Service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance 184
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US 
models 174
"Service notification" 156
"Service Request" 157Service requirement 
display 65
– also refer to CBS 
Condition Based 
Service 174
"Service 
requirements" 65, 156
"Service Status" 155
"Set date" 74
"Set" in audio mode 127
"Set service date" 66
"Set time" 73
Setting road-speed limit 71
Settings
– changing on the 
Control Display 72
– configuring, refer to 
Key Memory 26
Setting the time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
time 93
"Set tire pressure" 79
Shifting gears with 
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
Short commands of the 
voice command 
system 194
"Short cut / Telephone" 49
Shortest route for 
navigation 116
"Short route" for 
navigation 116
"Show current 
position" 112
"Show destination 
position" 112
Side airbags 81
Side marker lamps, 
replacing the bulbs 180
Side turn signals, replacing 
the bulbs 180
Sill panel lighting 87
Sitting safely 42
– with airbags 42
– with safety belts 42
Ski bag 98
Sliding/tilt roof, refer to 
Glass roof, electric with 
raise function 35SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 56
– acceleration assistant 60
– convenience start 55
– Dynamic Driving 
Control 59
– gear display 57
– kickdown 57
– overheating 58
– shiftlock 57
– towing 186
– tow-starting 187
– warning lamp 58
"SMS" 150
Snow chains 169
Socket
– for Onboard Diagnosis 
interface 176
– in front passenger 
footwell 98
– refer to Cigarette lighter 
socket 97
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency call 183
Sound output for Enter-
tainment on/off 127
Spare fuses 182
Spare key 26
Special oils, refer to 
Specified engine oils 172
Specified engine oils 172
Speed-dependent 
volume 128
Speed limit warning, refer 
to Speed limit 71
Speedometer 12
"Speed volume", refer to 
Adjusting the tone 128
Speed with winter tires 169
Sport program
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 59
– Dynamic Driving 
Control 59
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems 76
"Start" for stopwatch 72
"Start guidance" 111, 118
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump-starting 184 

Reference 209
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting 184
– refer to Starting engine 54
Starting engine 54
Start menu 17
"Start route guidance" 112
"Start service" 157
"State / Province" for desti-
nation entry 110
"State inspection" 66
Station, refer to Radio 130
"Status" 65
Status of this Owner's 
Manual at time of 
printing 5
Steering wheel 11
– adjustment 48
– automatic adjustment 49
– buttons on steering 
wheel 11
– heating 49
– individual button 
assignment options 49
– memory 44
"Steering wheel 
buttons" 49
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering 80
Steptronic, refer to 
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
"Stop" for stopwatch 72
"Stopwatch" 72
Stopwatch 72
Storage compartments 96
"Store in address book" for 
navigation 114
"Store" on the 
radio 132, 135
Storing current 
position 114
Storing sitting position, 
refer to Seat, mirror and 
steering wheel 
memory 44
Storing tires 169
Straps, refer to 
Loading 105
"Street" for destination 
entry 111Stroke, refer to 
Engine data 190
Summer tires, refer to 
Wheels and tires 164
SW, waveband 130
Switches, refer to 
Cockpit 10
Switching navigation voice 
instructions on/off 119
Switching off
– engine 55
– interior motion sensor 33
– tilt alarm sensor 33
Switching on
– audio 126
– CD changer 126
– CD player 126
– portable phone 145
– radio 126
Switching on hour signal 73
Switching the cooling 
function on and off 89
Swiveling headlamps, refer 
to Adaptive Head Light 86
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 64
Tail lamps 180
– replacing the bulbs 180
Tank capacity, refer to 
Fuel tank capacity 162
Target cursor for 
navigation 112
Technical changes, refer to 
For your own safety 6
Technical data 190
Telematic 155
Telephone
– refer to Portable 
phone 144
– refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
TeleService 155
– enabling 155
– services offered 156
Temperature 
adjustment 89Temperature display
– ice warning 64
– outside temperature 64
– setting measurement 
units 64
Temperature gauge, 
engine oil 65
Tempomat, refer to 
Cruise control 62
"Terminate services" 158
"Text language" 73
The individual vehicle 5
Tilt function, passenger-
side mirror 45
"Time" 73
"Time 1" for independent 
ventilation 93
"Time 2" for independent 
ventilation 93
"Time format" 73
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
activation time 93
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 79
Tire Quality Grading 166
Tires
– age 166
– air loss 80
– break-in procedure 102
– changing 168
– condition 167
– damage 167
– flat 168
– inflation pressure 164
– new wheels and tires 168
– pressure monitoring, refer 
to Flat Tire Monitor 79
– replacing 168
– retreaded tires 168
– run-flat tires 168
– size 168
– tread 167
– wear indicators 167
– wheel/tire 
combination 168
– winter tires 169
"Tone" 128
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting 127
– middle setting 129 

Refueling
To ensure that you always have all the 
essential data at hand when refueling, we 
recommend that you fill in the following 
tables with the specifications and informa-
tion that apply to your vehicle. Consult the 
index for individual specifications. Fuel 
Engine oil
The oil quantity between the middle of 
the two marks on the dipstick is approx. 
1.6 US quarts/1.5 liters. 
Tire inflation pressures
Designation
Please enter your preferred fuel here. 
Quality
Summer tires
FrontRearWinter tires
FrontRear
Up to 4 persons
4 persons plus luggage