
At a glance
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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 

Controls
 77Reference
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Mobility
DSC Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC optimizes vehicle stability during 
acceleration and when starting from a full 
stop, as well as optimizing traction. The 
system recognizes any tendency for the 
vehicle to assume an unstable attitude 
such as oversteer or understeer; it then 
counteracts this tendency with a combina-
tion of graduated reductions in engine 
torque and selective braking intervention at 
individual wheels. DSC provides optimal 
stability within the limits defined by the 
laws of physics.
The DSC is operational every time you start 
the engine. DSC includes the functionality 
of the DTC Dynamic Traction Control and 
DBC Dynamic Brake Control, see below.
Indicator lamp 
The indicator lamp goes out soon 
after you start the engine.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the button.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control 
In special driving states, e.g. in deep snow, 
DTC ensures maximum forward momen-
tum. The gain in forward momentum also 
involves a reduction in driving stability. 
DTC is active up to approx. 45 mph/
70 km/h, whereas DSC is only effective to 
a limited degree.
You may find it useful to briefly activate 
DTC under the following special circum-
stances: 
>When rocking the vehicle and starting 
off in deep snow or on loose road sur-
faces
>When ascending snow-covered hills, 
and when driving in deep or on hard-
packed snow
>When driving with snow chains.
Activating DTC 
>Press the DSC button briefly; the DTC 
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster 
lights up continuously.
Deactivating DTC again 
Press the DSC button briefly again; the 
DTC indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
Switching off DSC 
Press the DSC button until the DSC indica-
tor light in the instrument cluster lights up 
continuously, however not longer than 
approx. 10 seconds. DSC and DTC are 
deactivated. In addition, the stability pro-
moting intervention of the active steering is 
deactivated, refer to page 80.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To maintain optimal stability, drive 
with the system on whenever possi-
ble.<
Reactivating DSC 
Press the DSC button briefly; the indicator 
lamp in the instrument cluster goes out. 

Wheels and tires
166
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of 
the tire makes it easier to identify and 
choose the right tires.
Tire size 
Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number 
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines 
of the U.S. Department of Transport.
DOT code:
Tire age 
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated 
on the sidewall:
DOT ... 1204 indicates that a tire was man-
ufactured in week 12 of the year 2004.
BMW recommends for various reasons, 
including beginning brittleness, replacing 
all tires after 6 years at the latest, even if a 
tire age of 10 years is possible.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading 
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread 
shoulder and maximum section width. 
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades 
Treadwear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform 
to Federal Safety Requirements in 
addition to these grades.<
Treadwear 
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when 
tested under controlled conditions on a 
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear 
one and one-half, 1g, times as well on the 
government course as a tire graded 100. 
The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, 
however, and may depart significantly from 
the norm due to variations in driving habits, 
service practices and differences in road 
characteristics and climate.
Traction 
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, 
are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to 
stop on wet pavement as measured under 
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. 
A tire marked C may have poor traction 
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this 
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not include 
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or 
peak traction characteristics.< e.g.
Nominal width
in mm
Aspect ratio in X
Radial type
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating
not on ZR tires
Speed rating
before R on ZR tires
205/60 R1591W
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1204 

Mobility
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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.< 

Reference 201
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Destination address
– deleting 115
– entering 110
Destination for navigation
– destination list 113
– entry 110
– selecting from address 
book 115
– selecting using 
information 113
– storing 114
Destination guidance 118
– bypassing route 
sections 120
– canceling voice 
instructions 50
– changing specified 
route 116
– displaying route 119
– distance and arrival 118
– interrupting 118
– starting 118
– terminating/
continuing 118
– voice instructions 119
– volume of voice 
instructions 119
Destination list 113
Destinations recently 
driven to 113
"Dial" for portable 
phone 147
"Dial number" 147
Digital clock 64
Dimensions
– Convertible 192
– Coupe 191
Dipstick for engine oil 171
Directional indicators, refer 
to Turn signals 60
Direction announcements, 
refer to Voice 
instructions 119
Direction instructions, refer 
to Voice instructions 119
Directory, refer to 
Phone book 148
Directory for navigation, 
refer to Address 
book 114
Disc brakes 103Displacement, refer to 
Engine data 190
Display, refer to 
Control Center 16
"Display off" 19
Displays, refer to 
Instrument cluster 12
"Display settings" 72
Displays on the windshield, 
refer to Head-Up 
Display 83
Disposal, vehicle 
battery 181
Distance, refer to 
Computer 70
Distance to destination, 
refer to Computer 70
Distance warning, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control 75
"Dist. to destination" 70
Door entry lighting 87
Door keys 26
Door lock 29
"Door locks" 27
Doors
– manual operation 29
– remote control 27
DOT Quality Grades 166
Draft-free ventilation 92
"Driver's door only" 27
Driving lamps, refer to 
Parking lamps/
low beams 85
Driving notes 102
Driving route, refer to 
Displaying the route 119
Driving stability control 
systems 77
Driving through water 103
Driving tips, refer to 
Driving notes 102
Drying the air, refer to 
Cooling function 89
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 77
– indicator lamp 13, 77
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control 77
– activating 77
– indicator lamp 13, 77DVD for navigation 108
Dynamic Brake Control, 
DBC 78
Dynamic Driving Control 59
"Dynamic route" for 
navigation 116
Dynamic Stability Control, 
DSC 77
Dynamic Traction Control, 
DTC 77
E
Easy Entry, refer to 
Entry to the rear 46, 52
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution 76
"Edit address" for 
navigation 115
Eject button, refer to 
Buttons on CD  player 126
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 59
– convertible top 39
– door lock 29
– driver's door 29
– fuel filler door 162
– glass roof 36
– luggage compartment 
lid 31
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 58
Electric steering wheel 
adjustment 48
Electronic brake-force 
distribution, EBV 76
Emergency assistance, 
refer to Roadside 
Assistance 184
Emergency call 183
Emergency operation, refer 
to Manual operation
– convertible top 39
– door lock 29
– driver's door 29
– fuel filler door 162
– glass roof 36
– luggage compartment 
lid 30, 31 

Reference 203
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Gear display
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 57
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– manual transmission 56
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 56
General driving notes 102
Glass roof, electric with 
raise function 35
– closing in the event of an 
electrical malfunction 36
– convenience operation 29
– remote control 27
Glove compartment 95
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system 108
Grills, refer to 
Ventilation 88
Gross vehicle weight, refer 
to Weights 190
H
Handbrake 55
– indicator lamp 13, 55
Hands-free system 14, 146
Hazard warning flashers 15
Head airbags 81
Headlamp control, 
automatic 85
Headlamp flasher 60
Headlamps
– care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to 
Wiper system 61
– replacing the bulbs 178
Head Light, refer to 
Adaptive Head Light 86
Head-Up Display 83
Heated mirrors 48
Heated rear window 89
Heated seats 47
Heated steering wheel 49Heating
– exterior mirrors 48
– interior 88
– rear window 89
– residual heat mode 90
– seats 47
– steering wheel 49
Heating with engine 
switched off, refer to 
Residual heat mode 90
Heavy cargo, refer to 
Securing the load 105
Height, refer to 
Dimensions 191
Height adjustment
– seats 43
– steering wheel 48
High beams 86
– headlamp flasher 86
– indicator lamp 13
– replacing the bulbs 178
Hills 103
Holder for cups 97
Horn 10
Hotel function 30
Hot exhaust system 102
"Hour memo" 73
"House number" for desti-
nation entry 111
Hydraulic Brake Assistant, 
refer to DBC Dynamic 
Brake Control 78
Hydroplaning 102
– also refer to Minimum 
tread depth 167
I
Ice warning 64
iDrive, refer to 
Control Center 16
Ignition key 26
Ignition key positions, refer 
to Ignition lock 54
Ignition lock 54
Increasing luggage 
compartment capacity, 
Convertible 32Independent ventilation
– activating activation 
timer 93
– setting the activation 
time 93
– switching on and off 
directly 92
Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System 13, 78
– active steering 13, 80
– airbags 13, 82
– brake system 13, 78
– DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 13, 77
– DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control 13, 77
– fastening safety 
belts 13, 47
– Flat Tire Monitor 80
– fog lamps 11, 86
Indicator and warning 
lamps, overview 13
Individual button 
assignment options on 
the steering wheel 49
Individual settings, refer to 
Key Memory 26
Inflation pressure, refer to 
Tire inflation 
pressure 164
Inflation pressure 
monitoring, refer to Flat 
Tire Monitor 79
Information
– on another location 113
– on current location 113
– on destination 
location 113
"Information" for 
navigation 113
"Information on 
destination" 114
Initiating an emergency 
call 183
"Input map" 112
Installation location
– CD changer 140
– portable phone 145 

Everything from A to Z
210 Tools, refer to 
Onboard tool kit 178
"Top 8" for portable 
phone 149
Torque, refer to 
Engine specifications 190
Touch tone dialing 150
Tow fitting 186
Towing 185
– tow fitting 186
– vehicles with automatic 
transmission 186
– vehicles with SMG 
Sequential manual 
transmission 186
– with tow bar 186
– with tow-rope 187
– with tow truck 187
"Town / City" for desti-
nation entry 111
Tow-starting 187
Tracks
– random play 
sequence 139, 140
– sample scan 139
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions 191
Traction control, refer to 
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 77
Traffic congestion, refer to 
Bypassing route 
sections 120
Transmission
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– manual transmission 56
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 56
Transporting children 
safely 51
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing the 
load 105
Tread depth, refer to 
Minimum tread depth 167
"Treble", refer to 
Adjusting the tone 128
"Trip computer" 70Trip computer 70
Trip-distance counter, refer 
to Trip odometer 64
"Triple turn signal 
activation" 60
Trip odometer 64
Trunk, refer to Luggage 
compartment 30
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid 30
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions 191
Turn signals 60
– indicator lamp 13
– replacing the bulbs 179
U
Underbody protection, 
refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading/UTQR 166
"Units" 72
Units
– average fuel 
consumption 72
– temperature 72
Universal garage-door 
opener, refer to 
Integrated universal 
remote control 94
Universal remote control, 
refer to Integrated 
universal remote 
control 94
"Unlock button" 27
Unlock code 147
Unlocking
– from inside 30
– from outside 27
Unlocking and locking 
doors, setting confir-
mation signals 28
"Update services" 158
V
Vehicle
– battery 181
– break-in procedure 102
– care 175
– care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
– decommissioning, refer to 
the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– dimensions 191
– loading 104
– parking 55
– position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position 109
– washing, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
– weights 190
"Vehicle settings" 27
"Ventilation" 92
Ventilation 92
– draft-free 92
– independent 
ventilation 92
Vent outlets of automatic 
climate control 88
"Vent settings" 91
Voice command system 20
Voice instructions for 
navigation system 119
– muting 50, 119
– repeating 50, 119
– switching on/off 50, 119
– volume 119
Voice phone book 153
Volume 126
– audio sources 126
– portable phone 146
– setting speed-
dependent 128
– setting using buttons on 
steering wheel 11
– voice instructions 119
Volume adjustment in audio 
mode, front-to-rear 128
Volume of the luggage 
compartment 190