
Adjustments
48
Mirrors
Adjusting exterior mirrors 
Armrest in the driver's door:
14-way adjustment
2Switching to the other mirror or auto-
matic curb monitor, refer to page 45
To prevent the exterior mirrors from 
being damaged due to the width of 
the vehicle, always fold them in by hand 
before entering an automatic car wash.<
You can also adjust the mirrors manually 
if necessary by pressing against the outer 
edges of their lenses.
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel memory, 
page 44.
The mirror on the passenger's side 
features a lens with a more convex 
surface than the mirror installed on the 
driver's side. When estimating the distance 
between yourself and other traffic, bear in 
mind that the objects reflected in the mirror 
are closer than they appear. This means 
that estimations of the distance to following 
traffic should not be regarded as precise.<
Automatic functions 
>Both exterior mirrors are automatically 
heated in ignition key position 2
>The interior and exterior mirrors dim 
depending on the light occurring when 
the vehicle is being driven forward
*.There are two photocells in the interior 
mirror to control the automatic dimming 
of the interior mirror. One is integrated 
within the mirror's lens, refer to arrow, 
while the other is located at an offset 
position on the rear of the mirror hous-
ing.
For trouble-free operation, keep the 
photocells clean and do not cover the 
area between the interior rearview mir-
ror and the windshield. Do not attach 
any kind of stickers on the windshield in 
front of the mirror, either.
Steering wheel adjustment 
Do not adjust the steering wheel while 
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement.<
The steering wheel can be adjusted in four 
directions.
Storing the steering-wheel position, refer 
to Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory, 
page 44. 

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  

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 

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 

Reference 211
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
W
Warning lamps, refer to 
Indicator/warning 
lamps 13
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control 66
Warning triangle 184
Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models 174
Washer fluid
– capacity of the 
reservoir 62
– wiper system 62
Washer fluid reservoir 62
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water 103
Waveband 130
"WB" 127, 133
Wear indicators in tires 167
Weights 190
Wheel/tire combination, 
refer to New wheels and 
tires 168
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions 191
Wheels and tires 164
Width, refer to 
Dimensions 191
Wind deflector 40
Windows 33
– convenience 
operation 27, 29
– opening and closing, 
Convertible 34
– opening and closing, 
Coupe 34
– rear window, 
Convertible 35
Windshield washer 
nozzles 61
Windshield washer system, 
refer to Washer/wiper 
system 61
Windshield wiper blade 
replacement 178
Windshield wipers, refer to 
Wiper/washer system 61Winter tires 169
– setting speed limit 71
– storage 169
Wiper blade 
replacement 178
Wiper system 61
– washer fluid 62
– windshield washer 
nozzles 61
"With highways" for 
navigation 116
Wordmatch principle for 
navigation 117
Working in the engine 
compartment 170
Wrenches/screwdrivers, 
refer to Onboard tool 
kit 178
X
Xenon lamps 178
– replacing the bulbs 178