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
Driving tips
Communications
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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