Driving
56 do not pull it too strongly. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the handbrake
lever.
Strong application of the handbrake can
lead to overbraking of the rear axle and
associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle rear
end.
The brake lamps do not light up when the
handbrake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual or SMG transmission:
When parking on inclines, engage the
handbrake, as even engaging the first or
reverse gear might not under certain cir-
cumstances secure the vehicle against
moving.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Engage selector-lever position P.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided
braking action, occasionally engage
the handbrake lightly when the vehicle is
slowly coming to a standstill if the traffic
conditions are suitable.<
Manual transmission
While shifting gear in the 5th/6th gear
level, press the gearshift lever to the
right, as otherwise engine damage could
occur from inadvertently engaging a gear in
the 3rd/4th gear level.
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with the
clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise there
is high clutch wear.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is completely
stationary. When pressing the gearshift
lever to the left, overcome some resis-
tance.The backup lamps automatically switch on
in ignition key position 2.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission*
The concept
The SMG Sequential manual transmission
is an automated manual transmission in
which an electro-hydraulic system handles
the clutching and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector
lever in the center console and two shift
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode:
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Options of two drive programs:
Normal or Sport, refer to page 59
>Protection against incorrect gearshifts
and automatic shift down at minimum
engine speed, also in the Sequential
mode
>Kickdown function in the Drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to
page 60.
The SMG is operational in ignition key posi-
tion 2.
Selector-lever positions
The current selector-lever position is dis-
played on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
Controls
75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Signal tones and a visual display
* indicate
the current distance to an object behind or
in front of your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in
each bumper. The sensors at the front and
at the two rear corners have a range of
approx. 20 in/50 cm; the rear middle sen-
sors have approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed,
as otherwise the physical circumstances
would mean that the system warning was
too late.<
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system auto-
matically assumes operational status after
a few seconds each time you engage
reverse gear or selector-lever position R.
Wait this short period before driving.<
The system is automatically deacti-
vated once the vehicle travels approx.
165 ft/50 m or exceeds a speed of roughly
20 mph/30 km/h; the indicator lamp goes
out. You can reactivate the system manu-
ally as needed.
Manual mode
With the ignition key in position 2, press the
button; the indicator lamp lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Signal tones
The signal indicating the distance to the
nearest obstacle is directional. Thus, an
object detected to the left rear of the vehi-
cle will be indicated by a signal tone from
the left rear speaker, etc. As the distance
between vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become
shorter. The signal tone becomes continu-
ous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds if you are moving paral-
lel to a wall.
Malfunctions
The indicator lamp within the button
flashes and a message appears on the
Control Display. PDC has failed. Switch off
PDC. Have the system checked.
As a preventive measure, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to
ensure that they will continue to operate
effectively.
PDC with visual warning*
You also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show distances to objects on the Con-
trol Display. The Control Display will also
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
Mobility
185Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Preparing
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance
in Ah. This information can be found on
the battery
2.Switch off the engine of the vehicle pro-
viding assistance
3.Switch off any consumer units in both
vehicles.
There must not be any contact
between the bodies of the two vehi-
cles, as otherwise there is a danger of
shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks,
always observe this sequence when
connecting jumper cables.<
On your BMW, the so-called starting-aid
terminal in the engine compartment serves
as the battery positive terminal, also refer
to engine compartment essentials on
page 171. The symbol + is embossed on
the cover.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW start-
ing-aid terminal. To do so, pull the tab
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable
plus/+ to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance
3.Attach the second end of the cable to
the positive terminal of the battery or to
a starting-aid terminal of the vehicle to
be startedYour BMW has a special nut as body
ground or negative pole.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable
minus/– to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground
of the vehicle providing assistance
5.Attach the second end of the cable to
the negative terminal of the battery or to
the engine or body ground of the vehi-
cle to be started.
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the support vehicle
and allow it to run for several minutes at
increased speed
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in
the usual way.
If the first start attempt is not success-
ful, wait a few minutes before another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by
reversing the connection sequence
If required, have the battery inspected and
recharged at your BMW center.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing and tow-starting
Always observe all applicable towing
laws and regulations.<
Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.<
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 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Random play
– CD changer 140
– CD player 140
Reading lamps 87
Rear lamps, refer to
Tail lamps 180
Rearview mirror 48
Rear window defroster 89
"Received calls" 149
Receiving level of portable
phone, refer to Status
information 19
Reception
– quality 133
– radio stations 133
– regional station 132
Rechargeable flashlight 95
Recirculated-air mode,
refer to AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 89
Recirculation of air, refer to
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 89
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest 43
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch 72
"Redial" for portable
phone 149
Redialing with portable
phone 149
Refueling 162
Releasing, engine
hood 170
"Relock door if not
opened" 29
Remaining distance
– refer to Computer 70
– refer to Cruising range 69
Remote control 26
– garage-door opener 94
– luggage compartment
lid 28
– malfunctions 28
"Repeat" in audio
mode 139
"repeat track" in audio
mode 139
Replacement fuses 182Replacement of tires,
changing a wheel 181
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 178
Replacing wheels/tires 168
Reporting an accident,
refer to Initiating an
emergency call 183
Reporting safety defects 7
Reserve warning, refer to
Fuel gauge 65
"Reset"
– for stopwatch 72
– in audio mode 129
Residual heat mode 90
Restraint systems
– for children 51
– refer to Safety belts 47
Retreaded tires 168
Reverse, fast
– CD changer 140
– CD player 140
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 59
– manual transmission 56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission 57
Road map 120
"Roadside Assistance" 157
Roadside Assistance 184
Roadside parking lamps 86
"Roaming" 158
Rollover protection system
on Convertible 82
– lowering 82
Rope, refer to Towing and
tow-starting 185
Rotary pushbutton, refer to
Control Center 16
Route
– bypassing sections 120
– changing 116, 120
– display 120
– displaying map 120
– displaying the arrow
view 119
– list 120
– selecting 116
– selecting criteria 116"Route list" for
navigation 120
Route map 119
"Route preference" 116
Route selection 116
Run-flat tires 168
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire 168
– flat tire 80
– tire inflation
pressure 164, 168
– tire replacement 168, 169
– winter tires 169
S
Safety belts 47
– damage 47
– sitting safely 42
– warning lamp 47
Safety belt tensioners, refer
to Safety belts 47
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System 76
– airbags 81
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 77
– rollover protection
system, convertible 82
– safety belts 47
Satellite radio 133
– activating 134
– selecting channel 134
– storing channel 134
"SAT" on the radio 134
"Scan"
– playing stations 131
– playing tracks 139
Scan
– CD changer 139
– CD player 139
– radio 131
"scan directory" in audio
mode 139
Screen, refer to
Control Center 16
"Screen on / off" 49
Screw-on valve caps 181