
Driving
70
Signaling briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond the
resistance point. It then returns to the cen-
ter position when released.
If the flashing of the indicator lamp and the
ticking from the relay are both faster than
normal, this indicates that one of the bulbs
is defective; if a trailer is attached, this
could also indicate that one of its turn sig-
nal indicator bulbs is defective.
Wiper system
1Standard wiper speed: briefly press
once.
Fast wiper speed: briefly press twice
2Switching off wipers or for brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
The lever automatically returns to its
initial position when released.<
1 Standard wiper speed
The system automatically reverts to opera-
tion in the intermittent mode whenever the
vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
You can also select this position by press-
ing the lever upward past the resistance
point.
The system automatically reverts to opera-
tion in the standard wipe mode whenever
the vehicle is stationary.
4 Cleaning windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a
brief period.
Headlamp washers
Each fifth time you press into position 4 to
clean the windshield while the headlamps
are on.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield. If you do so, your vision could
be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a
washer fluid antifreeze, refer to page 71.
Avoid activating the washer when the res-
ervoir is empty, as damage to the pump
could result.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles and the
windshield itself in the area around the wip-
ers are heated automatically when the igni-
tion is switched on.
Rain sensor
The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror.
Activating the rain sensor
Briefly press the button with ignition in
radio mode. The indicator lamp comes on.
The wipers will always respond by com-
pleting at least one sweep of the wind-
shield.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the serrated dial 5.

Controls
71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating the rain sensor
Briefly press the button again. The indica-
tor lamp goes out.
The rain sensor is automatically deac-
tivated when you switch off the igni-
tion.<
Deactivate the rain sensor when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Selecting wiper fold-out position
Important for changing wiper blades, when
folding away from windshield to prevent
blades from sticking when ice forms, etc.
1.Switch off the engine and remove the
remote control from the ignition lock
2.Press the wiper lever up and maintain
pressure for about 3 seconds until the
wipers are roughly vertical: fold-out
position.
After folding the wipers back against the
windshield you will need to reactivate the
wiper system:
1.Switch on the radio mode
2.Apply brief upward pressure to the
wiper lever. The wipers return to their
retracted position and are ready for nor-
mal operation.
To prevent damage to the wipers,
always fold them back against the
windshield before switching on either the
radio mode or the ignition.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks
and open flames, and store it in tightly
closed containers well out of the reach of
children. Always observe the instructions
for use provided on the containers.< We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Windshield and headlamp washer
system
Capacity: 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with a
washer antifreeze, according to manufac-
turer's recommendations.
Programmable cruise
control
The concept
The programmable cruise control is avail-
able for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h and higher. The vehicle maintains
and stores the speed that you set using the
lever mounted on the steering column.
You can also use the multilevel preset
mode to store 6 desired speeds for later
selection with the same lever, refer to
page 73.
This feature assists you in quickly adapting
the vehicle speed to specific road condi-
tions, e.g. changes in speeds limits.
Do not use the programmable cruise
control when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road con-
ditions, e.g. snow, rain, ice, loose road sur-
face, that do not permit a constant speed.<

Under the hood
196 The oil quantity between the two marks
of the dipstick is approx. 1.65 US quarts/
1.5 liter. Do not fill beyond the upper mark
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the
engine.
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just
above the lower mark or a message
appears in the Check Control before add-
ing oil.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use
could even lead to damage in some cases.
This also applies to the automatic transmis-
sion, the differential and the power steering
system.<
Recommendation: have your oil changed
at your BMW center.
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.
For this reason, any skin areas that come
into contact with oil should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
Store oil, grease, etc., well out of the reach
of children; always observe all warning
labels on the containers.
protection when disposing of used oil.<
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. BMW approves
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability 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.
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
system when the engine is hot.
Escaping coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.

Mobility
197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Antifreeze and anticorrosion agents are
flammable. Therefore, do not pour over hot
engine parts, as otherwise they could catch
fire and cause burns.
Always observe the instructions for use
provided on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules
and regulations for environmental
protection when disposing of used anti-
freeze and anticorrosion agents.<
Checking coolant level
Correct coolant level with the engine cold Ð
approx. +687/206:
1.Turn the cap of the expansion tank
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue
turning to open
2.The coolant level is correct when the
coolant extends to between the MIN
and MAX marks on the filler neck, refer
to the diagram adjacent to the filler
neck
3.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
up to the specified level Ð do not overfill.
Brake fluid
The symbol lights up and a mes-
sage appears in the Check Control:
The brake fluid in the reservoir has
fallen to below the minimum level.
The brake fluid reservoir is located under
the microfilter housing trim panel on the
driver's side of the vehicle. To have brake
fluid added to the system, or to have the source of any brake fluid loss traced and
rectified, please contact your BMW center,
which can also supply the factory-
approved Ð DOT 4 Ð brake fluids.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs
moisture from the atmosphere over
the course of time.
To ensure that the brake system continues
to provide safe and reliable performance,
remember to have the brake fluid changed
every two years at the latest, refer to
page 82 and to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
Brake fluid is toxic and also damages vehi-
cle paintwork. Always store these agents in
tightly-closed original containers kept well
away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not refill the
brake fluid reservoir to beyond the MAX
mark. Should it come into contact with hot
engine components, the brake fluid could
ignite and cause personal injury in the form
of burns.<
Always observe all applicable envi-
ronmental rules and regulations when
disposing of used brake fluid.<
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Brake hydraulic systems
A low brake-fluid level combined with
longer-than-usual pedal travel could be
a sign that one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits has failed.
Proceed to the nearest BMW center.
Remember that pedal travel may be
increased, and there may also be a sub-
stantial increase in the amount of pedal
pressure required to brake the vehicle.
Please adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.<

Everything from A to Z
216
A
"ABC..." for
navigation 132, 133
ABS Antilock Braking
System 91
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control 73
"ACCEPT" for
navigation 136, 143
Accessories 6
Activated-charcoal
filter 108
"Activation time" 109
Active cruise control 73
Ð malfunctions 79
Ð selecting distance 76
Active head restraints,
front 47
Active seat 51
Active seat ventilation 50
Adapter for spare key 32
Adaptive Head Light 99
Adding engine oil 195
"Address book" 142
Adjusting cooling capacity
of rear air conditioner 108
Airbags 97
Air conditioner in the
rear 108
Air distribution 103, 106
Airing, refer to
Ventilation 105
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 188
Air supply 104
Ð rear air conditioner 108
Air vent outlets 102
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications 187
Alarm system 39
Ð avoiding unintentional
alarms 40All-season tires 192
"AM..." 148, 152, 154
AM waveband 152
Anchorages 125
"ANGLE" for DVD
mode 168
Antifreeze 196
Ð washer fluid 71
Antifreeze protection
Ð coolant 196
Ð radiator 196
Antilock Braking System
ABS 91
Anti-theft alarm
system 33, 39
Approved gross vehicle
weight 214
Aquaplaning, refer to
Hydroplaning 122
"Arrow display" for
navigation 140
"AS ADDRESS"
Ð creating a directory 142
Ð current position 143
Ð destination
entry 132, 134, 135
Ð destination list 136
Ð home address 142
Ð last destinations 136
"AS DEST."
Ð creating a directory 142
Ð destination
entry 134, 135
Ð home address 142
Ð last destinations 136
"AS DESTINATION"
Ð creating a directory 142
Ashtray 115
Assistance window, refer to
Control Center 22
Ð help texts 22
Ð status lines 23AUC Automatic
recirculated-air
control 104
"Audio" 148, 152
Audio 148
Ð adjusting the tone 149
Ð controls 148
Ð switching on/off 149
Ð volume 149
"AUDIO" for DVD
mode 168
"AUTO", automatic climate
control 106
Automatic
Ð air distribution 103
Ð cruise control 71
Ð curb monitor 54
Ð headlamp control 99
Ð luggage compartment lid
control 34, 38
Ð steering wheel
adjustment 52
Automatic car wash, refer
to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate
control 102
Ð automatic air
distribution 103
Ð rear air conditioner 108
Ð rear cooler 113
Ð settings in Control
Center 106
Automatic Hold
Ð parking 63
Ð parking brake 63
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC 104
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 66
Ð manual operation 67
Ð sport program 67
"AUTO P" 53, 63
Everything from A to Z
Index