Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
65
Beverage holder
A beverage holder is located on either side
beneath the air outlets.
1.Press the trim piece beneath the air
outlets; see arrow 1
2.Place the beverage into the holder
3.Adjust the holder to fit the size of the
beverage container; see arrow 2.
Do not place glass containers into the
beverage holders, as this increases
the risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Preparations for the cellular
phone*
Hands-free system
In vehicles with telephone preparation, the
cover for the hands-free microphone is
located on the trim of the steering column.
For further information on the cellular
phone, refer to the Owner's Manual for the
telephone.
Ashtray*
To empty
1.Open cover
2.Pull out ashtray 1.
Cigarette lighter
Press in lighter 2. As soon as the lighter
springs back out, it can be removed.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter
by the knob only. Holding or touching
it in other areas could result in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains operational
even when the ignition key has been
removed. For this reason, children should
never be left in the vehicle unattended.<
Cigarette lighter socket
This can be used for attaching power sup-
plies for flashlights, car vacuum cleaners
and other similar appliances up to a rating
of approx. 200 watts at 12 volts.
Do not damage the socket by insert-
ing plugs of a different shape or
size.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
Driving notes
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, which then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water on the ground underneath the vehi-
cle are thus normal.
Brakes
Do not drive with your foot resting on
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the tires
and the road surface. This phenomenon
can lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effective-
ness.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft / 30 cm,
and then only at walking speed. Otherwise,
the vehicle's engine, the electrical systems
and the transmission may be damaged.<
High temperatures
High temperatures occur with every
vehicle equipped with a catalytic con-
verter. Heat shields are installed adjacent
to some sections of the exhaust system.
Never remove these shields; do not apply
undercoating to their surfaces. When driv-
ing, standing at idle and parking the vehi-
cle, take care to avoid contact between the
hot exhaust system and flammable materi-
als, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such con-
tact could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Brake system
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up
although the parking brake is not
engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. It is very impor-
tant that you follow the instructions on
page 85 before driving on.
Disc brakes
Corrosion
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with
the vehicle parked or in storage, and oper-
ating conditions in which braking is
restricted to gentle, low-pressure applica-
tions will all increase the tendency for cor-
rosion to form on the rotors and contamina-
tion to accumulate on the brake pads. This
occurs because the minimal pressure
which must be exerted by the pads to clean
the rotors by brake applications is not
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will
tend to respond to braking with a pulsating
effect which even extended application will
fail to cure.
Wet roads
When driving in heavy rain and on wet
roads, it is useful to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneu-
ver does not endanger other road users.
The resulting heat dries the brake rotors
and brake pads. Immediate braking control
is then available if necessary.
Inclines
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear or drive posi-
tion in which only minimal periodic brake
application is required. This helps avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem. Observe the maximum allowable
engine speed when doing so; refer to
page 48.
Special operating instructions
70 Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. Otherwise the
engine provides no braking effect and there
is no power-assist for braking or steering
when the engine is off.<
Brake pads
The yellow indicator lamp for the
brake pads lights up:
Have the condition of the brake
pads inspected.
For your own safety: use brake pads
which the manufacturer has approved
for your specific vehicle model. The manu-
facturer cannot evaluate non-approved
brake pads to determine if they are suitable
for use, and therefore cannot ensure the
operating safety of the vehicle in the event
of their use.<
Cargo loading
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Otherwise, overheating and
inner damage to the tires may result. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.<
Determining the maximum load
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs; otherwise
damage to the vehicle and unstable
driving conditions could result.<2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passenger that will be riding
in your vehicle
3.Substract the combined weight of the
driver and passenger from XXX kilo-
grams or YYY pounds
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
551 lbs. and there will be two 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 251 lbs.
551 lbs. minus 300 lbs. = 251 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the
occupants' weights and the weight of the
cargo. The greater the weight of the occu-
pants, the less cargo can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible, directly behind the luggage
compartment partition, and as low as
possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
To avoid damaging the rear of the
backrest or the rear interior trim
panel, do not stow heavy cargo or cargo
with sharp edges and corners behind the
seats.
In addition, large and bulky cargo stowed
Reference
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Mobility
83
Washer fluids for washer
systems
Headlamp* and windshield washer
system
Capacity of windshield washer system:
approx. 3.2 quarts/3 liters.
Capacity when equipped with headlamp
washer system: approx. 5.3 quarts/5 liters.
Fill with water and, if required, with an anti-
freeze agent according to the manufac-
turer's recommendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Antifreeze agents for the washing
systems are highly flammable. For
this reason, keep them away from sources
of flame and store them only in their original
containers. Store them so that they are
inaccessible to children. Comply with the
instructions on the containers.<
Engine oil
Engine oil pressure
The indicator lamp lights up in red:
Stop the vehicle immediately and
switch off the engine. Check the
engine oil level and top off as required. If
the oil level is correct, please contact the
nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the engine
could sustain serious damage from
inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The indicator lamp lights up in yel-
low while driving:
The oil level is at the absolute mini-
mum; refill as soon as possible. Do not
drive more than 30 miles/50 km before
refilling.
The indicator lamp lights up in yel-
low after the engine has been
switched off:
Add engine oil at the earliest opportunity,
when you stop to refuel.
Engine oil sensor
The indicator lamp lights up in yel-
low within 20 seconds after the
engine is started:
The oil level sensor is defective. Please
have it checked by a BMW center.
Checking the oil level
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface
2.Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again
5.The oil level should be between the two
marks on the dipstick
6.Return the dipstick to the guide tube,
inserting it as far as it will go.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.
In the engine compartment
84 The oil volume between the two marks on
the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond the
upper mark on the dipstick. Excess oil will
damage the engine.
Adding engine oil
While you should wait until the level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
before adding oil, you should never allow
the oil level to fall below this mark.
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without oil additives; the use of
additives could even lead to damage in
some cases. This also applies to manual
and automatic transmissions and to the dif-
ferential.<
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory tests. For
this reason, thoroughly wash any areas of
skin that come into contact with oil using
soap and water.
Always store oils, grease and similar mate-
rials so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and the
information on the containers.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
used oil.<
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely
important for the function and life of an
engine. Based on extensive testing, BMW
has approved certain grades of engine oil.
Use approved High Performance Synthetic
Oil.
If you are unable to obtain an approved
High Performance Synthetic Oil, you may use small volumes of other synthetic oils for
topping up between oil changes. Use only
oils with the specification API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils that
have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America
toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this
website: www.bmwusa.com to obtain this
information.
Coolant
The yellow coolant indicator lamp
lights up:
The coolant level is too low: top up
as soon as possible.
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. If you do,
escaping coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
hazardous to health. You should always
store them in their original containers and
in a location inaccessible to children.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
flammable. For this reason, do not spill
them on hot engine parts. They could ignite
and cause burns. Comply with the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Checking the coolant level
Correct coolant level when the engine is
cold, approx. 687/206:
1.Open the cap of the expansion tank by
turning it slightly counterclockwise to
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
85
allow accumulated pressure to escape,
then open completely
2.The coolant level is correct when the
upper end of the red float is at least
even with the upper edge of the filler
neck but no more than 3/4 in/2 cm
above it, that is up to the second mark
on the float. Refer also to the schematic
diagram next to the filler neck
3.If necessary, add coolant. Slowly add
coolant until the correct level is
reached; do not overfill.
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor.<
Brake fluid
Indicator lamp
The brake warning lamp lights up
red when the parking brake is not
engaged: the brake fluid level is too
low, refer to page 69.
The brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models lights up red when the
parking brake is not engaged: the
brake fluid level is too low, refer to page 69.
Brake fluid, refilling
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, also refer
to the notes on page 69.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, it
absorbs moisture from the air over
time.
In order to ensure the brake system's
safety and reliability, have the brake fluid
changed every two years by a BMW center.
Refer also to page 49 and the Service Man-
ual.
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the vehi-
cle's paint. You should always store it in the
closed original container and in a location
inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the fluid and do not fill the brake
fluid reservoir beyond the MAX mark. The
brake fluid could ignite upon contact with
hot engine parts and cause serious
burns.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal of
brake fluid.<
Brake fluid level
Low brake fluid level in the reservoir com-
bined with extended pedal travel may indi-
cate a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
BMW recommends that you proceed
to the nearest BMW center. Higher
brake application pressure may be neces-
sary under these conditions, and braking
distances may be significantly longer.
Please remember to adapt your driving
style accordingly.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
91
Please contact a BMW center in case of a
malfunction.
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb
1.Push out the lamp with a suitable object
and remove it
2.Replace the bulb.
Snap the lamp back into place.
Changing a wheel
Run Flat tires
Your BMW is equipped with Run Flat tires.
Therefore, the wheel no longer has to be
changed immediately in the event of a loss
in inflation pressure.
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC. Refer to page 80.
BMW recommends that you consult your
BMW center if you wish to replace the tires
of your BMW, or change from summer to
winter tires or vice versa.
Your BMW center knows how to work with
Run Flat tires and is equipped with the nec-
essary special tools.
When mounting or replacing summer
tires with winter tires, or vice versa,
use only Run Flat tires since no spare
wheel is available in the event of a flat.<
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the posi-
tions indicated in the illustration.
Your BMW center can provide you
with a suitable jack.<
Battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original electro-
lyte will normally last for the service life of
the battery under moderate climatic condi-
tions.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp for the battery
charge current lights up:
The battery is no longer being
charged. The alternator drive belt is defec-
tive or there is a malfunction in the charging
circuit of the alternator. Please contact the
nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, pull over
and switch off the engine immediately
to prevent overheating and serious engine
damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a
very low level, increased steering effort
may also be necessary.<
Everything from A to Z
108 Hazard warning flashers 10
Headlamp cover, care,
refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Headlamp flasher 43
– indicator lamp 13
Headlamps
– bulb replacement 88
– care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
– cleaning 44
Headlamps, automatic
control 46
Headlamp washer
reservoir 83
– content, refer to
Capacities 103
Headlamp washer
system
– cleaning the
headlamps 44
– washing fluids 83
Head restraints 28
Heated mirrors 31
Heated seats 30
Heating 58
– exterior mirrors 31
– rear window 59, 63
– seats 30
Heavy loads, refer to
Stowing cargo 70
Height, refer to
Dimensions 102
Height adjustment
– seats 28
– steering wheel 30
High beams 47
– bulb replacement 89
– headlamp flasher 43
– indicator lamp 13
High Performance
Synthetic Oil 84
– alternative oils 84
– approved oils 84
High temperatures 69
Holders for beverages 65
Hood 81
Horn 10
Hydraulic Brake Assistant,
refer to Dynamic Brake
Control DBC 52Hydraulics
– brakes 85
Hydroplaning 69
I
Ice warning 50
Identification mark
– Run Flat tires 80
Ignition 36
Ignition key 16
Ignition lock 36
Inclines 69
Index 104
Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags 57
– alarm system 26
– brakes 13
– coolant temperature 49
– DSC 52
– engine temperature 48
– Flat Tire Monitor 55
– fog lamps 47
– passenger airbags 34
– please fasten safety
belts 30
– reserve 48
Indicator and warning
lamps, overview 12
Individual air
distribution 59, 62
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory 31
Inflation pressure, tires 75
Inflation pressure
monitoring, refer to Flat
Tire Monitor 54
INSPECTION 49
Instrument cluster 12
Instrument lighting 47
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit 10
Interior lamps 47
– remote control 17
Interior motion sensor 26
Interior rearview mirror 31
– automatic dimming
feature 31
Interior temperature
– adjusting 59, 62Interlock, refer to
Steering lock 36
Intermittent
– operation, wipers 44
Interval
– display, service 49
J
Jack 91
Jacking points 91
Jets, refer to
Ventilation 59, 63
Jump-starting 94
K
Key Memory 31
Keys 16
Key switch for passenger
airbags 33
Kickdown 39
Knock control 74
L
Lamps 46
Lamps and bulbs 88
LATCH, child-restraint
mounting system 35
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Length, refer to
Dimensions 102
License plate lamps
– bulb replacement 91
Light-alloy wheels, care,
refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Lighter 65
Lighting
– of the instruments 47
Lighting of the instruments,
refer to Instrument
lighting 47
LIGHTS ON warning 46
Light switch 46
Loads, refer to Cargo
loading 70
Loads, securing 70