
 
18
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Technology that monitors itself
 
Indicator and warning lamps that are 
identified by 
 
●
 
 are tested for proper 
functioning whenever the ignition key is 
turned. They each light up once for dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this in the 
following section.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
●
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is 
defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
●
 
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 cen-
ter.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. Before driv-
ing further, be sure to comply with the 
instructions on pages 122 and 135.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: there is a flat tire. 
Reduce speed and carefully come to a 
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information: refer to 
page 91
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
 
●
 
 and 
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC, DSC and 
ADB-X/DBC control system has 
failed. Continue driving cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid 
full brake applications. Please have the 
system checked by your BMW center 
as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 86
CBC, ABS, DSC and 
ADB-X/DBC indicator and warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
Comes on when the parking 
brake is engaged – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off. For additional information: refer to 
page 65 

134
Ask your BMW center for details 
concerning the specific BMW 
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
You can also call BMW of North Amer-
ica toll-free at 1-800-831-1117 or visit 
this website: www.bmwusa.com to 
obtain this information.
Viscosity ratingsViscosity is the oilflow rating as estab-
lished in SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class 
depends on the climatic conditions in 
the area you drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These kinds of oil may be used for driv-
ing in all ambient temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling 
system when the engine is hot. If 
you attempt to do so, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents 
are hazardous to health. You should 
always store them in their closed origi-
nal containers and in a location which is 
out of reach of children. Antifreeze and 
anti-corrosion agents are inflammable. 
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.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of antifreeze agents with corro-
sion inhibitor.<
Checking the coolant level and 
adding coolantCheck the coolant level when the 
engine is cold, approx. 687/+206:
1. Open the cap for the expansion tank 
by turning it slightly counterclock-
wise to allow accumulated pressure 
to escape, then open
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; see arrow. The end of the float 
may stick out by a maximum of 
3/4 in / 2 cm – that is, up to the sec-
ond mark on the float
3. If necessary, add coolant. If the cool-
ant is low, slowly add coolant until 
the correct level is reached – do not 
overfill.
Engine oil 

Everything from A to Z
169
Disposal
oil 133
vehicle battery 151
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 85
Door key 30
Door lock 34
Doors
emergency operation 34
Draft-free ventilation 99, 103
Driving light, refer to Parking 
lamps/Low beams 93
Driving notes 121
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 98, 102
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol 86
indicator lamp 19, 86
Dynamic Brake Control 
(DBC) 19, 121
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 19, 86
Dynamic Traction Control 
(DTC) 86
indicator lamp 19, 86E
Electric glass sunroof 41
Electric power windows 40
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 151
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 73
door lock 34
driver's door 34
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 43
tailgate 36
Electronic Stability Program 
(ESP), refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) 86
Emergency call 152
Emergency operation
doors 34
driver's door 34
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 43
Emergency release
tailgate 36
Emissions, minimum, refer 
to Energy control 79
Energy control 79Engine
breaking in 120
data 160
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 79, 160
starting 63
switching off 65
Engine compartment 130
Engine coolant 134
adding 134
Engine oil
adding 133
additives, refer to Adding 
engine oil 133
capacity 163
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 133
viscosity 134
Engine oil consumption 132
Engine oil level 19
check 132
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil types 133
Engine output, refer to 
Engine data 160
Engine speed 79, 160
Environmentally-friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
control 79ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC 86
Exterior mirrors 52
Eyeglasses 
compartment 107
Eyelet, towing 155
F
False alarm, refer to 
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 39
Fastening the safety belts 48
Fault displays 81
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 23
First-aid kit 23
Flashlight 106
Flashlight, refer to 
Rechargeable 
flashlight 106
Flat tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 91
space-saver spare tire 147
Flat Tire Monitor 91
indicator lamp 18, 19, 92
Flat tire, refer to Tire condi-
tion 124
Floor panel, lifting 113
Fluid reservoir for washer 
systems 132
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

Everything from A to ZMaking telephone calls, 
refer to the telephone 
Owner's Manual
Malfunction
door lock 34
fuel filler door 24
Malfunction displays 81
Manual operation
door lock 34
driver's door 34
fuel filler door 24
glass sunroof 43
tailgate 36
Manual transmission 66
Master keys
with remote control 30
MC operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
MD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mechanical seats 45
Memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 50
Memory, refer to Vehicle 
Memory, Key Memory 61
Microfilter
air conditioning 99
automatic climate 
control 104Microphone, refer to Cellular 
phone 107
Mini disc operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Mirror
automatic curb monitor 51
Mirrors 52
heated 52
memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory 50
Mobile Service 152
Modifications, technical, 
refer to For your own 
safety 5
Multifunction steering
wheel 22
Multifunction switch
turn signal indicator/head-
lamp flasher 74
washer/wiper system 75
N
Navigation system, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Neck restraints, refer to 
Head restraints 48
Nets 106
Nozzles, refer to Ventilation 
96, 100O
OBD interface socket 138
Odometer 79
Oil
additives, refer to Adding 
engine oil 133
capacity 163
dipstick 132
quality 133
viscosity 133
Oil change interval, refer 
to Service interval 
display 136
Oil change intervals, refer to 
the Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models/Warranty and Ser-
vice Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Oil consumption 132
Oil dipstick 132
Oil filter change 163
Oil level
checking 132
indicator lamp 18
Oil pressure
indicator lamp 18
OIL SERVICE 81
Oil types 133
Old batteries, refer to Dis-
posal 151
Onboard computer 83Onboard computer, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Onboard tool kit 142
Opening and closing
from inside 35
from outside 31
via door lock 34
via remote control 31
Outlets, ventilation 96, 100
Outside temperature dis-
play 83
changing unit of 
measure 83
P
Paintwork care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Panic mode – trigger 
alarm 32
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 85
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control (PDC) 85
Parking brake 65
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 93
bulb replacement 144
Parking lamps/Low 
beams 93
Partition net 111