124Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressureInformation for your safetyThe factory-approved tires are matched
to your vehicle and have been selected
to provide optimum safety and driving
comfort when used properly.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – above all else
– driving safety that depend on the con-
dition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire inflation pressure.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure is a fre-
quent cause of tire damage. It also sig-
nificantly influences the roadholding
ability of your BMW.
Be sure to check the tire inflation
pressure, including the space-
saver spare tire or the spare tire, on a
regular basis, at least twice a month
and before every extended journey,
refer to page 25. If this is not done,
incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-
ing instability and tire damage, ulti-
mately resulting in accidents.<
Tire conditionTire tread – tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 1/8 in / 3 mm, even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 1/16 in / 1.6 mm.
Below 1/8 in / 3 mm tread depth, there
is a great risk of hydroplaning, even at
relatively moderate speeds and with
only small amounts of water on the
road. Tread wear indicators – see arrow
– are embedded in the base of the tire's
tread. Their locations are indicated by
the letters TWI – Tread Wear Indicator –
at various points on the tire's shoulder.
When the tread reaches a depth of
1/16 in / 1.6 mm, these indicators
appear and signal that the tires have
worn to the minimum legal level.
135
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The brake warning lamp comes
on when the parking brake is
not engaged: the brake fluid
level is too low, refer to page 18.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake
fluid loss, consult your BMW center.
Your BMW center is familiar with the
specifications for factory-approved
brake fluids – DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss results in extended
brake pedal travel. Refer to the informa-
tion on page 122.
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 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 damages the
vehicle's paint. You should always store
it in its closed original container and in
a location which is out of reach of chil-
dren.
Do not spill the brake 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 envi-
ronmental laws regulating
the disposal of brake fluid.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
138Laws and regulations
California Proposition 65 warningCalifornia laws require us to state the
following warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety
of automobile components and
parts, including components found in
the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-
tain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects and reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in
vehicles and certain products of com-
ponent wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash your hands after hand-
ling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory ani-
mals. Always protect your skin by
washing thoroughly with soap and
water.<
OBD interface socketThe interface socket for onboard diag-
nostics is located on the left-hand side
of the driver's side, below the instru-
ment panel and under a cover panel.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.
This interface makes it possible to
access data on emissions-related com-
ponents using special equipment.
An illuminated indicator informs
you of the need for service, not
that you need to stop the vehi-
cle. Your system should be checked,
however, at the earliest opportunity.
If the indicator blinks or flashes, this
indicates a high level of engine misfire.
Reduce speed and contact the nearest
BMW center immediately. Severe
139
engine misfiring for even a short period
of time can seriously damage emission
control system components, especially
the catalytic converter.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON warn-
ing lamp for Canadian models.
If the gas cap is not on tight
enough, the OBD system can
detect leaking vapor and the indicator
will light up. If the gas cap is then tight-
ened, the indicator will usually go out
after a short period of time.
152Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistanceThe BMW Group's Mobile Service
offers you 24-hour assistance in the
event of a breakdown, even on week-
ends and holidays.
The telephone numbers of the Mobile
Service control center in your country
are listed in the BMW Dealer Directory.
If your vehicle has the necessary equip-
ment, you can contact the Mobile Ser-
vice or issue an emergency call using
buttons in the interior rearview mirror.
When an emergency call is initiated, a
telephone connection is established
with the general emergency call center.
In vehicles with activated BMW Assist
function, a telephone connection is set
up to the BMW Assist emergency call
center. If the current location of your
vehicle can be determined, this location
is transmitted to the BMW Assist emer-
gency call center.Fold down the cover.
1Emergency call
2Mobile Service
Requirements for initiating an emer-
gency call or contacting Mobile Service:
>The car phone is registered with a
mobile network
>The emergency call system is opera-
tional.
Initiating an emergency call*Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up to the main
emergency call center, the indicator
lamp flashes.
If the indicator lamp is flashing but you
cannot hear the emergency call center,
you may still be heard by the emer-
gency call center.
For technical reasons, the emer-
gency call function cannot be
guaranteed in certain unfavorable con-
ditions.<
If certain requirements are met, an
emergency call is automatically initiated
after a serious accident. The automatic
emergency call will not be hindered by
pressing the button.Mobile Service*To establish contact with the BMW
Group's Mobile Service:
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up with the Mobile
Service, the indicator lamp flashes.
Depending on the country you are in,
your vehicle's current location will also
be transmitted if your vehicle is
equipped with an activated BMW Assist
function.
Everything from A to Z
171
Ignition lock 63
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 38
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 80
DSC 19
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 92
fog lamps 20
Please fasten safety
belts 18
reserve 80
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 102
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 61
Inflation pressure 124
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 91
Inflation pressure, tires 25
INSPECTION 81
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 94
Instrument panel 14
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 138Interior lamps 95
remote control 32
Interior motion sensor 38
switching off 39
Interior rearview mirror 53
automatic dimming
feature 53
Interior temperature
adjusting 98, 102
Interlock, refer to Steering
wheel lock 63
Intermittent
mode, wipers 75
Interval
display, service 81
J
Jack 147
Jacking points 148
Jump-starting 153
K
Key Memory 61
Keys 30
with remote control 30
Kickdown 68, 72
L
Lamp defect 143
Lamps and bulbs 143
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 113Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 115
Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 115
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 59
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 95
Length, refer to
Dimensions 161
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 146
Light switch 93
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs 95
Lighter 108
LIGHTS ON warning 93
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 93
Litter bag holder 107
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 113
Loading
vehicle 113
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 35
Lock, steering wheel 63Locking
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Low beams 93
automatic 93
bulb replacement 143
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 81
Lug bolts 148
key 148
torque 148
Luggage area cover, see
Cargo area cover 111
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo area 37
Luggage net, refer to Parti-
tion net 111
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack 116
Luggage straps 37
Lumbar support 47
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires 127
Maintenance 81, 136
Maintenance system 136
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
Everything from A to ZSeat heating 51
Seat memory, refer to Seat
and mirror memory 50
Seat positions, storing 50
Seats 45
Securing cargo 115
Securing the vehicle
from inside 35
from outside 31, 34
Selector lever
automatic transmission 71
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 67
Selector lever lock, refer to
Shiftlock 67, 71
Selector lever positions
automatic transmission 71
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 67
Sequential manual gearbox
SMG 67
indicator lamp 19
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet 136
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
warning lamp 19
Service interval display
81, 136
Shift paddles 68Shifting gears
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 71
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 68
Shiftlock 67
Shiftlock, refer to Range
selection 71
Side airbags 54
Side turn signal indicators
bulb replacement 145
Sitting safely
with airbags 44
with safety belts 44
Size 161
Ski bag 110
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Electric glass sunroof 41
SMG sequential manual
gearbox 67
indicator lamp 19
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 108
Snow chains 128
SOS, refer to Emergency
call 152
Space-saver spare tire
changing a wheel 147
Spare key 30
Spare tire 147
Spare wheel 150Speed gauge, refer to
Speedometer 16
Speedometer 16
Split rear backrest, refer to
Folding rear backrest 111
SPORT button 70
Sport program
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 72
Sports seat 46
Stability control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 86
Standing lamps 94
Starting difficulties
jump-starting 153
temperature 63
Starting help DSC 86
Starting the engine 63
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine 63
Status of the Owner's Man-
ual 5
Steering wheel lock 63
Steering wheel, adjusting 52
Steptronic, refer to Manual
operation 72
Storage compartments 106
Storage nets 106
Storage space, refer to
Cargo area 111Storing seat positions,
refer to Seat and mirror
memory 50
Storing tires 127
Stroke, refer to Engine
data 160
Surface ice, refer to Ice
warning 83
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 14
Switching off
engine 65
vehicle 65
Symbols 4
Synthetic oils 133
T
Tachometer 79
Tail lamps
bulb replacement 145
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 145
Tailgate 35
emergency operation 36
indicator lamp 81
opening from inside the
vehicle 36
opening from outside 35
opening, remote
control 32
remote control 32
unlocking manually 36