137
tire center, preferably your BMW cen-
ter. Observe any country-specific regu-
lations, e.g. on making a corresponding
entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-approved radial belt tires
are matched to your vehicle and pro-
vide optimum safety and driving com-
fort when used properly.Run Flat tiresIf your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, use only
these tires since no spare wheel is
available in the event of a flat.Special characteristics of winter
tiresBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally do not achieve the full performance
of winter tires.
Run Flat tires:
If your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, please note
the following: when mounting new tires
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. Your BMW center
wil be glad to advise you.
Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel. Do not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sures specified on the tire sidewall.
Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and determined and
approved as roadworthy. Consult your
BMW center for details. BMW recom-
mends using only these approved fine-
link snow chains. Use them in pairs on
either summer or winter tires, but only
on both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /
50 km/h when using snow chains.
You cannot mount snow chains with the
following tires:
>225/50 R 16
>225/45 R 17
>245/40 R 17
>225/40 R 18
>255/35 R 18.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Moni-
tor after mounting snow chains to
the tires.
When driving with snow chains, it may
be useful to turn off the DSC for a short
time, refer to page 92.<
New wheels and tires
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
143
Adding engine oilOnly add engine oil when the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower
mark on the dipstick.
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 oils, grease and similar materials
so that they are inaccessible to chil-
dren. Comply with warning labels and
information on containers.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating the dis-
posal of used oil.<
Recommendation: have the oil changed
at your BMW center.Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil is
extremely important for the operation
and service life of an engine. Based on
extensive testing, BMW has approved
only certain grades of engine oil.
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If an approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil should be unavailable, you
may use small amounts of other syn-
thetic oils for topping up between oil
changes. Use only oils with the specifi-
cation API SH or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details
concerning the specific BMW
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils that have been approved.<
BMW engines are designed to
operate without oil additives; the
use of additives could even lead to
damage in some cases.<
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 where 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.
Engine oil
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
146Maintenance
BMW Maintenance SystemThe BMW Maintenance System helps
maintain your vehicle's road safety and
operational safety. Comfort-related
aspects, such as the timely change of
filters for the air inside the vehicle, are
taken into consideration. The goal is to
optimize maintenance with respect to
low total cost of ownership.
If you should sell your BMW one day,
consistent service and maintenance will
prove to your advantage.
Service interval displayThe service interval display shows you
when an oil service, an inspection –
always alternating between I and II – or
a brake fluid change is due. The special
feature is that the service intervals are
calculated according to your BMW's
individual driving conditions instead of
from fixed mileage increments.
The technology developed for this
takes your personal driving style into
account, as well as your BMW's driving
conditions. After all, short-distance
driving, i.e. frequent cold starts, or driv-
ing off at high engine speeds, affects
your BMW differently from long-dis-
tance driving with the engine at consis-
tent operating temperature.
Special feature regarding engine
oil changeThe calculation of the service intervals
covers practically every kind of operat-
ing situation. If you drive very rarely,
however, you should have the oil
changed at least every two years, since
engine oil deteriorates over time
regardless of use.Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsFor additional information on required
maintenance intervals and procedures,
please refer to the Service and War-
ranty Information Booklet for US mod-
els, or the Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against corrosion, if
your vehicle is exposed to potential
damage from unimproved road sur-
faces we suggest that you have the
body checked for damage from stone
chips and gravel at the same time.
161
BatteryMaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you if you have
any questions concerning the battery.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery.
Connect the charge cables to the termi-
nals in the engine compartment. For
terminal locations, refer to Jump-start-
ing on page 163.Disposal
After changing the battery, have
the old battery disposed of by
your BMW center or bring it to a recy-
cling point. Maintain the battery in an
upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting
during transport.<
Power lossAfter a temporary power loss, e.g. due
to a discharged battery, some equip-
ment will be limited in its use and will
have to be reinitialized. Individual set-
tings are also lost and must be reset:
>Seat and mirror memory
The position settings must be stored
again, refer to page 55
>Clock
must be reset, refer to page 87
>Radio
Stations must be reset, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
>Navigation system
The system will not be operable
immediately, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard Com-
puter.
FusesYou will find the fuses and information
on their respective allocation in the
glove compartment behind a panel with
two snap clips.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to ZA
ABS Antilock Brake
System 127
indicator lamp 18
Acceleration assistant 76
Accessories, refer to For
your own safety 5
Accident, refer to Emer-
gency call 162
Activated-charcoal filter 108
Adaptive brake lamp, refer
to Brake force display 94
Adaptive headlights 96
Adding brake fluid 145
Additional sources of infor-
mation 4
Air conditioning 100
Air conditioning mode 102
automatic climate
control 106
Air distribution
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
individual 106
Air outlets, refer to Ventila-
tion 100, 104
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure 130
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
102, 107Air supply
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
Air, drying, refer to Air con-
ditioning mode 102, 106
Airbags 59
deactivating 62
indicator lamp 18, 61
sitting safely 50
Airing out, refer to Ventila-
tion 100, 104
AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-
tions 24
Alarm system 36
avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires 136
Antifreeze 144
coolant 144
washer fluid 142
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) 127
indicator lamp 18
Anti-theft system 28
Anti-theft warning system,
refer to Alarm system 36
Approved axle loads, refer
to Weights 172
Approved gross weight,
refer to Weights 172Armrest 112
Artificial leather, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Ashtray
front 113
rear 114
Assistant systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 91
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control 107
AUTO program 106
Automatic
cruise control 82
headlamp control 95
Automatic air distribution,
refer to AUTO
program 106
Automatic air supply, refer
to AUTO program 106
Automatic car wash, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate
control 104
Automatic curb monitor 56
Automatic dimming, interior
rearview mirror 58
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC) 107Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 77
indicator lamp 19, 79
interlock 69
selector lever lock 77
shiftlock 77
tow-starting 166
Automatic windshield
washer, refer to Rain sen-
sor 81
Average fuel
consumption 89
Average speed 89
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 172
B
Backrest
unlock 53
Backrest, refer to Seat
adjustment 51
Backup lamps 72
bulb replacement 155
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit 22
Bar, for towing 165
Everything from A to Z
177
Battery 161
charge 161
disposal 161
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 163
remote control 28, 29
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 54
Beverage holders 113
Blower
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 143
BMW Maintenance
System 146
BMW sports seat 51
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 113
Brake fluid 145
indicator lamp 18, 145
level 145
Brake force display 94
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 155
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 86
Brake lamps, refer to Brake
force display 94Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 145
breaking in 124
indicator lamp 19
Brake rotors
breaking in 124
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 127
brake fluid 145
brake force display 94
brake pads 126
breaking in 124
driving notes 125
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 71
Break-in procedures 124
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 153
Bulb, replacing 153
Buttons in steering wheel 21
C
California laws
event data recorders 148
Proposition 65
warning 148
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 113
Capacities 173Car battery 161
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 28
Car radio, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone
preparation 113
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 114
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to
the Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 127
warning lamp 18
CD changer, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Center armrest
front 112Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 156
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger
compartment 32
Changing a wheel 157
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 86
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 62
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 64
Child-restraint system 62
Chock 158
Cigarette lighter 113
Cleaning chrome parts, refer
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning position, convert-
ible top 43, 48
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 82
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to ZClock 87
12-/24-hour mode 87
setting, refer also to the
Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
Clutch
breaking in 124
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Coin box 113
Cold start, refer to Starting
the engine 69
Compact disc operation,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Compartments 112
Computer 88
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode
102, 106
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 68
Connecting a vacuum
cleaner, refer to Power
socket 114Consumption
display 84
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 89
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 31
windows 30
Convertible top
cleaning position 43, 48
closing in an
emergency 46
electrical fault 46
indicator lamps 45
remote control 29
Convertible top activation
fully automatic top 44
manual top 39
Convertible top compart-
ment panel 35
Coolant 144
indicator lamp 19, 85
level 144
temperature gauge 85
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 144
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 102, 106
Copyright 4Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 127
warning lamp 18
Cruise control 82
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage
holders 113
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 172
Current consumption, refer
to Energy control 84
Curve lighting, refer to
Adaptive headlights 96
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 170
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 173
dimensions 171
engine 170
technical 170
weights 172
Daytime driving lamps 95
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
19, 127
Deep water, refer to Driving
through water 125Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows
103, 106
Defrosting and demisting
windows
air conditioning 103
automatic climate
control 106
Defrosting windows
103, 106
Defrosting windshield, refer
to Defrosting windows
103, 106
Demisting windows
air conditioning 103
automatic climate
control 106
Differential
breaking in 124
Digital clock 87
Dimensions 171
Dipstick, engine oil 142
Displacement, refer to
Engine data 170
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 96
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 143
vehicle battery 161
Everything from A to ZFlat tire 157
Flat Tire Monitor 92
space-saver spare tire 157
Flat Tire Monitor 92
indicator lamp 18, 19, 93
Fluid reservoir for washer
systems 142
Fog lamps
indicator lamp 20
Follow me home lamps 95
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely 125
Front airbags 59
Front fog lamps 97
Front seat adjustment 51
Fuel
display 85
quality 24
volume 173
Fuel consumption
display 89
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 85
Fuel economy, refer to
Energy control 84
Fuel filler door 23
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 23
Fuel level indicator, refer to
Fuel gauge 85
Fuel reserve indicator, refer
to Fuel gauge 85Fuel tank capacity 173
Fully-automatic convertible
top 44
activation 44
convenience operation
30, 31
opening, closing 45
remote control 30
Fuses 161
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control 110
Gasoline consumption, refer
to Average fuel consump-
tion 89
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 24
Gear indicator 75, 79
Gear lever
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 77
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 73
Gearbox
manual transmission 72
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 72
General driving notes 125
Glove compartment 109Grills, refer to Ventilation
100, 104
Gross weight, refer to
Weights 172
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 71
Hands-free system 113
Hardtop 127
Hardtop preparation 127
Hardtop, refer to the sepa-
rate Owner's Manual 127
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 22
Head restraints 52
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 82
washer fluid 142, 173
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 95
Headlamp flasher 97
indicator lamp 20
Headlamps
bulb replacement 153
care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 57
Heated rear window
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 107Heated seats 57
Heating
exterior mirrors 57
rear window 102, 107
seats 57
Heating and ventilation
100, 104
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo
loading 118
Height adjustment
seats 51
steering wheel 58
Height, refer to
Dimensions 171
High beams 80, 81, 97
bulb replacement 154
headlamp flasher 97
indicator lamp 20
Holder for beverages 113
Hood release 138
Horn 14
Hub cap 158
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC 127
Hydroplaning 125
I
Ice warning 88
Ignition 69
Ignition key 28
positions 69
Ignition lock 69