Adjustments
44
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. The sit-
ting position also plays an important role
together with the safety belts and airbags in
providing occupants with maximum levels of
passive safety in an accident. To ensure that
the safety systems operate with optimal effi-
ciency, we strongly urge you to observe the
instructions contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page52.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the
knee and front airbags are triggered.
Never let an occupant's head rest near or on a
side airbag because the inflating airbag could
cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page86.
Safety belt
Fasten your safety belt before starting any trip.
Airbags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a
substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats that are all equipped
with a safety belt.
At all times, occupants should sit upright
and be properly restrained: infants and
small children in appropriate child-restraint sys-
tems; larger children and adults using the safety
belts.
Never allow more than one person to wear a sin-
gle safety belt. Never allow infants or small chil-
dren to ride in a passenger's lap.
Expectant mothers should always wear their
safety belts, taking care to position the lap belt
against the lower hips, where it will not exert
pressure against the abdominal area.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or run it
across sharp edges. Be sure that the belt does
not become caught or jammed. Avoid twisting
the belt while routing it firmly across the hips
and shoulder. Do not allow the belt to rest
against hard or fragile objects. Otherwise, in the
event of a frontal impact, a loose lap belt could
slide over your hips, leading to abdominal injury.
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the belt
from fitting properly and pull the shoulder belt
periodically to readjust the tension across your
lap in order to avoid a reduction in the retention
effect of the safety belt.<
For instructions on operating safety belts, refer
to page48.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while
operating the vehicle. The seat could
respond with unexpected movement, and the
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
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Report of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up in red. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation
pressure loss.
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden brak-
ing and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed
a vehicle speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not, as provided at the
factory, equipped with run-flat tires,
refer to page172, stop driving. Continued
driving after a flat tire can result in serious
accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor
may not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In case of a complete loss of the tire inflation
pressure or obvious tire damage, you can
estimate the possible driving distance for
continued driving base on the following ref-
erence values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km.
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 94 miles/150 km.
>With full load:
4 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed
a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the
event of pressure loss, vehicle handling
changes. This includes reduced tracking
stability in braking, extended braking dis-
tance and altered natural steering charac-
teristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle
is being driven, this can indicate final failure
of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon as possible. Do not continue
driving. Contact your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up in yellow. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The Flat Tire Monitor has a mal-
function or has failed. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively var-
ies the steering angle of the front wheels in rela-
tion to the steering wheel movements.
A t l o w s p e e d , e . g . i n a t o w n o r w h e n p a r k i n g , t h e
steering angle of the wheels is reinforced, i.e.
the steering becomes very direct.
In the higher speed range, on the other hand,
the steering angle is reduced more and more.
This improves the handling capability of your
BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stability-pro-
moting intervention is deactivated when DSC is
switched off, refer to page82.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. The active
steering is no longer operational. At low
speed, larger steering wheel move-
ments are required, while the vehicle reacts
more sensitively to steering wheel movements
in the higher road-speed range. Have the sys-
tem checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being
initialized.
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heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page172.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and foreign objects lodged in
the tread, and check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm.
At tread depths below 0.12 in/3 mm there is an
increased risk of high-speed hydroplaning,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
Winter tires noticeably loose their suitability for
winter use below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm. New tires should be mounted in the interest of
safety.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the indica-
tors are at the level of the profile, the legal per-
missible tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has
been reached.
Tire damage
Due to low-profile tires, please note that
wheels, tires and suspension parts are
more susceptible to road hazard and conse-
quential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases reduce your speed immediately
and have the wheels and tires inspected imme-
diately. To do this, carefully drive to the next
BMW center or a specialized tire dealer which
works with personnel trained in accordance
with BMW specifications. Have the vehicle
towed to the workshop if necessary.
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous to
vehicle occupants and other road users.<
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled pro-
fessionals only. The technicians at your BMW
center will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and special-
ized equipment.<
Wheels and tires
172
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side-
wall.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted
by a BMW center or a specialized tire
dealer which works with personnel trained in
accordance with BMW specifications. If this
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger
of damage and associated safety risks. Make
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of
retread tires, as otherwise driving safety
may be reduced. Possible variations in the
design and the age – which could be substan-
tial – of the carcasses can lead to more rapid
wear.<
The right wheels and tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires, or
vice versa, use run-flat tires, as in the event of a
flat tire there is no spare tire available. Your
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that you do not have damaged run-flat
tires repaired; they should be replaced.
has tested and approved for your particular
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and
tires with identical official size ratings could
actually have different dimensions than the
approved units – these differences could lead to
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability,
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving
safety.<
You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat
tire, always remember to have the specified
wheel and tire combination remounted on the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size,
classifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation. Observe any country-specific regula-
tions, e.g. on making a corresponding entry in
the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been specially
selected to provide optimized performance
when installed on your vehicle; if properly cared
for, they will provide a combination of safety and
excellent ride comfort.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
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Run-flat tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires, or
vice versa, use run-flat tires, refer to page172,
as in the event of a flat tire there is no spare tire
available. Your BMW center will be glad to
advise you.
Watch speed
Observe the permissible maximum speed
for the respective winter tires, as other-
wise tire damage and occur and cause acci-
dents.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the side wall
of the tire.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains,
classifies them as road-safe and approves
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation. BMW recommends using these
approved snow chains. These snow chains are
approved exclusively for use in pairs on the rear
wheels with the tire size:
>245/50 R 17 Y
>245/45 R 18 Y
Observe the chain manufacturer's instructions
when mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a
vehicle speed of 30 mph/50 km/h with the
chains mounted.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
mounting snow chains.
When you are driving with snow chains, it can
be beneficial to switch off DTC briefly, refer to
page82.<
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1.Push a screwdriver from the left under the
lamp and lever up the lamp to the right.
2.Turn the bulb holder 905 to the left and
remove.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
LEDs Light-emitting diodes
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a
concept similar to that applied in conventional
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light several
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Changing a wheel
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. An immediate wheel change in the
event of a flat tire is therefore no longer
required.
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to Run-flat tires on page171.
If you have new tires mounted or switch from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, use run-
flat tires, as in the event of a flat tire there is no
spare tire available. Your BMW center will be
glad to advise you.
Also refer to New wheels and tires, page172.
Car jacking points
The jacking points for the car jack are located in
the positions shown.
The suitable tools for changing tires are
available as accessories from your BMW
center.<
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate.
Your BMW center will be glad to advise in all
matters concerning the battery.
Charging battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine switched off. For the connections, refer
to Jump starting on page186.
Disposal
After replacement, have old batteries dis-
posed of by your BMW center or deposit
them at a recycling center. Maintain the battery
in an upright position for transport and storage.
Always secure the battery to prevent it from tip-
ping over during transport.<
Everything from A to Z
204 Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top41
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door166
– glass sunroof38
– luggage compartment
lid32,33
Emergency release33
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance186
"Emission inspect."71
"Enable services"160
"End call"153
Engine
– breaking-in108
– data192
– speed192
– starting54
– starting difficulties54
– switching off55
Engine compartment175
Engine coolant176
Engine oil
– checking the oil level175
– dipstick175
– specified engine oils176
– temperature70
– temperature gage70
– topping off176
Engine output, refer to Engine
data192
Engine speed, refer to Engine
specifications192
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine54
"Enter address" for
navigation116
Entering destination116
Entering the address115
Entering the intersection117
Entering the town/city for
navigation116
Entering zip code for
navigation116
"Entertainment"133"Entertainment settings"133
Entry map for destination117
Entry to the rear48
"Equalizer", refer to Tone
control135
"ESN"140
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control82
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system108
Exterior mirrors49
– automatic dimming
feature50
– automatic heating50
Eye for towing, refer to Tow
fitting188
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing load111
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control134
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control71
False alarms, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts48
Fastest route for
navigation122
Fast forward
– CD changer145
– CD player145
"Fast route" for
navigation122
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit186
First-aid kit186
First-aid pouch, refer to First-
aid kit186
Flashing when locking and
unlocking, refer to Setting
acknowledgement
signals30Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight101
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor84
– run-flat tires85,172
Flat Tire Monitor84
– false alarms84
– initializing system84
– malfunction85
– snow chains173
– system limits84
– warning lamp85
"FM", reception
range133,136
FM, waveband136
Fog lamps92
– indicator lamp13,92
Folding up convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible34
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely109
Footwell lamps93
For your own safety6
Front airbags86
Front head restraints47
"FTM"84
Fuel
– average consumption74
– display70
– fuel specifications167
– high-quality brands167
– quality167
– tank capacity166
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gage70
Fuel filler door166
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction166
Fuel gage70
Fuel specifications167
Fuses184
Reference 209
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Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Programmable buttons on
steering wheel51
Protective function, refer to
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof38
– windows37
R
Radio
– Autostore138
– controls132
– playing stations137
– satellite radio140
– selecting frequency
manually137
– selecting
waveband132,136
– station search137
– station selection136
– station with best
reception138
– storing stations138
– switching on/off132
– tone control133
– volume133
– Weather Band139
Radio-control key, refer to
Master key with remote
control28
Rain sensor of the windshield
washer system61
"Random", random play
sequence145
Random play sequence
– CD changer145
– CD player145
Reading lamps93
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps182
Rearview mirror49
Rear window defroster94
"Received calls"154
Receiving level of portable
phone, refer to Status
information20Reception
– quality139
– radio stations139
– regional station138
Rechargeable flashlight101
Recirculated-air mode, refer
to AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control95
Recirculation of air, refer to
AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control95
Reclining seat, refer to
Backrest45
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch77
"Redial" for portable
phone154
Redialing with portable
phone153
Refueling166
Releasing hood174
"Relock door if not
opened"32
Remaining distance
– refer to Computer75
– refer to Cruising range74
Remote control28
– garage-door opener100
– luggage compartment lid30
– malfunction30
Removing condensation from
windows95
"Repeat" in audio mode145
Replacement fuses184
Replacement key, refer to
New keys28
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs180
Replacing tires
– changing a wheel183
– new wheels and tires172
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating emergency
call185
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gage70
"Reset" for stopwatch77
"Reset" in audio mode135Residual heat mode96
Restraint systems
– for children52
– refer to Safety belts48
Retreaded tires172
Reverse, fast
– CD changer145
– CD player145
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– manual transmission56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission57
Road map127
"Roadside Assistance"161
Roadside Assistance186
Roadside parking lamps92
– replacing bulbs182
Rollover protection system on
convertible87
– lowering87
Rope, refer to Towing and
tow-starting188
Rotary pushbutton, refer to
Control Center16
Route122
– bypassing sections128
– changing122,128
– display127
– displaying arrow view127
– displaying map127
– displaying towns/cities and
streets127
– list127
– selecting122
– selecting criteria122
"Route list" for navigation127
Route map127
"Route preference",
changing122
Route selection122
Run-flat tires172
– continuing driving with a
damaged tire85
– flat tire85
– tire inflation pressure168
– tire replacement172
– winter tires173