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Indicator and warning 
lamps 
Technology that monitors itself 
The indicator and warning lamps identified 
by the 
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the 
ignition or start the engine. They each light 
up once for different periods of time. 
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored 
system, the corresponding lamp will either 
fail to go out when the engine is started, or 
it will come on again during normal driving. 
Detailed information is provided on the 
specified pages. 
Fixed indicator and warning lamps
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light 
up in different colors and combinations. 
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately 
or 
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system inspected at the earli-
est opportunity
or
for your information
>Green:
For your information
>Blue:
For your information.
Variable indicator and warning lamps 
In the display 8 of the Info Display, addi-
tional indicator and warning lamps appear 
when necessary. Observe the instructions 
for action of the accompanying Check Con-
trol messages, also refer to page83. Please fasten safety belts 
+51
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control
+93 
DTC Dynamic Traction Control93 
ABS Antilock Brake System 
+92 
Brake system
+
With other warning lamps94,197
Warning lamp on Canadian models
With parking brake released66
With parking brake set64 
Warning lamp on Canadian models
Automatic parking brake, 
Automatic Hold 
+65,66 
Service Engine Soon +200
Indicator lamp on Canadian 
models
Airbags 
+98 
Turn signals71
High beams/
headlamp flasher101 
Front fog lamps101  

Adjustments
46
Adjustments
Sitting safely 
The ideal sitting position can make a vital 
contribution to relaxed driving that is as 
fatigue-free as possible. The sitting posi-
tion plays an important role together with 
the safety belts and airbags in an accident. 
To ensure that the safety systems operate 
with optimized efficiency, we strongly urge 
you to observe the instructions contained 
in the following section.
For additional information on transporting 
children safely, refer to page58. 
Sitting safely with airbags 
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the air-
bags. Always hold the steering wheel by its 
rim with hands at the 9 o'clock and 
3 o'clock positions, to minimize the risk of 
injuries to your hands and arms in the event 
of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to come between the 
airbags 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 cor-
rectly seated and does not rest feet or legs 
on the instrument panel, otherwise leg inju-
ries can occur if the knee and front airbag 
are triggered. 
Never let an occupant's head rest near or 
on a side airbag because the inflating air-
bag could cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, 
injuries resulting from contact with airbags 
cannot be fully excluded, depending on the 
circumstances. The ignition and inflation 
noise may provoke a mild – usually tempo-
rary – hearing loss in extremely sensitive 
individuals.
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page98.
Sitting safely with safety belts 
Even though there is an airbag, wear a 
safety belt every time you get in the vehicle. 
Although airbags enhance safety by pro-
viding added protection, they are not a 
substitute for safety belts.
Your vehicle has five 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 systems; larger children and 
adults using the safety belts.
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.
Never allow more than one person to wear 
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or 
small children to ride in a passenger's lap. 
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 lap 
belt periodically to readjust the tension 
across your shoulder in order to avoid a 
reduction in the retention effect of the 
safety belt.<
For instructions on operating safety belts, 
refer to page51.  

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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. 
Also on the passenger's side, do not incline 
the backrest too far to the rear while the 
vehicle is being driven, as otherwise there 
is a danger in the event of an accident of 
'sliding under' the safety belt, eliminating 
the protection normally provided by the 
belt.< 
Please observe the information on damage 
to safety belts provided on page51 and the 
information on the active head restraints on 
page49. 
The concept
You adjust the seat in two stages: 
1Preselect the function: the button lights 
up brightly 
2Adjustments: slide control knob to 
>front or rear or 
>upwards or downwards  
>or turn  
Power seat adjustment 
You can use the control knob to adjust var-
ious functions after first selecting them with 
the buttons. 
To ensure that the safety systems 
continue to provide optimized protec-
tion, please observe the adjustment 
instructions on page47.< 
3Longitudinal direction:  
Height:
Backrest:  
This button is normally active
4Thigh support:  
Height:  
Tilt angle:
5Lumbar support
*, refer to next column
6Height of the head restraint:  
Front comfort seat* adjustment 
In addition to the power seat functions, 
several other adjustment options are also 
available with the comfort seat:
4Thigh support:  
Tilt angle:  
5Lumbar support, see below
Backrest width: 
Increase or decrease lateral 
support
6Shoulder support, see below
Height of the head restraint:  
Backrest:  
Automatic backrest width 
adjustment
The backrest automatically moves to the 
widest possible position to ease driver 
entry and exit before then returning to the  

Adjustments
48 standard position or stored memory set-
ting.
This automatic system is influenced on 
both seats by each door as well as on the 
d r i v e r ' s  s e a t  b y  t h e  i g n i t i o n  a n d  o n  t h e  f r o n t  
passenger's seat by the safety belt buckle.
Sports seat* adjustment 
In addition to the power seat functions, 
several other adjustment options are also 
available with the sports seat:
4Thigh support:  
6Height of the head restraint:  
Lumbar support adjustment 
5Lumbar support 
You can also adjust the contours of the 
backrest to obtain additional support in the 
lumbar region. 
The upper hips and spinal column receive 
supplementary support to help you main-
tain a relaxed, upright sitting position. 
>Press front or rear: 
Increase or decrease curvature 
>Press top or bottom: 
Extend curvature upward or downward. 
Shoulder support adjustment 
6Adjust the tilt angle of the shoulder 
support:  
You can use the adjustable upper backrest 
for supplementary support in the shoulder 
region. This provides a relaxed driving 
position and helps relieve stress on the 
shoulder muscles. 
Make corrections in the forward/
backward adjustment of the seat to 
ensure that the safety belt still fits firmly 
against your body. If you do not do this, the 
protection provided by the safety belt may 
be reduced.<
Rear comfort seat* adjustment 
You can use the control knob to adjust var-
ious functions after first selecting them with 
the buttons.
1Longitudinal direction:  
Tilt angle:  
Backrest:  
This button is normally active 
2Lumbar support, refer to page48
3Shoulder support:  
Height of the head restraint:  
Backrest:  
It is not possible to adjust the comfort 
seats if the safety switch for the 
power windows has been pressed, refer to 
page44.< 
Adjusting passenger seat from rear 
The front passenger's seat can be adjusted 
from the rear sitting positions, for instance, 
when a rear passenger desires more leg-
room. 
Press the button to activate this function, 
refer to arrow. 
You can use the control knob to adjust the 
settings after selecting the desired function 
with the buttons. 

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You can also adjust the height of the head 
restraint electrically.
To prevent possible personal injury 
and property damage, always ensure 
that the area above the head restraints is 
clear and unobstructed before extending 
them upward.< 
Side extensions adjustment
You can fold the side extensions on the 
head restraint forward to increase lateral 
support. 
Safety belts 
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage 
in the belt buckle. The warning lamp lights up after 
driving a short distance until after 
the driver and front passenger have 
fastened their safety belts. 
At the same time, an acoustic signal 
sounds. The warning lamp also lights up 
and a signal sounds if the driver or front 
passenger removes the safety belt during 
driving.
The warning lamp can light up and a 
signal can sound if objects are laid on 
the front passenger's seat.<
Releasing
1.Press the red button in the belt buckle
2.Hold the belt firmly
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will 
be in the correct position for seat occu-
pants of every build if the seat is correctly 
adjusted, refer to page47. 
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated 
in the rear seat are for passengers sitting 
on the left and right. The belt buckle 
embossed with the word CENTER is 
intended exclusively for use by passengers 
riding in the center position. 
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by acci-
dents or other damage: have the belt 
system including the belt tensioner and any 
child restraint systems replaced and the 
anchorage points checked. Only have cor-
responding work carried out by a BMW 
center or a workshop that uses personnel 
trained in accordance with BMW require-
ments.<
Rear seats
When the rear center position is not 
occupied, the latch on the safety belt 
can be inserted in the slot between the 
seat's upholstery and the backrest.< 

Transporting children safely
58
Transporting children safely 
The right place for children
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest 
place for children in a vehicle is in the rear 
seat.
Older children should be tightly secured 
with a safety belt, after they have outgrown 
a booster seat that is appropriate for their 
age, height and weight.
A child sitting in the rear seat and not 
properly restrained may place his or 
her head on or near the airbag, if so 
equipped. For example, a child, even 
though belted, may fall asleep with his or 
her head against the side airbag. It may be 
difficult for a driver to ensure that children 
in the rear seat will remain properly posi-
tioned at all times and do not place their 
heads on or near the side airbags. There-
fore, we recommend that the rear side air-
bags, if provided, be deactivated if you plan 
to transport children in the rear seat.<
Child-restraint system in the rear
Children under 13 years of age and 
children less than 5 ft/150 cm tall 
should always ride in the rear and the 
restraint systems should be secured with 
the vehicle's safety belts.<
Younger children should be secured in an 
appropriate forward-facing child-restraint 
system that has first been properly 
restrained. We strongly urge you to care-
fully read and comply with the instructions 
for installation and use provided by the 
child restraint‘s manufacturer whenever 
you use such a device. 
All rear sitting positions in your vehicle 
meet the recommendations of SAE J1819, 
an industry-recommended practice for 
securing child-restraint systems in motor 
vehicles. 
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it become necessary to use 
a child-restraint system on the front 
passenger seat, the airbags on the passen-
ger‘s side must be deactivated. The pas-
senger airbag indicator lamp above the 
interior rearview mirror must light up con-
tinuously. Otherwise, the front passenger 
airbags remain active and there is consid-
erable risk of injury to children if the airbags 
are triggered, even with a child-restraint 
system. In this case, children should be 
seated in the rear and the system should be 
checked at your BMW center.<
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passen-
ger seat of this vehicle if the passenger air-
bag is not deactivated. If you do so, the 
child could be severely injured when the 
airbag is triggered. 
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag 
supplemental restraint system for the front 
passenger. Because the backrest on any 
rearward-facing child-restraint system, of 
the kind designed for infants under 1 year 
and 20 Ibs./9 kg, would be within the air-
bag‘s deployment range, you should never 
mount such a system in the front passenger 
seat, since the impact of the airbag against 
the child restraint‘s backrest could lead to 
serious or fatal injuries.< 
More information on Automatic deactiva-
tion of the front passenger airbags, refer to 
page98.
Installing child-restraint 
systems 
Before installing any child-restraint system 
or child seat, read the following:
Observe the child-restraint system 
manufacturer's instructions for instal-
lation and use. Otherwise the degree of 
protection can be reduced.
Following an accident, have all parts of the  

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child restraint system and the affected 
vehicle safety-belt system checked and, 
if necessary, replaced. Only have corre-
sponding work carried out by a BMW cen-
ter or a workshop that uses personnel 
trained in accordance with BMW require-
ments.<
Commercially-available child-restraint sys-
tems are designed to be secured with a lap 
belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or 
inadequately installed restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always read and follow the instructions that 
come with the system. 
Child seat security 
All of the rear belt retractors and the front 
passenger's safety belt can be locked for 
mounting and securing child-restraint sys-
tems.
Information regarding this is located near 
the buckle latch of each safety belt.
To lock safety belt 
Pull the entire length of the belt from the 
belt retractor. Allow the reel to retract the 
belt somewhat and engage the buckle, 
then tighten the belt against the child-
restraint system. The retraction mechanism 
is now locked. 
To unlock safety belt 
Release the buckle, remove the child-
restraint system and allow the belt retractor 
to reel the belt completely in. 
Child-restraint system with tether 
strap 
If you use a child-restraint system with a 
tether strap, three additional tether anchor-
age points have been provided, refer to the 
arrows in the illustration. Depending on the 
location selected for seating in the rear 
passenger area, attach the tether strap to 
the corresponding anchorage point to 
secure the child-restraint system, as shown 
in the illustration below. 
Each sitting position is fitted with a head 
restraint. 
Outer sitting positions: 
Lift the head restraint and pass the tether 
strap between the head restraint and the 
seat back. It is recommended to readjust 
the head restraint into the lowest possible 
position. 
Center sitting position: 
The head restraint must be adjusted into 
the lowest possible position. Pass the 
tether strap over the head restraint. 
Adjust the tether strap according to 
the child-restraint manufacturer's 
instructions.< 

Transporting children safely
60
LATCH child-restraint fixing*
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for 
CHildren. 
The rear outer sitting positions are pro-
vided with anchors for a LATCH child-
restraint fixing.
To fit the LATCH child-restraint fixing, 
follow the operating and safety 
instructions of the manufacturer.< 
If the vehicle is equipped with power seats 
in the rear, return these to their standard 
adjustment setting before using a LATCH 
child-restraint fixing, refer to page49.
Access to anchorage points 
The illustration shows the left rear seat as 
an example. 
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing are located underneath the 
identifying symbols.
Installation guide
The installation guide makes it easier to fit 
the LATCH child-restraint fixing and at the 
same time protects the surface of the 
seats.
The installation guide is available at 
your BMW center. Always observe all 
instructions for operation and use provided 
by the manufacturer in the installation 
guide.<
1.Engage the center safety belt into the 
belt buckle
2.Pull the belt away from the area of the 
child-restraint fixing3.Firmly press the installation guide into 
the gap between the upholstery on seat 
and backrest, continuing until the two 
funnel-shaped guides snap into place in 
the LATCH support braces in the seat.
Pull the installation guides to remove. 
On journeys
Make sure that children do not lean 
out of the child's seat towards the 
door panels. Otherwise severe injuries can 
be caused if the side airbags are trig-
gered.< 
Child-safety locks for rear doors 
Slide down the safety levers on the rear 
doors: