
DVD changer
170
Malfunctions/notes
The BMW DVD changer is a 'Class 1' 
laser product. Never remove the 
cover from the housing. Do not operate the 
unit if the cover is damaged. Operation 
without the cover can lead to serious eye 
injury from invisible laser beams.
Always refer all repair and maintenance 
operations to qualified technicians.
With self-recorded CDs or DVDs, labels 
applied later can become detached during 
playback due to the development of heat, 
causing irreparable damage to the 
device.<
Macrovision copy protection:
This product incorporates copyright 
protection technology that is protected by 
method claims of certain U.S. patents and 
other intellectual property rights owned by 
Macrovision Corporation and other rights 
owners. Use of this copyright protection 
technology must be authorized by Macrovi-
sion Corporation, and is intended for home 
and other limited viewing uses only unless 
otherwise authorized by Macrovision Cor-
poration. Reverse engineering or disas-
sembly is prohibited.<
To prevent CDs from being copied 
illegally, they are often provided with 
copy protection by the manufacturer. 
Under certain circumstances this can pre-
vent or restrict the playing of CDs on the 
DVD changer. In this case please contact 
the CD dealer or manufacturer.<
If you play self-recorded audio CDs, faults, 
e.g. drop-outs, can occur, or the CD is not 
played at all.
The DVD changer can play the following 
formats:
>Video DVD
>CD-DA, Audio CD
>CD-R.The DVD Audio format is not sup-
ported by the DVD changer. However, 
many audio DVDs available in stores also 
contain a video track in the DVD Video for-
mat in addition to the audio track. These 
DVDs can be played back by the DVD 
changer. Please refer to the information on 
your DVD to determine whether your audio 
DVD contains an additional video track.
DVDs are usually divided into tracks and 
chapters and can contain different subti-
tles, camera angles or sound tracks, lan-
guages and sound formats. Depending on 
the version of the DVD, these functions can 
be selected either directly with the DVD 
control system or only via the DVD-specific 
menu. Refer to the information on your DVD 
for possible selections.
High levels of humidity inside the player 
can condense on the laser's scan lens and 
prevent it from reading the DVD.
Do not use combined CD/DVD, e.g. DVD+, 
as otherwise the CD/DVD can jam, prevent-
ing it from being ejected.< 

Using the phone in your vehicle
174
Using the phone in your vehicle
Safety notice
A car phone can provide many services, in 
an emergency even initiating a lifesaving 
rescue. However, bear the following in 
mind:
Adjustments
To avoid posing an unnecessary haz-
ard due to inattention, both to your 
own vehicle's occupants and to other road 
users: never attempt to use the controls or 
make entries unless traffic and road condi-
tions allow.<
Using the phone in your vehicle
Using a portable phone to make and 
receive calls while driving is now ille-
gal in virtually every country in the world. 
Always use your hands-free system, or 
stop your vehicle in an area where you will 
not pose a safety hazard to other road 
users and switch the engine off.<
Antenna 
When using the phone, ensure that all 
persons in the area are at least 20 in/
50 cm from the antenna. Never use your 
BMW portable phone if the antenna is dam-
aged. Contact between your skin and a 
damaged antenna can result in minor 
burns.
I f  t h e  a n t e n n a  i s  d a m a g e d ,  h a v e  i t  r e p l a c e d  
immediately.<
Special environmental conditions
Do not use your phone within a 
garage, or near an open hood. The air 
in these areas could contain fuel vapors, 
and the portable phone might generate 
sparks that could result in burns.
This same precaution applies to opening 
luggage compartment lids on vehicles 
equipped for operation using natural gas or 
hydrogen, and to all vehicles with luggage 
compartment-mounted batteries.Always switch off your BMW portable 
phone in areas where blasting work is 
being conducted with explosives. The 
phone signals could potentially act as a 
high-frequency transmitter and set off 
explosions.
Always switch off your BMW portable 
phone in areas where an increased explo-
sion danger is present. This category 
includes filling stations along with fuel and 
chemical storage depots, etc., and all areas 
in which the air can contain fuel, chemicals 
or metal particles. Under these conditions, 
your BMW portable phone could conceiv-
ably generate sparks that could lead to a 
fire or explosion. Always observe all legal 
regulations governing the use of portable 
phones in the vicinity of filling stations, 
chemical factories and other areas where 
an explosion potential exists. 
Never use the BMW portable phone in hos-
pitals, care centers or at other locations 
where medical equipment may be in oper-
ation, such as accident sites, etc.
Your wireless service provider can furnish 
you with more detailed information on legal 
regulations governing the use of your 
phone.<
Medical equipment
Portable phones can generate inter-
ference capable of preventing hearing 
aids and cardiac pacemakers from operat-
ing correctly. If you or any occupant of the 
vehicle use such equipment, consult a phy-
sician or the manufacturer of the equip-
ment to determine whether it is adequately 
shielded against high-frequency energy. 
Persons with cardiac pacemakers should 
bear the following in mind:
Always hold the switched-on BMW porta-
ble phone more than 6 in/15 cm away from 
the cardiac pacemaker. 
Do not carry the BMW portable phone in 
your breast pocket. 
Use the ear on the opposite side of the car-
diac pacemaker to reduce the likelihood of  

Refueling
186
Refueling 
Fuel filler door 
Always switch off the engine before 
refueling. If you do not, fuel cannot be 
filled into the tank and a message will 
appear in the Check Control.< 
To open and close: briefly press the rear 
edge of the fuel filler door. 
Manual release 
In the event of an electrical defect in the 
system, you can release the fuel filler door 
manually: 
1.Lift the handle to remove the cover 
panel on the right side of the luggage 
compartment 
2.Take the button with the fuel pump 
symbol from the bracket and pull it to 
unlock the fuel filler door. 
Always observe all applicable precau-
tions and regulations when handling 
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in 
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these 
containers can leak, cause an explosion, 
and lead to fire in the event of a collision.< 
Simple and environmentally friendly 
When handling fuels always observe 
any safety guidelines posted at the 
filling station.< 
Put the filler cap in the bracket attached to 
the fuel filler door. 
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Lifting the filler 
nozzle during refueling 
>results in premature pump shutoff 
>can lead to reduced efficiency in the 
fuel-vapor recovery system. 
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle 
clicks off the first time. 
Closing fuel filler cap
Close the filler cap carefully after refu-
eling, continuing until you hear the 
detent engage. While closing, be sure not 
to squeeze the strap which is fastened to 
the cap. A loose or missing cap will activate 
a message
* in the Check Control.< 
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 23.2 US gallons/88 liters, including 
the reserve capacity of approx. 2.6 gallons/
10 liters. 
Never attempt to continue driving 
until the tank is completely empty, as 
engine functions could be affected, and the 
vehicle could sustain damage as a result.<  

Mobility
 187Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Fuel specification 
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel
Premium unleaded gasoline,
minimum octane rating: 91
Minimum octane rating corresponds to the 
Anti Knock Index AKI and is determined 
according to the so-called (R+M)/2 
method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as other-
wise the lambda probe and catalytic 
converter will be permanently damaged.< 
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant 
differences in fuel quality: volatility, compo-
sition, additives, etc., among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. Fuels containing up to and includ-
ing 10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, that is, 
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equiv-
alent amount of co-solvent, will not void the 
applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may 
result in drivability, starting and stall-
ing problems, especially under certain 
environmental conditions such as high 
ambient temperature and high altitude. 
Should you encounter drivability problems 
which you suspect could be related to the 
fuel you are using, we recommend that you 
respond by switching to a recognized high-
quality brand. 
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance.< 

Mobility
 195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Engine compartment 
1Engine oil dip stick, refer to Checking oil 
level 
2Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath 
the microfilter cover197 
3Reservoir for windshield and headlamp 
washer system73 
4Engine oil filler neck196
5Vehicle identification number
6Coolant expansion tank196 
7Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting210 
Engine oil 
Checking oil level 
1.Park the vehicle on a level surface 
2.Switch the engine off after it has 
reached normal operating temperature 
3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean lint-
free cloth, paper towel, or similar mate-
rial 
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out again 5.The oil should extend to between the 
two marks on the dipstick. 
As is the case with fuel economy, the rate 
at which the engine uses oil is strongly 
influenced by driving style and operating 
conditions. 
The oil quantity between the two marks 
of the dipstick is approx. 1.65 US quarts/ 

Under the hood
196 1.5 liter. Do not fill beyond the upper mark 
on the dipstick. Excess oil can damage the 
engine. 
Adding engine oil
Wait until the level has dropped to just 
above the lower mark or a message 
appears in the Check Control before add-
ing oil. 
Store oil, grease etc., well out of the 
reach of children; always observe all 
warning labels on the containers.<
Specified engine oils 
The quality of the engine oil selected has 
critical significance for the operation and 
service life of an engine. BMW approves 
only specific oils after confirming their suit-
ability for use in its vehicles with extensive 
testing. 
Use only approved BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small 
amounts of another synthetic oil between 
oil changes. Use only oils with the API SH 
specification or higher. 
Ask your BMW center for details con-
cerning the specific BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils 
which have been approved.< 
You can also call BMW of North America 
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website: 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this informa-
tion. 
BMW engines are designed to oper-
ate without additives, and their use 
could even lead to damage in some 
cases.< 
Viscosity ratings 
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in 
SAE classes. 
The selection of the correct SAE class 
depends on the climatic conditions in the 
area where you typically drive your BMW. 
Approved oils are in SAE classes 
5W-40 and 5W-30.< 
These oils may be used for driving in all 
ambient temperatures.
Coolant 
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping 
coolant can cause burns.< 
Coolant consists of water and the addition 
of antifreeze and anticorrosion agent. Not 
all commercially available additives are 
suitable for your BMW. Ask your BMW cen-
ter for suitable additives. 
Only use suitable additives, as other-
wise engine damage may result. The 
additives present a health hazard; observe 
the instructions on the containers.<
Always observe all applicable rules 
and regulations for environmental 
protection when disposing of used anti-
freeze and anticorrosion agents.< 
Checking coolant level 
1.The engine must be at ambient temper-
ature
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank 
counterclockwise to allow any accumu-
lated pressure to escape, then continue 
turning to open 
3.The coolant level is correct when the 
coolant extends to between the MIN 
and MAX marks on the filler neck, refer 
to the diagram adjacent to the filler neck  

Maintenance
198
Maintenance 
The BMW Maintenance 
System 
The BMW Maintenance System serves to 
retain the operating and road safety of your 
BMW. The service schedule also includes 
operations related to the vehicle's comfort 
and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The aim is to optimize maintenance with 
regard to reducing the cost of running the 
vehicle. 
Should the day come when you decide to 
sell your BMW, you will find that a complete 
dealer service history is an asset of inesti-
mable value. 
CBS Condition Based Service 
Sensors and special algorithms take the 
different driving conditions of your BMW 
into account. As a result, Condition Based 
Service determines the current and future 
maintenance requirements. By letting you 
define a service and maintenance regimen 
that reflects your own individual require-
ments, the system forms the basis for trou-
ble-free driving.
The service requirement display, refer to 
page82, shows you the times or distances 
remaining until the deadlines for selected 
service and maintenance procedures, as 
well as legally-mandated inspections:
>Engine oil 
>Brakes, separate for front and rear 
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter >Brake fluid 
>Spark plugs 
>Vehicle check 
>Coolant 
>Legally prescribed inspections depend-
ing on national regulations. 
Your vehicle stores this information contin-
uously in the ignition key while the vehicle 
is being driven. After accessing the data 
stored in the vehicle key, your BMW service 
advisor is able to suggest precisely the 
right array of service procedures for your 
own individual vehicle. You should there-
fore hand over to the BMW service advisor 
the key you last used to drive when you 
take your vehicle for service.
Storage periods with the battery dis-
connected are not taken into account 
by the CBS maintenance system. Have the 
time-dependent service and maintenance 
operations, such as brake fluid and cool-
ant, and if necessary engine oil and the 
micro/activated charcoal filter, updated by 
a BMW center.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models 
Additional information on required service 
and maintenance operations is contained 
in the Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian mod-
els. 
BMW recommends having mainte-
nance and repairs carried out by your 
BMW center. 
Make sure that the maintenance operations 
are confirmed in the  Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models. These entries serve as 
proof of the regular maintenance per-
formed on your BMW.<  

Rules and regulations
200
Rules and regulations 
California laws 
Proposition 65 Warning 
California laws require us to issue the fol-
lowing warning: 
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components found in the interior 
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit 
chemicals known to the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects and 
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component 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 acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds. 
Wash your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that 
have caused cancer in laboratory animals. 
Always protect your skin by washing thor-
oughly with soap and water.< 
Event Data Recorders 
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or 
more sensing and diagnostic modules or a 
recording device capable of recording or 
transmitting certain vehicle data or infor-
mation. In addition, if you have a Subscrip-
tion Service Agreement for the BMW Assist 
system, certain vehicle information may be 
transmitted or recorded in order to provide 
such services.
OBD socket 
The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface 
socket is located on the left of the driver's 
side under the instrument panel and under 
a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it. 
The purpose of the OBD system is to 
ensure proper operation of the emission 
control system for the vehicle's lifetime. 
The system monitors emission-related 
components and systems for deterioration 
and malfunction. 
The warning lamp lights up. 
Worsening of the exhaust emission 
values. Have the vehicle checked 
as soon as possible. 
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly 
tightened, the OBD system can 
detect the vapor leak and the indicator 
lamp will light up. If the filler cap is subse-
quently tightened, the indicator lamp 
should go out within a few days.<