
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 35
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up. Malfunc-
tion in the engine electronics. You can 
continue to drive with reduced engine 
output or speed. Have the system checked 
immediately.
Starting engine 
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal. 
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the vehicle. 
A locking mechanism prevents the engine from 
starting if the clutch is not depressed.
Do not end the starting procedure too early, but 
do not prolong it for more than 20 seconds. 
Release the ignition key immediately as soon as 
the engine starts.
If the engine fails to start on the first attempt, for 
instance, if it is very hot or cold:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down while 
engaging the starter. 
During a cold start at very low temperatures, 
below approx. +57/–156, at high altitudes 
over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>Engage the starter for approx. 10 seconds 
the first time.
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway down 
while engaging the starter.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned or inadequately burned and there is 
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Shift into neutral.
3.Press the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not pressed, the engine 
cannot be started.
4.Start the engine.Before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running, place the gearshift lever in neu-
tral position and engage the handbrake.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard.<
Automatic transmission
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Engage selector-lever position P or N.
3.Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and engage the 
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running. Never leave an unattended 
vehicle with the engine running, as such a vehi-
cle represents a potential safety hazard.<
Switching off engine 
Do not remove the ignition key when the 
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the steer-
ing could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
ignition key and lock the steering.
When parking on downward inclines, engage 
the handbrake.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Engage selector-lever position P, turn ignition 
key to position 1 or 0.
Handbrake 
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels. 
Indicator lamp 
The indicator lamp lights up red. An 
acoustic signal also sounds when you 
begin to drive. The handbrake is 
engaged. 

Things to remember when driving
74 Pulsation at the brake pedal combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits indicates to 
the driver that ABS is in its active mode. 
Wet roads 
While driving in wet conditions and in heavy 
rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure to 
the brake pedal every few miles. Watch traffic 
conditions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The heat which 
is generated by the brake applications helps to 
dry the brake pads and rotors. The full braking 
force will then be available when you need it. 
Hills 
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or 
steep downhill gradients in the gear in which 
the least braking is required. Otherwise, even 
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
You can further enhance the engine's braking 
effect by selecting a lower gear in the automatic 
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as 
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches, 
refer to page37. This strategy helps you avoid 
placing excessive loads on the brake system. 
During slower downhill driving, use the HDC Hill 
Descent Control, refer to page48.
Never drive with the clutch engaged, the 
transmission in Neutral or with the engine 
switched off, as otherwise there is no engine 
braking when the transmission is in neutral, and 
no power-assist for brakes and steering with 
the engine switched off. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or other objects 
to protrude into the area around the brake or 
accelerator pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Corrosion on brake rotors 
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached. 
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure. 
Cargo loading 
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result 
can assume the form of a sudden air loss.<
Determining load limit 
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX Ibs. or YYY kg, as otherwise the vehicle 
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.< 
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 101
light-alloy wheels, different lug bolts may 
also be required.
4.Screw in the remaining lug bolts. Tighten all 
the bolts securely in a diagonal pattern.
5.Lower the jack and remove it from beneath 
the vehicle.
After mounting
1.Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
To ensure safety, always have the lug 
bolts checked with a calibrated 
torque wrench as soon as possible to 
ensure that they are tightened to the speci-
fied torque. The tightening torque is 
101lbft/140Nm.< 
2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo area.
3.Check and correct the tire inflation pressure 
at the earliest opportunity.
Protect valve stems and valve stem 
seal caps against dirt and contamina-
tion. Dirt in valve stems is a frequent source 
of gradual air loss.< 
4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page49.
Do not initialize the system when driv-
ing with the compact wheel.< 
5.Replace the damaged tire with a new one as 
soon as possible and have the new wheel 
balanced.
Driving with compact wheel 
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Do not deacti-
vate DSC, as otherwise unstable driving condi-
tions may result.< 
The driving characteristics change, for example 
reduced track stability on braking, extended 
braking distance, and altered self-steering 
characteristics in the limit range. In conjunction 
with winter tires, these characteristics are more 
pronounced. 
Only one compact wheel may be 
mounted. You should re-equip with 
wheels and tires of the original size as quickly as 
possible.<
Vehicle battery 
Maintenance
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 Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
will be happy to consult you on all questions 
concerning the battery.
Warning lamp 
The warning lamp lights up. The bat-
tery is no longer being charged. The 
alternator V-belt is defective or there is 
a malfunction in the charge current circuit of the 
alternator. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.
Do not continue driving if the V-belt is 
defective. The engine could be damaged 
due to overheating. 
Moreover, an increased amount of force is 
required for steering if there is a sharp drop in 
the onboard supply voltage.< 
Charging battery 
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the 
engine is not running. Use the connections pro-
vided in the engine compartment. For connec-
tions, refer to Jump starting on page104. 
Disposal 
Have old batteries disposed of following 
replacement at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center or bring them to a collection 
point. Maintain the battery in an upright position 
for transport and storage. Always secure the 
battery to prevent it from tipping over during 
transport.<