21n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Indicator and warning lamps Red: an important reminder
Handbrake
*
Lights up with handbrake
engaged.
For additional information, refer to
page66
Handbrake warning lamp
* for
Canadian models
Please fasten safety belts +
Indicator lamp flashes or lights
up. In addition, a signal sounds
and, depending on the equipment, a
message* appears in the Check Con-
trol. Please check safety belts for cor-
rect placement.
The belt memory is activated when the
safety belt on the driver's side has not
yet been fastened.
The belt memory is also active from a
speed of approx. 5 mph/8 km/h when
the passenger belt has not yet been
fastened, heavy objects are placed on
the front passenger seat or passengers
sitting in the front remove their safety
belts.
For additional information on safety
belts, refer to page49
Airbags
+
Malfunction in airbag system.
Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page57
Yellow: check as soon as possible
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
+
Malfunction in the DBC system.
Please have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For details on DBC, refer to page94
Indication of the above-
described malfunction in Cana-
dian models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the oil
level is at the absolute minimum;
refill as soon as possible. Do not drive
more than approx. 30 miles/50 km until
you do.
For additional information, refer to
page150
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has
been switched off: add engine
oil at your earliest opportunity, e.g.
when you stop to refuel.
For additional information, refer to
page150
Automatic transmission
*
The automatic transmission
switches into the emergency
program due to a fault. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page69
Brake pads
* +
Have the condition of the brake
pads checked.
For additional information, refer to
page140
Self-leveling suspension
* +
The self-leveling suspension is
inactive. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to
page98
82n
Check Control Computer>TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG
*
Please consult the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center, refer to
page69
>CHECK BRAKE LININGS
Have the brake pads inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center, refer to page140
>CHECK COOLANT LEVEL
Coolant too low, top off at the next
opportunity, refer to page152
>ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG
Fault in the engine electronics.
You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine
speed.
Please have the system inspected by
your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
center.
Displays after completion of trip All of the malfunctions registered during
the trip appear consecutively when the
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when
appropriate:
>LIGHTS ON
>KEY IN IGNITION LOCK
>CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV
Top up engine oil at the next oppor-
tunity, e.g. while refueling, refer to
page150. This display appears when you open
the driver's door after parking the vehi-
cle. A supplementary acoustic signal is
also heard.
Status messages remain available with
the CHECK button 3 for a period of
approx. three minutes after the display
goes out and the key is removed from
the ignition lock. If there were multiple
messages, press the CHECK button
repeatedly to view them all in
sequence.
Checking Check Control Press the CHECK button 3 with the
ignition key in position 2:
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the
display.
No malfunctions are present in the
monitored systems. Computer You can find a description of the com-
puter on pages82 and88 as well as in
the Owner's Manual for Onboard Com-
puter.
You can have the Check Control
and computer messages dis-
played in a different language.<
Mode selection As of ignition key position 1, you can
call up information from the computer
using the computer button in the turn
signal lever.
A new function appears each time you
briefly press the computer button.
The display sequence:
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed.
As of ignition key position 1, the last
active setting is displayed.
The range of available displays varies
according to your individual vehicle's
equipment.530de228
136n
Moving parts should be allowed to
break in. To ensure that your vehicle
provides maximum economy through-
out a long service life, we request that
you observe the following instructions:
Engine and differential Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine speeds and
road speeds, but do not exceed
4,500 rpm and the following road
speeds during this initial period:
6-cylinder engines: 100 mph/160 km/h
8-cylinder engines: 106 mph/170 km/h
Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of
the transmission's kick-down mode
during these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/
2,000 km, the engine and vehicle
speeds can be gradually increased.Tires Due to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until after an
initial break-in period. Therefore, drive
reservedly during the first 200 miles/
300 km. Obey your local and state maximum
speed limits.
When the vehicle is operated on
wet or slushy roads, a wedge of
water may form between the tire and
the road surface. This phenomenon is
referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of trac-
tion, vehicle control and braking effec-
tiveness. Reduce your speed on wet
roads.<
Brake system Brakes require an initial break-in period
of approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
To break in the separate handbrake
drums, apply the handbrake lightly
when coasting to a standstill at a traffic
signal, for instance, provided that traffic
conditions allow you to do so.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this proce-
dure from time to time.
The brake lamps do not light up
when the handbrake is applied.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the
vehicle with the engine switched off,
when towing, for instance, substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be
required to brake the vehicle.<
ClutchThe function of the clutch is only at its
optimized level after a distance driven
of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During
this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.Following component
replacementsObserve the break-in instructions again
if previously addressed components
must be replaced again during driving
later.
Breaking-in
140n
Safe braking Emergency stops You brake most effectively when you
apply maximum pedal pressure in situa-
tions requiring it: emergency stops.
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.Brake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and
brake pedal travel has become longer,
there may be a defect in one of the two
brake system's hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center.
Here increased pressure on the brake
pedal may be required, and slight pull-
ing to the side and longer braking dis-
tances may result. Please remember to
adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Disc brakes When the vehicle is driven only occa-
sionally, during extended periods when
the vehicle is not used at all, and in
operating conditions where brake appli-
cations 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 dur-
ing brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they
will tend to respond to braking with a
pulsating effect which even extended
application will fail to cure.
When driving in wet conditions and in
heavy rain, it is advisable to apply light
pressure to the brake pedal from time
to time. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not
endanger other road users. The heat
generated in this process helps dry the
pads and rotors to ensure that the brak-
ing force is then immediately available
when required.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear in which
only minimal periodic brake application
is required. This avoids excessive strain on the brakes and possible impairment
of the braking effect.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in neutral. Do not
drive with the engine switched off. The
engine provides no braking effect when
the clutch is depressed or the transmis-
sion is in neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is not running.
BMW recommends having brake
inspections performed at a BMW
Sports Activity Vehicle center only. If
you do not, parts of the 4-wheel drive
system could be damaged.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any
other objects to protrude into the area
around the accelerator, clutch and
brake pedals and obstruct their move-
ment.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only
brake pads that BMW has
released for your particular vehicle
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if
they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Everything from A to Z
185n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
B
Backrests, refer to Adjusting
seats45,46
Backup lamps67
replacing bulbs161
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit24
Bar, towing173
Battery168
disposal168
indicator lamp19
jump starting171
power failure169
remote control30
Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Beverage holder, refer to
Cup holders121
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning76
Blower
air conditioner108
automatic climate
control112
refer to Air
supply108,112
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil151
BMW Maintenance
System154Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders121
Brake fluid153
adding153
level153
replacing153
warning lamp19
Brake Force Display101
Brake hydraulic system140
warning lamp19,20
Brake lamps, replacing
bulbs161
Brake pads140
breaking-in136
warning lamp19,21
Brake rotors
brake system140
breaking-in136
Brake system
brake fluid153
brake fluid level140,153
brake pads140
breaking-in136
disc brakes140
warning lamp19
Brake wear warning
brake pads140
indicator lamp19,21Brakes140
ABS94
brake fluid153
brake pads140
breaking-in136
handbrake66
indicator/warning
lamp19,20
Breakdown assistance, refer
to Roadside
Assistance170
Breakdown, Flat Tire
Monitor101
Breaking-in136
Buttons on steering
wheel23
C
California Proposition
65 Warning9
Calling, refer to telephone
Owner's Manual
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders121
Capacities181
cargo area180
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys30
Car radio, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
ComputerCar telephone
preparation119
Car telephone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting, refer to
Power socket122
Car wash, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care of paintwork, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo area126
capacity180
cover, refer to Roll-up
cover126
emergency operation,
refer to Unlocking
manually35,36
floor cover129
increasing capacity126
lamps106
lid, refer to Liftgate/
tailgate35,36
opening, remote
control31
Cargo floor, pull-out130