Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
37
>On the first attempt, engage the starter for
approx. 10 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway down.
Avoid frequent starting attempts in short
succession or repeated starting attempts
during which the engine does not start. Other-
wise, uncombusted or incompletely combusted
fuel will pose a risk of the catalytic converter
overheating and being damaged.<
Manual transmission
1.Engage the parking brake
2.Gearshift lever in idling position
3.Depress the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not depressed, the
engine cannot be started
4.Start the engine.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress footbrake
2.Place selector lever in position P or N
3.Start the engine.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Depress footbrake
2.Move selector lever to neutral position N
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, re-engage the
position last selected, refer to the display
in the instrument cluster, and then engage posi-
tion N again.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the ignition key while the
vehicle is still moving. If you did so, the
steering lock would engage when the steering
wheel is turned.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove the
ignition key and engage the steering lock.
Apply the parking brake when parking on steep
gradients, as the vehicle could otherwise start
to roll.<
You can have an acoustic signal set as a
reminder that the ignition key is still in the ignition switch after the driver's door has been
opened.<
Manual transmission
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0
2.Engage first gear or reverse gear.
Automatic transmission
1.Place the selector lever in position P
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Engage a drive position
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0. An
acoustic signal sounds if the engine is
switched off while position N is engaged.
Parking brake
The parking brake is designed primarily to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling when parked. It
operates against the rear wheels.
The indicator lamp lights up. As the
vehicle drives off, an acoustic signal
also sounds. The parking brake has
been applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
To engage
The detent engages automatically and the indi-
cator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
69
1.Close all windows
2.Increase the air supply from the air condi-
tioner or automatic climate control to a high
level. Refer to page58 or61.
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures occur with every vehi-
cle equipped with a catalytic converter.
Heat shields are installed adjacent to some sec-
tions of the exhaust system. Never remove
these shields; do not apply undercoating to
their surfaces. When driving, standing at idle
and parking the vehicle, take care to avoid con-
tact between the hot exhaust system and flam-
mable materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property damage.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the tires and
the road surface. This phenomenon can lead to
partial or complete loss of traction, vehicle con-
trol and braking effectiveness.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's engine,
the electrical systems and the transmission
may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, keep the vehicle from rolling
by using the parking brake rather than by
slipping the clutch, which would lead to a high
degree of clutch wear.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. If you are in a situation which requires
full braking, it is best to brake using maximum
brake pressure: panic stop. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can still
avoid possible obstacles with a minimum of
steering effort.Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
If the roads are wet or if there is heavy rain, it is
advisable to gently press the brakes for a brief
moment every few miles/kilometers. Watch
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneuver
does not endanger other road users. The
resulting heat dries the brake rotors and brake
pads. Immediate braking force is then available
if necessary.
Inclines
To prevent overheating and, as a result,
diminished braking effectiveness, drive
down long or steep downhill grades in a gear
which requires the least braking. Otherwise,
even light but consistent pedal pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
The braking power of the engine can be further
enhanced by downshifting the automatic trans-
mission in manual mode, if necessary, into first
gear; refer to pages39 and41. This prevents an
excessive load on the brakes.
Do not coast with the clutch depressed or
with the transmission or selector lever in
Neutral. Do not coast with the engine switched
off. Otherwise, the engine provides no braking
effect while the transmission is in idling posi-
tion, and there is no power-assist for braking or
steering when the engine is off.
Floor mats, floor carpets or other objects must
not be in the area near the brake or accelerator
pedal, as this could impair the movement of the
pedals.<
Corrosion on the brake rotors
Limited vehicle use, extended periods with the
vehicle parked or in storage, and operating con-
ditions in which braking is restricted to gentle,
low-pressure applications will all increase the
tendency for corrosion to form on the rotors and
contamination to accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal pres-
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
77
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to the
Anti Knock Index AKI and is determined by the
so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as otherwise
the lambda probe and catalytic converter
will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent 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 stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions 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 recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
107
Bandages, refer to First-aid
kit97
Bar, towing99
Battery94
– charging95
– disposal95
– indicator lamp12,94
– jump-starting97
– power supply interruption95
– remote control16
Belts, refer to Safety belts30
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts30
Beverage holders64
Blower
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Blower, refer to Air
supply59,62
BMW5
BMW Maintenance
System89
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders64
Brake fluid88
– filling88
– indicator/warning
lamp13,88
– level88
Brake force display52
Brake hydraulic system88
– indicator/warning
lamp13,88
Brake lamps
– brake force display52
– bulb replacement93
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp13
Brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– warning lamp88
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads88
– warning lamp13
Brake rotors
– brake system69
– break-in procedures68Brakes
– ABS50
– brake fluid88
– brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– indicator/warning
lamps13,51
– parking brake37
Brake system
– brake fluid88
– brake pads88
– break-in procedures68
– disc brakes69
– indicator lamp13
Breakdown
– Flat Tire Monitor52
Breakdown service, refer to
Mobile Service96
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential68
Break-in procedures68
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting97
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs91
Buttons in the multifunction
steering wheel10
C
California laws
– Event Data Recorders90
– Proposition 65 warning6
Can holders, refer to Beverage
holders64
Capacities105
Capacity
– luggage compartment, refer
to Weights103
Car battery94
Car care, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys16Carpet care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Car radio, refer to the separate
Owner's Manual
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system69
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
Center high-mount brake
lamp, bulb replacement93
Central locking system16
– interior18
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel94
– Run Flat tires94
Charge indicator lamp12,94
Check gas cap, indicator
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH35
Child-restraint systems33
Child seat, refer to
Installing child-restraint
systems34
Chrome parts, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter65
Cigarette lighter socket65
Cleaning the rear window,
refer to the Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure