
Notes
6
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e. g. the use of 
modern materials and high-performance 
electronics, requires specially adapted mainte-
nance and repair methods. Therefore, only have 
corresponding work on your BMW carried out 
by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If work is car-
ried out improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety risks.<
California Proposition 65 warning
California laws require us to state the following 
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings 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 fluids contained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to the State of CA to 
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro-
ductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Batter-
ies also contain other chemicals known to the 
State of California to cause cancer. Wash your 
hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always 
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with 
soap and water.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use parts and acces-
sories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Original BMW Parts, you 
simultaneously acquire the assurance that they 
have been thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed on your 
vehicle. BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation, or its occupants. 
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW retailers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any portable cellular 
phone from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna, or transceiver 
equipment, e.g. C.B., walkie-talkie, ham radio or 
similar, may cause extensive damage to the 
vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere with 
the vehicle's electrical system or affect the 
validity of the BMW Limited Warranty. See your 
BMW center for additional information. 
Do not use key or remote control to lock doors 
or trunk with anyone inside the vehicle. Refer to 
the Owner's Manual for more details.<
Maintenance, replacement or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.< 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 13
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
various colors and combinations.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue driving cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system checked soon
or
for your information
>Green or blue:
For your information. Engine oil pressure/Engine oil level/
Engine oil sensor 
+86
Brake system 
+ 
Parking brake released88
Parking brake applied37
With other warning lamps51
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving 
stability control systems 
+50
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving 
stability control systems for Canadian 
models
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC
 +50
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC 
+50
Flat Tire Monitor 
+52
Automatic transmission/Sequential 
manual gearbox SMG 
+39, 41
Brake pads 
+88
Add coolant87
Check gas cap 
+76
Service engine soon 
+90
Service engine soon indicator lamp for 
Canadian models
Defective bulb56
Turn signal indicators42
Fog lamps57
Headlamp flasher/High beams42, 57
Electric Power Steering 
+42
Doors or luggage compartment lid 
open
Engine electronics 
+ 
Malfunction in the engine electronics. 
You can continue to drive with 
reduced engine output or engine 
speed. Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center. 

Driving
36
Driving
Ignition lock 
0 Steering locked 
This is the only position in which the ignition key 
can be inserted or removed.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel 
slightly to the left or right until the lock engages.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic signal 
sounds when the driver's door is opened.
Interlock 
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
In order to turn the key back to position0 or to 
remove it, move the selector level into position 
P first.
1 Steering unlocked
You will find that it is often easier to turn the 
ignition key from position0 to 1 if you move the 
steering wheel slightly to help disengage the 
detent.
Individual electrical equipment and accessories 
are available for use.
2 Ignition switched on 
All systems are operational.
3 Starting engine
Engine 
Engine idle speed is controlled by the engine 
computer system. Increased speeds at start-up are normal and should decrease as the engine 
warms up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, always 
deactivate electrical devices that are not in use. 
Switch the ignition off when the vehicle is not 
being driven.
Do not leave the engine running in 
enclosed spaces. Otherwise, inhaling the 
hazardous exhaust gases could lead to uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases con-
tain carbon monoxide, an odorless and color-
less, but highly toxic gas. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the 
engine running. An unattended vehicle with a 
running engine poses a safety hazard. 
Before you leave the vehicle with the engine 
running, place the engine in idle first or engage 
the P position and apply the parking brake. If 
you fail to do this, the vehicle could move.<
Starting the engine 
Do not press the accelerator pedal while start-
ing the engine.
Do not let the engine warm up in idling position. 
Instead, begin to drive at moderate engine 
speeds.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the vehi-
cle. A lockout prevents the engine from starting 
if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not end the starting procedure too early, but 
do not continue it for more than 20 seconds. 
Release the ignition key immediately when the 
engine starts.
If the engine fails to start on the first attempt, 
e.g. if it is very hot or cold:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down.
Cold starts at very low temperatures, below 
approx. +57/–156, and at high altitudes, 
above 3,300 ft/1,000 m: 

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. 

Driving
38
To release
Pull up slightly on the lever, press the button 
and lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it should 
be necessary to engage the parking brake 
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it with 
excessive pressure. Keep the release button on 
the parking brake lever pressed down while 
pulling up the lever.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking and 
loss of traction, fishtailing, at the rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when the 
parking brake is engaged.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing, apply the parking brake lightly from 
time to time when coasting to a standstill at a 
traffic signal, for example, provided that it is safe 
to do so.<
Manual transmission 
6-gear transmission*
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged by accidentally 
engaging 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. Press 
the gearshift lever to the left to overcome the 
resistance.
As you do this, the backup lamps will come on 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to operating the Steptronic as a fully 
automatic transmission, you can also shift 
gears manually with it, refer to page39.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + —
Available indicators 
P R N D SD M1 to M5
The selector lever position is displayed; in the 
manual mode, the gear currently engaged is 
shown.
Range selection
>The selector lever can be moved out of 
position P when the ignition is switched on 
or the engine is running: interlock
>While the vehicle is stationary and before 
shifting out of P or N, depress the footbrake 
in order to disengage the selector lever's 
lock mechanism: shiftlock.
Hold the footbrake down until starting off. 
The vehicle will otherwise start to move 
when a drive position is engaged. 

Driving
40
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*
The concept
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is an 
automated manual gearbox with which clutch-
ing and shifting is assumed by an electro-
hydraulic system.
The SMG is operated via two shift paddles on 
the steering wheel and the selector lever in the 
center console.
It offers the following functions:
>Optionally manual or automatic operation: 
sequential mode or drive mode
>Ability to choose between two different 
driving programs: standard or Sport, refer to 
page41
>Protection against misshifting, and auto-
matic downshifting at minimum engine rpm 
even in sequential mode
>Kickdown function in the drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page42.
The SMG is ready for operation when the igni-
tion key is in position 2.
Selector lever positions
You can see the current selector lever position 
in the center console.
>R: Reverse
>N: Neutral
>One-touch functions for the sequential 
mode
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting>D: Drive mode.
N is automatically selected if the driver's 
door is opened while the engine is run-
ning and the driver does not actuate the pedals, 
the shift paddles or the selector lever. 
This is accompanied by an acoustic signal and a 
flashing N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear indicator
R N 1 to 6
The gear currently engaged is displayed; in the 
Drive mode, a D appears in front of the gear
Shiftlock
While the vehicle is stationary and before shift-
ing out of N, depress the footbrake, as other-
wise the desired gear shift is not executed.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Sequential mode
Each time the engine is started, the sequential 
mode is activated as soon as you move the 
selector lever towards the right while depress-
ing the brake pedal.
The gear is changed via the shift paddles or the 
selector lever.
It is also possible to drive off in second gear, e.g. 
on slippery roads.
D Drive mode
In the drive mode all forward gears are shifted 
automatically.
To switch from sequential to drive mode: tap 
the selector lever to the right toward D. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 41
Kickdown:
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during passing, 
depress the accelerator pedal completely. You 
achieve maximum acceleration.
To switch back to sequential mode: tap the 
selector lever again to the right toward D, or 
change the current gear via the shift paddles or 
the selector lever.
When driving off on inclines, drive 
smoothly without pausing. Do not keep 
the vehicle in place by depressing the accelera-
tor pedal; instead, apply the parking brake. Oth-
erwise, the gearbox could overheat.<
Shifting gears
With selector lever
>To upshift, tap the selector lever toward +
>To downshift, tap the lever toward –.
With shift paddles on steering wheel
>To upshift, pull one of the shift paddles
>To downshift, push the paddle.
In the following situations, the SMG in the 
sequential mode assists you:
>The transmission will only execute upshifts 
and downshifts that will result in an appro-
priate combination of vehicle speed and 
engine rpm. For instance, downshifts that 
would result in excessive engine speed 
cannot be executed
>During a stop the gearbox is automatically 
downshifted into first gear
>Shortly before a gear-dependent minimum 
speed is reached, the gearbox automatically 
shifts down without you taking any action.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up. The trans-
mission system is malfunctioning. 
Avoid heavy loads.
All of the selector lever positions can continue 
to be engaged; in the forward drive positions, 
however, the vehicle will be operating in a 
restricted gear range only. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
Towing and tow-starting, refer to page98; 
Jump starting, refer to page97.
Overheating
An acoustic warning signal sounds. The gear-
box is overheating. If possible, stop the vehicle 
or drive off swiftly so that the system can cool 
off again.
Driving Dynamic Control
Driving Dynamic Control allows your BMW to 
react in a sportier driving style at the touch of a 
button:
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to any motion of the accelerator pedal
>The vehicle is steered more directly and 
traction is enhanced
>Cruise control:
When the speed last stored is called up, this 
speed is attained more quickly.
Additional features with SMG:
>Gears are shifted more quickly
>The engine speed range is optimally utilized 
in the drive mode.
With automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 45
is reduced by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h every 
time you tap the button.
Hold the lever in position2:
With the cruise control active, the system auto-
matically reduces the throttle opening to slow 
the vehicle. As soon as you release the lever, 
the system stores and maintains the current 
speed.
To recall the stored speed
Press the lever briefly in direction 3:
The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the 
last speed stored.
To deactivate the system
Press the lever briefly in direction 4:
The cruise control is deactivated immediately.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated in response to the following conditions:
>When you apply the brakes
>When you depress the clutch or move the 
automatic selector lever from D to N
>If you exceed or fall below the preset speed 
for an extended period, for example by 
depressing the accelerator
>If DSC is in action.
You can recall the speed last stored.
Cruise control is also deactivated when the igni-
tion key is turned to position 0.
The stored speed is cleared in this case.