
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator and warning lamps12
3Tachometer46
with indicator and warning lamps12
4Engine coolant temperature gauge46
5Fuel gauge46
6Button for
>Time47
>Service interval display47
7Display field for selector lever and program 
indicator
>Automatic transmission
*38
>Sequential manual gearbox SMG
*40
8Button for
>Trip odometer, reset to zero46
>Setting time47
9Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer46
>Clock47
>Service interval47
>Computer
*48
Indicator and warning lamps 
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified 
by 
+ are tested for proper functioning whenever 
the ignition key is turned. They each light up 
once for different periods of time.
If a malfunction occurs in one of the monitored 
systems, the corresponding light does not go 
out after the engine has started, or it lights up 
again while the vehicle is in motion. You can find 
more information about each system on the 
specified pages.
Safety belt reminder +30
Airbags 
+53
Battery charge current 
+94 

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
 39
A detent prevents inadvertent shifting into 
selector lever positions R and P. To disengage 
the detent, press the button on the front of the 
selector lever knob, see arrow.
PPark
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The 
transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels 
from turning.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
NNeutral
Select this, for example, in car washes. The 
vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic shift program
This position is designed for driving under all 
normal operating conditions. All forward gears 
are available.
Kickdown 
With kickdown, you achieve maximum acceler-
ating performance.
Depress the accelerator pedal past the 
increased resistance point at the full-throttle 
position.
M/S Manual mode and Sport program 
Move the selector lever from position D to the 
left into the M/S range:
The Sport program is activated. This is indi-
cated by the display SD in the instrument clus-
ter. This position is recommended for perfor-
mance-oriented driving. The Sport program is 
enabled automatically when the Driving 
Dynamic Control system is activated, refer to 
page41.
Steptronic enters the manual selection mode 
and executes the desired shift whenever you 
tap the selector lever in the direction indicated 
by + or –. M1 to M 5 appear in the instrument 
cluster.
The transmission will only execute upshifts and 
downshifts that will result in an appropriate 
combination of vehicle speed and engine rpm. 
For instance, downshifts that would result in 
excessive engine speed will not be executed. 
The desired gear will appear briefly in the 
instrument cluster, followed by the actual gear.
To use the automatic transmission mode again, 
move the selector lever to the right to position 
D.
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 immediately.
Towing and jump starting beginning with 
page97. 

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
 47
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may rise as 
far as the edge of the red sector during normal 
operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning 
lamp1 comes on briefly to indicate an opera-
tional check.
Comes on while driving: 
The engine has overheated. Stop and switch 
the engine off immediately and allow it to cool 
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to page87.
Service interval display 
Remaining distance to next service 
The displays shown in the illustration appear for 
a few seconds when the ignition key is in 
position 1 or after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the message 
OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION, together with 
the distance remaining in miles – in kilometers 
in Canada – before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the 
remaining distance on the preceding driving 
style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in front of 
the number mean that the service interval has 
already been exceeded by the distance shown 
on the display. Please contact your BMW center 
for an appointment.
Outside temperature
If the vehicle is not equipped with a computer, 
the display in the instrument cluster always 
shows the outside temperature.
Clock 
If you wish to have a permanent time display, 
you can have it appear in the car radio display, 
refer to the Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display in the 
car radio as follows.
To set 
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Keep button2 pressed for several seconds 
until the hours are displayed and the colon 
flashes
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the required 
hour is set
Minutes
3.Press button2 to switch to the minutes dis-
play 

Everything under control
48 4.Press button1 repeatedly until the required 
minutes are set
5.Press button2 to confirm the settings.
The set time of day is transferred to the car 
radio display or appears in the instrument clus-
ter display.
Display mode
In ignition key position 0: 
Press button1.
The time of day is displayed for several sec-
onds.
Computer* 
Mode selection
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, you 
can use the onboard computer button BC in the 
turn signal lever to retrieve information from the 
computer for display in the instrument cluster.
Every time you tap the onboard computer but-
ton BC, another function is displayed.
The order of the displays:
>Time
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range
>Average speed.
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the 
last active setting is displayed.
If you wish, you can have all the displays 
of the following functions shown in 
another unit of measure.<
Outside temperature 
To change the unit of measure, °F/°C
While the temperature display is active, keep 
the onboard computer button BC in the turn 
signal lever pressed until the display changes.
Ice warning
If the outside temperature drops to approx. 
37.57/36, the computer automatically 
switches to the outside temperature display.
A signal also sounds and the display flashes for 
a short time.
Clock 
Setting the 12-hour or 24-hour mode*
If the vehicle is equipped with a computer, you 
can have the time displayed in either a 12-hour 
or 24-hour mode.
While the time display is active, press the 
onboard computer button BC in the turn signal 
lever until the display changes. 

Technology for safety and driving convenience
50
Technology for safety and driving 
convenience
Driving stability control 
systems 
Your BMW is equipped with a series of systems 
that help maintain driving stability even in 
adverse driving situations.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during 
braking. Steering stability is maintained even 
during full brake applications. In this way, active 
safety is enhanced.
ABS is operational each time the engine is 
started. Braking safely, refer to page69.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls brake-force application at 
the rear wheels in order to obtain increased sta-
bility in the vehicle's braking response.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC 
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this 
system automatically supplies maximum brake-
servo boost, thereby helping to keep the vehi-
cle's braking distance as short as possible dur-
ing full brake applications. At the same time, the 
benefits of the ABS are also exploited.
As long as you are braking, do not reduce pres-
sure on the brake pedal. When the brake pedal 
is released, the DBC is switched off.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels while 
starting off and accelerating the vehicle. DSC 
also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, 
such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In these 
cases, and subject to physical limits, DSC helps 
to keep the vehicle on a steady course by 
reducing engine speed and by applying brakes 
at individual wheels.The laws of physics cannot be repealed 
even with DSC. It will always be the 
driver's responsibility to drive in a manner that 
matches road conditions. Therefore, do not 
limit the additional safety margin by practicing 
risky driving.<
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 
DTC is a variant of the DSC in which forward 
momentum is optimized for special road condi-
tions, e.g. snow-covered roads that have not 
yet been cleared. The system ensures maxi-
mum forward momentum, but driving stability is 
limited. Therefore, drive carefully in accordance 
with conditions.
In the following exceptional circumstances, it 
may be effective to activate the DTC for a short 
period:
>When driving on snow-covered grades, in 
slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads
>When rocking the vehicle or starting off in 
deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Reactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
goes out in the instrument cluster. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 51
Deactivating DTC and DSC at the same 
time
Press and hold the button for at least 
3 seconds; the DSC indicator lamp lights up in 
the instrument cluster. No more interventions 
to increase stability and forward momentum are 
carried out.
To enhance vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as 
soon as possible.
Reactivating DSC
Press the button briefly; the indicator lamp goes 
out in the instrument cluster.
Checking 
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating drive torque 
and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC and DSC have been deactivated together 
by pressing the DTC button.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC has been activated by pressing 
the DTC button.
The DSC indicator lamp flashes and the 
DTC indicator lamp is lit:
DTC is actively regulating drive torque 
and braking forces.
Malfunction in the driving stability 
control systems
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in red, together with the yellow 
indicator lamps for ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control systems 
have failed.
Continue driving cautiously and defensively. 
Avoid hard brake applications. Have the system 
checked immediately.
Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.
The DSC warning lamp lights up 
together with the yellow warning lamp 
for the brake system:
DSC, including DTC and DBC, are mal-
functioning.
The stabilizing interventions are no longer avail-
able. The vehicle remains operational. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.