Special operating instructions
68
Special operating instructions
Break-in procedures
Moving parts need to be given some time until
they can interact smoothly with one another. To
ensure that your vehicle provides maximum
economy throughout a long service life, we
request that you observe the following:
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following engine or road speed:
4,500 rpm / 4,500/min or 100 mph / 160 km/h.
Obey your local and state maximum speed lim-
its.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid press-
ing the accelerator beyond the kickdown point.
After you have driven 1,200 miles/2,000 km,
you can gradually increase the engine or road
speeds.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the
break-in period.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until an initial break-in period has
elapsed. You should therefore drive with extra
caution during the first 200 miles/300 km.
Obey your local and state maximum speed lim-
its.
When the vehicle is operated on wet or
slushy roads, a wedge of water may form
between the tire and the road surface. This phe-
nomenon is referred to as hydroplaning and can
lead to partial or complete loss of traction, vehi-
cle control and braking effectiveness. Reduce
your speed on wet roads.<
Brake system
Approx. 300 miles/500 km must elapse before
the brake pads and rotors achieve their optimal
surface and wear pattern.
To break in the separate parking brake drums,
apply the parking brake lightly when coasting to
a standstill – at a traffic signal, for instance; use
caution to avoid posing a danger to other road
users.
To avoid corrosion, repeat this procedure from
time to time.
The brake lamps do not come on when the
parking brake is set.
Vacuum for the brake system servo unit
on your BMW is available only when the
engine is running. When you move the car with
the engine off, e.g. by towing, substantially
higher levels of pedal force will be required to
brake the vehicle.<
Clutch
The clutch will achieve its optimal functionality
after approx. 300 miles/500 km. Shift gears
carefully during the break-in period.
After replacing components
Follow the same break-in procedure again if any
of the components mentioned above have to be
replaced in the future.
Driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely
closed, otherwise exhaust fumes could pene-
trate into the interior of the vehicle.<
Should it be absolutely necessary to operate
the vehicle with the luggage compartment lid
open and with the convertible top closed:
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-
In the engine compartment
88
Checking the coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture
2.Open the cap of the expansion tank by turn-
ing it slightly counterclockwise to allow
accumulated pressure to escape, then
open completely
3.The coolant level is correct when the upper
end of the red float is at least even with the
upper edge of the filler neck but no more
than 3/4 in/2 cm above it, that is up to the
second mark on the float. Refer also to the
schematic diagram next to the filler neck
4.Slowly add coolant, if necessary, until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill
5.Turn the cap clockwise until it is tightly
closed
6.Have the cause for the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up although
the parking brake is not engaged:
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
At the same time, you may notice that brake
pedal travel is longer. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
If you continue driving, extended pedal
travel may be necessary and braking dis-
tances may be significantly longer. Be sure to
adapt your driving style accordingly.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake
pads have worn down to the minimum
safe limit. Have the brake pads
replaced as soon as possible.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
which BMW has approved for your spe-
cific vehicle model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if they are
suitable for use, and therefore cannot guaran-
tee the operating safety of the vehicle in the
event of their use.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
93
Front turn signal indicators
21 watt bulb
1.Insert a Phillips-head screwdriver from the
onboard toolkit into the appropriate open-
ing, arrows1
2.Turn the screwdriver to the left, arrows2
3.Use the Phillips-head screwdriver to pull
out the entire bulb holder
4.Replace the bulb
5.Install in the reverse order.
Side turn signal indicators
5 watt bulb
1.Turn the lamp to the left and remove
2.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left to remove
3.Install in the reverse order.
Rear lamps
Tail lamps1: 21/4 watt bulbs
Remaining bulbs: 21 watt
1Tail lamp/brake lamp, red
2Turn signal indicator, yellow
3Backup lamp, white
On the right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment:
1.Remove the cover by turning the lock to the
right; refer to the detail in the illustration
2.Applying light pressure, turn the bulb to the
left. Remove and exchange the bulb
3.Reinstall the cover.
Center high-mount brake lamp
The LED strip is in the luggage compartment
lid.
Giving and receiving assistance
96
Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistance
The BMW Group's Mobile Service offers you
24-hour assistance in the event of a breakdown,
even on weekends and holidays.
The telephone number of the Mobile Service
control center in your country is listed in the
Contact brochure.
If your vehicle has the necessary equipment,
you can contact the Mobile Service or issue an
emergency call using buttons in the center con-
sole, behind the parking brake under a cover.
When the emergency call is initiated, a tele-
phone connection is established with the BMW
Assist response center.
If your vehicle is equipped with an activated
BMW Assist and the current location of the
vehicle can be determined, this location is
transmitted to the BMW Assist response cen-
ter.
Requirements for initiating an emergency call or
contacting Mobile Service:
>Ignition key in position 1 or higher
>The car phone must be registered with a
mobile network
>The emergency call system must be opera-
tional.
Access to the buttons
Fold up the cover.
1Emergency call
2Roadside Assistance
Initiating an emergency call*
Press button1 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up. As
soon as a telephone connection to the BMW
Assist response center has been set up, the
indicator lamp flashes.
If the indicator lamp is flashing but you cannot
hear the emergency call center, you may still be
heard by the emergency call center.
For technical reasons, the emergency call
function cannot be guaranteed in certain
unfavorable conditions.<
If certain requirements are met, an emergency
call is automatically initiated after a serious
accident. The automatic emergency call will not
be hindered by pressing the button.
Roadside Assistance*
Press button2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up. As
soon as a telephone connection to the Road-
side Assistance has been set up, the indicator
lamp flashes.
Depending on the country you are in, your vehi-
cle's current location will also be transmitted if
your vehicle is equipped with an activated BMW
Assist function.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is stored in the rear lug-
gage compartment panel.
Giving and receiving assistance
98 positive terminal of the battery or to an aux-
iliary jump-starting terminal of the vehicle to
be jump-started.
Your BMW is equipped with a special nut,
refer also to the engine compartment over-
view on page85
3.With the– jumper cable, connect the nega-
tive terminals of both vehicles.
To do this:
Attach one cable clamp to the negative bat-
tery terminal or to a suitable ground on the
engine or body work of the support vehicle.
Attach the second cable clamp to the nega-
tive battery terminal or to a suitable ground
on the engine or body work of the vehicle to
be jump-started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the support vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly ele-
vated engine idle speed
2.Start the engine of the other vehicle as
usual.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge
3.Allow the engines to run for several minutes
4.Then disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence
5.Depending on the cause of the fault, have
the battery checked and recharged.
Never use spray starter fluids to start the
engine.<
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle
Using the towing eyelet
The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains in the
vehicle at all times. It can be attached at the
front or rear of your BMW.
Observe the following instructions in
order to avoid damaging the towing eye-
let or the vehicle: use only the towing eyelet
supplied with the vehicle, and screw it in firmly
until it stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing
on paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the tow-
ing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not lift the
vehicle using the towing eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socket
Press out the cover with a screwdriver inserted
in the recess at the top.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, because the steering lock could
otherwise engage and the vehicle could no
longer be steered. There is no power assist
while the engine is off. Therefore, you will need
to exert more force to brake and steer the vehi-
cle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if required
by national regulations. If the electrical system
has failed, clearly identify the vehicle being
towed, e.g. by placing a sign or a warning trian-
gle in the rear window.
Vehicles with manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idling position.
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
Everything from A to Z
108 Clock47,48
– 12- or 24-hour mode48
– refer to Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
– setting47
Clothes hooks25
Clutch, break-in
procedures68
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to
Starting the engine36
Compact disc operation, refer
to Owner's Manual for
Radio/Onboard Computer
Compartments64
Computer48
– clock, 12- or 24-hour
mode48
– refer to Owner's Manual for
Onboard Computer
Computer, refer to Onboard
Computer48
Condensation, refer to Air
conditioning mode59,62
Condensation, removing from
windows
– air conditioning60
– automatic climate control62
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory,
Key Memory31
Connecting a vacuum cleaner,
refer to Power socket65
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption49
Consumption display, refer to
Fuel gauge46
Contents3
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit10
Controls, lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting57
Convenience operation
– convertible top18
– from outside18
– windows18Convertible top20,21
– care, refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– convenience operation18
– electrical fault23
– emergency closing23
– fully automatic21
– malfunction23
– manual20
– mechanical20
Convertible top compartment
panel19
Coolant87
– indicator lamp13
– level88
– thermometer46
Coolant water, refer to
Coolant87
Cooling
– maximum62
– refer to Air conditioning
mode59,62
Cooling system, refer to
Capacities105
Copyright2
Correct tires82
Cruise control44
Cruising range49
Cup holders, refer to
Beverage holders64
Curb weight, refer to
Weights103
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data102
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Data, technical102
– capacities105
– dimensions104
– engine data102
– weights103
Daytime driving lamps56
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control50
– warning lamp13,51
Defective bulb56Defrosting rear window
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control63
Defrosting windows60,62
Defrosting windows and
removing condensation
– air conditioning60
– automatic climate control62
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows60,62
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows60,62
Digital clock47
Dimensions104
Dimming mirrors70
Dipstick, engine oil86
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signal indicators42
Disc brakes69
Displacement, refer to Engine
data102
Display elements12
Display lighting,
refer to Instrument
lighting57
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Disposal
– of engine oil87
– vehicle battery95
Distance remaining, refer to
Range49
Door key16
Door lock17
Doors, unlocking and locking
– from inside18
– from outside16,17
DOT quality grades80
Draft-free ventilation59,63
Driving Dynamic Control41
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams56
Driving notes68
– break-in procedures68
– driving tips68
Driving stability control50
Driving stability control
systems50