
 
18
 
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 dif-
ferent periods of time.
If a fault should occur in one of these 
systems, the corresponding lamp does 
not go out after the engine is started, or 
it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see how to react to this below.
 
Red: stop immediately
 
Battery charge current
 
●
 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective 
alternator drive belt or a problem with 
the alternator's charge circuit. please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
If the drive belt is defective, stop 
and switch off the engine immedi-
ately to prevent overheating and seri-
ous engine damage. If the drive belt is 
defective, increased steering effort is 
also required.
 
<
 
Engine oil pressure
 
●
 
The engine oil pressure is too 
low. Stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and switch off the engine. It is not 
possible to continue driving. Please 
contact the nearest BMW center.
Do not continue driving, as the 
engine could sustain serious dam-
age from inadequate lubrication.
 
<
 
Brake warning lamp
 
●
 
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
check the brake fluid level. It is very 
important that you follow the instruc-
tions on page 128 before driving on. 
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
In addition, an acoustic signal is 
sounded: there is a flat tire. 
Reduce speed and carefully come to a 
stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers.
For additional information, refer to 
page 83.
 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously
 
The brake warning lamp comes 
on together with the yellow indi-
cator lamps for ABS
 
●
 
 and 
DSC:
The entire ABS, CBC and DSC 
control system has failed. Con-
tinue driving cautiously and 
defensively. Avoid hard brake 
applications. Please have the system 
checked by your BMW center as soon 
as possible.
Additional information beginning on 81.
CBC, ABS and DSC and DBC 
indicator and warning lamps for 
Canadian models.
 
Red: an important reminder
 
Brake warning lamp
Comes on when the parking 
brake is applied – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when starting 
off.
For additional information, refer to 
page 61. 

28Opening and closing
KeysThe key set1Master keys with remote control. 
They govern the functions of the Key 
Memory. Certain functions in your 
vehicle may operate differently 
depending on the key, refer to 
page 58.
To distinguish between keys, you can 
mark each key with remote control by 
applying one of the colored decals 
that you received when accepting 
delivery of your vehicle
In every master key with the 
remote control feature there is an 
extended-life battery that is charged 
automatically in the ignition lock as you 
drive.
Therefore, use otherwise unused mas-
ter keys for a longer journey every six 
months so that the battery can be 
charged.<
2Spare key – for storage in a safe 
place, such as in your wallet. This key 
is not intended for constant use. The 
luggage compartment lid and the 
glove compartment cannot be locked 
and unlocked with this key. This is 
useful for valet parking, for example
Central locking systemThe conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The system simultaneously 
engages and releases the locks on the
>doors
>luggage compartment lid
>fuel filler door.
The central locking system can be 
operated
>from outside via the remote control 
as well as via the driver's door lock
>from inside by pressing a button.
The fuel filler door is not locked when 
the central locking system is activated 
from the inside, refer to page 32. When 
the system is actuated from the out-
side, the anti-theft system is also acti-
vated. This prevents the doors from 
being unlocked via the lock buttons or 
the release handle. The alarm system is 
also activated or deactivated.
If locked from the inside, the central 
locking system unlocks automatically in 
the event of an accident, except on 
doors that have been locked individu-
ally using the lock buttons, refer to 
page 32. In addition, the hazard warn-
ing flashers and interior lamps come on. 

29
Opening and closing – via the remote controlThe conceptThe remote control also provides two 
additional functions beyond the central 
locking feature:
>To switch on interior lamps, refer to 
page 30.
With this function you can also 
search for your vehicle when parked 
in an underground garage, for 
instance
>To open the luggage compartment 
lid, refer to page 30.
The luggage compartment lid will 
open slightly, regardless of whether it 
was previously locked or unlocked.
Whenever you unlock or lock the vehi-
cle, you simultaneously deactivate/acti-
vate the anti-theft system, disarm/arm 
the alarm system and switch the interior 
lamps on/off.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the vehicle's locks have 
engaged securely.<
Master keys with remote control
Persons or animals inside the 
vehicle may be able to lock the 
doors from the inside. For this reason, 
always take the vehicle keys with you 
so that the vehicle can be opened again 
from the outside at any time.<
If it is no longer possible to lock 
the vehicle via the remote control, 
the battery is discharged. Use this key 
while driving for an extended period in 
order to recharge the battery.
To prevent unauthorized use of the 
remote control, surrender only the 
spare key when leaving the vehicle for 
valet parking, for example.
In the event of a system malfunction, 
please contact your BMW center. You 
can also obtain replacement keys 
there.<
1Unlock, convenience opening mode, 
and disarm alarm system
2Lock and secure, arm alarm system, 
activate interior lamps, disarm tilt 
alarm sensor and interior motion sen-
sor
3Open the luggage compartment lid, 
Panic mode – trigger alarmTo releasePress the button once to unlock the 
driver's door.
Press the button a second time to dis-
engage all vehicle locks.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

88
Interior lampsThe interior lamps operate automati-
cally.To switch the interior lamps on 
and off manuallyPress button 1 briefly:
If you want the interior lamps to remain 
off all the time, press and hold the but-
ton for approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to nor-
mal operation.Front reading lamps*Switch on and off with the button 2 
adjacent to each lamp.
Rear reading lampsSwitch on and off with the button adja-
cent to each lamp.
In order to prevent battery dis-
charge, all of the lamps in the 
vehicle are automatically switched off 
approx. 15 minutes after you turn the 
ignition key to position 0.< 

Everything from A to Z
161
Battery 145
charge 145
charge current 18
disposal 145
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 147
remote control 28, 29
Belts, refer to Safety 
belts 46
Beverage holders 100, 101
Blower
air conditioning 92
automatic climate 
control 96
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oils 127
BMW Maintenance 
System 130
BMW sports seat 43
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 100, 101
Brake fluid 128
indicator lamp 18, 128
level 128
Brake force display 84
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective 
lamp 76
Brake lamps, refer to Brake 
force display 84Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 129
breaking in 112
Brake rotors
breaking in 112
Brake system
brake pads, indicator 
lamp 19
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 115
brake fluid 128
brake force display 84
brake pads 114
breaking in 112
driving notes 113
indicator/warning lamp 
18, 19
parking brake 61
Break-in procedures 112
Bulb replacement, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs 137
Bulb, replacing 137
Buttons in steering wheel 21
C
California laws
event data recorders 132
Proposition 65 
warning 132Can holders, see Beverage 
holders 100, 101
Capacities 157
Car battery 145
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Car keys, refer to Keys 28
Car radio, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio
Car telephone 
preparation 101
Car telephone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 102
Car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Carpet care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cassette operation, refer to 
the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
CBC Cornering Brake Con-
trol 115
warning lamp 18
CD changer, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard ComputerCenter high-mount brake 
lamp
bulb replacement 140
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger 
compartment 32
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 76
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 54
Child-restraint mounting 
system (LATCH) 56
Child-restraint systems 54
Chock 142
Cigarette lighter 102
Cleaning chrome parts, refer 
to the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure
Cleaning light alloy wheels, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning windshield 72
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

Everything from A to ZClock 77
12-/24-hour mode 77
setting, refer also to the 
Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
Clothes hooks 103
Clutch
breaking in 112
Cockpit 14
Code, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Coin box 100
Cold start, refer to Starting 
the engine 59
Compact disc operation, 
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Compartments 100
Computer 78
Condensation, refer to Air 
conditioning mode 92, 96
Configuring settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory 58
Connecting a vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Power 
socket 102Consumption
display 74
Consumption, refer to Aver-
age fuel consumption 79
Control elements, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Convenience operation
from outside 31
glass sunroof 30
windows 30
Coolant 128
indicator lamp 19, 75
level 128
temperature gauge 75
Coolant water, refer to Cool-
ant 128
Cooling, refer to Tempera-
ture 92, 96
Copyright 4
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) 115
warning lamp 18
Cruise control 72
indicator lamp 20
Cup holders, see Beverage 
holders 100, 101
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights 156
Current consumption, refer 
to Energy control 74
Curve lighting, refer to 
Adaptive headlights 86Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data 154
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit 14
Data
capacities 157
dimensions 155
engine 154
technical 154
weights 156
Daytime driving lamps 85
DBC Dynamic Brake Control 
19, 115
Deep water, refer to Driving 
through water 113
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows 93, 96
Defrosting and demisting 
windows
air conditioning 93
automatic climate 
control 96
Defrosting windows 93, 96
Defrosting windshield, 
refer to Defrosting win-
dows 93, 96
Demisting windows
air conditioning 93
automatic climate 
control 96Differential
breaking in 112
Digital clock 77
Dimensions 155
Dipstick, engine oil 126
Displacement, refer to 
Engine data 154
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting 86
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster 16
Disposal
oil 127
vehicle battery 145
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 80
Divided rear backrest 104
Door key 28
Door lock 31
Doors
emergency operation 31
Draft-free ventilation 93, 97
Driving light, refer to Parking 
lamps/Low beams 85
Driving notes 113
Driving through water, deep 
water 113
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 92, 96