
Mobility
 195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 
heat when tested under controlled conditions 
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. 
Sustained high temperature can cause the 
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce 
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to 
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to 
a level of performance which all passenger car 
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent higher levels of performance on the 
laboratory test wheel than the minimum 
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is 
established for a tire that is properly 
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, 
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat 
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire, refer to page196.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. 
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged 
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed 
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth 
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less 
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of 
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove 
are distributed around the tire's circumference; 
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the 
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate 
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has 
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has 
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same 
applies to any other abnormal road behavior, 
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW Center or tire shop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary, 
have the vehicle towed there. 
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous for 
vehicle occupants and other road users.< 

Mobility
 197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is 
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to 
advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced 
rather than repaired.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the 
winter tires mounted on your car; failure 
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that 
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the 
maximum permitted speed for the mounted 
tires must be displayed in your field of view. 
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW Center 
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
place with as little exposure to light as possible. 
Always protect tires against all contact with oil, 
grease and fuels.  Do not exceed the maximum 
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall 
of the tire.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been 
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and 
recommended. Consult your BMW Center for 
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs 
and only to the rear wheels. Observe the manu-facturer's instructions when mounting snow 
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or 
50 km/h.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to 
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
>255/30 R 19
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if 
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the 
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it 
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to 
page85.< 

Mobility
 199Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page201
2Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page603Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page212
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil
5Reservoir for brake fluid, under the cover of 
the microfilter
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level 
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the 
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at 
operating temperature, e.g. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You 
can have the oil level displayed while you are 
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a 
level surface and the engine is running.
Display in the instrument cluster
1.Lightly push button 1 in the turn indicator 
stalk up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol is shown in the display, 
accompanied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator stalk. 
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played. 

Mobility
 201Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil"
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page74. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/
1 liter of engine oil until a corresponding mes-
sage is shown on the Control Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the warnings on 
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may 
result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW Center or at 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not 
available, you can add small quantities of other 
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use 
oils with the API SH specification or higher.
Your BMW Center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is categorized in SAE classes.
Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends 
on the regional climatic conditions in which you 
normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and 
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant is a mixture of water and an additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW Center for 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
are hazardous to your health.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated  

Mobility
 203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. The 
objective is to optimize efforts with respect to 
minimal vehicle maintenance costs.
If and when you come to sell your BMW, a com-
prehensive record of servicing will prove a sig-
nificant benefit.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the 
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates 
displayed, refer to page74:
>Engine oil
>Brakes: separately for front and rear
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs
>Vehicle check>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. Your BMW Service Advi-
sor can read out this data from the remote con-
trol unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever you take your car in 
for servicing you should therefore hand your 
BMW Service Advisor the remote control unit 
that you last used.
Make sure that the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page78; otherwise the 
effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS 
is not assured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW Center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Mobility
 205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is stored in a compartment 
on the right-hand side of the luggage compart-
ment. Remove the cover.
Wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Remove the cover. To do so, press the hook 
on the bottom, see arrow.
3.Fold the wiper blade upwards.
4.Remove the wiper blade in the direction of 
the windshield, see arrow.In order to avoid damage, make sure that 
the wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the engine compartment.<
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW Center perform any work that 
you do not feel competent to perform yourself 
or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW Center.
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
For care and maintenance of the headlamps, 
please follow the instructions in the separate 
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
If the routine for changing a particular 
bulb is not described here, please contact 
your BMW Center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
c e n t  l e n s e s  s e r v e  a s  t h e  l i g h t  s o u r c e  f o r  m a n y  o f  
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a 
concept similar to that applied in conventional  

Mobility
 207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
3.Push the wire bracket to the side out of the 
mounting, arrow1, and fold it down, 
arrow2.
4.Remove the bulb.
5.Insert new bulb as shown in the detail of the 
illustration above.
6.Fold up the wire bracket and engage it.
7.Connect the plug.
8.Reattach the cover.
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
5 watt bulb, W 5 W
1.Remove the cover for the high-beam head-
lamp.
2.Pull out the bulb socket, see arrow.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Insert bulb socket.
5.Reattach the cover.
Turn signals, front
21 watt bulb, PY 21 W 
or PY 21 W Silver Vision1.Open the flap in the wheel well, refer to 
Access through the wheel well on 
page206.
2.Rotate turn signal bulb socket 1 to the left 
and remove.
3.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4.Insert turn signal bulb socket 1.
5.Attach the flap to the wheel well.
Side-mounted turn signals
In the event of a malfunction, please contact 
your BMW Center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Tail lamps
>Brake lamp in the luggage compartment lid
21 watt bulb, H 21 W
>Other lamps:
21 watt bulb, P 21 W
The tail lamps are divided into two parts. One 
part is in the luggage compartment lid, the other 
is in the fender. 

Mobility
 209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as 
standard. This removes the need to change a 
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to 
Run-Flat Tires, page196.
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is 
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to 
advise you. Refer also to New wheels and tires, 
page196.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your 
BMW Center.<
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in 
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW Center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting 
on page212.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW Center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright 
position for transport and storage. Always 
secure the battery against tipping over during 
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require ini-
tialization. Individual settings may likewise have 
been lost and will have to be reprogrammed:
>Time and date 
These values must be updated, refer to 
page77.
>Radio 
In some cases, stations may have to be 
stored again, refer to page150.
>Navigation system 
Operability must be waited for, refer to 
page124.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page44.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to 
page105.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<