Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, otherwise such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
place the transmission in idle or move the
selector lever to position P and apply the hand-
brake to prevent the car from moving.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Do not depress either the brake or the
clutch until you are ready to start the
engine. The engine is started immediately
when you briefly touch the start/stop button
and depress the brake if the car has automatic
transmission, or the clutch if the car has manual
transmission.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to idle position.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator
pedal halfway down when starting the engine:
>If the engine does not start on the first
attempt, for instance when it is extremely
hot or cold.
>If the engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/–156, at high
altitudes above approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequately burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you
when you leave the vehicle.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply the
handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.With the car at a standstill, briefly press the
start/stop button.
3.Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2.Briefly press the start/stop button.
3.Apply the handbrake.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
97
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page109.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
Also use the drive-off assistant, refer to
page69.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page45.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no
Indicator and warning lamps
132Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine.
You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW Center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the engine checked as
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in damage
to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Indication in Canadian models:
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High load on the engine will result in
damage to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect
on exhaust emissionsHave the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allow it to cool down.
Do not open the engine compartment
lid, otherwise there would be a risk of
injury by scalding. Contact your BMW
Center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
12Cause What to do
Indicator and warning lamps
136Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire is deflated Carefully bring the car to a stop. Comply
with the additional information starting
on page69.
>Flat Tire Monitor not initialized Initialize Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page69.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicatedHave the system checked.
Lights up in red:
>Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of
gears, possibly with reduced accel-
eration.
Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brakeYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
Always depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow: Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
>Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running and brake
depressed orOverriding selector lever lock, refer to
page46.
>brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brakeTo engage a gear while the vehicle is at
a standstill, always step on the brake.
Before leaving the vehicle, move the
selector lever to position P and switch
off the engine.
Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and move the
selector lever to position P. Allow the
transmission to cool down. You can
continue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked if the situa-
tion reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Vehicle not prevented from rolling
12Cause What to do
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
149
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals46
Displacement, refer to Engine
data142
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting76
Displays
– instrument cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant115
– remote control battery27
– vehicle battery123
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control50
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements61
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control65
Door key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Door lock22
Door locking, confirmation
signals21
Doors, emergency
operation22
DOT Quality Grades108
Draft-free ventilation80,83
Drinks holders, refer to Cup
holders88
Drive-off assistant69
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams74
Driving notes96
Driving stability control
systems66
Driving through water97
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes96
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function83
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control66
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control66
– indicator lamps66Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator lamps67
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution66
Electrical malfunction
– door lock22
– fuel filler door104
– glass sunroof30
– panorama glass roof30
Electric seat adjustment32
Electronic brake-force
distribution66
Electronic oil level check113
Emergency call125
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass sunroof30
– panorama glass roof30
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock22
– fuel filler door104
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission46
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance125
Emissions test, refer to
Service requirements61
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control58
Energy Control58
Engine
– breaking in96
– data142
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature57
– speed142
– starting43
– starting, convenient
access26
– switching off43
Engine compartment113
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant115Engine oil
– adding114
– BMW Maintenance
System117
– checking level113
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements61
Engine output, refer to Engine
data142
Engine speed142
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine43
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control58
Error messages, refer to
Check Control63
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control66
Event data recorders118
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system
96
Expanding the cargo area90
Exterior mirrors36
– adjusting36
– automatic dimming
feature97
– automatic heating37
External audio device87
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away127
– for tying down loads99
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control63
Failure of an electrical
consumer124
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms25
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts36
Everything from A to Z
152 Manual operation
– door lock22
– glass sunroof30
– panorama glass roof30
– tailgate24
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission46
Manual release
– fuel filler door104
Manual transmission44
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Maximum cooling81
Maximum speed
– with winter tires111
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory34
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System117
– for air conditioner80
– for automatic climate
control83
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System117
Microphone for telephone14
Mirror dimming feature97
Mirrors36
– automatic curb monitor37
– exterior mirrors36
– heating37
– interior rearview mirror37
Mobile phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest87
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest87
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone in the vehicle96
Mobile phones, use inside the
car, refer to Mobile phone in
the vehicle96Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor69
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher46
– refer to Wiper system47
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints33
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments88
New tires110
Nose weight144
Nozzles, refer to Windshield
washer nozzles48
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data142
O
OBD socket118
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis118
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications105
Odometer57
Oil
– capacity145
Oil, refer to Engine oil113
Oil consumption113
Oil level113
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal123
Onboard tool kit119
Opening and closing
– convenient access26
– from inside22
– from outside20
– using the door lock22
– via the remote control20Opening and unlocking
– from the inside23
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation80,83
Outlets, refer to Air vents78
Output, refer to Engine
data142
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control82
Outside-temperature
display57
– changing units of
measure60
– in computer60
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature57
Overriding selector lever
lock46
P
Panorama glass roof28
– closing after electrical
malfunction30
– convenient operation20
– opening, closing29
– raising29
– remote control20
Parking
– vehicle43
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park
Distance Control65
Parking brake, refer to
Handbrake44
Parking lamps/low beams74
– replacing bulbs121
Parts and accessories, refer to
The individual vehicle5
Passenger-side mirror tilt
function37
Pathway lighting74
PDC Park Distance Control65
Personal Profile19
Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual