
 
5
 
Notes
 
Your individual vehicle
 
On purchasing your BMW, you have 
decided in favor of a model with individ-
ualized equipment and features. This 
Owner's Manual describes all models 
and equipment that BMW offers within 
the same group.
We hope you will understand that 
equipment and features are included 
that you might not have chosen for your 
vehicle. You can easily identify any dif-
ferences with the aid of the asterisk   
used to identify all optional equipment 
and accessories.
If your BMW features equipment which 
is not described in this Owner's Man-
ual, such as a car radio or telephone, 
supplementary Owner's Manuals are 
enclosed. We ask you to read these 
manuals as well.
 
Status at time of printing
 
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, 
ongoing development conceived to 
ensure that our vehicles continue to 
embody the highest quality and safety 
standards combined with advanced, 
state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, the features described in this 
Owner's Manual could differ from those 
in your vehicle. Nor can errors and 
omissions be entirely ruled out. You are 
therefore asked to appreciate that no 
claims can be recognized on the basis 
of the data, illustrations or descriptions 
in this Owner's Manual.
 
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
 
Advanced technology, e.g. the 
use of modern materials and high-
performance electronics, requires spe-
cially adapted maintenance and repair 
methods. Therefore, only have corre-
sponding work on your BMW carried 
out by a BMW center or a workshop 
that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly 
trained personnel. If work is carried out 
improperly there is a danger of conse-
quential damage and the related safety 
risks.
 
< 

 
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 in the follow-
ing section.
 
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.
 
<
 
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 93.
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 145 before driving on. 
Have the system checked immediately.
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
 
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 full brake 
applications. Please have the 
system checked by your BMW center 
as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 91.
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 engaged – an additional 
acoustic signal sounds when you start 
off.
For additional information, refer to 
page 71. 

 
19
Brake warning lamp for Cana-
dian models.
Lock backrest/Fasten safety 
belts
 
●
 
Comes on together with an 
acoustic signal until the safety belts are 
fastened. Flashes if the backrest is not 
locked. 
For additional information on locking 
the seat backrests, refer to page 53.
For additional information on safety 
belts, refer to page 54.
Airbags
 
●
 
Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
For additional information, refer to 
page 61.
 
Orange: consult the nearest BMW 
center
 
Automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox
The respective transmission has 
responded to a malfunction by reverting 
to operation in its emergency default 
program. Have the system checked 
immediately.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 75, 79.
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible
 
Engine oil level
If the lamp comes on during 
normal vehicle operation: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the abso-
lute minimum; refill as soon as possible. 
Do not drive more than approx. 
30 miles/50 km before refilling.
For additional information, refer to 
page 142.
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: add engine 
oil at the earliest opportunity, such as 
the next time you stop to refuel.
For additional information, refer to 
page 142.
Brake pads
 
●
 
Have the brake pads checked 
immediately.
For additional information, refer to 
page 126.
Flat Tire Monitor
 
●
 
The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-
tioning or out of order. If there is 
a malfunction, have the system 
checked. For additional information, 
refer to page 94.
 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)
 
●
 
Indicator lamp flashes:
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the 
button; DTC is operational.
If there is a malfunction, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Additional information beginning on 
page 91.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 
and brake warning lamp
 
●
 
The indicator lamps remain on:
DSC/DTC have been switched 
off with the button or are faulty.
If there is a malfunction, have 
the system checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Additional information beginning on 
page 91.
DSC indicator and brake warn-
ing lamps for Canadian models.
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

 
21
 
Buttons in steering wheel*
 
These buttons let you operate the fol-
lowing functions quickly and without 
being distracted from traffic conditions:
 
>
 
Selected radio functions
 
>
 
The cruise control
 
>
 
Selected telephone
 
*
 
 functions
 
>
 
The voice recognition system.
The controls are active only when 
the corresponding systems and 
accessories are switched on.
 
<
 
Press briefly:
Receive a phone call, initiate dialing, 
terminate a call.
Extended pressure:
Switch voice recognition on and off.
Display/hide telephone book. Display 
the entries one after another with the 
forward/backward buttons.
 
Forward:
 
>
 
Radio
Press briefly: next station in station 
memory
Extended pressure: station search
 
>
 
CD
Press briefly: jump to next track
Extended pressure: search function 
in track
 
>
 
Cassette
Press briefly: jump to next track or 
stop fast forward
Extended pressure: fast forward
 
>Phone
Scan personal phone book.
Rewind/reverse: same functions as for-
ward.
Volume.
Cruise control: select a stored setting.
Cruise control: store and accelerate + 
or decelerate and store –.
Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-
tivate.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

24
Closing the gas capPlace the cap in position and turn it 
until a clearly audible click is heard.
Close the gas cap carefully after 
refueling until a click is heard. 
While closing, be sure not to squeeze 
the strap which is fastened to the cap. 
A loose or missing cap will activate the 
CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<
Warning lamp* lights up. The 
gas cap is not properly closed 
or is missing. Check if the gas 
cap is properly closed.Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve 
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of 
fuel. This can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline 
only.Required fuelPremium Unleaded Gasoline, 
Minimum Octane Rating: AKI 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to 
the Anti Knock Index AKI and is deter-
mined according to the so-called 
(R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as 
otherwise the lambda probe and 
catalytic converter will be permanently 
damaged.
cant differences in fuel quality: volatility, 
composition, additives, etc., among 
gasolines offered for sale in the United 
States and Canada. Fuels containing up 
to and including 10 % ethanol or other 
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by 
weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % meth-
anol plus an equivalent amount of co-
solvent, will not void the applicable 
warranties with respect to defects in 
materials or workmanship. 
The use of poor-quality fuels may 
result in drivability, starting and 
stalling problems especially under cer-
tain environmental conditions such as 
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude. 
Should you encounter drivability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand. 
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may also result in unsched-
uled maintenance.<
Refueling 

36
Before lowering the convertible 
top, refer to page 39 or 44, always 
check to ensure that the luggage com-
partment panel is folded down. Other-
wise damage could occur.<
Alarm system*The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the lug-
gage compartment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle – 
interior motion sensor
>To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle 
such as those occurring during 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle – tilt alarm sensor
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>The acoustic alarm sounds for 
30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers are acti-
vated for approx. five minutes
>The high beams flash on and off in 
rhythm with the hazard warning flash-
ers.To arm and disarm the alarm 
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
via the remote control or the driver's 
door lock, the alarm system is also 
simultaneously armed or disarmed.You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm 
arming and disarming.<
You can open the luggage compart-
ment lid when the system is armed by 
pressing the remote control button, 
refer to page 30. The lid is once again 
secured when it is closed.
Extended pressure on the button sets 
off the alarm – Panic mode, refer to 
page 30.
Luggage compartment 

39
Despite trap protection, always 
make sure that the windows can 
close without obstruction, otherwise in 
some cases, e.g. with thin objects, it is 
not guaranteed that the closing opera-
tion will be interrupted. 
Trap protection is restricted when the 
switch is pulled and held beyond the 
pressure point. In this instance, if the 
closing force exceeds a certain value, 
the window will re-open just a few milli-
meters. 
If the switch is pulled and held beyond 
the pressure point again within approx. 
4 seconds, trap protection is overrid-
den.<
After a power lossAfter the battery has been discon-
nected, the trap protection must be 
reinitialized. Perform the following pro-
cedure twice:
>Open and close the window com-
pletely
>With the window closed, keep pulling 
the switch for approx. 1 second.
Manual convertible topThe fabric top offers the perfect protec-
tion against weather and one person 
can open and close it easily and simply.
To gain maximum satisfaction from your 
convertible, please observe the follow-
ing: we strongly recommend that you 
close the convertible top before leaving 
the vehicle parked. When closed, the 
top not only guards the passenger 
compartment from unforeseeable dam-
age from the weather, but also affords a 
degree of protection against theft.
However, even when the top is closed 
valuables should always be stored in 
the locked luggage compartment.
Never attempt to mount any kind of roof 
rack or luggage carrier on the convert-
ible top.
Closing the electric power win-
dows: to help ensure that the win-
dows seal securely, you should either 
close the rear windows first or close all 
four windows at the same time.<
Electric power windows
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

41
4. Position the rear convertible top 
frame vertically and grip it firmly
You can make it easier to raise the 
rear convertible top frame by 
pressing the area indicated by the 
arrow.<
5. Reach into the recess created when 
the convertible top compartment lid 
is lifted and pull it all the way by 
hand – see arrow 1
6. Lay the rear convertible top frame in 
the convertible top compartment – 
see arrow 2
Let go of the rear convertible top 
frame before laying the convert-
ible top down; otherwise the side trim 
panel could be damaged.<
7. Raise the front of the top and pull it 
back for storage
Now finish pushing the convertible 
top all the way down into the con-
vertible top compartment. This makes it 
easier to close the convertible top com-
partment lid, especially at lower tem-
peratures.<
Manual convertible top
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex