115 Loading and transporting
Ski bag*The ski bag allows the safe and clean
transport of up to 3 pairs of standard
skis or up to two snowboards.
The length of the ski bag and the addi-
tional space provided in the luggage
compartment make it possible to carry
skis up to 6 ft 10 in / 2.10 m long.
Because of the tapered shape of the
bag, only two pairs of skis longer than
6 ft 10 in / 2.10 m can be carried.
Loading1. Take the rear safety belts out of their
holders
2. Press lever downward and remove
the center piece by pulling it forward
3. Extend the ski bag between the front
seats. The zipper provides conve-
nient access to stored items. It may
be opened to allow the ski bag to dry
4. Press the button in the luggage com-
partment
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116
5. Use the magnetic holder to fasten
the cover panel to the back wall, then
pull out the ski bag.
Securing cargoAfter loading, secure the ski bag and its
contents. To do so, tighten the retaining
strap at the tensioning buckle.
Be sure to secure the ski bag in
this way, as it could otherwise
injure occupants, for example during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Be sure that the skis are clean before
loading them into the bag. Be careful to
avoid damage from sharp edges.<
Stowing the ski bagTo store the ski bag, perform the steps
for loading in reverse sequence.
When reattaching the center
piece, guide both bars into the
guide and press the center piece back
into place. Secure the safety belts in
their holders again.<
Ski bag*
133
Tire codeKnowing the tire code on the tire side-
wall makes it easier to correctly choose
and identify your tires.Tire sizeE.g. 205/60 R 15 91 W
205 = Nominal width in mm
60 = Cross-sectional ratio in %
R = Radial belt construction
15 = Rim diameter in inches
91 = Load index, not on ZR tires
W = Speed rating, in front of the R on
ZR tiresSpeed ratingQ = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)
W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)
Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)Tire Identification NumberTires with DOT codes comply with the
guidelines of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.DOT code:
E.g. DOT xxxx xxx 1004
xxxx = Manufacturer's code for tire
brand
xxx = Tire size and tire version
1004 = Tire age
Tire ageThe date on which the tire was manu-
factured is indicated by the code on the
sidewall:
DOT … 1004 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in week 10 of the year
2004.
BMW recommends the replacement of
all tires when they are no more than
6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years
is possible.Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Trea dwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature ADOT quality gradesTread wearTraction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must con-
form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.<
Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half – 1
1/2 – times as
well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due
to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road char-
acteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
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137
tire center, preferably your BMW cen-
ter. Observe any country-specific regu-
lations, e.g. on making a corresponding
entry in the vehicle documents.
The factory-approved radial belt tires
are matched to your vehicle and pro-
vide optimum safety and driving com-
fort when used properly.Run Flat tiresIf your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, use only
these tires since no spare wheel is
available in the event of a flat.Special characteristics of winter
tiresBMW recommends the use of winter
tires for operation under winter road
conditions. While all-season tires with
M+S designation provide better winter
traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally do not achieve the full performance
of winter tires.
Run Flat tires:
If your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, please note
the following: when mounting new tires
or replacing summer tires with winter tires, or vice versa, use only Run Flat
tires since no spare wheel is available
in the event of a flat. Your BMW center
wil be glad to advise you.
Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated. Unprofessional attempts by
laymen to service tires can lead to dam-
age and accidents. Have this work per-
formed by skilled professionals only.
The technicians at your BMW center
will be glad to assist you with the
required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.<
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against con-
tact with oil, grease and fuel. Do not
exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sures specified on the tire sidewall.
Snow chains*Only certain snow chains have been
tested by BMW and determined and
approved as roadworthy. Consult your
BMW center for details. BMW recom-
mends using only these approved fine-
link snow chains. Use them in pairs on
either summer or winter tires, but only
on both rear wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety
precautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /
50 km/h when using snow chains.
You cannot mount snow chains with the
following tires:
>225/50 R 16
>225/45 R 17
>245/40 R 17
>225/40 R 18
>255/35 R 18.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Moni-
tor after mounting snow chains to
the tires.
When driving with snow chains, it may
be useful to turn off the DSC for a short
time, refer to page 92.<
New wheels and tires
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to Z
177
Battery 161
charge 161
disposal 161
indicator lamp 18
jump-starting 163
remote control 28, 29
Battery charge current 18
Belts, refer to Safety
belts 54
Beverage holders 113
Blower
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 106
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oils 143
BMW Maintenance
System 146
BMW sports seat 51
Bottle holders, see Bever-
age holders 113
Brake fluid 145
indicator lamp 18, 145
level 145
Brake force display 94
Brake lamps
bulb replacement 155
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 86
Brake lamps, refer to Brake
force display 94Brake pads
brake fluid level 18, 145
breaking in 124
indicator lamp 19
Brake rotors
breaking in 124
Brake wear warning
indicator lamp 19
Brakes
ABS 127
brake fluid 145
brake force display 94
brake pads 126
breaking in 124
driving notes 125
indicator/warning lamp
18, 19
parking brake 71
Break-in procedures 124
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 153
Bulb, replacing 153
Buttons in steering wheel 21
C
California laws
event data recorders 148
Proposition 65
warning 148
Can holders, see Beverage
holders 113
Capacities 173Car battery 161
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 113
Car telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner, con-
necting 114
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 127
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 Computer
Center armrest
front 112Center high-mount brake
lamp
bulb replacement 156
Central locking system 28
button 32
passenger
compartment 32
Changing a wheel 157
Charge indicator lamp 18
Check Control 86
Check Gas Cap
indicator lamp 19
Child seats, refer to Child-
restraint systems 62
Child-restraint mounting
system (LATCH) 64
Child-restraint system 62
Chock 158
Cigarette lighter 113
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 position, convert-
ible top 43, 48
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
the Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cleaning windshield 82
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to Z
179
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 90
Door key 28
Door lock 31
Doors
emergency operation 31
Draft-free ventilation
103, 107
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 95
Driving notes 125
Driving through water, deep
water 125
Dry air, refer to Air condi-
tioning mode 102, 106
DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol 91
indicator lamp 19, 91
DTC Dynamic Traction Con-
trol 91
indicator lamp 19, 91
Dynamic Brake Control
(DBC) 19, 127
indicator lamp 19
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 19, 91
Dynamic Traction Control
(DTC) 91
indicator lamp 19, 91E
Easy entry, refer to Entering
the rear 53
Electric power windows 38
Electrical accessories, fail-
ure 161
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 79
door lock 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 23
luggage compartment
lid 33
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 91
Emergency call 162
Emergency operation
closing the convertible
top 46
doors 31
driver's door 31
fuel filler door 23
Emergency release
luggage compartment lid
33, 34
Emissions, minimum, refer
to Energy control 84
Energy control 84Engine
breaking in 124
data 170
electronics 19
indicator lamp 19
speed 84, 170
starting 69
switching off 71
Engine compartment 140
Engine coolant 144
adding 144
Engine oil
adding 143
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 143
capacity 173
consumption 142
indicator/warning lamp 19
quality 143
specified oils 143
viscosity 143
Engine oil level 19
check 142
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil pressure
indicator/warning lamp 18
Engine oil types 143
Engine output, refer to
Engine data 170
Engine speed 84, 170
Entering the rear 53Environmentally-friendly
driving, refer to Energy
control 84
Equipment range, refer to
the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models / Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability Pro-
gram, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 91
Exterior mirrors 57
Eyelets, towing 165
F
False alarm, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 37
Fasten safety belts 54
warning lamp 18
Fault displays 86
Filling the windshield washer
reservoir 173
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 22
First-aid kit 22
Flashlight 109
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable
flashlight 109
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to Z
181
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags 18
alarm system 37
brakes 18, 19
Check Gas Cap 19
coolant 19, 85
DSC 19
Fasten safety belts 18
Flat Tire Monitor
18, 19, 93
reserve 85
rollover protection
system 19
Service Engine Soon 19
Individual air distribution 106
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory, Key
Memory 68
Inflation pressure monitor-
ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-
tor 92
Inflation pressure, tires 130
INSPECTION 86
Instrument cluster 16
Instrument lighting 96
Instrument panel 14
Integrated universal remote
control 110
Interface socket for onboard
diagnostics (OBD) 148Interior lamps 98
remote control 30
Interior motion sensor 37
switching off 37
Interior rearview mirror 58
automatic dimming
feature 58
Interior temperature, adjust-
ment 102, 106
Interlock, refer to Steering
wheel lock 69
Intermittent mode, wipers 81
Interval display, service 86
J
Jack 157
Jacking points 158
Jump-starting 163
K
Key Memory 68
Keys 28
with remote control 28
Kickdown 74, 78
L
Lamp defect 153
Lamps and bulbs 153
Lashing down loads, refer to
Cargo loading 117
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing cargo 119Lashing fittings, refer to
Securing cargo 119
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system 64
Leather care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Leaving the vehicle 71
LEDs light-emitting
diodes 157
Length, refer to
Dimensions 171
License plate lamp
bulb replacement 157
Light switch 95
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) 157
Lighter 113
LIGHTS ON warning 95
Lights, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 95
Load, determining the maxi-
mum 117
Load, refer to Cargo
loading 117
Loading
vehicle 117
Load-securing devices 119
Lock buttons on doors, refer
to Locking 32
Lock, steering wheel 69Locking
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
Locking and unlocking
doors
from inside 32
from outside 29, 31
Low beams 95
automatic 95
bulb replacement 153
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 86
Lug bolts
key 158
torque 158
Luggage compartment
capacity 172
emergency operation,
refer to Manual
operation 33
enlarge volume 35
floor panel 35
lid 33
opening from outside 33
opening, remote
control 30
opening/closing, refer to
Luggage compartment
lid 33
remote control 30
volume 172
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Everything from A to Z
183
Outside temperature dis-
play 88
changing unit of
measure 88
P
Paintwork care, refer to the
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Panic mode, trigger
alarm 30
Park Distance Control
(PDC) 90
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control (PDC) 90
Parking brake 71
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 95
bulb replacement 154
Parking lamps/Low
beams 95
Parts and accessories, refer
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 56
PDC Park Distance
Control 90
Placing a telephone call,
refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for the telephone
Plastic, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochurePollen, refer to
Microfilter 103
Pollen, refer to Microfil-
ter/activated-charcoal fil-
ter 108
Power output, refer to
Engine data 170
Power seat 51
Power socket 114
Power socket, cigarette
lighter 114
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 92
Pressure, tires 130
Protective function
electric power windows 38
R
Radio remote control key,
refer to Master keys with
remote control 28
Radio, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 81
Raising the floor panel 35
Range 89
Reading lamps
front 98
hardtop 127
rear 98Rear lamps
bulb replacement 155
indicator lamp, defective
lamp 86
Rear window defroster
air conditioning 102
Rear window heating
automatic climate
control 107
Rear-entry assist 53
Rearview mirror 57
Receiving assistance 162
Recirculated-air mode
air conditioning 102
automatic climate
control 107
Recirculating the air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode
102, 107
Reclining seat, refer to Seat
adjustment 51
Refueling 23
fuel filler door 23
Releasing
hood 138
Remaining distance to ser-
vice 86
Remaining distance, refer to
Range 89Remote control 29
garage door opener 110
luggage compartment
lid 30
malfunction 30
Replacement key 29
Replacing lamps, refer to
Lamps and bulbs 153
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 62
Restraint systems, refer to
Safety belts 54
Reverse
automatic transmission
with Steptronic 77
SMG gearbox 74
Reverse gear
manual transmission 72
Rollover protection system
66
indicator lamp 19
lowering 66
Roof load capacity 172
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 120
Rope, refer to Towing the
vehicle 165
Run Flat tires 135
S
Safe seating position 50
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex