Contents
Operation, maintenance
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures124
General driving notes125
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)127
Hardtop*127
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure130
Tire code133
Tire condition134
Run Flat tires*135
New wheels and tires136
Snow chains*137
In the engine compartment:
Hood138
Engine compartment
essentials140
Washer fluid142
Engine oil142
Coolant144
Brake fluid145
Maintenance:
BMW Maintenance System146
Laws and regulations:
California laws148
OBD interface socket148
Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit152
Windshield wiper blades152
Lamps and bulbs153
Changing a wheel157
Battery161
Fuses161
Giving and receiving
assistance:
Receiving assistance162
Jump-starting163
Towing and tow-starting the
vehicle165
Technical data
Engine data170
Dimensions171
Weights172
Capacities173
75
instance, downshifts that would
result in excessive engine speed can-
not be executed
>When you brake the car to a stop, the
transmission automatically shifts
down to first gear
>As speed diminishes the transmission
will shift down automatically, without
any action on your part, just before
the vehicle slows to below each
gear's minimum speed.
Available displaysR N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The currently engaged gear, the
selected mode, and any malfunctions
are displayed in the instrument cluster.Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
All selector lever positions can still be
engaged, but in the forward driving
positions only certain gears are actually
available when the vehicle is driven.
Avoid extreme loads and proceed to
the nearest BMW center.
For information on jump-starting and
towing the vehicle, refer to page 163.Warning toneAn acoustic signal sounds if the SMG
gearbox overheats; if possible you
should either stop or increase your pull-
away speed so that the system can
cool down.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
79
Available displaysP R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5Electronic transmission control
module
If the indicator lamp comes on,
there is a malfunction in the
transmission system.
Bring the vehicle to a stop. Move the
transmission selector lever to P. Set the
parking brake and turn the engine off –
ignition key to position 0.
Wait a few seconds, then start the
engine.
If the indicator lamp goes out after a
few seconds, normal transmission per-
formance has been restored. You may
continue to drive as usual.
If the indicator lamp does not go out,
you can place the selector lever in all
positions. However, the vehicle will now
only operate in 3rd and 4th gear.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine
loads and consult the nearest autho-
rized BMW center.
Never work in the engine com-
partment when a drive gear – for-
ward or reverse – is engaged. If you do
this, the vehicle could move.<
For towing or jump-starting, refer to the
information beginning on page 163.
Automatic transmission with Steptronic*
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141
1Brake fluid reservoir145
2Engine oil dipstick142
3Coolant expansion tank144
4Reservoir for the headlamp and wind-
shield washer system142
5Engine oil filler neck143
6Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting163Engine compartment essentials
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161
BatteryMaintenanceThe battery is completely maintenance-
free. This means that the original bat-
tery acid will normally last for the ser-
vice life of the battery under moderate
climate conditions. Your BMW center
will be glad to advise you if you have
any questions concerning the battery.
Please consult your BMW center
whenever you have any questions
concerning the battery.
Connect the charge cables to the termi-
nals in the engine compartment. For
terminal locations, refer to Jump-start-
ing on page 163.Disposal
After changing the battery, have
the old battery disposed of by
your BMW center or bring it to a recy-
cling point. Maintain the battery in an
upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting
during transport.<
Power lossAfter a temporary power loss, e.g. due
to a discharged battery, some equip-
ment will be limited in its use and will
have to be reinitialized. Individual set-
tings are also lost and must be reset:
>Seat and mirror memory
The position settings must be stored
again, refer to page 55
>Clock
must be reset, refer to page 87
>Radio
Stations must be reset, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio/Onboard
Computer
>Navigation system
The system will not be operable
immediately, refer to the Owner's
Manual for Radio/Onboard Com-
puter.
FusesYou will find the fuses and information
on their respective allocation in the
glove compartment behind a panel with
two snap clips.
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse
having a different color or amperage
rating. To do this could cause a fire in
the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-
load.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
163
Mobile Service*To establish contact with the BMW
Group's Mobile Service:
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up with the Mobile
Service, the indicator lamp flashes.
Depending on the country you are in,
your vehicle's current location will also
be transmitted if your vehicle is
equipped with an activated BMW Assist
function.
Jump-startingWhen your battery is discharged you
can use two jumper cables to start your
vehicle with power from the battery in a
second vehicle. You can also use the
same method to help start another
vehicle. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated handles on the terminal
clamps.
Do not touch high-voltage wiring
and cables on a running engine.
Contact with components carrying high
voltage can be harmful or fatal. Care-
fully observe the following instructions
to avoid personal injury and/or damage
to one or both vehicles.
approximately the same capacity –
measured in Ah. This information is
provided on the battery
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-
cle
3. Switch off all electrical components
in both vehicles.
Make absolutely certain that there
is no contact between the body-
work of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a short circuit hazard.<
Connecting the jumper cables
Always adhere to this sequence
when connecting jumper cables;
failure to observe this procedure can
lead to sparks at the battery terminals
and pose an injury hazard.<
The auxiliary jump-starting terminal
located in your BMW's engine compart-
ment acts as the positive battery termi-
nal. Refer to the engine compartment
overview on page, 140. The cover of
this auxiliary terminal is marked with
a +.
1. Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary
jump-starting terminal. Do so by pull-
ing the tab – see arrow 1
Receiving assistance
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164
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the battery or to an auxil-
iary jump-starting terminal of the
support vehicle
3. Connect the second terminal clamp
of the plus/+ jumper cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to
an auxiliary jump-starting terminal of
the vehicle to be started
4. Your BMW is equipped with a special
nut – see arrow 2 – to serve as the
ground or negatvie terminal.
Attach a terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative
terminal of the support vehicle's bat-
tery or to a suitable ground on its
engine or bodywork
5. Attach the second terminal clamp of
the minus/– jumper cable to the neg-
ative terminal of the battery or to a
suitable ground on the engine or
bodywork of the vehicle to be
started.Starting the engine1. Start the engine of the support vehi-
cle and let it run for several minutes
at a slightly elevated engine idle
speed2. Start the engine of the other vehicle
as usual.
If the first start attempt is not suc-
cessful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the
discharged battery to recharge
3. Allow the engines to run for several
minutes
4. Disconnect the jumper cables in
reverse sequence.
Depending on the cause of the fault,
have the battery checked and
recharged by your BMW center.
Do not use spray starter fluids to
start the engine.
166
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be
lighter than the vehicle being
towed; otherwise, vehicle handling can
no longer be controlled.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles
should be on the same side.
If the tow bar can only be used in a
diagonal position, please note the fol-
lowing:
>Clearance is restricted while you are
driving around corners
>The inclination of the tow bar pro-
duces lateral force.
Only attach the tow bar to the
towing eyelets. Other parts of the
vehicles could otherwise be dam-
aged.<
With a tow ropeWhen the towing vehicle is driving off,
make sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for tow-
ing because they prevent sudden
jerking movements. Attach the tow rope
only to the towing eyelets. Other parts
of the vehicles could otherwise be
damaged.<
With a tow truckHave the BMW transported by a tow
truck with a lift sling, or on a flatbed.
Never allow passengers to ride in
a towed vehicle for any reason.<
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow-
ing eyelet, nor by parts of the
body or chassis. Otherwise damage
could result.
automatic transmissions. Jump-
starting, refer to page 163.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic
converters if the engine is cold. It is
better to have the engine jump-started,
refer to page 163.
1. Turn on hazard warning flashers;
comply with national regulations
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Engage the 3rd gear
4. Have the vehicle towed with the
clutch pedal completely depressed
and then slowly release the clutch
pedal. After the engine has started,
immediately depress the clutch pedal
again completely
5. Pull over at a suitable location,
remove the tow bar or tow rope, and
turn on the hazard warning flashers
6. Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with sequential manual gear-
box SMG:
>Have the vehicle towed with the
selector lever in position N
>Select sequential mode. The correct
gear will automatically be selected
and engaged.
Towing and tow-starting the vehicle