Things to remember when driving
114 power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle
brochure.
With convenient access and automatic
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page36.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 114 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Telephoning
162
Telephoning
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full mobile phone
preparation package. After pairing a suitable
mobile phone with the vehicle once, you can
operate the mobile phone via iDrive, the buttons
on the steering wheel or via voice commands.
Once a mobile phone has been paired with your
vehicle, it is automatically recognized as soon
as it is inside the vehicle while the engine is run-
ning or the ignition is switched on. You can
store the pairing data for up to four mobile
phones simultaneously. If several mobile
phones are detected at the same time, the
mobile phone last paired can be operated via
the vehicle.
Using the telephone inside
the vehicle
Using the snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a holder for
mobile phones, allows you to charge the mobile
phone's battery and connect the mobile phone
to your vehicle's outside antenna. This ensures
better network reception and consistent repro-
duction quality. Please contact your
BMW center to find out for which mobile
phones there are snap-in adapters available.
BMW discourages the use of mobile
phones or other mobile communications
devices inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, inter-
ference between vehicle electronics systems
and the mobile communications device cannot
be ruled out. In addition, there is no assurance
that the radiation which results from transmis-
sion will be dissipated from the vehicle inte-
rior.<
Avoid operating a mobile phone recognized by
the vehicle via the mobile phone's keypad, oth-
erwise malfunctions may result.
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your mobile
phone's separate Owner's Manual for a detailed
description of safety precautions and informa-
tion, we request that you direct your particular
attention to the following:
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving;
use the hands-free system instead. If you do
not observe this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Please ask your BMW center which mobile
phones with Bluetooth interface are supported
by the mobile phone preparation package and/
or which mobile phones are compatible with the
snap-in adapter. By virtue of their particular
software versions, these mobile phones sup-
port the functions described in this Owner's
Manual. Malfunctions may occur with other
mobile phones.
Care instructions
You can find what you need to know about car-
ing for your mobile phone in the separate Caring
for your vehicle brochure and in the mobile
phone Owner's Manual.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone* using:
>The steering wheel, refer to page10
>iDrive, refer to page166
>Voice commands, refer to page171
*
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 162 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Telephoning
164
Preparation via the mobile phone
8.Further steps must be carried out with the
mobile phone and vary depending on the
model. Please refer to your mobile phone's
operating instructions, e.g. under the topics
of Searching for a Bluetooth device, Con-
necting or Pairing.
Pairing
Depending on your mobile phone, you will see
messages, first in the mobile phone's display or
on the Control Display, requesting you to enter
the same Bluetooth passkey previously deter-
mined by you.
Message on the Control Display if the Bluetooth
passkey can be entered via iDrive:
9.Select "Add device" and press the control-
ler.
10.Enter the Bluetooth passkey.
Depending on the mobile phone, you will
have approx. 30 seconds to enter your
Bluetooth passkey on the mobile phone
and the Control Display.
11.Select "Confirm passkey" and press the
controller.12.Wait several seconds until the list of paired
mobile phones is displayed on the Control
Display and "Phone" is selected.
To interrupt the mobile phone's pairing with the
vehicle:
Select "Refuse connection" and press the con-
troller.
The next time you use the mobile phone inside
the vehicle, it will be recognized within no more
than two minutes as long as the engine is run-
ning or the ignition is switched on.
As soon as a mobile phone is detected by the
vehicle, the phone book entries stored on the
SIM card or on your mobile phone are transmit-
ted to the vehicle. Refer also your mobile
phone's operating instructions, if necessary.
This data transfer depends on your mobile
phone and can take several minutes; please
refer to your mobile phone's operating instruc-
tions, if necessary.
Up to four mobile phones can be paired, one
after the other. If a fifth mobile phone is paired,
the pairing data for the last mobile phone on the
list is deleted, refer also to the information
below.
List of paired mobile phones
All mobile phones with pairing data stored by
the vehicle can be displayed. If several mobile
phones are detected by the vehicle at the same
time, the mobile phone at the top of the list can
be operated via the vehicle.
You can change the order of the mobile phones
on the list. As long as a mobile phone from this
list is selected, you cannot operate the mobile
phones via the vehicle.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the
button to call up the start
menu.
2.Call up the menu by pressing the control-
ler.
3.Select "Communication settings" and
press the controller.
4.Select "Bluetooth" and press the controller.
5.Select "Phone" and press the controller.
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 164 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Telephoning
166 3.Select the menu and press the controller.
4.Select "Communication settings" and
press the controller.
5.Select "Bluetooth" and press the controller.
6.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
The Bluetooth link is activated.
7.Select "Bluetooth communication active"
and press the controller to activate or deac-
tivate the link.
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired
volume.
This volume for the hands-free system is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are set to
minimum volume.
You can also adjust the volume with buttons on
the steering wheel, refer to page10.The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions using
iDrive:
>Dialing phone numbers
>Selecting phone numbers from the phone
book
>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from
the list of accepted calls
>Ending a call
When the ignition and radio readiness are
switched off, e.g. after taking the remote control
out of the ignition switch, you can continue an
ongoing call via the hands-free system for no
more than 25 minutes.
Requirements
The mobile phone's pairing data are stored by
the vehicle and the mobile phone is operational.
The engine is running or the ignition is switched
on.
The mobile phone is recognized by the vehicle.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller forwards to call up
"Communication".
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 166 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Telephoning
170 3.Select "BMW Contact" and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "BMW Contact Numbers" and press
the controller.
5.Select one of the following menu items and
press the controller:
>"Roadside Assistance"
>"Customer Relations"
>"Service Request"
6.Select "Call" and press the controller.
Contact will be established.
Dialing phone numbers via touch tones
Touch-tone dialing is required for access to
network services or for controlling devices, e.g.
for remote querying on an answering machine.
This function is available whenever there is a
connection.1.Establish connection.
2.Press the controller.
3.Select "Keypad" and press the controller.
4.Select the desired touch-tone button
and
press the controller.
Each selection is transmitted immediately
and is confirmed by a tone, depending on
the type of mobile phone you are using.
Switching between mobile
phone and hands-free system
From mobile phone to hands-free
system
You can continue ongoing calls outside of the
vehicle's Bluetooth range via the hands-free
system as long as the engine is running or the
ignition is switched on. Depending on your
mobile phone, the system automatically
switches to hands-free mode.
With mobile phones that do not automatically
switch to hands-free mode:
>Depending on the type of mobile phone you
are using, you can continue the conversa-
tion via the hands-free system, if necessary.
Refer to the display on your mobile phone
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 170 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Refueling
182
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling, otherwise, fuel cannot be added to
the tank and a message will be displayed.<
Take all precautionary measures and
observe all applicable regulations when
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the
event of an accident.<
Gas cap
Opening
1.Open fuel filler door. To do so, lightly press
the rear edge.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler door.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not jam the strap between the gas cap
and the vehicle. Otherwise fuel vapors
could escape. A message will be displayed if the
gas cap is loose or missing.<
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of a malfunction, you can release
the fuel filler door manually:1.Remove the cover from the right-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay.
2.Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol.
The fuel filler door is released.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels always observe any
safety guidelines posted at the service
station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler
nozzle while filling the tank, as that would lead
to
>premature pump shutoff
>a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor
recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 16.1 US gallons/61 liters, including the
reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons/8 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this
would cause permanent damage to the
catalytic converter.<
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 182 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Mobility
183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
>328i: 87
>335i: 89.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the mini-
mum specified fuel grade. Otherwise the
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol 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 certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
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
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 183 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13
Under the hood
192
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to
page194
2Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system,
refer to page583Jump-starting connection, refer to
page204
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, i.e. 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.Push button 1 in the turn indicator stalk up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator stalk.
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
ba8_E9293_US.book Seite 192 Freitag, 5. Mai 2006 1:02 13