
Things to remember when driving
116
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Attempt to vary both engine and vehicle 
speeds, but refrain from exceeding an engine 
speed of 4,500 rpm or a driving speed of 
100mphor 160km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode.
After 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the 
break-in period, page57.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of 
the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the luggage compartment 
lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air flow rate of the automatic 
climate control considerably, refer to 
page99.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them. 
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the 
risk of serious personal injuries and property 
damage.<
Mobile phone in the vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile 
communications devices, e.g. mobile 
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con- 

Driving tips
 117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the 
vehicle electronics and mobile communication 
device can influence one another. In addition, 
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 page195.
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.<
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
On uphill slopes, drive off without delay. 
Do not hold the vehicle in place by 
depressing the accelerator pedal; apply the 
handbrake instead. Otherwise, the transmis-
sion could overheat.<
Also use the drive-off assistant, refer to 
page87.
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.< 

Things to remember when driving
118 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 page58.
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 
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 lbs. 
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of 
available 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  

Under the hood
202 pressure to escape, then continue turning 
to open.
3.The coolant level is correct if it is between 
the maximum and minimum marks in the 
filler neck, refer also to the diagram next to 
the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunctions
Brake fluid
The warning lamps light up in red 
even though the handbrake has been 
released. A message appears on the 
Control Display. Stop immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to 
below the minimum level. At the same time, a 
considerably longer brake pedal travel may be 
noticeable. Have the system checked without 
delay.
Display of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
If you continue to drive the car, you may 
have to depress the brake more and brak-
ing distances may be significantly longer. 
Please adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamps light up in red 
even though the handbrake has been 
released. A message appears on the 
Control Display. The brake pads have 
reached the safe limit for pad wear. Have brake 
pads replaced immediately.
Display of this malfunction on Cana-
dian models.
For your own safety: use only brake pads 
that BMW has approved for the corre-
sponding vehicle model. BMW is unable to 
assess the suitability of brake pads it has not 
approved and therefore cannot guarantee their 
safety.< 

Reference 227
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio device, 
external107,162
"Audio" tone settings145
"Auto. headlamps"94
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– cruise control60,62
– headlamp control93
– service notification179
– storing of stations149
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
– settings via iDrive98
Automatic curb monitor46
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate control99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC99
Automatic station search149
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– interlock57
– overriding selector lever 
lock58
– shiftlock57
– sport program58
"Automatic ventilation"101
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control98
"Autostore"
– on the radio150
AUX-IN162
– port107
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed70
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation135
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation135
Avoid highways in 
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation135
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights220"A - Z"172
B
Backrests, refer to Seats40
Backrest width adjustment42
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs208
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps207
Balance, tone control145
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch212
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, 
towing away214
Bass, tone control145
Bass sounds, refer to Tone 
control145
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass145
Battery209
– charging209
– disposal37,209
– jump starting212
– temporary power failure209
Battery renewal
– remote control37
Being towed213
Belts, refer to Safety belts45
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts45
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders107
Black ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning69
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate99
BMW Assist178
– enabling178
– services offered179
"BMW Contact"182
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"182
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System203
"BMW Service"180"BMW Service settings"179
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control84
Brake fluid202
– level too low202
– warning lamp202
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements74
Brake Force Display90
Brake hydraulics, refer to 
Brakes202
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display90
– replacing bulbs208
Brake pads, breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS84
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– handbrake54
– service requirements74
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely117
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance211
Breaking in
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG116
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the 
differential116
Break-in period116