
Refueling
186
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 attached to the gas 
cap between the gas cap and the vehicle. 
A message will be displayed if the gas cap is 
loose or missing.<
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
release the fuel filler door manually:1.Remove the cover from the right-hand side 
panel of the luggage compartment.
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. Lifting the filler nozzle 
during refueling leads 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.< 

Mobility
 187Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Required fuel
Premium Unleaded Gasoline
The minimum octane rating is 91. 
If you use gasoline with this minimum octane 
rating, the engine may produce knocking 
sounds when starting at high outside tempera-
tures. This has no affect on the engine life.
Minimum octane rating corresponds to the Anti 
Knock Index AKI and is determined according 
to the so-called (R+M)/2 method.
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this 
would cause permanent damage to the 
catalytic converter.<
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 drivability 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. 
Failure to comply with these recommendations 
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.< 

Maintenance
204
Socket for On-Board 
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust 
emissions can be checked by a device via the 
OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the 
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel 
underneath a cover.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamps come on. The 
exhaust emission values have wors-
ened. Have the car checked as soon 
as possible.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
The lamps flash under certain condi-
tions. This indicates excessive misfiring in the 
engine. If this happens, you should reduce your 
speed and visit your nearest BMW Center as 
soon as possible. Severe engine misfiring can 
quickly lead to serious damage of emissions-
related components, especially the catalytic 
converter.
If the gas cap is not properly tightened, the OBD 
system will assume that fuel vapor is escaping. 
An indicator will then light up. If the gas cap is 
then tightened, the indicator will go out within a 
few days.
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a 
device for recording or sending certain vehicle data or information. In addition, if you have 
signed a subscription contract for BMW Assist, 
certain vehicle data may be transmitted or 
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding 
services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure. 

Mobility
 215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tow-starting
If the electrical system fails, do not 
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car. 
The electric steering wheel lock cannot be dis-
engaged and the car is not steerable. Jump 
starting, refer to page212.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission. Only tow-start vehi-
cles with a catalytic converter with the engine 
cold. It is better to jump start the engine, refer to 
page212.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers, 
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page52.
3.Shift into 3rd gear. Vehicles with SMG, see 
below.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
completely depressed and slowly release 
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with sequential manual gearbox SMG:
1.Have the vehicle tow-started with the selec-
tor lever in position N.
2.Select sequential mode. The correct gear is 
automatically engaged.
325xi, 330xi: do not activate Hill Descent 
Control HDC when the vehicle is being 
tow-started, page86.< 

Everything from A - Z
228 "Brightness"on the control 
display82
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs205
Burned fuel
– refer to Average 
consumption71
Button for starting engine52
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6
"Call"172
Call
– accepting170
– displaying accepted172
– ending171
– in absence172
– starting171
Calling
– from phone book171
– from Top 8 list172
– redialing172
Can holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Capacities221
Capacity of luggage 
compartment220
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery209
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"71
Care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing119
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo119
– vehicle118
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochureCaring for leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points209
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Car phone166
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone166
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio148
Car wash118
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system116
"Categories"154
CBS Condition Based 
Service203
"CD"144,156
CD changer156
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse
160
– installation location160
– playing a track158
– random order159
– repeating a track159
– selecting a CD156
– selecting a track157
– switching on/off144
– tone control145
– volume145CD player156
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse160
– playing a track158
– random order159
– repeating a track159
– selecting a track157
– switching on/off144
– tone control145
– volume145
Center armrest106
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs208
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access35
Changing bulbs205
Changing the language on the 
Control Display82
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display73
Changing wheels209
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment199
Check Control79
"Check Control 
messages"80
Check Gas Cap186
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure188
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH50
Child-restraint systems49
Child-safety lock51
Child seats49
Chrome parts, care, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter108
– socket108