Mobility
193Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use oil additives; under some
circumstances, they can harm your
engine.<
Viscosity grades
The viscosity is a measure of the thickness of
the oil and is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard.<
Always observe all applicable environ-
mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when it lies
between the Min and Max mark, also refer to
the drawing next 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 it clicks.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on the
Control Display.
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to
below the minimum level. At the same time, a
significantly longer brake pedal path may be
noticeable. Have the system checked immedi-
ately by a BMW center.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
Under the hood
194 When you continue driving, an increased
brake pedal path can be necessary, and
significantly longer braking distances may be
required. Please adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up in red
in spite of the handbrake being
released; a message appears on the
Control Display.
The brake pads have reached their minimum
pad thickness. Have the brake pads replaced as
soon as possible.
Warning lamp for Canadian models.
For your own safety: use only brake pads
that BMW has approved for your particu-
lar vehicle model. As BMW cannot assess the
suitability of other brake pads for use on your
vehicle, BMW is unable to assume continued
responsibility for the vehicle's operating safety
if non-approved pads are installed.<
Maintenance
196
Socket for OBD Onboard
Diagnostics interface
A diagnostics device can use the OBD socket to
check components critical to exhaust composi-
tion.
This socket is located under a cover on the left
side of the driver's footwell, directly under the
dashboard.
Exhaust-gas values
The warning lamp lights up. The
exhaust-gas values are deteriorating.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This
is a sign of excessive misfiring of the engine. In
this case, you should reduce speed and drive to
the nearest BMW center as soon as possible.
Heavy engine misfiring causes serious damage
to the emission-relevant components, espe-
cially the catalytic converter, within a short time.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the
escape of fuel vapor. This causes a display to
light up. If the cap is then tightened, the display
should go out within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with a
device for recording or transmitting certain
vehicle data or information. If you have also sub-
scribed to a BMW Assist plan, then certain vehi-
cle data can be transmitted or recorded to
enable corresponding services.
Care
Important information on care and maintenance
of your BMW is contained in the Caring for your
vehicle brochure.
Giving and receiving assistance
202
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency call
Conditions for an emergency call:
>Full mobile phone preparation package
>BMW Assist is activated.
Activating BMW Assist, refer to page174.
>Radio readiness is activated.
>The car phone is logged on to a cellular
telephone network.
>The emergency call system is operable.
When the contract for your BMW Assist plan
expires, a BMW center can deactivate the car
phone without your having to visit a workshop.
Following deactivation of the car phone, no
emergency calls can be made. The car phone
can be reactivated after signing a new contract
with a BMW center.
Initiating an emergency call
1.Briefly press protective cover to open.
With some vehicle equipment packages or
in the Convertible, the arrangement of the
switches and indicator lamps may differ
somewhat.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as
the voice connection to the BMW Assist
emergency call center has been estab-
lished, the LED flashes.If conditions allow, remain in the vehicle until
the connection has been established. You will
then be able to provide a detailed description of
the situation.
If the current location of your vehicle can be
determined, it will be forwarded to the
BMW Assist emergency call center.
If the LED flashes, but you are unable to hear
the BMW Assist emergency call center through
the handsfree system, this could indicate, for
instance, that the handsfree system is no longer
operational. But the emergency call center is
still able to hear you.
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is
automatically initiated immediately after a
severe accident. The automatic emergency call
is not affected by the button being pressed.
For technical reasons, the emergency call
cannot be guaranteed under the most
unfavorable conditions.<
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle can be found in the lug-
gage compartment on the left side.
Mobility
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover in bumper:
Press the arrow symbol on the cover.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page58; otherwise, the low-beam
headlights, tail lights, turn signals and wind-
shield wipers would not be available. If the vehi-
cle electrical system fails, do not tow-start or
tow the vehicle. The electric steering-wheel
lock cannot be unlocked and the vehicle cannot
be steered. For information on jump starting,
refer to page203. There is no power assistance
with the engine stopped. This then requires
increased effort for braking and steering. Active
steering is deactivated and larger steering
wheel movements are required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of
45 mph/70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
Engage selector lever position N with the igni-
tion switched on.
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed; otherwise, it
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please note the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited during cornering.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach tow ropes to the tow fittings only, as
attachment to other vehicle parts can lead to
damage.<
Giving and receiving assistance
206
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.<
Tow-starting
If the vehicle electrical system fails, do not
tow-start or tow the vehicle. The electric
steering-wheel lock cannot be unlocked and
the vehicle cannot be steered. Jump starting,
refer to page203.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission. Only tow-start vehi-
cles with a catalytic converter when the engine
is cold. It is better to jump-start the engine, refer
to page203.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Switch on ignition, refer to page58.
3.Shift into 3rd gear, vehicles with SMG, see
below.
4.Tow-start with the clutch completely
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch again completely.
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 SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox:
1.Tow-start in selector-lever position N.
2.Select sequential mode. The correct gear
will be selected and engaged automatically.
217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise
control67
Acceleration assistant with
SMG64
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter104
Activating hour signal83
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation104
Active cruise control67
– Indicator lamp70
– radar sensor71
– selecting distance69
– warning lamps71
Active steering90
– warning lamp90
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display90
Adaptive Head Light97
"Add digits" for mobile
phone168
"Address book" for
navigation128
Address for navigation
– deleting129
– entering121,124
– selecting129
– storing128
– storing current position128
"Add to address book"128"Add to destination
list"124,125
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the thigh support48
Adjusting tone in audio mode,
refer to Tone control141
"After opening door"50
"After unlocking"50
Airbags90
– deactivating, refer to
Exception for front
passenger's seat56
– sitting safely47
– warning lamp92
Air distribution
– automatic101
– manual102
Airing, refer to Ventilation103
Air recirculation, refer to AUC
Automatic recirculated-air
control103
"Air recirculation on / off"54
Air vents, refer to
Ventilation103
Air volume102
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications183
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
All around the center
console14
All around the steering
wheel10
"All channels"150"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires189
"All stations" on the radio,
selecting144,147
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety6
"AM", reception
range140,144
Antenna for mobile phone162
Antifreeze
– coolant193
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System
ABS86
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof40
– power windows39
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights210
Approved engine oils192
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights210
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest108
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination
guidance132
"Arrow display" during
Navigation133
Ashtray109
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist174
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems86
Assistance window20
Everything from A to Z
218 "Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control103
Audio140
– controls140
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
"Audio", refer to Tone
control141
Automatic
– air distribution101
– air volume101
– headlamp control96
– service notification175
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit53
– storing stations145
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant97
Automatic car washes116
– also refer to Comfort
access37
– also refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control100
– automatic air
distribution101
– convertible program101
– switching off103
Automatic curb monitor53
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control96
– refer to Daytime driving
lamps96
– refer to High-beam
assistant97
– refer to Interior lamps99
– refer to Pathway lighting96
"Automatic programs"101
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC103
Automatic station search145Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– deactivating selector lever
interlock63
– Dynamic Driving Control64
– interlock62
– kick-down63
– selector lever lock,
Interlock62
– shiftlock62
– towing205
– tow-starting206
– with comfort access37
"Automatic ventilation"104
AUTO program with
automatic climate
control101
"Autostore" on the
radio144,146
Average fuel consumption75
– setting units83
Average speed75
"Avoid ferries" for
navigation131
Avoid freeways for
navigation130
"Avoid highways" for
navigation131
Avoiding unintentional
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation131
Axle loads, refer to
Weights210
"A - Z"168
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support48
Backrests, refer to Seats48
Backup lamps
– refer to Reverse gear61
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps199
"Balance", refer to Tone
control142Balance, refer to Tone
control142
Balance adjustment in audio
mode, right/left142
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit203
Bass, refer to Tone
control141
"Bass", tone control142
Bass, tone control141
Battery
– disposal38
– jump starting203
– refer to Vehicle battery200
Battery change38
Being towed205
Belts, refer to Safety belts51
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders109
Blower, refer to Air
volume102
"BMW Assist"176
BMW Assist174
– enabling174
– services offered175
"BMW Contact"178
"BMW Contact
Numbers"178
BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System195
"BMW Service"176
"BMW Service settings"175
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders109
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control86
Brake fluid193
– level193
– warning lamp193
Brake force display90
Brake hydraulic system193
Brake lamps
– brake force display90
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps199