
64
Vehicle Memory, Key MemoryHow the system functionsYou have probably frequently wished 
that you could configure individual 
functions of your vehicles to reflect your 
own personal requirements. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has pro-
vided for a number of options for per-
sonal adjustment that can be 
programmed into your vehicle at your 
BMW center.
The available configuration data fall into 
two categories, according to whether 
their primary orientation is the vehicle – 
Vehicle Memory – or the individual – 
Key Memory. You can have up to four 
different basic settings adjusted for four 
different persons. The only require-
ment is that each person uses his or her 
own remote control key.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the 
remote control, the vehicle recognizes 
the individual user by means of a data 
exchange with the key, and makes 
adjustments accordingly.
Distinguishing between keysIn order for you to be able to distinguish 
between different keys, colored decals 
are supplied together with the keys.What the system can doYour BMW center can provide you with 
details on the possibilities that the Vehi-
cle and Key Memory systems offer.
You will see this symbol through-
out the Owner's Manual. It is to 
remind you at appropriate places of the 
settings that are available to you.<
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Various signals that can serve as 
acknowledgment for locking and 
unlocking the vehicle, refer to 
page 29
>Activates/deactivates the 'Follow me 
home' lamps function, refer to 90
>Activates/deactivates daytime driv-
ing lamps, refer to page 90
>Sets the units of measure for display-
ing time, outside temperature, dis-
tance traveled and fuel consumption 
in the instrument cluster
>When you shift into Reverse, an 
acoustic signal indicates that PDC 
has been activated, refer to page 85
>Switches on rear window defroster 
automatically, refer to page 97
>After giving an ice warning, the 
onboard computer display returns to 
the previous setting, refer to page 83.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle automatically after 
you start off, refer to page 32
>Automatically moves the seat and 
outside mirror into position for the 
programmed driver when unlocking 
the vehicle, refer to page 51
>Automatic tilting of the passenger-
side mirror, refer to Automatic curb 
monitor, page 52
>After the engine is started, calls up 
the last selected driving program for 
each shifting mode, refer to page 73. 

74
Indicator lamp
The gearbox indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster goes out 
after the engine is started.
>If it does not go out, or if it lights up 
during driving, a malfunction has 
occurred. The available functions 
may be limited under certain circum-
stances.
Drive carefully and with the Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) activated. 
Have the system checked by the 
nearest BMW center
>If the indicator lamp flashes while 
driving, the system is overloaded. 
Avoid high loads until the indicator 
lamp goes out again permanently.
Shift lightsTo achieve the best possible vehicle 
acceleration with a sporty driving style 
in the sequential mode, shift lights in 
the instrument cluster indicate the opti-
mum shifting point shortly before the 
maximum engine speed is reached.
1. When the maximum engine speed is 
approached, yellow indicator fields – 
shift lights – in the tachometer light 
up consecutively to indicate the 
approaching upshift time
2. Shift at the latest when the last indi-
cator field lights up red.
Tire replacement, snow chainsFollowing a tire or wheel change and 
after mounting or removing snow 
chains, the slip recognition of the 
SMG Drivelogic must become familiar 
with the changed condition.
Reinitialize the system afterwards:
1. Move the selector lever into 
position N on a straight stretch of 
road at a speed of over 20 mph / 
30 km/h
2. Pull both shift paddles for approx. 
two seconds.
If you do not carry out the initialization, 
the system automatically learns the 
changed condition gradually during 
driving. This can become apparent due 
to brief opening and closing of the 
clutch.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic* 

82
ClockIf you wish to have a permanent time 
display, you can make this adjustment 
in the car radio display, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the time of day, and the 
display for the car radio, as follows.
Setting
Before the clock can be set, the 
time must be showing in the 
instrument cluster display.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher
To set ahead: turn the right button to 
the right.
To set back: turn the right button to the 
left.
The adjustment speed will increase the 
longer you continue to hold the right 
button.
To change the display mode: press the 
right button briefly.
Every time you press the button, the 
clock display alternates between the 
12-hour and 24-hour mode.
In ignition key position 0: the time is 
displayed for a few seconds after you 
press the left button, refer to Odometer 
on page 79. 

83
ComputerMode selectionWith the ignition key in position 1 or 
higher, you can use the onboard com-
puter button BC in the turn signal lever 
to retrieve information from the com-
puter for display in the instrument clus-
ter. 
Every time you tap the onboard com-
puter button BC, the display changes to 
the next function in sequence.
Order of the displays:
>Clock
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Range
>Average speed.
When the ignition key is in position 1 or 
higher, the last active setting is dis-
played.
Outside temperatureYou can change the units of measure – 
7/6 – for the outside temperature dis-
play by pressing the right-hand reset 
button in the instrument cluster while 
the temperature display is active. The 
units of measure – 7/6 – in the tem-
perature display of the automatic cli-
mate control change automatically, 
refer to page 94.Ice warningIf the outside temperature drops to 
about 37.57/+36, then the computer 
will automatically switch to a display of 
the outside temperature. In addition, a 
signal sounds as a warning and the dis-
play flashes for a brief period.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

87
Flat Tire MonitorThe conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor 
keeps track of pressure levels in all four 
tires. The system alerts you whenever 
the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-
nificantly below the pressure of another 
tire.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the 
rolling radius of the tire changes, and 
thereby the rotational speed of the 
wheel. This change is detected, and a 
flat tire warning is issued to the driver.Functional requirementsTo ensure a reliable flat tire warning, 
the system must be initialized with the 
correct tire inflation pressures.
Initialize the system immediately 
after you have corrected a tire 
inflation pressure, or changed the tire 
or wheel.
vide you with advance warning of 
sudden and severe tire damage caused 
by external factors and does not detect 
the balanced and very gradual pressure 
loss that takes place in all four tires 
over an extended period of time.<
The system could issue a false warning 
or function in a delayed manner in the 
following situations:
>System was not initialized 
>You are driving on a snow-covered or 
slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at 
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral 
acceleration
>You are driving with snow chains.Initializing the system
The initialization is completed 
while you are driving, and can be 
interrupted at any time. Initialization is 
automatically continued when you con-
tinue driving. When driving with snow 
chains, do not initialize the system.<
1. Before driving off, start the engine 
but do not start driving
2. Press the button as long as you need 
to, but no more than 8 seconds, until 
the indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up in yellow for several 
seconds
3. Drive off. Initialization is completed 
during the drive without any feed-
back issued.
When driving with snow chains, 
do not initialize the system.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

90Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beamsParking lamps
The front, rear and side vehicle 
lighting is switched on. You can 
use this to signal the position of 
the vehicle when it is parked. For light-
ing on one side for parking as an addi-
tional feature, refer to page 91.
Low beams
When you switch the ignition off 
with the low-beam headlamps 
on, only the parking lamps will 
remain on.
Follow me home lampsWhen you activate the headlamp 
flasher after parking the vehicle and 
switching off the lights, the low beams 
will come on for a brief period.
You can also have this function 
deactivated.<
LIGHTS ON warningWhenever you open the driver's door 
after having turned the ignition key to 
position 0, you will hear an acoustic 
signal for a few seconds to remind you 
that the lamps have not been switched 
off.Daytime driving lamps*If you desire, the light switch can be left 
in the low-beam position: when the 
ignition is switched off, the external 
lighting is also switched off.
Observe the legal regulations regarding 
the use of daytime driving lamps.
When required, switch on the parking 
lamps as usual as described under 
Parking lamps.
You can have the activation set-
tings for the daytime driving lamps 
programmed on your vehicle.<
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in this posi-
tion, the system automatically 
responds to changes in ambient 
light, for example in tunnels, at dusk 
and when it is raining or snowing, by 
switching the low beams on or off.
The low-beam headlamps remain 
on, regardless of the ambient 
light, when you switch on the fog 
lamps.<
Automatic headlamp control can-
not serve as a substitute for your 
personal judgement in determining 
when the lamps should be switched on. 
For example, the sensors are not able 
to detect fog. In such situations switch 
on the lamp manually, as otherwise a 
safety hazard will result.<
You can have the sensitivity of 
your vehicle's automatic head-
lamp control adjusted.< 

113
Antilock Brake System (ABS)The conceptABS keeps the wheels from locking 
during braking, thereby enhancing 
active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full 
braking, you will exploit the full benefits 
of ABS system if you apply maximum 
pedal pressure: panic stop. Since the 
vehicle maintains steering responsive-
ness, you can avoid possible obstacles 
with a minimum of steering effort, 
despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined 
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits 
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its 
active mode.Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is included in the DSC, refer to 
page 86.
If you apply the brakes rapidly, this sys-
tem automatically generates maximum 
braking force boost and thus helps to 
achieve the shortest possible braking 
distance in panic braking situations. All 
of the benefits of the ABS are exploited 
under these circumstances.Do not reduce the pressure on the 
brake pedal for the duration of the 
brake application. When the brake 
pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-
vated.
Cornering Brake Control (CBC)CBC is an advanced engineering devel-
opment of ABS. When braking during 
cornering with high lateral accelera-
tion, or when braking during a lane 
change, vehicle stability is improved 
and the steering response is enhanced.
Hardtop*It is not necessary to remove the fabric 
top even in the winter, when the hard-
top is generally in constant use. But you 
can also remove it easily at any time. 
Before the fabric top is stored in the 
convertible top compartment, it must 
be absolutely dry in order to avoid 
water spots and mildew from forming.
The hardtop offers reading lamps and 
clothes hooks that can be used just by 
pressing. It is also possible to mount a 
luggage rack on the roof. Please con-
sult your BMW center.
When hanging clothing from the 
hooks, be sure that they will not 
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang 
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do 
so, they could cause personal injury 
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
Two people are required for installation 
or removal. Work with extreme caution 
in order to avoid paint damage and 
damage to the body or hardtop.
To facilitate hardtop installation or 
removal, you can obtain a specially 
designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack* 
at your BMW center.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

129
Brake fluidIndicator lamp
The warning lamp comes on 
even though the parking brake 
is released: 
The brake fluid level is too low, refer to 
page 18. At the same time, there may 
be significantly greater pedal travel. 
Have the system checked immediately.
Warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
If you continue driving, extended 
pedal travel may be necessary 
and braking distances may be signifi-
cantly longer. Be sure to adapt your 
driving style accordingly.<
Adding brake fluidFor adding brake fluid or for determin-
ing and correcting the cause of brake 
fluid loss, consult your BMW center. 
Your BMW center is familiar with the 
specifications for factory-approved 
brake fluids – DOT 4.
Due to loss in brake fluid, pedal travel 
can lengthen and braking efficiency 
may be reduced.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, 
it absorbs moisture from the air 
over time.
In order to ensure the safety and reli-
ability of the brake system, have the 
brake fluid changed every two years by 
a BMW center. Refer also to the Service 
and Warranty Information Booklet for 
US models or the Warranty and Service 
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. 
Brake fluid is toxic and damages the 
vehicle's paint. You should always store 
it in its closed original container and in 
a location inaccessible to children.
Do not spill the brake fluid and do not 
fill the brake fluid reservoir beyond the 
MAX mark. The brake fluid could ignite 
upon contact with hot engine parts and 
cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable envi-
ronmental laws regulating 
the disposal of brake fluid.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex