25
Closing the gas capPlace the cap in position and turn it
until a clearly audible click is heard.
Close the gas cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze
the strap which is fastened to the cap.
A loose or missing cap will activate the
CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<
Warning lamp* lights up. The
gas cap is not properly closed
or is missing. Check if the gas
cap is properly closed.Fuel tank capacity>Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which
>approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive to the last drop of
fuel. This can prevent the engine
from operating properly and result in
damage.<
Fuel specificationsThe engine uses lead-free gasoline
only.Required fuelPremium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: AKI 91.
Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index AKI and is deter-
mined according to the so-called
(R+M)/2 method.
Do not use leaded gasoline, as
otherwise the lambda probe and
catalytic converter will be permanently
damaged.
cant differences in fuel quality: volatility,
composition, additives, etc., among
gasolines offered for sale in the United
States and Canada. Fuels containing up
to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by
weight, that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % meth-
anol 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 cer-
tain environmental conditions such as
high ambient temperature and high alti-
tude.
Should you encounter drivability prob-
lems 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 recom-
mendations may also result in unsched-
uled maintenance.<
Refueling
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40
Driving when the opening or clos-
ing process has not been com-
pleted can cause vehicle damage or
personal injuries.
Do not reach into the convertible top
mechanism during opening and closing.
Keep children away from the moving
parts of the convertible top during
operation.<
If possible, only operate the con-
vertible top with the vehicle
stopped, as otherwise the process may
be interrupted.
If you set the convertible top in motion
with the vehicle stationary and then
have to start suddenly – for instance, at
a traffic light – you can still complete
the operation by driving as slowly as
possible and again pressing and main-
taining pressure on the button.<
To close the electric power win-
dows while driving, always be
sure to first close either the rear win-
dows, or all 4 windows at the same
time, otherwise, at high speed, the win-
dows may not close tightly.<
At higher speeds, the ensuing
vacuum in the passenger com-
partment can cause the convertible top
to begin fluttering. Increase the air sup-
ply via the ventilation controls so that a
vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<
Opening and closing1To close
2To open
To avoid placing unnecessary
loads on the battery, you should
avoid operating the top when the
engine is switched off.
Before closing the convertible top,
remove any objects from the windshield
frame that could keep the convertible
top from closing properly.<
With the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, and with the vehicle stationary
1. Read and comply with the preceding
safety precautions
Convertible top
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.
65 Driving
Ignition lockIgnition key positions0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition on
3Start engineSteering lockedThe key can only be inserted and
removed in this position.
After removing the key, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the left or right until
you hear the lock engage.
If the key is not removed, an acoustic
signal sounds when the driver door is
opened.
Steering unlockedYou will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the
lock.
Individual electrical accessories are
ready for operation.
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66
Starting the engine and driving off
Do not allow the engine to warm
up by leaving it running while the
vehicle remains stationary. Instead,
drive off immediately at a moderate
engine speed.<
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. Otherwise,
breathing the exhaust fumes can lead
to unconsciousness and death. The
exhaust gases contain carbon monox-
ide, an odorless and colorless, but
highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-
cle unattended with the engine running.
An unattended vehicle with a running
engine represents a safety hazard.
If you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, move the gearshift lever into
the idling position or the selector lever
into position N, as applicable, and
apply the parking brake. If you fail to do
this, the vehicle could move.<
>Do not press the accelerator pedal
while starting the engine
>Do not end the starting procedure too
early, but do not continue it for more
than 20 seconds
>Release the ignition key immediately
when the engine starts
>Do not let the engine warm up in
idling position. Instead, begin to drive
at moderate engine speeds.
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for
instance:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at very low temperatures
below about +5 7/–156 and at high
altitudes above 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first attempt, engage the
starter for approx. 10 seconds
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Extended starting attempts, char-
acterized by excessively frequent
or long periods with the starter
engaged, can damage the catalytic
converter.<
When driving, standing at idle or
parking the vehicle, take care to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and flammable materials –
grass, hay, leaves, etc. Such contact
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious
personal injury and property damage.<
Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Depress the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not depressed,
the engine cannot be started
4. Start the engine. Do not press the
accelerator pedal. Do not actuate the
starter for too short a time. Do not
turn it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts.Sequential M gearbox with
Drivelogic1. Depress footbrake
2. Move selector lever into position N
3. Start the engine. Do not actuate the
starter for too short a time. Do not
turn it for more than approx.
20 seconds. Release the ignition key
immediately when the engine starts
4. Engage a driving position
5. Release footbrake and slowly
depress accelerator pedal.
67
With the engine running, the gear
indicator in the SMG Drivelogic
display flashes to indicate that a driving
position is engaged with the driver's
door open or if the hood is not closed
properly, refer to page 71.
If neither the pedals, the shift paddles,
nor the selector lever are actuated, then
the gearbox is automatically taken out
of gear after approx. four seconds. It
will then be necessary to move the
selector lever back to position N before
engaging the desired driving position.
Driving off is not possible with the hood
open.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the
engine running, move the selector
lever into position N and apply the
parking brake.
Never leave the vehicle unattended
with the engine running. An unat-
tended vehicle with a running engine
represents a safety hazard.<
Engine idle speed is controlled by the
engine computer system. Increased
speeds at start-up are normal and
should decrease as the engine warms
up. If engine speed does not decrease,
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharg-
ing, always deactivate electrical
devices that are not in use. Switch the
ignition off when the vehicle is not
being driven.
Starting the engine and driving off
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68
Switching off the engine
You should never remove the igni-
tion key when the vehicle is in
motion, as the steering lock could
engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key and engage the
steering lock.<
Always engage the parking brake
when parking on downhill roads.
Engaging a gear may not provide ade-
quate resistance to rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Sequential M gearbox with
DrivelogicIf you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in the for-
ward or reverse position, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1
or 0 with the selector lever in
position N, a warning tone and the
flashing gear indicator in the SMG
Drivelogic display remind you that no
gear is engaged to secure the vehicle
against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. ten
seconds. If you move the selector lever
into a forward or reverse position dur-
ing this time, a gear is automatically
engaged.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is primarily designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe detent engages automatically, and
the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when the ignition key
is in position 2, refer to page 18.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the
button and lower the lever.
71
Display in instrument clusterThe selector lever position, currently
engaged gear and selected driving pro-
gram are displayed in the instrument
cluster.
1Engaged gear
2Selected driving program, corre-
sponds to the number of illuminated
fields, refer to page 73
3Tapping the selector lever to the right
switches over into the displayed shift
mode
4'D' indicates an activated automated
shift mode
R – Reverse positionOnly engage with the vehicle stopped
or at low speed, e.g. for rocking free in
deep snow.
An intermittent signal tone indi-
cates that the reverse position has
been engaged.
If the driving situation requires, e.g.
when downshifting on slippery roads,
the SMG Drivelogic automatically dis-
engages and reengages the clutch, i.e.
it is not necessary to manually engage
position N.S – Sequential modeIn the sequential mode all forward
gears are to be shifted by the driver.
To switch from automated to sequential
mode:
>Tap the selector lever to the right
toward S or
>change gears with the selector lever
or the shift paddles on the steering
wheel.
You do not need to reduce the throttle
for shifting.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*
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