Page 9 of 174

 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags55
Transporting children safely58
Rollover protection system62
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory64
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock65
Starting the engine and driving 
off66
Switching off the engine68
Parking brake68
Manual transmission69
Sequential M gearbox with 
Drivelogic*70
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher75
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*76
Cruise control77
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer79
Tachometer79
Engine oil temperature79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer83
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC86
Flat Tire Monitor87
M Engine dynamics control89
Brake force display89
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams90
Instrument lighting91
High beams/Standing lamps91
Front fog lamps92
Interior lamps92
Reading lamps92
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Automatic climate control94
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Glove compartment99
Storage compartments99
Microphone*100
Ashtray, front*100
Ashtray, rear*101
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*102
Cargo loading104
Roof-mounted luggage rack for 
the hardtop*107
 
Operation, maintenance
 
Special operating instructions:
 
Break-in procedures110
General driving notes111
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)113
Hardtop*113
 
Wheels and tires:
 
Tire inflation pressure116
Tire code118
Tire condition119
New wheels and tires120
Snow chains*122
 
In the engine compartment:
 
Hood123
Engine compartment 
essentials124
Washer fluids126
Engine oil126
Coolant128
Brake fluid129
 
Maintenance:
 
BMW Maintenance System130
OBD interface socket132
 
Controls and features 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 15 of 174
 
15
1Parking lamps/Low beams90
2
 
>
 
Turn signal indicators75
 
>
 
Standing lamps91
 
>
 
High beams91
 
>
 
Headlamp flasher75
 
>
 
Computer83
3Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor76
4Hazard warning flashers
5Rear window defroster97
6
 
>
 
Initiating an emergency call146
 
>
 
Mobile Service147
7Central locking system28
8Horn: the entire surface
9Steering wheel adjustment54
10 Fog lamps92
 
Cockpit
 
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        Page 21 of 174
 
21
Cruise control
Lights up when the cruise con-
trol is activated. Ready for oper-
ation via the buttons in the steering 
wheel.
For additional information, refer to 
page 77.
Front fog lamps
Lights up whenever the fog 
lamps are on.
For additional information, refer to 
page 92.
 
Blue: for your information
 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher 
is actuated.
For additional information, refer to 
pages 75, 91.
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
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        Page 75 of 174
75
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signal indicatorsTo signal brieflyPress the lever up to the detent but not 
beyond. It then returns to the center 
position when released.
If the flashing of the indicator lamp 
and the clicking from the relay are 
both faster than usual, one of the turn 
signal indicators has failed.<
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        Page 77 of 174

77
0Wipers retracted
1Clean windshield and headlampsClean windshield and headlamps*The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period. 
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned at reasonable intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield, as your vision 
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold 
weather. Refer to page 126.
Do not use the washers if the fluid res-
ervoir is empty, as the washer pump 
will otherwise be damaged.<
Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer jets are warmed 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Cruise controlYou can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above 
approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h.
The cruise control is available whenever 
the engine is running and the system 
has been activated.To activate the systemIn ignition key position 2:
Press the button in the steering wheel. 
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on, refer to page 21. You 
can now use the cruise control.
Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic den-
sity prevents driving at a constant 
speed, or when the road surface is slick 
– snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or 
gravel, sand.
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Cruise control is also deactivated when 
the ignition key is in position 0.
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*
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        Page 81 of 174

81
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next 
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or 
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or 
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers 
in Canada – before the next scheduled 
service.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a '–' in front of 
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the 
distance shown on the display. Please 
contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.
Check ControlDisplayWhen the ignition key is in position 2, 
the following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols until 
the conditions have been corrected.
1Inspect the low-beam and high-beam 
headlamps, as well as the parking 
lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal 
for a few seconds to remind you that 
the lamps have not been switched off.
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        Page 90 of 174

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.< 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 91 of 174
91
Instrument lightingTurn the rotary dial to control the light-
ing when the parking or low beam 
lamps are on.
High beams/Standing lamps1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Standing lampsStanding lamps, left or rightAs an additional feature, you can illumi-
nate your vehicle on either side for 
parking, if you wish to do so:
With the ignition key in position 0, push 
the lever in the appropriate direction. 
The lever engages in the turn signal 
position.
The standing lamps discharge the 
battery. Avoid using them for 
longer periods of time; otherwise, you 
may not be able to start the engine.<
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