Adjustments
40 ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
On the front passenger side as well, do not tilt
the backrest too far toward the rear. Failure to
observe this precaution can prevent the belt
from providing effective protection against
injury, as the passenger could slide under the
belt in an accident.<
Also follow the instructions regarding damage
to the safety belt on page43.
Seat adjustment
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please follow the adjustment instructions on
page39.<
1Inclination
2Longitudinal direction
3Height
4Backrest
5Backrest width
6Lumbar support
Adjusting lumbar support
You can also adjust the contours of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature:
Press front or rear of switch.
>Move curvature up or down:
Press top or bottom of switch.
Thigh support
You can also adjust the thigh support manually:
pull the lever and adjust the thigh support in the
longitudinal direction.
Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory
You can store and select three different adjust-
ment settings for the driver's seat, exterior mir-
rors and steering wheel.
The adjustments of the thigh support and the
backrest width are not stored in the memory.
Storing
1.Switch on radio readiness or ignition, refer
to page50.
2.Adjust the desired seat, exterior mirror and
steering-wheel positions.
Transporting children safely
48
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children is in the back.
Children younger than 13 years of age or
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and
height of the child. Otherwise there is an
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint
system can no longer be used due to their age,
size and weight.
With the exception of the driver's seat, all seats
in your BMW comply with the recommenda-
tions of the standard SAE J1819 for the safe
securing of child restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front, knee and side airbag on the pas-
senger side must be deactivated. Otherwise,
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if
the airbags are triggered, even with a child
restraint system. Your BMW center will be glad
to advise you.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page76.
Installing child restraint
systems
Follow child-restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions for the selection,
installation and use of child restraint systems.
Otherwise the degree of protection they offer
may be reduced.<
Backrest width on front passenger seat
Before mounting a child restraint system
on the front passenger seat, the backrest
width adjustment must be open completely.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to the fully open
position, refer to page40.
2.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the
front passenger can be locked against pulling
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and
pull taut against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
Things to remember when driving
100
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off, otherwise there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page44,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Ground clearance
Ensure that sufficient ground clearance
is available. To drive down curbs, select
the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic
Damping Control, refer to page73, to keep the
ground clearance as uniform as possible. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle may be damaged.<
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, otherwise the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
Mobility
171Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed letter
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on
the sidewall:
DOT ... 0806 indicates that a tire was manufac-
tured in week 8 of the year 2006.
BMW recommends replacing all tires at least
every 6 years, even if some tires may last for
10 years. This also concerns the tire of the
spare wheel
*.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications
in the table are indicated in
psi/kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 18 100 V XL M+S 35/240 38/260 35/240 38/260 41/280 46/320
255/40 ZR 19 33/230 - 33/230 - 41/280 -
285/35 ZR 19 - 36/250 - 36/250 - 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page200.
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Belted construction – radial
Rim diameter in inches
Carrying capacity ID-code
(not in ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in ZR tires before the R)
245/45 R 18 100 V
285/3519ZRe.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 0806
Wheels and tires
172
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half, 1γ, times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and foreign objects lodged in
the tread, and check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm, there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Winter tires noticeably loose their suitability for
winter use below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm.
New tires should be mounted in the interest of
safety.
Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution85
– air volume85
– headlamp control80
– service notification162
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit45
– storing stations131
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant81
Automatic car washes100
– also refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control84
– automatic air distribution85
– switching off87
Automatic closing of doors,
see Automatic soft
closing33
Automatic curb monitor44
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control80
– refer to Daytime running
lamps81
– refer to High-beam
assistant81
– refer to Interior lamps83
– refer to Pathway lighting80
"Automatic programs"85
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC87
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic station search131
"Automatic ventilation"88
AUTO program with
automatic climate control85
"Autostore" on the
radio130,132
Average fuel consumption61
– setting units69
"Avoid ferries" for
navigation117
"Avoid highways" for
navigation117Avoiding freeways for
navigation116
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation117
Axle loads, refer to
Weights200
"A - Z"153,154
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support40
Backrests, refer to Seats39
Backrest width adjustment40
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps184
"Balance", refer to Tone
control128
Balance, refer to Tone
control128
Balance adjustment in audio
mode, right/left128
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit192
Bass, refer to Tone
control127
"Bass", tone control127
Battery
– disposal37
– jump starting192
– refer to Vehicle battery189
Battery change37
Being towed194
Belts, refer to Safety belts42
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders93
Blower, refer to Air volume86
"BMW Assist"163
BMW Assist161
– enabling161
– services offered162
"BMW Contact"155
"BMW Contact
Numbers"155BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System180
"BMW Service"163
"BMW Service settings"162
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders93
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control71
Brake fluid179
– level179
– warning lamp179
Brake force display75
Brake hydraulic system179
Brake lamps
– brake force display75
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps184
Brake pads179
– breaking-in98
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System71
– brake fluid
179
– brake force display75
– brake pads179
– breaking-in98
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control71
– handbrake51
Brake system98
– brake fluid level179
– brake pads98,179
– brake rotors100
– breaking-in98
– warning lamp13,179
Brake wear warning
– brake pads179
– warning lamp179
Braking
– electronic brake-force
distribution71
– refer to Braking safely99
Braking safely99
Breakdown, M Mobility
System185
Reference 217
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode142
"Repeat" in audio mode142
"Repeat track" in audio
mode142
Replacement fuses190
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs182
Replacing tires
– changing a wheel187
– new wheels and tires173
Reporting an accident, refer to
Initiating emergency
call191
Reporting safety defects7
Required fuel169
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel
gauge60
Reservoir for washer
systems57
"Reset"
– for stopwatch67
– tone settings129
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings129
"Reset to default" with
MDrive46
Residual heat87
Restraint systems
– for children48
– refer to Safety belts42
Retreaded tires173
Reverse, fast
– CD changer143
– CD player143
Reverse gear52
Road map119
"Roadside
Assistance"155,163
Roadside Assistance192
Roadside parking lamps81
– replacing bulbs, refer to
Parking lamps183
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing193
Rotary fuel controller, refer to
iDrive16Route116
– bypassing sections122
– changing116,122
– display119
– displaying arrow display119
– displaying map119
– displaying towns/cities and
streets120
– list120
– selecting116
– selecting criteria116
Route map, refer to Map
view119
"Route preference",
changing116
Route selection116
S
Safety belts42
– damage43
– indicator lamp43
– sitting safely39
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts42
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System71
– airbags75
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control71
– safety belts42
Satellite radio135
– enabling channels136
– selecting channel136
– storing channel136
"SAT" on the radio126,136
"Save current
destination"116
"Scan"
– playing a music track141
– playing stations131
Scan
– CD changer141
– CD player141
– radio131
"Scan all" in audio mode141
"Scan directory" in audio
mode141Screw thread for tow
fitting193
SDARS, refer to Satellite
radio135
Seats39
– adjusting40
– adjusting backrest width40
– heating43
– lumbar support40
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory40
– sitting safely39
– storing the setting40
– thigh support40
Securing cargo101
– ski bag95
"Select as destination"113
"Select current speed"67
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operating via iDrive126
Selecting frequency
manually131
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for
navigation system
display120
Selecting route116
Selection options with
navigation system
116
Selector lever, Sequential
Manual Transmission52
Selector lever lock, refer to
Shiftlock52
Sequential Manual Trans-
mission with Drivelogic52
– Drivelogic driving
programs54
– Drive mode53
– idle53
– initializing system, refer to
After changing wheels/
tires174
– kick-down53
– reverse gear52
– Sequential mode53
– shift lights55
– shiftlock52
Sequential mode53
Reference 219
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Storage compartments92
"Store in address book" for
navigation114
"Store" on the radio132,137
Storing current position114
Storing radio stations132
Storing sitting position, refer
to Seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory40
Storing tires174
Straps, refer to Loading101
"Street" for destination
entry109
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires170
"Surround Settings", adjust
the sound128
SW, waveband130
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching between high
beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant81
Switching off tilt alarm
sensor36
Switching on
– audio126
– CD changer126
– CD player126
– radio126
Switching the cooling function
on and off86
Swiveling headlamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light81
Symbols4
– indicator and warning
lamps13
T
Tachometer59
Tail lamps184
– replacing bulbs184
Tank capacity
– also refer to Filling
capacities200
– fuel tank capacity168
Target cursor for
navigation112Technical alterations, refer to
For your own safety6
Technical data198
Telematic, refer to
TeleService,
BMW Assist161
Telephone
– refer to Mobile phone148
– refer to separate operating
instructions
"Telephone list"45
TeleService161
– enabling161
– services offered162
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body
region85
– adjusting with automatic
climate control85
– of coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature59
Temperature display
– changing units of
measure69
– outside temperature60
Temperature gauge, engine
oil60
Temperature warning, refer to
Outside temperature60
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control57
"Terminate services"164
"Text language"69
"Theater", refer to Tone
control128
The individual vehicle5
Tie-down points, refer to
Securing cargo101
Tightening torque of the lug
bolts, refer to After
mounting189
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror44
"Time"68
"Time format"68
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation time88
"Timer 1" for parked car
ventilation88"Timer 2" for parked car
ventilation88
Tire inflation pressures170
Tire Quality Grading172
Tires
– age171
– air loss74
– breaking-in
98
– condition172
– damage173
– inflation pressure170
– minimum tread depth172
– M Mobility System185
– new wheels and tires173
– replacing173
– retreaded tires173
– size, refer to The right
wheels and tires173
– wear indicators173
– wheel/tire combination173
– winter tires174
"Tone"127
Tone dialing method156
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting127
– middle setting129
Tone on locking/unlocking31
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit182
"Top 8" for mobile phone153
Torque
– lug bolts, refer to After
mounting189
– refer to Engine
specifications198
Touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method156
Tow fitting193
Towing193
– tow fitting193
"Town / City" for destination
entry108
Tow-starting193,194
Tracks
– finding141
– random play sequence142
– sample, Scan141
Track width, refer to
Dimensions199