
Adjustments
30
Adjustments
Safe seating position
For relaxed driving with as little fatigue as pos-
sible, you should select a seating position that 
reflects your personal requirements. In combi-
nation with the safety belts, the head restraints 
and the airbags, the seating position has a 
major influence on your safety in the event of an 
accident. To ensure that the vehicle's safety 
systems provide you with optimal protection, 
we request that you direct your careful attention 
to the following section.
For supplementary information on transporting 
children refer to page35.
Airbags 
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off.
Never allow any objects, individuals or animals 
to obstruct the areas between passengers and 
airbags.
Never use the front airbag's cover as a storage 
tray or support for objects of any kind. Ensure 
that the passenger is correctly seated, e.g. does 
not prop feet or legs against the dashboard. 
Otherwise, leg injury could result if the knee air-
bag and front airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that the passenger does not lean his 
or her head against the side airbag, otherwise 
serious injuries could result if the airbags sud-
denly deployed.<
Even when all these guidelines are observed, 
the risk of injury as a result of contact with the 
airbags cannot entirely be ruled out in some sit-
uations. In sensitive individuals, the ignition and 
inflation noise may induce a mild hearing loss 
that is temporary in most cases.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page52.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page32.
Safety belt
Make sure every occupant fastens his or her 
safety belt. As supplemental restraint devices, 
the airbags are designed to enhance the effec-
tiveness of the safety belts, and not to replace 
them.
Your vehicle offers two sitting positions, each of 
which is equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits 
low against the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. The safety belt must never rest 
against the throat, rub against sharp edges, 
pass over hard or fragile objects or be pinched. 
F a s t e n  t he  s a f e t y b e l t  a ro u n d  y o u r b o d y  s n u g l y,  
ma king sure tha t it is  pulled taut across  your lap 
and shoulder and that it is not twisted; other-
wise, the belt can slide over the hips in the event 
of a frontal collision and injure your abdomen. 
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull 
the belt in the upper-body area taut, otherwise 
its restraining effect could be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page33.
Seats 
Before adjusting your seat, always 
observe the following precautions
Never try to adjust your seat while driving. 
Otherwise, the seat could respond with 
unexpected movement, and the ensuing loss of  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 35
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
Children on the passenger seat
Children under 13 years of age or under 
5ft/150cm in height may only be trans-
ported in child-restraint systems suitable for 
their age, weight and size and if the passenger 
airbags are deactivated. Otherwise, there is an 
increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent or should the airbags deploy.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child-restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, weight and size.
The passenger seat complies with the recom-
mendations of the SAE J1819 standard for safe 
installation of child-restraint systems in motor 
vehicles.
For a child, not an infant, certain precautions 
should be taken. Position the passenger seat as 
far back as possible and at the lowest level. This 
important precaution is intended to maximize 
the distance between the airbags and the child.
Deactivating/reactivating passenger 
airbags
The passenger airbags must be deacti-
vated before using a rear-facing child-
restraint system on the passenger seat, refer 
also to page36 for explanation.
BMW also recommends that the passenger air-
bags be deactivated if a child is transported in a 
front-facing child-restraint system, regardless 
of the age of the child. If you transport a child in 
the passenger seat, not an infant in a rear-fac-
ing seat, who is properly seated and seat-belted 
at all times, the potential benefits of airbags 
deploying in an accident generally outweigh the 
risks of the child being injured by the force of a deploying airbag. 
Therefore, you should deactivate the passen-
ger airbags only if you find it difficult to ensure 
that the child will remain properly seated and 
seat-belted at all times.
Always position the passenger seat as far back 
as possible and at the lowest level.
The above warning and recommendations are 
compatible with regulations established by the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
NHTSA, permitting the deactivation of passen-
ger airbags by means of an on-off switch for 
members of certain at-risk groups.
Specifically, the at-risk groups are:
>Infants in rear-facing infant seats
>Persons with certain medical conditions
>Children aged 12 and under in the passen-
ger seat.
NHTSA provides this information via their web-
site, www.nhtsa.dot.gov, or via their Auto 
Safety Hotline toll-free at 
1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 
in Washington, D.C. area.<
Key switch for passenger 
airbags
The front, side and knee airbags for the passen-
ger can be deactivated and reactivated using a 
key switch. It is located on the passenger side 
on the side of the dashboard. 

Transporting children safely
36 The passenger airbags can only be deactivated 
and reactivated while the vehicle is at a stand-
still and the passenger door is open.
Deactivating
Use the key to turn the key switch to the OFF 
position.
The passenger airbags are deactivated in this 
position. The airbags for the driver remain 
active.
Reactivate the passenger airbags as soon 
as a child-restraint system is no longer 
installed on the passenger seat; otherwise they 
may not deploy as intended in the event of an 
accident.<
Reactivating
Use the key to turn the key switch to the ON 
position.
The passenger airbags in the vehicle are reacti-
vated and will be triggered in certain situations.
Operational status of the passenger 
airbags
The center console contains one of the indica-
tor lamps shown in the illustration.
>The indicator lamp remains lit when the 
passenger airbags are deactivated.
>The indicator lamp is not lit when the pas-
senger airbags are activated.
When the seat is empty, the passenger 
airbags are always deactivated. The indi-
cator lamp is not lit.<
Installing child-restraint 
systems
Before installing a child-restraint system 
on the passenger seat, make sure that the 
front and side airbags for the passenger are 
deactivated, otherwise there is an increased 
risk of injury if the airbags deploy. Observe the 
child-restraint system manufacturer's instruc-
tions for selecting, installing and using child-
restraint systems. Otherwise the protective 
effect may be diminished.<
Child seat security
The passenger's safety belt can be prevented 
from being pulled out in order to fasten child-
restraint systems.
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child-restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.
3.Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut 
against the child-restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child-restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the 
way.
Coupe: child-restraint system with 
tether strap
There is an anchor fitting in the cargo bay for 
child-restraint systems with a tether strap. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 37
To gain access to this anchor fitting, lift the 
plastic plug with the help of a screwdriver, see 
arrow.
Use the tether strap anchor fittings only 
to fasten child-restraint systems in place; 
otherwise the anchor fittings could be dam-
aged.<
Positioning the tether strap
1.Unhook the roller-blind cover, if necessary, 
and let it retract.
2.Push the head restraint upward.
3.Guide the tether strap through the head 
restraint support posts.
4.Push the head restraint into its lowest posi-
tion.
5.Clip the tether strap onto the anchor fitting.
M Sports seat*: positioning the tether 
strap
1.Unhook the roller-blind cover, if necessary, 
and let it retract.
2.Guide the tether strap through the holder at 
the top of the head restraint.
3.Clip the tether strap onto the anchor fitting.
LATCH child-restraint fixing system*
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
When installing a LATCH child seat, com-
ply with the child seat manufacturer's 
operating and safety instructions.<
Anchor points
The anchor points for the LATCH child seat can 
be found at the locations marked by the arrows.
Carefully push the child seat brackets through 
the gap between the seat cushion and backrest 
cushion at the designated locations, see 
arrows. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 53
help provide protection in the event of side 
impact. The relevant side airbag supports the 
side upper body area. The respective knee air-
bag protects the legs from hitting the cockpit.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by 
every collision, e.g. not by more minor acci-
dents, or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to 
dismantle the airbag retention system. Do not 
modify the individual components of the sys-
tem or its wiring in any way. This includes the 
padding in the steering wheel, the dashboard 
and the doors.
Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel. Do not touch the individual 
components immediately after the system has 
been triggered, because there is a danger of 
burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the passenger 
seat cushion determines whether and how the 
seat is occupied. The front and side airbags for 
the passenger are activated or deactivated by 
the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp in the center console 
shows the current status of the passen-
ger airbags, deactivated or activated, refer to 
Status of passenger airbags below.<
Before transporting a child on the pas-
senger seat, observe the safety and han-dling instructions under Transporting children 
safely, refer to page35. 
Adolescents and adults sitting in certain posi-
tions could inadvertently deactivate the front 
and side airbags on the passenger side; the 
indicator lamp for the passenger airbags comes 
on. In such cases, the passenger should change 
his or her sitting position so that the passenger 
airbags are activated and the indicator lamp 
goes out. If the passenger airbags cannot be 
restored to the desired status despite the pas-
senger changing his or her seat position, use 
the key switch to activate or deactivate the pas-
senger airbags, refer to page35. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
place any items under the seat which could 
press against the seat from below. Otherwise a 
correct analysis of the seat cushion is not 
ensured.<
Status of passenger airbags
The center console contains one of the indica-
tor lamps for the passenger airbags shown in 
the illustration.
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbags 
shows the functional status of the passenger's 
front and side airbags in accordance with 
whether and how the passenger seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the 
passenger airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp comes on as intended 
when a child in an appropriate child-
restraint system is detected on the seat. 
The front and side airbags for the passen-
ger are not activated. 

Everything from A to Z
114 Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel96
– Run-Flat Tires96
Charge indicator lamp12,97
Check gas cap, indicator 
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting 
system, LATCH37
Child-restraint systems36
Child seat, refer to Installing 
child-restraint systems36
Chrome parts, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter65
Cleaning the rear window, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning the windows
– automatically, refer to Rain 
sensor43
– reservoir capacity110
– spray nozzles44
– washer/wiper system43
– washer fluid44
– washer fluid reservoir44
Clock47
– 12h/24h mode48
– onboard computer48
– setting48
– setting, refer also to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Clothes hooks66
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine38
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Compact disc operation, refer 
to Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard ComputerComputer48
– button BC48
– clock, 12h/24h mode48
– refer to Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Computer, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked72
Condensation, removing from 
windows
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Configuring settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory18
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances67
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption48
Consumption display, refer to 
Fuel gauge46
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– convertible top20
– from outside20
– windows20
Convertible top26,27
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– convenience operation20
– electrical fault28
– emergency closing28
– fully automatic27
– malfunction28
– manual26
– mechanical26
Convertible top compartment 
panel23
Coolant89
– checking level89
– indicator lamp13
– thermometer47
Coolant water, refer to 
Coolant89Cooling
– maximum62
– refer to Switching cooling 
function on/off59,62
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant89
Cooling function
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Cooling system, refer to 
Capacities110
Copyright2
Correct tires84
Cruise control44
Cruising range48
Cup holders, refer to 
Beverage holders65
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights109
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data106D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting56
Data, technical
– capacities110
– dimensions107,108
– engine106
– measurements107,108
– weights109
Daytime running light55
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control49
– indicator/warning lamp13
Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking19
Defective bulb55
Defrosting, windows59,62
Defrosting the windshield, 
refer to Defrosting 
windows59,62
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 117
Height adjustment
– seats31
– steering wheel34
High beams56
– bulb replacement94
– headlamp flasher42
– indicator lamp12
High temperatures70
Holders for beverages65
Homepage BMW4
Hood86
Horn10
Hot exhaust system70
Hydraulic Brake Assistant, 
refer to Dynamic Brake 
Control DBC49
Hydraulics, brake90
Hydroplaning71
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature warning46
Identification mark
– Run-Flat Tires84
– tire coding82
– tires84,85
Ignition, refer to Ignition 
switched on38
Ignition key positions, refer to 
Ignition lock38
Ignition keys, refer to The key 
set18
Ignition lock38
Imprint2
Inclines71Indicator/warning lamp12
– airbags54
– alarm system24
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
– brakes13
– coolant temperature47
– DSC49
– DTC50
– engine oil level87
– engine oil pressure87
– engine temperature47
– fasten safety belts33
– Flat Tire Monitor51
– passenger airbags36
– reserve46
Indicator and warning lamps, 
overview12
Individual vehicle
– equipment, refer to Your 
individual vehicle5
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure80
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor51
– Tire inflation pressure80
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM51
– windows25
Inspection47
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting56
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Interior lamps56
– remote control19
Interior motion sensor24
Interior rearview mirror34
– automatic dimming 
feature
71
Interior temperature
adjusting59,62
Interlock, refer to Steering 
locked38,40
Intermittent
– operation of the wipers43Interval
– display, service47
J
Jack96
Jacking points97
Jets, refer to 
Ventilation59,63
Jump-starting99
K
Key Memory18
Keys18
Keys, refer to The key set18
Key switch for passenger 
airbags35
Kickdown41
Knee airbags52
Knock control79
L
Lamps55
Lamps and bulbs93
LATCH, child-restraint 
mounting system37
Leather care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
LEDs Light-emitting 
diodes93
Length, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
License plate lamps, bulb 
replacement96
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer 
to the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs93
Lighter socket, refer to 
Cigarette lighter65
Lighting
– instruments56
– lamps and bulbs93
– vehicle, refer to Lamps55 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 119
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for On-Board Diagnosis 
OBD91
Octane numbers, refer to Fuel 
specifications79
Odometer46
Oil, refer to Engine oil87
Oil level87
– checking88
Oil service47
Onboard computer, refer to 
Computer48
Onboard tool kit93
Opening
– from inside21
Opening and closing the 
vehicle
– at the door lock20
– from inside21
– from outside19
– with the remote control19
Outlets, refer to 
Ventilation59,63
Outside temperature display
– changing units of 
measure48
– in the onboard computer48
Outside temperature 
warning46
Overheated engine, refer to 
Coolant temperature47
P
Paintwork, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Parking brake39
– indicator lamp13,39
Parking lamps, refer to 
Parking lamps/Low 
beams55
Parking lamps/Low beams55
– bulb replacement94
Parking lock, refer to P 
Parking40Passenger airbags
– deactivation36
– reactivation36
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function34
Pathway lighting56
Permissible axle load, refer to 
Weights109
Permissible gross weight, 
refer to Weights109
Pinch protection system
– windows25
Placing the vehicle in storage, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Plastic, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter60
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter63
Power
– windows, refer to 
Windows25
Power convertible top27
Power failure97
Power output, refer to Engine 
data106
Power steering, electric52
Power windows
– initializing25
Pressure, tires80
Pressure monitoring, tires, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor51
Protective function, refer to 
Pinch protection system25
R
Radio, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Radio navigation, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Radio remote control key, 
refer to Master keys with 
remote control18
Rain sensor43
Reading lamps57Rear lamps
– bulb replacement96
– indicator lamp, defective 
lamp13
Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors34
Rear window defroster
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control63
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control63
Recirculating the air, refer to 
Recirculated-air 
mode59,63
Reclining seat, refer to 
Seats30
Refueling78
Releasing
– hood86
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range48
Remote control19
– luggage compartment lid19
– malfunction20
– tailgate19
Repairs
– refer to Maintenance 
system91
Replacement key, refer to 
New keys18
Replacement of tires84
Replacing lamps, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs93
Replacing tires, refer to Wheel 
and tire replacement84
Reserve
– indicator lamp, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Restraint systems
– for children36,37
– refer to Safety belts33
Reverse
– manual transmission40
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
Roadside Assistance98
Roadside parking lamps56