
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps12
4Tachometer46
with indicator and warning lamps12
5Engine coolant temperature gauge47
6Fuel gauge46
7Button for
>Displaying the clock47
>Service interval display47
>Checking the oil level88
8Position of automatic transmission
*40
9Button for
>Resetting trip odometer46
>Setting the clock47
10Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer46
>Clock47
>Service interval47
>Computer
*48
>Checking the oil level88
Indicator and warning lamps 
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified 
by 
+ are tested for proper functioning whenever 
the key is turned. They each light up once for 
different periods of time.
If a malfunction occurs in one of the monitored 
systems, the corresponding lamp does not go 
out after the engine has started, or it lights up 
again while the vehicle is in motion. You can find 
more information about each system on the 
specified pages.
Turn signal indicators42
Battery charge current 
+97
Headlamp flasher/High beams42, 56
Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level 
+87
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving 
stability control systems 
+49 

Adjustments
32
Tilting upward
Pull lever1 repeatedly until the desired tilt has 
been reached.
Tilting downward
Press lever2 repeatedly until the desired tilt has 
been reached.
Thigh support
Pull lever3 and move the thigh support forward 
or back.
Head restraints
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.<
Adjusting the height
>To move up: pull up.
>To move down: press button1 and push 
the head restraint downward.
M Sports seat*
The head restraints are integrated in the back-
rests and cannot be adjusted in height.
Removal
1.Pull up all the way.
2.Press button1 and pull out the head 
restraint completely.
M Sports seat*
The head restraints are integrated in the back-
rests and cannot be removed.
Seat memory*
You can store and recall three different driver's 
seat positions.
Storing
Ignition key in position 1 or higher
1.Adjust seat to desired position.
2.Press the M
EMORY button.
The LED in the button lights up.
3.Press memory button 1, 2 or 3.
The LED goes out.
Manual call-up
Do not select a memory position while the 
vehicle is moving. If you do, there is a risk 
of accident from an unexpected movement of 
the seat.< 

Driving
42 the transmission can cool down again. You can 
continue your journey, but moderate your 
speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked immediately.
Yellow warning lamp
The transmission system is malfunc-
tioning. Avoid heavy loads.
All of the selector lever positions can 
continue to be engaged; in the forward drive 
positions, however, the vehicle will be operating 
in a restricted gear range only.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow-starting and jump-
starting begin on page99.
Driving Dynamic Control
At the touch of a button, Driving Dynamic Con-
trol enables you to drive your BMW in an even 
sportier style:
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to any motion of the accelerator pedal.
>The vehicle is steered more directly and 
traction is enhanced.
>Cruise control
*:
The stored speed is achieved more quickly 
when called up.
In addition with automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.
To activate the system
Press the SPORT button while the key is in 
position 2.
The LED in the button lights up.
To deactivate the system
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button goes out.
Turn signal indicators/
Headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signal indicators
Unusually rapid flashing of the indica-
tor lamp indicates that a turn signal 
indicator has failed.<
To signal briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
If you wish, you can have this function 
activated.< 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
50 In the following exceptional circumstances, it 
may be effective to activate the DTC for a short 
period:
>When driving on snow-covered grades, in 
slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads
>When rocking the vehicle or starting off in 
deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Checking 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Malfunction in the driving stability 
control systems
Have the system checked as soon as possible.Drive cautiously, think well ahead and 
avoid full brake applications, otherwise 
unstable driving conditions could result.<
The vehicle remains operational. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Drive cautiously and think well ahead, 
otherwise unstable driving conditions 
could result.<
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off 
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary 
to use the handbrake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the 
brake.
2.Release the brake and drive off without 
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in 
place for approx. 2 seconds after the 
brake is released. Depending on vehicle load, 
the car may roll backwards a little during this 
time span. Drive off without delay after releas-
ing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant 
will no longer hold the car in place after approx. 
2 seconds and the car will start to roll back-
wards.< The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp is lit:
DTC has been activated.
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in red, together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control systems 
have failed.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
The DSC warning lamp lights up 
together with the yellow warning lamp 
for the brake system:
DSC, including DTC and DBC, are 
malfunctioning.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 55
Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beams 
0Lamps off and daytime running light*
1Parking lamps and daytime running light*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control
* and daytime 
running light
*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps to signal the position of the vehi-
cle when it is parked. For the additional option 
of roadside parking lamps on one side of the 
vehicle only, refer to page56.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
When you switch off the ignition with the low 
beam headlamps on, only the parking lamps will 
remain on.
Defective bulb
The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the vehicle's exte-
rior lighting has failed.
For replacing bulbs refer to page93.
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in position3, the low beams 
are switched on and off automatically depend-
ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel, 
in twilight, or if there is precipitation.
When driving into tunnels with bright overhead 
lights, there may be a delay before the head-
lamps come on.
The headlamps may also come on when the 
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.
When daytime running light is activated, refer to 
page55, the low-beam headlamps are always 
switched on when the switch is in position 3 and 
the ignition is on.<
If desired, the light switch can remain in 
position3. The exterior lamps are automatically 
switched off after the vehicle is parked.
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the system 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
lamps manually under these conditions.<
You can have the sensitivity of your vehi-
cle's automatic headlamp control 
adjusted.<
Daytime running light*
If desired, the light switch can remain in the 
automatic headlamp control position. The exte-
rior lamps are automatically switched off after 
the vehicle is parked.
In the Parking lamps position, the parking lamps 
come on after the ignition is switched off.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps as 
described in the section about parking lamps. 

Lamps
56 You can have daytime running light acti-
vated/deactivated on your vehicle.<
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after park-
ing the car, with the lights switched off, the low 
beams come on and remain on for a certain 
time.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated as well as the duration of the 
pathway lighting set.<
LIGHTS ON warning
Whenever you open the driver's door after hav-
ing turned the 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.
High beams/Roadside 
parking lamps 
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
When parking the vehicle, you have the option 
to switch on the lamps only on the side facing 
the road.
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down, arrow 3, until it engages.
The roadside parking lamps discharge 
the battery. Therefore, do not leave them 
on for unduly long periods of time, otherwise 
the battery might not have enough power to 
start the engine.<
Fog lamps*
Press the button to switch them on/off.
The parking lamps or low-beam headlamps 
must be switched on. A green indicator lamp 
comes on in the instrument cluster to indicate 
that the front fog lamps are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
Turn the rotary dial to adjust brightness.
Interior lamps 
The interior lamps operate automatically. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 87
Important parts in the engine compartment
1Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page44
2Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil3Jump-starting connection, refer to page99
4Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page90
5Body ground, negative terminal, refer to 
page100
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to page89
Engine oil 
Oil consumption is directly influenced by your 
driving style and vehicle operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure 
The warning lamp lights up in red: 
The engine oil pressure is too low. 
Stop the vehicle immediately and 
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level 
and top up if necessary. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact your nearest BMW Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.Do not continue driving, otherwise the 
engine could sustain serious damage 
from inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
while you are driving. In addition, a sig-
nal sounds and "+1.0" appears in the 
instrument cluster, refer to page88.
The oil level is at the absolute minimum; refill as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more than 
125 miles/200 km before refilling.
The warning lamp comes on in yellow 
after the engine is switched off. A signal 
also sounds.
Add engine oil at the earliest opportunity, e.g. 
when you stop to refuel. 

Everything from A to Z
118 Lighting of the instruments, 
refer to Instrument 
lighting56
LIGHTS ON warning56
Light switch55
Loads, refer to Cargo 
loading72
Loads, securing73
Locking the doors
– from inside21
– from outside19,20
Locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Longlife oils
– approved engine oils89
Low beams55
– automatic55
– bulb replacement94
– indicator lamp, defective 
lamp13
Luggage compartment
– capacity109
– floor panel93
– increasing capacity23
– opening and closing21,22
– opening from inside the 
vehicle21,22
– opening from the 
outside21,22
Luggage compartment lid22
– emergency release23
– indicator lamp13
– opening from inside the 
vehicle22
– opening from the outside22
– remote control19
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter 
tires85
Maintenance91
– refer to Service Booklet
– refer to Service interval 
display47,91
Making telephone calls, refer 
to Owner's Manual for 
TelephoneMalfunction
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door78
– luggage compartment lid22
– storage compartments64
– tailgate22
Malfunction of electrical 
accessory97
Manual
– air distribution62
– air flow rate62
Manual convertible top26
Manual mode, refer to 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
Manual operation
– door lock20
– driver's door20
– fuel filler door78
– luggage compartment lid22
– power convertible top28
– storage compartments64
– tailgate22
– transmission lock, automatic 
transmission40
Manual transmission40
Manufacturer5
Master keys with remote 
control18
Maximum cooling62
Maximum speed
– with winter tires85
MD operation, refer to 
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Measurements, refer to 
Dimensions107,108
Mechanical seat31
Memory
– Seat memory32
– Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory18
Microfilter
– air conditioning60
– automatic climate control63Microphone, refer to Mobile 
phone preparation 
package67
Minidisc operation, refer to 
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
Mirrors34
– exterior mirrors
34
– heating34
– interior rearview mirror34
Mobile communications in the 
vehicle, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Mobile phone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phone preparation 
package67
Mobile phones, use inside the 
car, refer to Mobile 
communications in the 
vehicle70
Modifications, technical, refer 
to For your own safety5
M Sports seat31
Multifunctional steering 
wheel, refer to Buttons on 
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signal 
indicators/headlamp 
flasher42
– refer to Washer/wiper 
system43
N
Navigation system, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints32
Nets64
New
– keys18
– tires84
Nylon rope, refer to Tow 
rope101