
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. 

Practical interior accessories
64
Practical interior accessories
Glove compartment 
To open
Press the two push buttons together.
To close
Swing the door up.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Storage compartments 
Storage compartment between 
backrests
To open
1.Press button1.
2.Swing the cover down.
To close
Swing the cover up.
Locking/unlocking
The storage compartment between the back-
rests is automatically locked and unlocked with 
the central locking system.
Roadster: releasing manually
In the event of a malfunction or if the central 
locking system fails, you can manually unlock 
the storage compartment between the seats.
1.Pull on the cord in the rear trim panel of the 
cargo bay:
The storage compartment between the 
seats unlocks.
2.Press button1.
Other compartments and nets*
Other compartments can be found on the 
doors, in the center console and behind the 
seats, depending on your vehicle's equipment.
Nets
* are located on the passenger side of the 
center console and on the rear of the backrests. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 73
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The 
greater the weight of the occupants, the less 
cargo can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward as possi-
ble, directly behind the cargo bay partition, 
and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
To avoid damaging the rear of the back-
rests or the rear interior trim panel, do not 
stow heavy cargo or cargo with sharp edges 
and corners behind the seats.
In addition, large and bulky cargo stowed 
behind a seat may prevent the backrest from 
engaging properly. Therefore, check the back-
rest to see if it is properly engaged, and move 
the seat forward if necessary; refer to page31.
Always position and secure the load as 
described above. If you do not, it can endanger 
the occupants during braking or evasive 
maneuvers.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page109, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried 
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown 
around, for example as a result of heavy braking, 
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Roadster: convertible top 
compartment
The cargo bay can be enlarged when the 
convertible top is closed, refer to page23.
I t  i s  r e c o m m e n d ed  t h a t  y o u  a lw a y s  f o l d  t h e  c o n -
vertible top compartment panel down as soon 
as you have taken your cargo out of the cargo 
bay. This way, you can be sure that you can 
always operate the convertible top at any time.
When the convertible top is closed, fold the 
convertible top compartment panel up before 
stowing your cargo in the cargo bay, to avoid 
any damage to the convertible top compart-
ment or your load.
Do not stow any items on the convertible top 
compartment panel, otherwise the convertible 
top could be damaged while it is opening.<
If you stow cargo behind the seats of your 
BMW:
>Only stow light objects such as clothing, 
etc.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge 
of the backrests.
Roadster: hardtop 
preparation*
Pull covers off, see arrow1.
The brackets for attaching the hardtop 
are located underneath the covers; see arrow2. 

Everything from A to Z
112
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System49
– indicator lamp12
Accident, refer to Emergency 
call98
Acknowledgment signal for 
locking/unlocking vehicle19
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate control63
Additives
– coolant89
– engine oil89
Adjusting
– seats30
Adjusting the thigh support32
Airbags52
– deactivating36
– indicator/warning lamp13
– passenger airbags indicator 
lamp36
– reactivation36
– safe seating position30
Airbag switch, refer to Key 
switch for passenger 
airbags35
Air conditioning58
Air-conditioning operation, 
refer to Cooling 
function59,62
Air distribution
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
– individual59,62
Air flow rate
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
Airing out, refer to 
Ventilation59,63
Air outlets, refer to 
Ventilation59,63Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure80
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air 
mode59,63
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications79
Alarm system23
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms24
– interior motion sensor24
– switching off an alarm24
– tilt alarm sensor24
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires83,85
Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air 
mode59,63
Ambient temperature 
display46
Antenna, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Antifreeze44,89
– coolant89
– washer fluids44
Antilock Brake System 
ABS49
– indicator/warning lamp12
– indicator lamp13
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system23
Anti-theft protection19,23
Approved engine oils89
Artificial leather, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Ashtray65
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems49
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control63Automatic
– air distribution62
– air flow rate62
– cruise control44
– headlamp control55
– luggage compartment lid 
operation22
– recirculated-air control 
AUC63
– tailgate operation21
Automatic car wash, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Automatic climate control61
Automatic convertible top27
Automatic lamps55
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– indicator lamp13
– interlock38,40
– selector lever41
– selector lever lock40
– shiftlock40
– shift paddles on steering 
wheel41
– towing the vehicle101
– tow-starting101
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control62
Average fuel consumption48
– setting unit of measure48
Average speed48
– setting unit of measure48
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms24
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights109
B
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment31 

Everything from A to Z
116 Exterior mirrors34
– adjusting34
– automatic dimming 
feature71
– automatic heating34
– folding in and out34
Eyeglasses compartment65
Eyes, tow-starting and towing 
away100
F
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms24
– refer to Switching off an 
alarm24
Fasten safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts33
Filter
– refer to Microfilter60
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter63
Fine wood, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid 
kit99
First-aid kit99
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires84
Flat tire51
– Flat Tire Monitor51
– indicator/warning lamp13
– refer to Changing a wheel96
– refer to Tire condition83
– Run-Flat Tires84
Flat Tire Monitor FTM51
– indicator/warning lamp51
– initializing the system51
– snow chains85
– system limits51
Flat tire service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance98
Floods, refer to Driving 
through water71
Floor covers, carpets, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochureFloor mats, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Fog lamps56
– indicator lamp13
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely71
For your own safety5
Front airbags52
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor51
Fuel
– average consumption48
– capacity, refer to 
Capacities110
– display46
– quality79
– tank capacity79
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Fuel filler flap, refer to Gas 
cap78
Fuel level
– refer to Fuel tank capacity79
Fuel tank capacity, refer to 
Capacities110
Fully automatic convertible 
top27
Fuses97
G
Gas cap78
Gasoline, refer to Fuel 
specifications79
Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic40
Gear lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Glove compartment64Gross weight, refer to 
Weights109
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs94
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake39
Hands-free microphone67
Hardtop, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Hardtop preparation73
Hazard warning flashers14
Headlamp control, 
automatic55
Headlamp flasher42
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps
– bulb replacement94
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– cleaning43
– cleaning system, washer 
fluid44
– cover94
– glass, care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
– washer reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir44
– washer reservoir volume, 
refer to Capacities110
Head restraints32
– safe seating position30
Heated
– rear window59,63
– seats33
Heated mirrors34
Heating
– mirrors34
– rear window59,63
– seats33
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo 
loading72
Height, refer to 
Dimensions107,108 

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