
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.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 47
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve 
zone of approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters, indicator 
lamp 1 lights up continuously.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is empty 
and refill it well in advance. Otherwise the 
engine may not operate properly and damage 
could result.<
When you switch on the ignition, the indicator 
lamp comes on briefly to indicate an operational 
check.
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge 
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate 
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between the blue and red zones
Normal operating range. The needle may rise as 
far as the edge of the red sector during normal 
operation.
Red
When you switch on the ignition, warning 
lamp1 comes on briefly to indicate an opera-
tional check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Stop and switch 
the engine off immediately and allow it to cool 
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to page89.
Service interval display 
The remaining driving distance in miles/km until 
the next scheduled service is displayed briefly 
immediately after you start the engine or switch 
on the ignition.
The words OILSERVICE or INSPECTION indi-
cate the type of service due next. The computer 
bases its calculations of the remaining driving 
distance on the preceding driving style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in front of 
the number mean that the service interval has 
already been exceeded by the number of miles/
kilometers shown on the display. Please sched-
ule an appointment with your BMW Center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
The extent of service work required can 
be read out from the remote control by 
your BMW Service Advisor.<
Clock 
If you wish to have a permanent time display, 
you can have it appear in the car radio display, 
refer to the Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the time and the time display in the 
car radio as follows. 

Everything under control
48
Setting the clock
1.Press button 2 for several seconds until the 
hours are displayed and the colon flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the required 
hour is set.
3.Press button2 to switch to the minutes dis-
play.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the required 
minutes are set.
5.Press button2 to confirm the time.
The set time of day is transferred to the car 
radio display or appears in the instrument clus-
ter display.
Computer* 
To view the information on the instrument clus-
ter display, press the onboard computer button 
BC in the turn signal lever.
Each time you tap the onboard computer but-
ton, the following information is shown in the 
specified order:
>Time
>Outside temperature
>Average fuel consumption
>Cruising range>Average speed
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the 
respective last active setting is displayed.
If you wish, you can have all the following 
information displayed in another unit of 
measure.<
Setting the time format
You can have the clock displayed in 12h or 24h 
mode:
While the time display is active, press the 
onboard computer button BC in the turn signal 
lever until the display changes.
Changing unit of measure: °F/°C
While the outside temperature display is active, 
press the onboard computer button BC in the 
turn signal lever until the display changes.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for 
the time for which the engine has been running.
To reset the average fuel consumption display:
Press the onboard computer button BC in the 
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Cruising range
The computer bases its calculations of the 
cruising range on the preceding driving style 
and on the amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
Be sure to refuel as soon as possible once 
your cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
The average speed is calculated for the time for 
which the engine has been running.
To reset the average speed display:
Press the onboard computer button BC in the 
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 49
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Driving stability control 
systems 
Your BMW is equipped with a series of systems 
that help maintain driving stability even in 
adverse driving situations.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during 
braking. Steering stability is maintained even 
during full brake applications. In this way, active 
safety is enhanced.
ABS is operational each time the engine is 
started. Braking safely, refer to page71.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls brake-force application at 
the rear wheels in order to obtain increased sta-
bility in the vehicle's braking response.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. At the same time, the benefits of the ABS 
are also exploited.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do 
not reduce pressure on the brake.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels while 
starting off and accelerating the vehicle. DSC 
also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, 
such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In these 
cases, and subject to physical limits, DSC helps 
to keep the vehicle on a steady course by 
reducing engine speed and by applying brakes 
at individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed 
even with DSC. It will always be the 
driver's responsibility to drive in a manner that 
matches road conditions. Therefore, do not limit the additional safety margin by practicing 
risky driving.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamp for DSC lights up in the instrument 
cluster. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
DSC have been deactivated simultaneously. No 
more interventions to increase stability and for-
ward momentum are carried out.
To enhance vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as 
soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes 
out in the instrument cluster.
Checking 
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp is lit:
DSC has been deactivated completely.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a variant of the DSC in which forward 
momentum is optimized for special road condi-
tions, e.g. snow-covered roads that have not 
yet been cleared. The system ensures maxi-
mum forward momentum, but driving stability is 
limited. Therefore, drive carefully in accordance 
with conditions. 

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. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
54 >The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat. The front and side airbags for the pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty. However, the front and side 
airbags for the passenger are not activated.
Operational readiness of the airbag 
system 
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that 
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners 
are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not come on with the 
ignition key in position 1 or higher
>Warning lamp remains permanently on
In the event of a malfunction, have the air-
bag system checked immediately. Other-
wise, there is a risk that the system may not 
respond in the expected manner to an impact 
within its normal response range.< 

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. 

Climate
62
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program 6 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below. In addition, you can 
select an interior temperature you find pleasant.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Air distribution, manual
Direct the flow of air to the windows 
, to the upper body area   and to 
the footwell  . Intermediate settings 
are possible. The arrow lights up.
The automatic air supply remains unchanged. 
You can switch the automatic air distribution 
back on by pressing the AUTO button.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and side 
windows.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper 
body area and into the footwell for 
you. The air flow rate and your temperature 
specifications will be adapted to outside influ-
ences as a result of seasonal changes, e.g. sun-
light or window condensation.
The cooling is switched on automatically with 
the AUTO program.
The AUTO program functions only to a 
limited extent when the convertible top is 
open.<
Air flow rate, manual
Adjust the air flow rate. The arrow 
lights up.
The automatic air distribution 
remains unchanged. You can reactivate the 
automatic mode for the air flow rate with the 
AUTO button.The higher the air flow rate, the more effective 
the air conditioning will be.
Switching the system on/off
Turn the rotary switch to 0. The automatic cli-
mate control is switched off and the air supply is 
cut off.
To switch on the automatic climate control, set 
any desired air flow rate.
Switching cooling function on/off
When the cooling function is on, the 
air is cooled, dehumidified, then 
reheated depending on the tempera-
ture setting.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program. The passen-
ger compartment can only be cooled while the 
engine is running.
Maximum cooling 
At outside temperatures above 
327/06 and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum cool-
ing effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control switches to the 
lowest temperature and operates in recircu-
lated-air mode. Air flows at maximum rate only 
from the vents for the upper body area. You 
should therefore open them for maximum cool-
ing.
Temperature 
Set the desired temperature.
The values on the dial are approxima-
tions of the respective temperature 
resulting in the passenger compartment.
The automatic climate control achieves this 
temperature as quickly as possible regardless 
of the season, using maximum cooling or heat-
ing power if necessary, and then maintains it.
If you switch between different tempera-
ture settings in quick succession, the