Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: controls and displays
2Folding exterior mirrors in or out*34
3Adjusting exterior mirrors34
1
Opening and closing windows25
4
Parking lamps55
Low beams55
Automatic headlamp control
*55
5
Instrument lighting56
6
Fog lamps
*56
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
Washer/wiper system/
Rain sensor*
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent or rain sensor mode
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wiper speed
4Brief wipe
5Selecting speed for intermittent mode or
setting sensitivity of the rain sensor
Intermittent mode
Not in vehicles with a rain sensor.
Rotary dial 5 is used to set the wipe interval to
one of four levels.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied automati-
cally depending on road speed.
Rain sensor*
On vehicles with a rain sensor, the wipe interval
is automatically controlled according to rain
intensity. The sensor is mounted on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rearview
mirror.
Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do
so could result in damage caused by undesired
wiper activation.<
Activating
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher,
move the lever to position 1.
In any case, the wipers will move once across
the windshield.
You can leave the lever continuously in
position1. Then, as long as the ignition key is in position 1 or higher, you only need to activate
the rain sensor.
To do so:
>Turn rotary dial 5 briefly or
>Clean the windshield, refer to Cleaning
windshield and headlamps* below
Adjusting sensitivity
Turn the rotary wheel 5.
Deactivating
Flip the lever to position 0.
Normal wiper speed
When the vehicle is stopped the wipers auto-
matically switch to intermittent wipe, except in
vehicles with a rain sensor.
Fast wiper speed
When the vehicle is stopped the wipers operate
at normal wiping speed, except in vehicles with
a rain sensor.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
0Wipers retracted
1Cleaning windshield and headlamps
*
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on the
windshield, otherwise vision could be
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid on
page44.
Do not operate washing mechanisms when the
washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you
will damage the washer pump.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
71
cannot be ruled out that vehicle electronics and
the mobile communications device interfere
with one another. In addition, it is not ensured
that the radio waves emitted during transmis-
sion are directed outside of the vehicle inte-
rior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors with
automatic dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior rearview mirror. In the Road-
ster, one is located in the mirror glass, see
arrow. In the Coupe, it is located at the bottom
of the mirror frame. The other photo cell is on
the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photocells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water may form between the tires and
the road surface. This situation, known as
hydroplaning, means that the tire can com-
pletely lose contact with the road surface, so
that neither the car can be steered nor the brake
be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page83.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Moisture inside the vehicle
Make sure that the passenger compart-
ment does not become wet and that liq-
uids are transported in closed containers.
Otherwise, moisture could penetrate and dam-
age electronic components inside the vehicle.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, keep the vehicle from rolling
by using the parking brake rather than by
slipping the clutch, which would lead to a high
degree of clutch wear.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Wet roads
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Watch traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The resulting heat dries the
brake rotors and brake pads. Immediate braking
force is then available if necessary.
Inclines
To prevent overheating and, as a result,
diminished braking effectiveness, drive
down long or steep downhill grades in the gear
that requires the least braking. Otherwise, even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
115
Defrost position, refer to
Defrosting windows59,62
Dehumidifying air, refer to
Switching cooling function
on/off59,62
Digital clock47
Dimensions107,108
Dimming mirrors71
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signal indicators42
Disc brakes72
Displacement, refer to Engine
data106
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting56
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant89
– vehicle battery97
Distance remaining, refer to
Cruising range48
Door keys, refer to The key
set18
Door lock20
Doors, unlocking and locking
– acknowledgment
signals19,20
– from inside21
– from outside19
DOT quality grades82
Draft-free ventilation59,63
Drive-off assistant50
Driving Dynamic Control42
Driving light, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams55
Driving notes70
Driving stability control
systems49
Driving through water71
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes70
Dry air, refer to Switching
cooling function on/
off59,62DSC Dynamic Stability
Control49
– indicator/warning lamp49
– indicator lamp13
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control49
– indicator/warning
lamp13
,50
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC49
– indicator/warning lamp13
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC49
– indicator/warning lamp49
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC49
– indicator/warning lamp50
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution49
Electric
– seat adjustment31
Electrical malfunction
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– convertible top28
– door lock20
– fuel filler door78
– luggage compartment lid22
– storage compartments64
– tailgate22
Electric Power Steering
EPS52
– indicator/warning
lamp13,52
Electric power windows25
– power loss25
Electronic
– brake-force distribution49
– oil level check88
Emergency call98
– button98
Emergency operation, refer to
Opening manually
– tailgate22
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance98Engine38
– break-in period70
– electronics13
– indicator lamp13
– overheated, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
– temperature47
Engine compartment87
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant89
Engine oil87
– adding89
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils89
– alternative oil grades89
– approved engine oils89
– capacity110
– change intervals, refer to
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
– change intervals, refer to
Service interval display47
– checking level88
– indicator/warning lamp12
– oil level87
– pressure
87
Engine output, refer to Engine
data106
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine38
EPS Electric Power
Steering52
Equipment scope, refer to the
Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control49
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system70
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
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
121
Starting assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC49
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting99
– temperature39
Starting with a flat battery,
refer to Jump-starting99
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing5
Steering wheel10
– adjusting34
– buttons on steering
wheel11
– lock38
Steptronic, refer to Sport
program and Manual
operation41
Storage compartments64
– electrical fault64
– eyeglasses compartment65
– glove compartment64
– opening manually64
Storage nets64
Storage space, refer to
– Cargo bay23
Storage space, refer to
Storage compartments64
Storing seat position, refer to
Seat memory32
Stowage, refer to Storage
compartments64
Summer tires, refer to Wheels
and tires80
Supply reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir44
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switch for passenger
airbags35
Switching cooling function on/
off manually59,62
Symbols4
T
Table of contents3
Tachometer46Tailgate21
– emergency operation22
– opening from inside the
vehicle21
– opening from the outside21
– opening manually22
– remote control19
– roller-blind cover65
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps96
Tail lights, refer to Rear
lamps96
Tank contents
– refer to Capacities110
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge46
Technical data106
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety5
Telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation
package67
Temperature
– air conditioning59
– automatic climate control62
– coolant, refer to Coolant
thermometer47
– engine47
Temperature display
– outside temperature46
– outside temperature
warning46
– setting unit of measure48
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control44
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp96
Three-point safety belt, refer
to Safety belts33
Tilt alarm sensor25
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror34
Tire inflation pressure80
– checking80
– loss51
– restoring80
Tire renewal84Tires
– age82,84
– break-in procedures70
– changing84
– coding82
– condition83
– damage84
– DOT quality grades82
– flat
51
– inflation pressure80
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor51
– replacement84
– size80
– storage85
– temperature83
– traction83
– tread83
– tread wear83
– Uniform Tire Quality
Grading82
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth83
– wheel and tire
replacement84
– winter tires85
– with emergency features,
refer to Run-Flat Tires84
Tire storage85
Tool kit, refer to Onboard tool
kit93
Torque, refer to Engine
data106
Tow bar101
Towing eyelet100
Towing the vehicle100
– methods101
– with automatic
transmission101
Tow rope101
Tow-starting101
Tow truck101
Track width, refer to
Dimensions107,108
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC49