Driving tips
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Mobility
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maximum
depth of 1 ft/30 cm and then, at no more
than walking speed. Otherwise, you run the risk
of damaging the vehicle's engine, electrical sys-
tems, and transmission.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. In situations that require it, it is best
to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless 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.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving in wet conditions and in heavy
rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure to
the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic
conditions to ensure that this maneuver does
not endanger other road users. The heat gener-
ated helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or
steep downhill grades in the gear that requires
the least amount of braking. Otherwise, even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear, and possibly
even failure of the brake system.
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches,
refer to page63. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off; otherwise, there will be no
engine braking action or power-assist for the
brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure that must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the rotors is not
reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
1.Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50;
otherwise, they could be damaged due to
the width of the vehicle.
To permit the vehicle to roll, follow the
instructions on page58.
2.Release the parking brake, especially when
you have activated Automatic Hold. Refer to
page59.
Telephone overview
178
Telephone overview
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a mobile phone
preparation package. After a suitable mobile
phone has been paired with the vehicle once,
you can operate the mobile phone via iDrive, via
the button on the steering wheel, via the phone
keypad and by voice
*.
A mobile phone that has been paired with the
vehicle once is automatically detected again
with the engine running or the ignition switched
on as soon as it is brought inside the vehicle.
The logon data of up to four mobile phones can
be stored simultaneously. If several mobile
phones are detected simultaneously, then the
vehicle can be used to operate the mobile
phone that was most recently paired with it.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a cradle for your
mobile phone, is inserted into the center arm-
rest. If the mobile phone is inserted into the
snap-in adapter, the battery is charged and the
mobile phone is connected to the external
antenna of the vehicle whenever the ignition
key is in the radio ready state or higher. This
assures better network reception and uniform
sound quality. Ask your BMW center which
mobile phones snap-in adapters are offered for.
To use the snap-in adapter, refer to page181.
BMW discourages the use of mobile
phones or other mobile communications
devices inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communications
device can interfere with each other. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation gener-
ated during transmission will be discharged
from the vehicle interior.
phone; otherwise, malfunctions can occur.
The mobile phone can be operated by means
of:
>the button on the steering wheel, refer to
page11
>the retracting telephone keypad, refer to
page179
>iDrive, refer to Initiating communication,
page184
>the voice command system
*, refer to
page23
For information on operating your mobile
phone, please consult the separate operating
instructions.
For your safety
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving;
use the hands-free system instead. If you do
not comply with this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones
with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the
mobile phone preparation package or which
mobile phones snap-in adapters are available
for. These mobile phones support the functions
described in this Owner's Manual with a certain
software version. Malfunctions can occur with
other mobile phones.
*
Refueling
198
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling;
otherwise, no fuel can be dispensed into
the tank and a message is displayed.<
When handling fuel, take all applicable
precautionary measures and follow all
applicable regulations. Never transport reserve
fuel containers in the vehicle. These can leak
and cause an explosion or a fire in an accident.<
Fuel filler door
To open and close: briefly press the rear edge of
the fuel filler door.
Manual release
In the event of a malfunction, you can release
the fuel filler door manually:
1.Lift the handle to remove the cover panel on
the right side of the luggage compartment.
2.Take the knob with the fuel pump symbol
from the bracket and pull it to unlock the
fuel filler door.
Simple and environmentally friendly
When handling fuels, always follow any
safety guidelines posted at the gas sta-
tion.<
Put the filler cap in the bracket attached to the
fuel filler door.
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid raising the filler
nozzle during refueling; otherwise, this
>results in premature pump shutoff
>can lead to reduced efficiency in the fuel-
vapor recovery system
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 23.2 US gal/88 liters, including a
reserve of:
>750i/Li: approx. 2.6 US gal/10 liters.
>760i/Li: approx. 3.1 US gal/12 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km; otherwise, engine functions are not
assured and damage can occur.<
Closing fuel filler cap
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not crush the cap leash between the
fuel filler cap and the vehicle. A message
*
is displayed if the cap is loose or missing.<
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Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline; otherwise,
you will damage the catalytic converter.
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel consisting
of 85Ξ ethanol or flex fuel. Otherwise the
engine and fuel supply system will be dam-
aged.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with a
lower AKI rating. The minimum AKI rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the mini-
mum specified fuel grade. Otherwise the
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10Ξ ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8Ξ oxygen by weight,
that is, 15Ξ MTBE or 3Ξ methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems,
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in unscheduled maintenance.<
Under the hood
208
Engine compartment
1Wiper fluid filler neck66
2Engine oil filler neck, refer to Adding engine
oil3Body ground, negative terminal220
4Coolant expansion tank210
5Jump starting terminal220
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption depends on driving
style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level control.
To obtain the most accurate possible oil level
reading, the measurement should be taken
when the engine is at operating temperature,
i.e. following an uninterrupted drive of at least
6 miles/10 km. You can display the oil level
while driving or when stopped on a level surface
with the engine running.
The current oil level can be viewed on the Con-
trol Display.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".
3.Select and press the controller.
The oil level is displayed.
Turn the controller to exit the list.
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Possible displays
>"Update of engine oil level in process".
>"Engine oil level O.K.".
>"Oil level at minimum! Add 1 quart engine
oil": add a maximum of 1 quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the earliest opportunity, refer
to Adding engine oil.
>"Oil level under min.! Add 1 quart engine
oil": add a maximum of 1 quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the earliest opportunity, refer
to Adding engine oil.
>"Engine oil level too high".
Have vehicle checked immediately;
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to
engine damage.<
>"No measurement possible at this time".
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until a Check Control message
appears.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers to avoid health risks.<
Oil changing
Only have an oil change carried out by a BMW
center or a repair shop that works in accordance
with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately
trained personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific engine oils after confirming their suitability
for use in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Use only approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is
unavailable, you can add small quantities of
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Use
only oils of the specification API SH or higher.
Your BMW center will be happy to answer
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Never use oil additives as they can dam-
age your engine under some circum-
stances.<
Viscosity grades
The viscosity is a measure of the thickness of
the oil and is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on
the climatic conditions in the region in which
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.
Under the hood
210
Coolant
Do not open the cooling system when the
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and supplemental
antifreeze and anticorrosion agents. Not all
commercially available additives are suitable for
your BMW. Ask your BMW center for suitable
additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. The additives
present a health hazard; follow the instructions
on the containers.<
Always follow all applicable environmen-
tal laws and regulations when disposing
of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Allow engine to cool.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant extends to between the MIN and MAX
marks on the filler neck, refer to the diagram
adjacent to the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Twist closed the cap and tighten firmly.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System serves to
retain the operating and road safety of your
BMW. The service schedule also includes oper-
ations related to the vehicle's comfort and con-
venience features, such as replacement of the
filters for the inside air. The aim is to optimize
maintenance procedures with a view to reduc-
ing the cost of running the vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into
account. As a result, Condition Based Service
determines the current and future maintenance
requirements. By letting you define a service
and maintenance regimen that reflects your
own individual requirements, the system forms
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the
remaining times and distances for selected
maintenance procedures and any legally man-
dated deadlines displayed, refer to page78:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, separate for front and rear
>Microfilter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally prescribed inspections depending
on national regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control
while you are driving. After accessing the data
stored in the vehicle key, your BMW Service
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. This is why it is important when you take
your vehicle in for service to give the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor the last remote control you used
for driving.
Storage periods with the battery discon-
nected are not taken into account by the
CBS maintenance system. If this occurs, have a
BMW center update the time-dependent main-
tenance procedures, such as checking brake
fluid and if necessary engine oil and the micro/
activated charcoal filter.<
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service
and repair operations performed at your
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<