Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
43
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral, idle
You can select this in a car wash, for example.
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
This position is designed for driving under all
normal operating conditions. All forward gears
are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in posi-
tion D.
Kickdown
Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Manual operation and Sport program
M/S
Move the selector lever from position D to the
left into the M/S range:
The Sport program is activated. This is indi-
cated by the display SD in the instrument clus-
ter. This position is recommended for a perfor-
mance-oriented driving style.
The Sport program is enabled automatically
when the Dynamic Driving Control system is
activated, refer to page44.
To use the automatic function again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Shifting gears using the selector lever
When you press the selector lever forwards or
backwards, the manual mode is activated and
Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
The transmission will only execute upshifts and
downshifts that will result in an appropriate
combination of vehicle speed and engine rpm.
For instance, downshifts that would result in
excessive engine speed will not be executed.
The desired gear will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster, followed by the actual gear.
Shifting gears via the shift paddles* on
the steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears
quickly since your hands can remain on the
steering wheel.
>When you use the shift paddles on the
steering wheel to shift gears while in auto-
matic mode, the transmission automatically
switches to manual mode.
>If you do not use the shift paddles for a cer-
tain amount of time and do not accelerate,
the transmission automatically switches
back to automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear
plane, manual mode remains active.
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down, press one of the shift pad-
dles.
The instrument cluster shows M1 through M6.
The transmission will only execute upshifts and
downshifts that will result in an appropriate
combination of vehicle speed and engine rpm.
For instance, downshifts that would result in
excessive engine speed will not be executed.
The desired gear will appear briefly in the
instrument cluster, followed by the actual gear.
Malfunction
Red warning lamp
The transmission is overheating.
Reduce your speed immediately and
pull over at a suitable location so that
Everything under control
48
Everything under control
Odometer
1Odometer
2Trip odometer
3Resetting trip odometer
4Outside temperature or computer dis-
plays
*
Trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer:
While the ignition is switched on, press button 3
in the instrument cluster until the trip odometer
is set to zero.
Outside temperature display, clock*
Setting the clock, refer to page50.
Outside temperature warning
If the outside temperature drops to approx.
377/+36, the computer automatically
switches to the outside temperature display.
A signal also sounds and the display flashes for
a short time. There is an increased risk of black
ice.
After an outside temperature warning has
been issued, the computer switches back
to its previous screen. You can have this acti-
vated/deactivated.<
Black ice can also form at temperatures
above 377/+36. You should therefore
drive carefully on bridges and shaded roads, for
example, otherwise there is an increased risk of
an accident.<
When the vehicle is parked
If you still want to view the time and odometer
reading briefly after the ignition has been
switched off or the key has been removed:
Press button 3 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
Never allow the engine to operate with the nee-
dle in the red overspeed sector of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted when speed reaches this sector.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 14.5 US gallons/
55 liters. You can find information on refueling
on page82.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
49
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 page94.
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
50
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.
B e s u r e t o r e f u e l a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e o n c e
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.
Technology for driving comfort and safety
52 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 parking brake 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
Warning of low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamp lights up in yellow. A
signal also sounds. There is a flat tire or
a significant loss of tire pressure in one
or more tires.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, which is the standard
equipment by design, refer to page88, then
do not continue driving. Doing so after a tire
puncture may result in a severe accident.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kilopascal, you can estimate how far
you can continue driving on the basis of the
following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, cargo bay full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Driving characteris-
tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure.
This includes reduced tracking stability in brak-
ing, extended braking distance and altered nat-
ural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during
the journey, this may be an indication that the
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your
speed and pull over to the side of the road at a
suitable location at the earliest opportunity.
Otherwise, parts of the tire could come loose
and cause an accident. Do not continue driving.
Contact a BMW center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and
then lights up continuously. A flat tire
cannot be detected.
This warning is displayed under the following
circumstances:
>If there is a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted.
>If other systems or devices that use the
same radio frequency temporarily interfere
with the TPM.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illu-
mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain
Technology for driving comfort and safety
56 continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Electric Power Steering EPS
The concept
The electric power steering is a direct, sporting
steering system. A special combination of elec-
tric motor and transmission helps you steer
more easily. As your speed increases, steering
power assistance is reduced.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp stays lit:
The system is malfunctioning or defec-
tive.
Steering remains operational.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Brake Force Display
Left: normal braking.
Right: hard braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Side airbags
3Knee airbags
Protective action
Comply with the instructions on page30,
or the occupants' personal safety will be
diminished.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
passenger in the event of a frontal impact in
which safety belts alone cannot provide suffi-
cient protection. When needed, the side airbags
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
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
89
Correct wheels and tires
BMW recommends using only wheels
and tires that have been approved by
BMW for your particular vehicle model, other-
wise body contact and serious accidents can
result despite the use of the same nominal size,
e.g. due to manufacturing tolerances. If non-
approved wheels and tires are used, BMW can-
not evaluate their suitability, and therefore can-
not be held liable for driving safety.<
You can inquire about the correct wheel/tire
combination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, only use tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, for instance, mount the original wheel and
tire combination again as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for the Tire
Pressure Monitor TPM
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPMS electronics; otherwise the
Tire Pressure Monitor would not be able to
detect a flat tire, refer to page54. Your BMW
center will be glad to provide you with more
information.
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over
from summer to winter tires and vice versa,
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is
available. Your BMW BMW center will be glad to
provide you with more information.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced
rather than repaired.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends the use of winter tires for
operation under winter road conditions. While
all-season tires with M+S designation provide
better winter traction than summer tires, they
generally do not achieve the full performance of
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Store tires in a cool, dry place, protecting them
against light whenever possible. Protect the
tires from contact with oil, grease and fuel. Do
not exceed the maximum tire inflation pressure
indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels between the axles
BMW advises against moving the front wheels
to the rear wheel positions and vice versa, as
this may impair vehicle handling characteristics.