
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 15
1Reading lamps*61
2Interior lamps61
3Air conditioning62 
or automatic climate control
*65
5Indicator/warning lamp
passenger airbags37
6Central locking system21
7Hazard warning flashers
8Dynamic Driving Control44 Air distribution for air 
conditioning63
Air distribution for automatic cli-
mate control
*66
Automatic air distribution and flow 
rate
*66
Cooling function
*63,66
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control
*67
Recirculated-air mode63,67
Maximum cooling
*66
Air flow rate63,66
Defrosting windows
*66
Rear window defroster63,67 
4
Seat heating
*33
Roadster: opening the convertible 
top
*27
Roadster: closing the convertible 
top
*27
Dynamic Traction Control DTC51
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
*53
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
*54 

Opening and closing
26 >It is advisable to close the convertible top 
when the vehicle is parked. When closed, 
the top not only guards the passenger com-
partment from unforeseeable damage from 
the weather, but also affords a degree of 
protection against theft. Valuables, how-
ever, should only be kept in the locked 
cargo bay, even when the convertible top is 
closed.
>When the convertible top is open, the cen-
tral locking system also locks button 1 for 
the convertible top, refer to page26. The 
convertible top cannot be operated. This 
provides better theft protection for valu-
ables stored in the cargo bay.
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage rack 
system on the convertible top.
Never keep a wet convertible top in the 
convertible top compartment for longer 
than one day, otherwise the moisture could 
cause damage.<
Opening
Operate the convertible top only when 
the vehicle is stationary.
To avoid any damage when opening the con-
vertible top, make sure that the convertible top 
compartment panel in the cargo bay has been 
folded down, refer to page23.<
1.Flip the handle out and turn it to the end 
stop.
2.Fold the handle back in.
Do not guide the convertible top 
towards the rear with the handle 
folded out, otherwise the convertible top's 
headliner could be damaged.<3.Open the convertible top and guide it 
toward the rear of the vehicle.
4.Gently swing the convertible top downward 
and press until it engages audibly.Closing
1.Press button1.
The convertible top is released and moves 
up slightly.
2.Using the handle, pull the convertible top 
forward onto the windshield frame.
3.Turn the handle until it engages audibly. 
The convertible top is locked.
At higher speeds, a vacuum effect in the 
passenger compartment can cause the 
convertible top to begin fluttering. Increase the 
air flow from the air conditioning or automatic  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 27
climate control to prevent a partial vacuum in 
the vehicle.<
Roadster: fully automatic 
convertible top*
The fully automatic convertible top combines 
assured protection against the elements with 
simple and easy handling.
Here are a few tips so that you get the most out 
of your BMW:
>It is advisable to close the convertible top 
when the vehicle is parked. When closed, 
the top not only guards the passenger com-
partment from unforeseeable damage from 
the weather, but also affords a degree of 
protection against theft. Valuables, how-
ever, should only be kept in the locked 
cargo bay, even when the convertible top is 
closed.
>Never mount a roof-mounted luggage rack 
system on the convertible top.
Do not operate the convertible top at tem-
peratures below 147/–106, otherwise 
damage could result.
Never keep a wet convertible top in the convert-
ible top compartment for longer than one day, 
otherwise the moisture could cause damage.
Do not lay objects on the convertible top, other-
wise they could fall off when the convertible top 
is operated and cause damage or injuries.
Driving while the convertible top is not com-
pletely open or closed can cause vehicle dam-
age or personal injury.
Do not reach into the convertible top mecha-
nism during opening and closing. Keep children 
away from the convertible top's range of move-
ment.
For safety reasons, whenever possible operate 
the convertible top when the vehicle is station-
ary.<
If a convertible top operation has not yet 
been completed as you start to drive off, 
at a traffic light for example, you can continue 
the procedure at moderate speed:
To do so, press and hold the corresponding button again.
At higher speeds, a vacuum effect in the pas-
senger compartment can cause the convertible 
top to begin fluttering. Use the air conditioning 
or automatic climate control to increase the air 
flow rate and thus prevent a partial vacuum in 
the vehicle.<
Before opening and closing
>Read and comply with the preceding safety 
precautions.
>Make sure that the convertible top com-
partment panel in the cargo bay has been 
folded down; refer to page23. Otherwise 
the convertible top cannot be opened.
>Ensure that the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate is closed.
Opening and closing
With the key in ignition position 1 or higher, 
refer to page40, and while the vehicle is sta-
tionary:
If at all possible, operate the convertible 
top only with the engine running. This 
saves unnecessary battery wear.
Before closing the convertible top, remove any 
objects from the windshield frame that other-
wise could prevent the convertible top from 
closing properly.<
1Closing
2Opening
The side windows will move down slightly 
when you press the button for operating 
the convertible top.
After the opening or closing operation, the win-
dows will move back up if you press the button  

Climate
62
Climate
Air conditioning 
1Air flow toward the windshield and side win-
dows
2Air to the upper body area
Ventilation63
3Air to the footwell
4Air distribution
5Cooling function
*
6Recirculated-air mode
7Temperature
8Air flow rate
9Rear window defroster 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 63
Air distribution 
Direct the flow of air to the windows 
, to the upper body area   and to 
the footwell  . Intermediate settings 
are possible.
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.
Recirculated-air mode
If the air outside the car has an 
unpleasant odor or contains pollut-
ants, temporarily shut off the supply 
to the interior of the car. The system 
recirculates the air within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the recircu-
lated-air mode, you should switch it off 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate. 
The manually controlled recirculated-air mode 
should not be used continuously for lengthy 
periods, otherwise the quality of the air inside 
the car will gradually deteriorate.<
Temperature 
For a higher temperature, turn the 
rotary switch clockwise towards red. 
For a lower temperature, turn the 
rotary switch counterclockwise 
towards blue.
Air flow rate
Adjust the air flow rate. The higher 
the rate, the more effective the heat-
ing or cooling will be.
Switching the system on/off
Set the air flow rate to 0. Blower and air condi-
tioning are switched off and the air supply is cut 
off.
To switch on the heater or air conditioning, set 
any desired air flow rate.
Rear window defroster
The defroster switches off automati-
cally after a certain time.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
1.Air distribution1 in position  .
2.Set air flow rate 2 to position 4.
3.Temperature3 to the right, red.
4.Switch on rear window defroster 4 to 
defrost the rear window.
Ventilation
1Knurled wheels to set any vent position 
from fully open to closed
2Slide for adjusting air flow direction
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air toward you, for instance if it has become too 
hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and not straight at you. 

Climate
66
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  

Special operating instructions
74
Special operating instructions
Break-in procedures 
Moving parts need to be given some time until 
they can interact smoothly with one another. To 
ensure that your vehicle provides maximum 
economy throughout a long service life, we 
request that you observe the following:
Always obey all official speed limits.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do 
not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h.
Refrain from using full throttle and avoid press-
ing the accelerator beyond the kickdown point.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
Tires 
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until an initial break-in period has 
elapsed. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. Shift gears carefully during 
the break-in period.
After replacing components
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
Driving notes 
Close the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is closed. 
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the inte-
rior of the vehicle.<
Should it be absolutely necessary to drive with 
the luggage compartment lid/tailgate open:
1.Coupe: close both windows.
Roadster: close all windows if the convert-
ible top is closed.
2.Greatly increase the air flow from the air 
conditioning or automatic climate control, 
refer to page62 or65.
Hot exhaust system 
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Never remove the heat shields installed in 
this area, nor apply undercoating to their sur-
faces. When driving, standing at idle or parking 
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact between 
the hot exhaust system and flammable materi-
als, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact 
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious personal 
injury and property damage. Do not touch the 
hot exhaust pipes to avoid the risk of injury from 
burns.<
Mobile communications in the vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munications devices, e.g. mobile phones, 
inside the vehicle without connecting them 
directly to an outside antenna. Otherwise, it  

Special operating instructions
76 sure which must be exerted by the pads to 
clean the rotors by brake applications is not 
reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they will tend to 
respond to braking with a pulsating effect which 
even extended application will fail to cure.
Brake pads
The warning lamp lights up. The brake 
pads have worn down to the minimum 
safe limit. Have the brake pads 
replaced as soon as possible.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the air conditioning 
or automatic climate control is in operation, and 
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground underneath the 
vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of 
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure.
Cargo loading
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the 
permissible carrying capacity of the tires 
is not exceeded. Otherwise, overheating and 
inner damage to the tires may result. The ulti-
mate result can assume the form of a sudden air 
loss.<
Determining the maximum load
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passenger that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passenger from XXX kilograms or 
YYY pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
551 lbs and there will be two 150 lbs occu-
pants in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
251 lbs.
551 lbs minus 300 lbs = 251 lbs
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.