
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 5
Your individual vehicle
When you ordered your BMW, you chose vari-
ous items of equipment. This Owner's Manual 
describes all models and equipment that BMW 
offers within the same group.
We hope you will understand that equipment 
and features are included which you might not 
have chosen for your vehicle. Any differences 
can easily be identified since all optional acces-
sories and special equipment are marked with 
an asterisk 
*.
If your BMW features equipment not described 
in this Owner's Manual, please observe the 
enclosed supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Status at time of printing 
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing 
development that is conceived to ensure that 
our vehicles continue to embody the highest 
quality and safety standards combined with 
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. In 
exceptional cases, the features described in 
this Owner's Manual could therefore differ from 
those on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of 
modern materials and powerful electron-
ics, requires specially adapted maintenance 
and repair methods. You should therefore have 
the corresponding work on your vehicle per-
formed only by your BMW center or at a work-
shop that works according to BMW repair pro-
cedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel. If this work is not carried out prop-
erly, there is a danger of subsequent damage 
and related safety hazards.<
California Proposition 65 warning
California laws require us to state the following 
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals 
known to the State of California to cause cancer 
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In 
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to the State of CA to 
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro-
ductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash 
your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always 
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with 
soap and water.< 

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps12
4Tachometer48
with indicator and warning lamps12
5Engine coolant temperature gauge49
6Fuel gauge48
7Button for
>Displaying the clock49
>Service interval display49
>Checking the oil level93
8Position of automatic transmission
*42
9Button for
>Resetting trip odometer48
>Setting the clock49
10Display for
>Trip odometer/Odometer48
>Clock49
>Service interval49
>Computer
*50
>Checking the oil level93
Indicator and warning lamps 
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified 
by 
+ are tested for proper functioning whenever 
the key is turned. They each light up once for 
different periods of time.
If a malfunction occurs in one of the monitored 
systems, the corresponding lamp does not go 
out after the engine has started, or it lights up 
again while the vehicle is in motion. You can find 
more information about each system on the 
specified pages.
Turn signal indicators44
Battery charge current 
+102
Headlamp flasher/High beams44, 60
Engine oil pressure/
Engine oil level 
+92
Antilock Brake System ABS/Driving 
stability control systems 
+51 

Opening and closing
20 The luggage compartment lid/tailgate opens a 
short distance, regardless of whether it was 
locked or unlocked.
A previously locked luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate is locked again after 
closing.
Before and after each trip, check that the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate has not been 
inadvertently unlocked.<
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system* if you 
find yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the   button for at least 3 seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this occurs, unlock and lock 
the car at the door lock or luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate lock with the key.
If the car can no longer be locked with a remote 
control, the battery in the remote control is dis-
charged. Use this remote control key while driv-
ing for an extended period in order to recharge 
the battery, refer to page18.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8EWS
LX8FZVS
LX8FZVE
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
>this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation.Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user’s authority to operate this equipment.<
At the door lock
1.Turn the key.
The driver's door and fuel filler door are 
unlocked.
2.Turn the key again.
The entire vehicle is unlocked.
When the vehicle is locked, the hazard warning 
flashers light up once.
If you wish, you can have these special 
features activated/deactivated.<
Convenience operation
You can also operate the windows and the 
Roadster's fully automatic convertible top
* via 
the door lock.
Hold the key in the position for unlocking or 
locking.
Watch the closing process to ensure that 
no one is trapped. Releasing the key 
stops the operation.<
Manual operation
If there is a malfunction, you can unlock or lock 
the driver's door by turning the key in the lock all 
the way to the left or right. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 23
The handle recess in the interior trim of the lug-
gage compartment lid makes it easier to pull 
down.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
luggage compartment lid is clear, other-
wise injuries may result.<
Cargo bay
Emergency release
Pull the lever in the cargo bay. The luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate is unlocked.
Roadster: increasing cargo bay 
capacity
The cargo bay can be enlarged when the con-
vertible top is closed.
Turn the handles on both sides of the cargo bay 
outward beyond the resistance point at the 
same time, arrow 1.
The convertible top compartment panel swings 
up, arrow 2.
Before opening the convertible top:
Turn both handles inward.
The convertible top compartment panel is 
folded down.To avoid any damage when opening the 
convertible top, make sure that the con-
vertible top compartment panel in the cargo bay 
has been folded down.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid/tailgate is opened
>When attempts are made to start the vehi-
cle
>When there are movements in the vehicle 
interior: interior motion sensor, refer to 
page24
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away: Tilt alarm sensor, refer to 
page24
>When there is an interruption in the power 
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
The hazard warning flashers light up once when 
the alarm system has been properly armed.
You can have different acknowledgment 
signals set to confirm arming and disarm-
ing.<
Even when the alarm system is armed, you can 
open the luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
using the  button on the remote control, 
refer to page19. When you subsequently close 
the luggage compartment lid/tailgate, it is 
locked again and monitored. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 25
Opening, closing
Ignition key in position 1 or higher:
>Press the switch downward to the resis-
tance point.
The window continues to open as long as 
you press the switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point.
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the window in the same manner 
by pulling the switch upward.
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture activated/deactivated.<
After switching off the ignition
You can still open or close the windows for 
approx. 1 minute, as long as no one opens any 
of the doors.
For convenience operation via the remote con-
trol or the door lock, refer to page19 or20, 
respectively.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force exceeds a certain value while 
a window is being raised, the system responds 
by stopping the window and then retracting it a 
short distance.
Despite the pinch protection system 
check and clear the window's travel path 
prior to closing it, otherwise the safety system 
might fail to detect certain kinds of obstruc-
tions, such as thin objects, and the window 
would continue closing. 
Do not install any accessories within the win-dows' range of movement; otherwise the pinch 
protection system could be impaired.<
The closing force can change as a result 
of extreme temperature fluctuations. The 
window then opens slightly after closing even if 
there is no obstacle within the window's travel 
path. If this occurs, override the pinch protec-
tion system.<
Pulling the switch beyond the resistance point 
and holding it there overrides and deactivates 
the pinch protection system.
After a power supply interruption
After a power supply interruption, for instance 
after disconnecting the battery, the pinch pro-
tection system must be reinitialized.
Roadster: when the convertible top has 
been stored in the convertible top com-
partment for an extended period of time, e.g. in 
the winter months because the hardtop was 
being used, it may also be necessary to reinitial-
ize the pinch protection system.<
Ensure that the doors and the Roadster's con-
vertible top are closed before initializing.
1.Open the window completely.
2.Press the switch 4 times within approx. 
10 seconds.
Afterward, perform the following procedure 
twice for each window:
1.Close the window completely by pulling the 
switch.
2.After the window is closed, keep pulling the 
switch for approx. 2 seconds.
3.Open the window completely by pressing 
the switch.
Roadster: manual convertible 
top
The fabric top offers perfect protection against 
the weather and can be opened easily and 
quickly by one person alone.
Here are a few tips so that you get the most out 
of your BMW: 

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  

Driving
40
Driving
Ignition lock 
0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting the engine
Steering locked
This is the only position in which the ignition key 
can be inserted or removed.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel 
slightly to the left or right until the lock engages.
Interlock with automatic transmission
The key can only be turned back to position 0 or 
removed if the selector lever is in position P: 
interlock.
Steering unlocked
You will find that it is often easier to turn the 
ignition key from position0 to 1 if yo u m ove the 
steering wheel slightly to help disengage the 
detent.
Individual electrical equipment and accessories 
are available for use.
Ignition switched on
All systems are operational.
Starting the engine
Engine idle speed is controlled by the engine 
computer system. Increased speeds at start-up 
are normal and should decrease as the engine 
warms up. If engine speed does not decrease, 
service is required.
To prevent the battery from discharging, always 
deactivate electrical devices that are not in use. 
Switch the ignition off when the vehicle is not 
being driven.
Do not leave the engine running in 
enclosed spaces. Otherwise, inhalation of 
the hazardous exhaust gases could lead to 
unconsciousness and death. The exhaust 
gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless 
and colorless, but highly toxic gas. Do not leave 
the vehicle unattended with the engine running. 
An unattended vehicle with a running engine 
poses a safety hazard.
Before leaving the car with the engine running, 
place the transmission in idle or move the 
selector lever to position P and apply the park-
ing brake to prevent the car from moving.<
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not end the starting procedure too early, but 
do not continue it for more than 20 seconds.
Release the key immediately when the engine 
starts.
Do not let the engine warm up in idling position. 
Instead, begin to drive at moderate engine 
speeds.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the vehi-
cle. A lockout prevents the engine from starting 
if the clutch is not depressed.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the parking brake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to idle position.
3.Start the engine. 

Lamps
60 If necessary, switch on the parking lamps as 
described in the section about parking lamps.
You can have the daytime running lamps 
activated/deactivated on your vehicle.<
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after park-
ing the car, with the lights switched off, the low 
beams come on and remain on for a certain 
time.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated as well as the duration of the 
pathway lighting set.<
LIGHTS ON warning
Whenever you open the driver's door after hav-
ing turned the key to position 0, you will hear an 
acoustic signal for a few seconds to remind you 
that the lamps have not been switched off.
High beams/Roadside 
parking lamps 
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
When parking the vehicle, you have the option 
to switch on the lamps only on the side facing 
the road.
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down, arrow 3, until it engages.
The roadside parking lamps discharge 
the battery. Therefore, do not leave them 
on for unduly long periods of time, otherwise the battery might not have enough power to 
start the engine.<
Fog lamps*
Press the button to switch them on/off.
The parking lamps or low-beam headlamps 
must be switched on. A green indicator lamp 
comes on in the instrument cluster to indicate 
that the front fog lamps are on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
Turn the rotary dial to adjust brightness.