
Opening and closing
28 for more than 2 seconds after the LED has gone 
out.<
When the convertible top has been stored 
in the convertible top compartment for an 
extended period of time, e.g. in the winter 
months because the hardtop was being used, 
you may have to support the convertible top by 
hand when closing it for the first time. If the con-
vertible top stops right before the closing phase 
is completed, press against the front part of the 
convertible top frame from the outside to help 
the closing process along. Keep pressing the 
button while doing so until the top starts mov-
ing on its own again.<
Indicator lamps
>The red LED in the button is lit while the 
convertible top is in motion. It goes out as 
soon as the opening or closing operation 
has been completed.
>If the red LED in the button flashes after the 
button has been released, then the opening 
or closing operation has not yet been com-
pleted.
The movement can be continued in the 
desired direction by pressing this button.
>If the yellow LED in the button comes on 
when the button is pressed, the convertible 
top compartment panel in the cargo bay has 
been folded up. The convertible top cannot 
be moved.
Interruption
The automatic sequence will be interrupted 
immediately if you release the button that oper-
ates the top. The sequence can be continued in 
the desired direction by pressing this button.
Do not close the side windows using the 
power window buttons before the closing 
procedure has been completed. Otherwise the 
side windows may not close properly against 
the rubber seal of the convertible top.<
Convenience operation
Remote control
Refer to page19.
Driver's door
Refer to page20.
To close manually in the event of a 
malfunction
1.Pull out the handle in the cargo bay as far as 
it will go.
2.Turn the handle 90° until it engages.
3.Grip the convertible top by its frame and 
guide it all the way to the windshield frame.
4.Pull out the cover panel that is in the center 
of the front convertible top frame.
5.Insert the Allen wrench into the hex slot.
The Allen wrench is stored in a tool pouch, 
refer to page98. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 41
Automatic transmission
1.Depress the brake.
2.Start the engine.
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator 
pedal halfway down when starting the engine:
>If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt, for instance when it is extremely 
hot or cold.
>If the engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. +57/–156, at high 
altitudes above approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting attempts in quick 
succession or repeated starting attempts 
during which the engine does not start. Other-
wise, the fuel is not burned or inadequately 
burned; there is a danger of overheating and 
damaging the catalytic converter.<
Switching off the engine
Do not remove the key while the vehicle is 
still moving. Otherwise, the steering lock 
would engage when the steering wheel is 
turned. 
When you leave the vehicle, always remove the 
key and engage the steering lock.
Apply the parking brake when parking on steep 
gradients, otherwise the vehicle could start to 
roll.<
You can have an acoustic signal set as a 
reminder that the key is still in the ignition 
switch after the driver's door has been 
opened.<
Manual transmission
1.Turn the key to position 1 or 0.
2.Engage first gear or reverse gear.
3.Apply the parking brake.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2.Turn the key to position 1 or 0.
Parking brake
The parking brake is designed primarily to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling when parked. It 
operates against the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off a signal sounds in addition. 
The parking brake is still applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it should 
be necessary to engage the parking brake 
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it with 
excessive pressure. In doing so, continuously 
press the button of the parking brake lever. Oth-
erwise, too violent an application of the parking 
brake can overbrake the rear axle and cause the 
rear of the car to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking 
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied.< 

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. 

Under the hood
92
Important parts in the engine compartment
1Washer fluid reservoir for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page46
2Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil3Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page104
4Reservoir for brake fluid, refer to page95
5Body ground, negative terminal, refer to 
page105
6Expansion tank for coolant, refer to page94
Engine oil 
Oil consumption is directly influenced by your 
driving style and vehicle operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure 
The warning lamp lights up in red: 
The engine oil pressure is too low. 
Stop the vehicle immediately and 
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level 
and top up if necessary. If the oil level is correct, 
please contact your nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.Do not continue driving, otherwise the 
engine could sustain serious damage 
from inadequate lubrication.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
while you are driving. In addition, a sig-
nal sounds and "+1.0" appears in the 
instrument cluster, refer to page93.
The oil level is at the absolute minimum; refill as 
soon as possible. Do not drive more than 
125 miles/200 km before refilling.
The warning lamp comes on in yellow 
after the engine is switched off. A signal 
also sounds. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 93
Add engine oil at the earliest opportunity, e.g. 
when you stop to refuel.
The warning lamp lights up in yellow 
within 30 seconds after the engine is 
started: the oil level sensor is defective.
It is not possible to issue a current or accurate 
measurement. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Checking the oil level 
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level 
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the 
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at 
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You 
can have the oil level displayed while you are 
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a 
level surface and the engine is running.
You can have the oil level reading displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
Press button1. The oil level is checked and dis-
played for approx. 15 seconds.
To exit the display sooner, press button 1 again.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface, or about 
5 minutes while the car is on the move.
3Oil level down to minimum:
Add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil as soon 
as possible, refer also to Adding engine oil.
4Oil level is too high.
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, as excessive oil can damage the 
engine.<
5The oil level sensor is defective:
it is not possible to issue a current or accu-
rate measurement.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 105
1.Open the cover of the BMW jump-starting 
connection. Do so by pulling the tab.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+ 
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the 
battery or a jump-starting connection of the 
vehicle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal 
of the battery or a jump-starting connection 
of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/– 
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the 
battery or to an engine or body ground of 
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW is equipped with a special nut, 
refer also to the engine compartment over-
view on page92.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine of the other vehicle as 
usual. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray starter fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Using the towing eyelet
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be attached at the front or rear 
of your BMW.
It is located in the onboard tool kit, refer to 
page98.
Only use the towing eyelet supplied with 
the vehicle, and screw it in firmly until it 
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing on 
paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the towing 
eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not lift the vehicle 
using the towing eyelet. Otherwise the tow fit-
ting and the vehicle could be damaged.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 107
engine is cold. It is recommended to start the 
engine using jumper cables, refer to 
page104.<
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Turn the key to position 2.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
depressed and slowly release the clutch. 
After the engine starts, immediately 
depress the clutch again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.