
Under the hood
94
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum amount of 1 US quart/
1 liter of engine oil until the warning lamp lights 
up in the instrument cluster, refer to page92, or 
until the oil level monitor shows "+1.0".
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the warnings on 
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may 
result.<
Oil change
Have your oil changed only by a BMW center or 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
requirements with the appropriately trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil is extremely impor-
tant for the function and life of an engine. BMW 
continuously approves specific oils after con-
firming their suitability for use in its vehicles 
with extensive testing.
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is not 
available, you can add small quantities of other 
synthetic oils in between oil changes. Only use 
oils with the API SH specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or other approved syn-
thetic oils.
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Do not use any oil additives, as they could 
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is categorized in SAE classes.
Selecting the appropriate SAE class depends 
on the regional climatic conditions in which you 
normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and 
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up:
The coolant level is too low. Top up the 
coolant as soon as possible.
Do not open the cooling system when the 
engine is hot. If you do, escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and coolant additives. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Your BMW center knows 
which additives are appropriate.
Only use approved additives, otherwise 
the engine could be damaged. The addi-
tives are hazardous to health.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking the coolant level 
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated  

Maintenance
96
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System helps maintain 
the road safety and operating reliability of your 
BMW.
Regular maintenance is not only necessary for 
the safety of your vehicle, but also plays a sig-
nificant role in maintaining the resale value of 
your vehicle.
Service interval display
The BMW Maintenance System takes the vehi-
cle's operating conditions into account for the 
service intervals:
From a maintenance point of view, 
62,100 miles/100,000 km accumulated in 
short-distance urban driving are not the same 
as 62,100 miles/100,000 km accumulated at 
moderate cruising speeds in long-distance 
highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System includes the 
Engine Oil Service and Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals based 
on the actual loads on the vehicle covers every 
kind of operating situation. Minimal use drivers, 
who drive fewer than about 6,210 miles/
10,000 km per year, should nevertheless have 
the oil changed at least every 2 years since 
engine oil deteriorates over time, regardless of 
use.
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.<
Socket for On-Board 
Diagnosis OBD
Vehicle components that are relevant to the 
composition of exhaust emissions can be 
checked with a device via the OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the 
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel 
underneath a cover. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 97
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up: the 
exhaust emission values have wors-
ened. Have the car checked as soon as 
possible.
The lamps flash under certain conditions. This 
indicates excessive misfiring of the engine. If 
this happens, you should reduce your speed 
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as 
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly 
lead to serious damage of emissions-related 
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Canadian models display this warning 
lamp.
The warning lamp lights up if the gas 
cap is not properly tightened and the 
OBD system can assume that fuel 
vapor is escaping. If the gas cap is then tight-
ened, the warning lamp should go out within a 
few days.
Event Data Recorders 
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a 
device for recording or sending certain vehicle 
data or information. In addition, if you have 
signed a subscription contract for BMW Assist, 
certain vehicle data may be transmitted or 
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding 
services.
Care
Important information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure. 

Replacing components
102
Jacking points
The jacking points are located at the positions 
indicated in the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is completely maintenance-free. 
This means that the original electrolyte will nor-
mally last for the service life of the battery under 
moderate climatic conditions. Your BMW cen-
ter will be happy to advise you if you have any 
questions concerning the battery.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up:
The battery is no longer being charged. 
The alternator drive belt is defective or 
there is a malfunction in the charging circuit of 
the alternator. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
If the drive belt is defective, pull over and 
switch off the engine immediately to pre-
vent overheating and serious engine damage.
If the onboard supply voltage drops to a very 
low level, increased steering effort may also be 
necessary.<
Charging the battery
Charge the battery in the vehicle only when the 
engine has been switched off. Connections, 
refer to Jump-starting on page104.
Battery disposal
After changing a battery, have the used 
battery disposed of by your BMW center or bring it to a recycling point. Maintain the bat-
tery in an upright position for transport and stor-
age. Secure the battery against tilting when 
transporting.<
Power loss
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require ini-
tialization. Individual settings are also lost and 
must be reset:
>Seat memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page32.
>Clock must be reset, refer to page49.
Fuses
Do not attempt to repair a burned fuse or 
replace it with a fuse having a different 
color or amperage rating. To do this could 
cause a fire in the vehicle as a result of circuit 
overload.<
You will find the fuses and information on their 
respective allocation behind the glove compart-
ment.
1.Open the glove compartment.
2.Press the lock on the left, arrow1.
3.Press the lock on the right, arrow2.
4.Swing the glove compartment down.
Spare fuses and plastic tweezers for grasping 
the fuses are found in the onboard tool kit; refer 
to page98. 

Giving and receiving assistance
104
Warning triangle* 
The warning triangle is stored in the rear trim 
panel of the cargo bay.
To take it out, pull the ends of the rubber bands 
upward and out of the fasteners.
First-aid kit*
The first-aid kit is located beneath the passen-
ger seat.
Some of the articles in the first-aid kit have a 
limited period of use before expiration. For this 
reason, check the expiration dates of each of 
the items regularly, and replace any with passed 
dates.
To open
1.Pull the handle.
2.Swing the cover downward.
To close
Swing the cover back up until it engages.
Jump-starting 
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's 
engine can be started by connecting two 
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Always use jumper cables with 
fully insulated handles on the terminal clamps.
Do not touch any electrically live parts 
when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Contact with these compo-
nents can cause fatal injury. Carefully observe 
the following instructions to avoid personal 
injury and/or damage to one or both vehicles.<
Preparations
1.Check whether the battery of the support 
vehicle has 12 volts and approximately the 
same capacitance in Ah. This information 
can be found on the battery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off all electrical accessories in both 
vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct 
order; otherwise, sparks at the battery 
terminals could pose an injury hazard.<
On your BMW, the so-called jump-starting con-
nection in the engine compartment serves as 
the battery positive terminal, refer also to the 
engine compartment overview on page92. The 
symbol + is embossed on the cover. 

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. 

Everything from A to Z
118 Central locking
– from inside21
Central locking system19
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing a wheel101
– Run-Flat Tires101
Charge indicator lamp12,102
Check gas cap, indicator 
lamp13
Child-restraint mounting 
system, LATCH38
Child-restraint systems37
Child seat, refer to Installing 
child-restraint systems37
Chrome parts, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter69
Cleaning the rear window, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning the windows
– automatically, refer to Rain 
sensor45
– reservoir capacity114
– spray nozzles46
– washer/wiper system45
– washer fluid46
– washer fluid reservoir46
Clock49
– 12h/24h mode50
– onboard computer50
– setting50
– setting, refer also to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Clothes hooks70
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine40
Combination, wheel/tire88
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14Compact disc operation, refer 
to Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer
Computer50
– button BC50
– clock, 12h/24h mode50
– refer to Owner's Manual for 
Onboard Computer
Computer, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked76
Condensation, removing from 
windows
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Configuring settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory18
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances71
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption50
Consumption display, refer to 
Fuel gauge48
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– convertible top20
– from outside20
– windows20
Convertible top25,27
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– convenience operation20
– electrical fault28
– emergency closing28
– fully automatic27
– malfunction28
– manual25
– mechanical25
Convertible top compartment 
panel23
Coolant94
– checking level94
– indicator lamp13
– thermometer49
Coolant temperature49Coolant water, refer to 
Coolant94
Cooling
– maximum66
– refer to Switching cooling 
function on/off63,66
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant94
Cooling function
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Cooling system, refer to 
Capacities114
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant94
Copyright2
Correct tires89
Cruise control46
Cruising range50
Cup holders, refer to 
Beverage holders69
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights113
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data110
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting60
Data, technical
– capacities114
– dimensions111,112
– engine110
– measurements111,112
– weights113
Daytime running lamps59
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control51
– indicator/warning lamp13
Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking19
Defective bulb59
Defrosting, windows63,66
Defrosting the windshield, 
refer to Defrosting 
windows63,66