
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for active cruise control
*67
5Tachometer74
6Engine oil temperature75
7Display for
>Clock74
>Outside temperature74
>Indicator and warning lamps838Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*61
>Computer75
>Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven79
>Odometer and trip odometer74
>Checking engine oil level
*225
>Settings and information78
> There is a Check Control 
message83
9Fuel gauge75
10Resetting the trip odometer74 

Controls
 41Reference
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Mobility
opening provided. Move the glass roof in 
the desired direction.
6.Reinstall the control unit and reattach the 
lamp cover.
Convertible: retractable 
hardtop
The retractable hardtop combines reliable 
weather protection with simple and convenient 
operation.
The following tips will enhance your driving 
pleasure in your convertible:
>It is advisable that you close the retractable 
hardtop when you park the vehicle. Not only 
does the closed hardtop protect the vehicle 
interior against unanticipated weather dam-
age, it also offers theft protection. However, 
even when the hardtop is closed, valuables 
should only be stored in the locked cargo 
bay.
>Do not attach roof rack systems to the 
retractable hardtop, and in particular do not 
attach magnetic racks.
>Do not attach rack systems to the luggage 
compartment lid, and in particular do not 
attach magnetic racks.
>When the retractable hardtop is operated, 
the luggage compartment lid swings back 
and up. Before operating the retractable 
hardtop, ensure that there is enough clear-
ance, e.g. when parked in front of a wall.
>If you open the hardtop while it is wet, e.g. 
after driving in the rain, water may drip into 
the cargo bay. If necessary, remove items from the cargo bay beforehand to avoid 
water stains or soiling.
Do not place any objects on the retract-
able hardtop or on the luggage compart-
ment lid, otherwise they could fall during move-
ments of the retractable hardtop and cause 
damage or injury.
Never move the retractable hardtop when the 
rollover protection system is in the activated 
position.
Driving when the hardtop is not fully opened or 
closed may result in damage or injury.
Do not reach into the mechanism while the 
hardtop is opening or closing. Keep children 
away from the swiveling area of the retractable 
hardtop.<
The retractable hardtop cannot be moved 
at temperatures below + 147/–106. A 
message appears on the Control Display.<
The retractable hardtop can only be 
opened and closed when the vehicle is 
stationary. To avoid causing damage, do not 
drive off until the hardtop has stopped mov-
ing.<
Before opening and closing
>Comply with the safety precautions 
described above.
>Ensure that the cargo bay partition is folded 
down and engaged on both sides, refer to 
page117, otherwise it will not be possible 
to open the retractable hardtop.
>Do not place any objects next to or on the 
cargo bay partition and close the storage 
compartment on the left side of the cargo 
bay.
>Do not exceed the maximum loading height 
under the cargo bay partition; refer to the 
label in the cargo bay showing a line indicat-
ing the maximum height.
>Ensure that the luggage compartment lid is 
closed.
>The vehicle should be parked on fairly level 
ground. Excessive angle is indicated by a 
lamp. 

Controls
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Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and 
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. In addi-
tion, a message will appear on the Control Dis-
play.
Check coolant level, refer to page228.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature, the engine oil temperature is between 
approx. 2107/1006 and approx. 3007/
1506.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 15.9 US gallons/
60 liters.
You can find information on refueling on 
page210.
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.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve 
zone, a message briefly appears on the Control 
Display and the cruising range for the remaining 
amount of fuel is displayed on the computer. 
Under a cruising range of approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains in the Control Dis-
play.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
Calling up information
Press the button in the turn indicator lever.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
>Current fuel consumption
*
>No information
To set the corresponding units of measure, 
refer to Units of measure on page78.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available 
with the remaining fuel. The range is calculated 
on the basis of the way the car has been driven 
over the last 18 miles/30 km and the amount of 
fuel currently in the tank. 

Everything under control
78
Settings and information
Operating principle
1Button for:
>Selecting display
>Setting values
2Button for:
>Confirming selected display or set val-
ues
>Calling up computer information753When the lights are on: instrument lighting 
brightness103
4Calling up Check Control83
5Checking engine oil level225
6Setting the time81
7Setting the date83
8Viewing service requirement display79
Exiting displays
The outside-temperature reading and the time 
reappear when you press button2 or if you 
make no entries within approx. 15 seconds. If 
required, complete the current setting first.
Units of measure
You can set units of measure.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.4.Select "Language / Units" and press the 
controller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Units" is selected and press the con-
troller. 

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 223Reference
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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.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
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
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
place with as little exposure to light as possible. 
Always protect tires against all contact with oil, 
grease and fuels. 
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels 
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires 
have the same size, as this could impair driving 
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes, 
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been 
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and 
recommended. Consult your BMW center for 
more information. 
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on 
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow 
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or 
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if 
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the 
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it 
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to 
page90.< 

Mobility
 225Reference
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Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page227
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page653Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page237
4Filler neck for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking 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.
Display in the instrument cluster
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up 
or down repeatedly until the appropriate 
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2 in the turn indicator lever. 
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played. 

Under the hood
226
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 engine oil as soon as possible, but no 
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil on page227.
4Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
5The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page79. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.3.Select "Info sources" and press the control-
ler.
4.Select "Service Info" and press the control-
ler.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Service requirements" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until "Engine oil level" is selected and 
press the controller. The oil level is dis-
played.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating 
engine oil level measurement..."
The engine oil level is measured. This can 
take about 3 minutes if the car is at a stand-
still on a level surface and the engine is run-
ning, and about 5 minutes while the car is on 
the move.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart 
of engine oil."
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no  

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 227Reference
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more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil below.
>"Engine oil level too high"
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil"
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page79. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a 
corresponding message is shown on the Con-
trol Display.
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 relevant 
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health 
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives as these may 
cause engine damage.<
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 SM specification or higher.
Your BMW center will be glad to answer 
any questions regarding BMW High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity ratings
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
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of half water and half additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. Because 
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers.<