Things to remember when driving
118 Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Sequential Manual Transmission: do not
drive in idle or with the engine switched
off, otherwise there will be no engine braking
action or support of the braking force and steer-
ing.
Manual transmission: do not drive with the
clutch depressed, in idle or with the engine
switched off, otherwise there will be no engine
braking action or support of the braking force
and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
This can also lead to long-lasting decreases in
comfort and squeaking noise during braking.
These decreases in comfort can also be pro-
duced by long braking maneuvers with a low
pedal pressure.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
For technical information about the brake sys-
tem, refer to page121.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page51,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged.<
Under the hood
210
Engine oil
Engine oil consumption depends on driving
style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil
level check.
The oil level can be displayed when the engine
is at operating temperature. Constant short-
distance driving or a very sporty driving style
can make it impossible for a measurement to be
taken.
Displays in instrument cluster
You can display the current oil level in the
instrument cluster.
1Oil level
2Maximum marking
3Minimum marking
4BC button
Press the button4 in the turn signal lever
repeatedly until the display for the oil level
appears in the instrument cluster.
Manual transmission: the fluid level will be
shown in the lower display.<
The oil level must be between the two marks.
A new measurement is automatically taken
after each engine start.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being determined.
This process can take approx. 1 minute
when stopped on a level surface and
approx. 5 minutes while driving.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the
measurement of the oil level can take up to
30 minutes.
3Oil level at minimum:
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/1 liter of
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer to
Adding engine oil below Add at least
0.5 US quart/0.5 liter. Otherwise the oil
level control may not display the new value
correctly.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum,
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so
may lead to engine damage.
4Oil level is too high
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately; otherwise, engine damage may
result if too much oil has been added.<
5No value can be determined at this time.
Engine is not yet at operating temperature.
Everything from A to Z
246 ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control83
Event data recorders215
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating51
– folding in and out51
– tilting down passenger-side
mirror52
External audio device110
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting226
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing cargo119
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control152
Fader, refer to Tone
control152
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control74
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
Fastest route for
navigation136
Fast forward
– CD changer168
– CD player168
"Fast route" for
navigation136
"Favorites", calling up with
radio157
Filler neck for washer fluid67Filling bottle, refer to
M Mobility System218
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter105
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit225
First-aid kit225
Flashing when locking and
unlocking, refer to Setting
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight110
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor86
– M Mobility System218
– run-flat tires88
– spare wheel221
– Tire Pressure Monitor87
– warning lamp87,88
Flat Tire Monitor86
– false alarms86
– initializing system86
– limits of system86
– snow chains207
– warning lamp87
Floor mats, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid67
"FM", reception
range150,154
FM, waveband154
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible35
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely117
Footwell lighting, refer to
Interior lamps100
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils212
For your own safety6Freeway, refer to Route
criteria136
Front airbags90
Front passenger airbags,
deactivating91
"FTM"87
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor86
Fuel
– average consumption71
– display70
– fuel specifications201
– high-quality brands201
– quality201
– specifications201
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities235
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel filler door200
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction200
Fuel gauge70
Full mobile phone preparation
package176
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off20
Fuses223
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control108
Gasoline
– refer to Average fuel
consumption71
– refer to Fuel
specifications201
– refer to Required fuel201
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Gear changes63
Gear display, refer to Displays
in instrument cluster63
Gearshift lever, manual
transmission61