
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: controls and displays
2Folding exterior mirrors in or out*34
3Adjusting exterior mirrors34
1
Opening and closing windows25
4
Parking lamps59
Low beams59
Automatic headlamp control
*59
5
Instrument lighting60
6
Fog lamps
*60 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 11
8Instrument cluster12
10Buttons
* on the steering wheel
11Ignition lock4012Horn: the entire surface
14Releasing the hood91
15Opening the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate21 7
Turn signal indicators44
High beams, headlamp flasher60
Roadside parking lamps
*60
Computer
*50
9Windshield wipers45
Rain sensor
*45
Volume
>Press: to accept and end a 
telephone call; to start dialing 
for selected telephone num-
bers
>Press longer: activate and 
deactivate voice entry
*
Fast forward/rewind
>Radio
Press: next station stored
Press longer: station search
>CD
Press: jump to next track
Press longer: fast forward/
rewind
>Telephone
Scan register of names
Display/hide telephone book. Dis-
play the entries one after another 
with the forward/backward buttons 
13
Cruise control*46 

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 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 19
>Activation/deactivation and duration of 
pathway lighting, refer to page60
>Adjustment of sensitivity of automatic 
headlamp control
*, refer to page59
>Setting unit of measure for displaying the 
time and outside temperature in the instru-
ment cluster, refer to page50
Examples for Key Memory
>Automatic call-up* of the driver's seat posi-
tion after unlocking, refer to page33
>Locking of the vehicle after starting off, refer 
to page21
Central locking system 
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid/tailgate
>Fuel filler door
>Storage compartment between the back-
rests
>Roadster: opened manual convertible top
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
The anti-theft system is operated at the same 
time. It prevents the doors from being unlocked 
with the lock buttons or release handles. The 
remote control is also used to switch the interior 
lamps on and off. In addition, the alarm system
* 
is armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system
*, refer to 
page23.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer 
to page21.In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the 
central locking system unlocks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
from outside
With the remote control
Persons or animals in the vehicle could 
lock the doors from the inside. You should 
therefore take the remote control with you 
when leaving the vehicle so that the car can be 
opened from the outside.<
Unlocking
1.Press the  button once.
The driver's door and fuel filler door are 
unlocked.
2.Press the  button again.
The entire vehicle is unlocked.
Convenience opening
Hold the   button down.
Coupe: the windows are opened.
Roadster: the windows and the fully automatic 
convertible top
* are opened.
Locking
Press the   button.
The hazard warning flashers light up once.
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture activated/deactivated.<
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
there is any person inside, because the 
vehicle cannot be unlocked from inside without 
special knowledge.<
Switching on interior lamps
With the vehicle locked: 
Press the   button.
With this function, you can also search for your 
vehicle when parked in an underground garage, 
for instance. 

Driving
44 the transmission can cool down again. You can 
continue your journey, but moderate your 
speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked immediately.
Yellow warning lamp
The transmission system is malfunc-
tioning. Avoid heavy loads.
All of the selector lever positions can 
continue to be engaged; in the forward drive 
positions, however, the vehicle will be operating 
in a restricted gear range only.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow-starting and jump-
starting begin on page104.
Dynamic Driving Control
At the touch of a button, Dynamic Driving Con-
trol enables you to drive your BMW in an even 
sportier style:
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to any motion of the accelerator pedal.
>Power steering is adapted to further 
enhance contact with the road surface.
>Cruise control
*:
The stored speed is achieved more quickly 
when called up.
In addition with automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.
To activate the system
Press the SPORT button while the key is in 
position 2.
The LED in the button lights up.
To deactivate the system
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button goes out.
Turn signal indicators/
Headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signal indicators
Unusually rapid flashing of the indica-
tor lamp indicates that a turn signal 
indicator has failed.<
To signal briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
If you wish, you can have this function 
activated.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 45
Washer/wiper system/
Rain sensor*
0Wipers retracted
1Intermittent or rain sensor mode
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wiper speed
4Brief wipe
5Selecting speed for intermittent mode or 
setting sensitivity of the rain sensor
Intermittent mode
Not in vehicles with a rain sensor.
Rotary dial 5 is used to set the wipe interval to 
one of four levels.
In addition, the wipe interval is varied automati-
cally depending on road speed.
Rain sensor*
On vehicles with a rain sensor, the wipe interval 
is automatically controlled according to rain 
intensity. The sensor is mounted on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rearview 
mirror.
Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Activating
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, 
move the lever to position 1.
In any case, the wipers will move once across 
the windshield.
You can leave the lever continuously in 
position1. Then, as long as the ignition key is in position 1 or higher, you only need to activate 
the rain sensor.
To do so:
>Turn rotary dial 5 briefly or
>Clean the windshield, refer to Cleaning 
windshield and headlamps* below
Adjusting sensitivity
Turn the rotary wheel 5.
Deactivating
Flip the lever to position 0.
Normal wiper speed
When the vehicle is stopped the wipers auto-
matically switch to intermittent wipe, except in 
vehicles with a rain sensor.
Fast wiper speed
When the vehicle is stopped the wipers operate 
at normal wiping speed, except in vehicles with 
a rain sensor.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
0Wipers retracted
1Cleaning windshield and headlamps
*
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield, otherwise vision could be 
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be 
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid on 
page46.
Do not operate washing mechanisms when the 
washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you 
will damage the washer pump.< 

Driving
46
Cleaning windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated
* when the engine is running or the 
ignition is on.
Cleaning headlamps*
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For 
this reason, keep it away from sources of 
flame and store it only in its original container. 
Store it so that it is inaccessible to children. 
Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Fill with water and, if required, with antifreeze 
according to its manufacturer's recommenda-
tions.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available at speeds of at least 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. The car stores and 
maintains the speed that you specify with the 
lever on the steering column.
Do not use cruise control if conditions are 
unfavorable for driving at a constant 
speed, e.g. due to winding roads, dense traffic, 
or poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, 
loose surface, etc. Otherwise, you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3To recall the stored speed
4Deactivating cruise control
To maintain current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. If, on downhill grades, the engine brak-
ing effect is not sufficient, the controlled speed 
can be exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill 
grades if the engine output is insufficient.
To increase speed
Tap the lever repeatedly, arrow 1, until the 
desired speed is reached.
Every time you tap the lever, the speed 
increases by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 59
Lamps
Parking lamps/Low beams 
0Lamps off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control
* and daytime 
running lamps
*
When you park the car, all its outside lamps are 
switched off automatically if the light switch is in 
position0, 2 or 3.
If you want the parking lamps to be on, turn the 
switch to position1.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps to signal the position of the vehi-
cle when it is parked. For the additional option 
of roadside parking lamps on one side of the 
vehicle only, refer to page60.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Defective bulb
The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the vehicle's exte-
rior lighting has failed.
For replacing bulbs refer to page98.
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in position3, the low beams 
are switched on and off automatically depend-
ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel, 
in twilight, or if there is precipitation.
When driving into tunnels with bright overhead 
lights, there may be a delay before the head-
lamps come on.
The headlamps may also come on when the 
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.<
If desired, the light switch can remain in 
position3. The exterior lamps are automatically 
switched off after the vehicle is parked.
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the system 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
lamps manually under these conditions.<
You can have the sensitivity of your vehi-
cle's automatic headlamp control 
adjusted.<
Daytime running lamps*
If desired, the light switch can remain in the 
automatic headlamp control position. The exte-
rior lamps are automatically switched off after 
the vehicle is parked.
In the Parking lamps position, the parking lamps 
come on after the ignition is switched off.