
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
 83
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle shuts 
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 14.5 US gallons/55 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of approx. 2.1 US gallons/
8liters.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is empty. 
Otherwise, the engine may not operate 
properly and damage could result.<
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel, as this 
would cause permanent damage to the 
catalytic converter.
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel that con-
tains 85 % ethanol, nor with Flex Fuel, as this 
would cause damage to the engine and fuel 
supply system.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less 
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is 87.
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds 
when starting at high outside temperatures. 
This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not fill the tank with gasoline below the 
specified minimum grade; otherwise 
engine damage could result.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition, 
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale 
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other 
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, 
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void 
the applicable warranties with respect to 
defects in materials or workmanship.The use of poor-quality fuels may result in 
drivability, starting and stalling problems 
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and 
high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems 
which you suspect could be related to the fuel 
you are using, we recommend that you respond 
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand 
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier 
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations 
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.< 

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. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 117
B
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment31
Backup lamps
– bulb replacement101
Bandages, refer to First-aid 
kit104
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods106
Battery102
– charging102
– disposal102
– indicator/warning 
lamp12,102
– jump-starting104
– power supply 
interruption102
– remote control18
Being towed106
Belts, refer to Safety belts33
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts33
Beverage holders69
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate63,66
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System96
Bottle holders, refer to 
Beverage holders69
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC51
Brake fluid95
– indicator/warning 
lamp13,95
– low level95
Brake Force Display56
Brake hydraulics, refer to 
Brake system95
Brake hydraulic system
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake lamps
– brake force display56
– bulb replacement101
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb13Brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– warning lamp76
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake rotors76
– brakes76
– break-in procedures74
Brakes
– ABS51
– brake fluid95
– brake pads
76
– braking safely76
– break-in procedures74
– indicator/warning 
lamps13,52
– parking brake41
Brake system95
– brake fluid95
– brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– disc brakes76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Breakdown service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance103
Breaking in the clutch74
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential74
Break-in procedures74
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting104
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs98
Bulb replacement, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs98
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning5
Can holders, refer to Beverage 
holders69
Capacity
– cargo bay, refer to 
Weights113Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery102
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Care products, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cargo bay23
– capacity113
– emergency release23
– floor panel98
– increasing capacity23
– opening and closing21,22
– opening from inside the 
vehicle21,22
– opening from the outside21
– roll-up cover70
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo77
– vehicle77
Car jack
– jacking points102
Car keys, refer to The key 
set18
Carpet care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Car phone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Car radio, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system75
CD changer, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
Center high-mount brake 
lamp, bulb replacement101