
Cockpit
14
Around the center console: controls and displays 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 57
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the passenger 
seat cushion determines whether and how the 
seat is occupied. The front and side airbags for 
the passenger are activated or deactivated by 
the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp in the center console 
shows the current status of the passen-
ger airbags, deactivated or activated, refer to 
Status of passenger airbags below.<
Before transporting a child on the pas-
senger seat, observe the safety and han-
dling instructions under Transporting children 
safely, refer to page36. 
Adolescents and adults sitting in certain posi-
tions could inadvertently deactivate the front 
and side airbags on the passenger side; the 
indicator lamp for the passenger airbags comes 
on. In such cases, the passenger should change 
his or her sitting position so that the passenger 
airbags are activated and the indicator lamp 
goes out. If the passenger airbags cannot be 
restored to the desired status despite the pas-
senger changing his or her seat position, use 
the key switch to activate or deactivate the pas-
senger airbags, refer to page36. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
place any items under the seat which could 
press against the seat from below. Otherwise a 
correct analysis of the seat cushion is not 
ensured.<
Status of passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbags 
shows the functional status of the passenger's 
front and side airbags in accordance with 
whether and how the passenger seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the 
passenger airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp comes on as intended 
when a child in an appropriate child-
restraint system is detected on the seat. 
The front and side airbags for the passen-
ger are not activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat. The front and side airbags for the pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty. However, the front and side 
airbags for the passenger are not activated.
Operational readiness of the airbag 
system 
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that 
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners 
are operational. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 69
Locking/unlocking
The storage compartment between the back-
rests is automatically locked and unlocked with 
the central locking system.
Other compartments and nets*
Other compartments can be found on the 
doors, in the center console and behind the 
seats, depending on your vehicle's equipment.
Nets
* are located on the passenger side of the 
center console and on the rear of the backrests.
Coupe: Eyeglasses compartment
To open
Press the strip on the eyeglasses compartment.
Cup holders
Use light and shatterproof containers, 
otherwise there is an increased risk of 
injury in the event of an accident. Do not press 
unsuitable containers into the beverage holder 
with force as this may result in damage.<
A beverage holder is located on either side 
beneath the air outlets.1.Press the trim piece beneath the air outlets; 
see arrow1.
2.Place the beverage into the holder.
3.Adjust the holder to fit the size of the bever-
age container; see arrow2.
Ashtray*
To empty
1.Open cover.
2.Pull out ashtray1.
Cigarette lighter
Press in lighter2. As soon as the lighter springs 
back out, it can be removed.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns.
The cigarette lighter remains operational even 
when the key has been removed. For this rea-
son, children should never be left in the vehicle 
unattended.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 103
Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistance
If your vehicle has the necessary equipment, 
you can use buttons in the center console to 
contact Roadside Assistance or issue an emer-
gency call.
Requirements for initiating an emergency call or 
contacting Roadside Assistance:
>The key must be in position 1 or higher.
>The car phone must be logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The emergency calling system must be 
operable.
Access to the buttons
The buttons are in the center console, under a 
cover flap in front of the parking brake.
1Emergency call
*
2Roadside Assistance*
Initiating an emergency call*
1.Fold the cover flap upward to open it.
2.Press button1 for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as a 
telephone connection to the BMW Assist 
Response Center has been established, the 
LED flashes.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the 
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a 
detailed description of the situation.If BMW Assist has been activated for your vehi-
cle and the current location of the vehicle can 
be determined, this location is transmitted to 
the BMW Assist Response Center.
If the LED is flashing but you cannot hear the 
emergency response center, you may still be 
heard by the emergency response center.
If certain requirements are met, an emergency 
call is automatically initiated immediately after a 
serious accident. This Automatic Collision Noti-
fication will not be hindered by pressing the 
button.
For technical reasons, the emergency 
calling services cannot be guaranteed for 
the most unfavorable conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
The BMW Group's Roadside Assistance ser-
vice is there to assist you around the clock in 
the event of a breakdown, including on week-
ends and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
Contact brochure.
Contacting Roadside Assistance*
1.Fold the cover flap upward to open it.
2.Press button2 for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as a 
telephone connection to the Roadside Assis-
tance has been established, the LED flashes.
Depending on the country you are in, your vehi-
cle's current location will be transmitted if BMW 
Assist  has been activated for your vehicle. 

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 

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 hooks71
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 parked77
Condensation, removing from 
windows
– air conditioning63
– automatic climate control66
Configuring settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory18
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances70
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