
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 53
Malfunction
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in yellow. The drive-off assis-
tant has failed. The car will not be held 
in place after the brake is released. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures 
while the car is being driven. The system 
reports any significant loss of pressure in one 
tire in relation to another.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the rolling 
radius of the tire changes, thereby affecting the 
rotational speed of the wheels. This change is 
detected, and a flat tire warning is issued to the 
driver.
System requirements
To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system 
must be initialized with the correct tire inflation 
pressures.
The system must be reinitialized each 
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn 
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage 
caused by external factors, nor can it identify 
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably 
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of 
time.<
The system could issue a false warning or func-
tion in a delayed manner in the following situa-
tions:
>System was not initialized
>Driving on a snow-covered or slippery road 
surface
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at the 
drive wheels, high levels of lateral accelera-
tion
>Driving with snow chains attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed while you 
are driving, and can be interrupted at any 
time. Initialization is continued automatically 
when you continue driving.
When driving with snow chains, do not initialize 
the system.<
1.Start the engine immediately before pulling 
away, but do not drive off yet.
2.Press the button until the yellow indicator 
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a 
few seconds.
3.Drive off.
Initialization is completed during the drive, 
without any feedback issued.
Flat tire warning
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up in red. A signal also 
sounds. There is a flat tire or a signifi-
cant loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page88, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue 
driving. Otherwise a severe accident could 
result after a tire puncture.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the inflation pressure is correct in all 
four tires, it is possible that the Flat 
Tire Monitor was not initialized. In this case, 
initialize the system.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 63
Air distribution 
Direct the flow of air to the windows 
, to the upper body area   and to 
the footwell  . Intermediate settings 
are possible.
Switching cooling function on/off
When the cooling function is on, the 
air is cooled, dehumidified, then 
reheated depending on the tempera-
ture setting.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Recirculated-air mode
If the air outside the car has an 
unpleasant odor or contains pollut-
ants, temporarily shut off the supply 
to the interior of the car. The system 
recirculates the air within the vehicle.
If the windows fog over in the recircu-
lated-air mode, you should switch it off 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate. 
The manually controlled recirculated-air mode 
should not be used continuously for lengthy 
periods, otherwise the quality of the air inside 
the car will gradually deteriorate.<
Temperature 
For a higher temperature, turn the 
rotary switch clockwise towards red. 
For a lower temperature, turn the 
rotary switch counterclockwise 
towards blue.
Air flow rate
Adjust the air flow rate. The higher 
the rate, the more effective the heat-
ing or cooling will be.
Switching the system on/off
Set the air flow rate to 0. Blower and air condi-
tioning are switched off and the air supply is cut 
off.
To switch on the heater or air conditioning, set 
any desired air flow rate.
Rear window defroster
The defroster switches off automati-
cally after a certain time.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
1.Air distribution1 in position  .
2.Set air flow rate 2 to position 4.
3.Temperature3 to the right, red.
4.Switch on rear window defroster 4 to 
defrost the rear window.
Ventilation
1Knurled wheels to set any vent position 
from fully open to closed
2Slide for adjusting air flow direction
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air toward you, for instance if it has become too 
hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and not straight at you. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 75
Drive defensively
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking 
maneuvers. To do so, keep an adequate dis-
tance to the forward vehicle. A defensive and 
smooth driving style keeps fuel consumption 
down.
Avoid high engine speeds
Only use first gear when setting off. In second 
and higher gears, accelerate without hesitation 
or pauses. When accelerating, shift up before 
reaching high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into 
the highest applicable gear and drive with the 
engine speed as low as possible and at a con-
stant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers 
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot off 
the accelerator and coast to a stop in the high-
est applicable gear.
O n  a  d o w n h il l s lo p e ,  t a k e  y o u r  f o o t  o f f  t h e  a c c el -
erator and coast in a suitable gear.
The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy 
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy 
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings 
or in traffic congestions. You achieve fuel sav-
ings even if standing time is as short as approx. 
4 seconds.
Switch off functions you do not need at 
the moment
Functions such as the air conditioner and the 
seat or rear window heating draw large amounts 
of power and consume additional fuel. Espe-
cially in city traffic and in stop and go driving 
they have a considerable impact. Therefore, 
switch these functions off when they are not 
really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have the vehicle serviced regularly to achieve 
good economy and a long vehicle life. BMW 
recommends having the vehicle serviced at a 
BMW center. Also note the BMW service sys-
tem, refer to page96.
Driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is closed. 
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the inte-
rior of the vehicle.<
Should it be absolutely necessary drive with the 
luggage compartment lid/tailgate open:
1.Coupe: close both windows.
Roadster: close all windows if the convert-
ible top is closed.
2.Greatly increase the air flow from the air 
conditioning or automatic climate control, 
refer to page62 or65.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Never remove the heat shields installed in 
this area, nor apply undercoating to their sur-
faces. When driving, standing at idle or parking 
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact between 
the hot exhaust system and flammable materi-
als, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such contact 
could lead to a fire, resulting in serious personal 
injury and property damage. Do not touch the 
hot exhaust pipes to avoid the risk of injury from 
burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce vehicle speed. If you do not, a 
wedge of water may form between the tires and 
the road surface. This situation, known as 
hydroplaning, means that the tire can com- 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 121
Head restraints32
– removing32
– safe seating position30
Heated
– mirrors34
– rear window63,67
– seats33
Heating
– mirrors34
– rear window63,67
– seats33
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo 
loading77
Height, refer to 
Dimensions111,112
Height adjustment
– seats31
– steering wheel35
High beams60
– bulb replacement99
– headlamp flasher44
– indicator lamp12
High temperatures75
Holders for beverages69
Homepage of BMW4
Hood91
Horn10
Hot exhaust system75
Hydraulic Brake Assistant, 
refer to Dynamic Brake 
Control DBC51
Hydraulics, brake95
Hydroplaning75
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature warning48
Identification mark
– Run-Flat Tires88
– tire coding86
– tires88,89
Ignition, refer to Ignition 
switched on40
Ignition key positions, refer to 
Ignition lock40
Ignition keys, refer to The key 
set18
Ignition lock40Imprint2
Inclines76
Indicator/warning lamp12
– airbags57
– alarm system24
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic43
– brakes13
– coolant temperature49
– DSC51
– DTC52
– engine oil level92
– engine oil pressure92
– engine temperature49
– fasten safety belts33
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– passenger airbags37
– reserve48
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Indicator and warning lamps, 
overview12
Individual vehicle
– equipment, refer to Your 
individual vehicle5
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure84
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
Initializing
– after power supply 
interruption102
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM53
– windows25
Inspection49
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting60
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Interior lamps61
– remote control19
Interior motion sensor
24
Interior rearview mirror34
– automatic dimming 
feature34Interior temperature
adjusting63,66
Interlock, refer to Steering 
locked40,42
Intermittent
– operation of the wipers45
Interval
– display, service49
J
Jack101
Jacking points102
Jets, refer to 
Ventilation63,67
Jump-starting104
K
Key Memory18
Keys18
Keys, refer to The key set18
Key switch for passenger 
airbags36
Kickdown43
Knee airbags56
Knock control83
L
Lamps59
Lamps and bulbs98
LATCH, child-restraint 
mounting system38
Leather care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
LEDs Light-emitting 
diodes98
Length, refer to 
Dimensions111,112
License plate lamps, bulb 
replacement101
Light-alloy wheels, care, refer 
to the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs98