
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 115
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page117
2Washer fluid filler neck for headlamp clean-
ing system and window washer system, 
refer to page533Jump-starting connection, refer to 
page131
4Fluid filler neck for engine oil, refer to Add-
ing engine oil, page116
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your car is equipped with an electronic oil-level 
monitor.
For a precise measurement and display of the 
oil level, it is necessary that the engine be at 
operating temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least approx. 6.5 miles/10 km. You 
can have the oil level displayed while you are 
driving, or while the vehicle is at a standstill on a 
level surface and the engine is running.
You can have the oil level reading displayed in 
the instrument cluster.1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up 
or down repeatedly until the appropriate 
symbol is shown in the display, accompa-
nied by the word "OIL".
2.Press button 2. 
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 121
temperature can lead to component damage or 
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions for the steam jet or high-pressure 
washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do 
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. of the Park Distance Control or Rear 
View Camera, for an extended period and main-
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large 
quantities of water and car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the 
wipers.<
Observe local regulations pertaining to 
washing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or 
corrosive cleaning agents.
Remove contamination, such as insects, by 
soaking with shampoo or insect remover and 
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield de-icer and do not 
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the 
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners 
containing quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to 
avoid streaking.
Wax and preservative residue and con-
tamination on the window can lead to 
streaking when operating the windshield wip-
ers, leading to premature wear of the wiper 
blades and causing the rain sensor to malfunc-
tion.<
Convertible top care
The appearance and life of the convertible top 
depend on proper care and operation.
Follow these instructions:
>Do not fold the convertible top into the con-
vertible top box when the top is wet or fro-
zen, as this may cause water spots, mold 
stains or chafed areas.
>If water spots occur on the inside headliner 
despite precautions, remove them using a 
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.
>If the vehicle is parked in enclosed areas for 
extended periods, ensure that there is suffi-
cient ventilation.
>Remove bird droppings immediately, as 
their corrosive ingredients attack the con-
vertible top and damage the rubber seals.
To remove stains from the convertible 
top, do not use stain removers, paint thin-
ners, solvents, benzine or similar substances. 
These substances may damage the rubber 
parts. Improper care and cleaning may cause 
the convertible top and convertible top seams 
to become leaky.<
To remove heavy soiling, use a special convert-
ible top cleaner. 
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.
After washing the convertible top three to five 
times, treat it with an impregnating agent.
Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and 
protects the paintwork against the long-term 
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can 
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is 
important to adapt the frequency and scope of 
car care accordingly.
Immediately remove very aggressive sub-
stances, e.g. spilled fuel, oil, grease, tree resin 
or bird droppings, to prevent damage to the 
paintwork. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 125
Removing the headlamp cover
1.Pull the wire brackets over the notches, see 
arrows, and fold to the side.
2.Fold away the headlamp cover.
Be careful when attaching the headlamp 
cover and ensure that both wire brackets 
are securely in place, otherwise leaks could 
occur and cause damage to the headlamp sys-
tem.<
Attach the headlamp cover in reverse order.
Halogen headlamps
Halogen low beams and high beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
Always wear gloves and eye protection; 
the atmosphere within the H7 bulb is 
pressurized. Otherwise there is a risk of injury if 
the bulb is damaged.<
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
1High beams
2Low-beam headlamps
1.Remove the headlamp cover.
2.Fold down the holding bracket.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.4.Reattach the bulb holder with the notch at 
the top.
5.Fold the holding bracket back up and let it 
snap into place.
6.Attach the headlamp cover.
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Remove the headlamp cover.
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
2.Pull out the bulb holder.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.
4.Reinsert the bulb holder.
5.Attach the headlamp cover.
Xenon headlamps
Parking lamps, roadside parking 
lamps, daytime running lamps
H8 bulb, 35 watts
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
1.Remove the headlamp cover.
2.Turn the bulb, see arrow, and remove it.
3.Pull off the connector and replace the bulb. 

Replacing components
126 4.Attach the connector, insert the bulb and 
turn it all the way in the opposite direction.
5.Attach the headlamp cover.
Corner-illuminating lamps
H3 bulb, 55 watts
The figure shows the right-hand headlamp.
1.Remove the top headlamp cover, using the 
screwdriver to push the detents to one side.
2.Turn the bulb holder, see arrow, and 
remove it.
3.Slide the bulb out of the holder and pull off 
the connector.
4.Replace the bulb and attach the connector.
5.Insert the bulb holder and turn it all the way 
in the opposite direction.
6.Attach the headlamp cover.
Turn signals, front
PY21W Silver Vision bulb, 21 watts
The turn signal bulb can be changed via a cover 
in the wheel arch.1.Turn the respective wheel inwards.
2.Using a coin, turn both locks of the cover all 
the way to the left, arrows 1, and remove the 
cover.
3.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove 
it, arrow2.
4.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the right for removal and 
replacement.
5.Insert the bulb holder and lock it by turning 
it to the right.
6.Attach the cover by positioning the bottom 
edge first and then turning both locks all the 
way to the right.
Tail lamps
>Turn signal:
PY21W bulb, 21 watts
>Backup lamp:
W16W bulb, 16 watts
>Brake lamps:
P21W bulb, 21 watts
>Brake Force Display lamp:
H21W bulb, 21 watts
1Inner brake lamp
2Outer brake lamp 

Giving and receiving assistance
132 Your BMW has a special nut as body ground or 
negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
It is stored with the onboard tool kit underneath 
the floor mat in the cargo bay, refer to page124.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow 
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press the arrow on the cover.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page47, otherwise the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn s i g n a l  i n d i c a t o r s  a n d  
windshield wipers may be unavailable. Power 
steering assistance is not available when the 
engine is not running. Thus, braking and steer-
ing will require increased effort. Active steering  

Indicator and warning lamps
134
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors. See the 
table for information on causes and how to 
react. Note whether a lamp comes on alone or in 
combination with another. Some lamps can 
light up in different colors. Corresponding dis-
tinctions are made in the text.
12Cause Special actions to be taken
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher 
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to 
page41.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page56.
Lights up briefly:
>Approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 liters of 
fuel remain in the tank
Remains on: 
Remaining operating range is no more 
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page57
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to 
start the engine, refer to page48.
Ignition switched on and driver's door 
openSwitch off the ignition, refer to page47, 
or close the driver's door.
Parking lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps, 
refer to page76. 

Indicator and warning lamps
142Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as 
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp failed Have the low beams checked as soon 
as possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps 
checked.
Headlamp beam throw adjustment 
system failedHave the headlamp beam throw adjust-
ment system checked.
Adaptive Head Light failed
Coolant level too low Add coolant immediately, refer to 
page117.
Lights up in red: 
Service appointment overdue Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to 
page61.
Lights up in yellow:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, refer to 
page61.
No service due
Set speed limit
* has been exceeded
Time and date no longer correct Set the time and date, refer to page62.
12Cause Special actions to be taken 

Technical data
150
Capacities
Notes
Fuel tank:  US gal/liters approx. 14.0/53 Fuel grade: page105
including reserve of US gal/liters approx. 2.1/8.0
Window washer system For more details: page53
including headlamp washers US qt/liters approx. 6.3/6.0