
Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program7 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below.  All you need to do is 
select an interior temp erature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer al so to Personal Profile 
settings on page 26.
Adjusting air distribution manually
The air distribution can be 
switched on and off manually. The 
air is directed to the windshield, to 
the upper body area and to the 
footwell. Automatic air distribution adjustment 
is deactivated.
The current setting is briefly displayed on the 
Control Display when a button is pressed.
You can switch the automatic air distribution 
back on by pressing the AUTO button. This 
automatically switches on  the cooling function.
Temperature
Set the desired temperatures indi-
vidually for the driver's and front 
passenger's sides.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble regardless of the season, using maximum 
cooling or heating power  if necessary, and then 
maintains it.
When you switch between different tem-
perature settings in quick succession, the 
automatic climate control does not have 
enough time to achieve the set temperature. <
You can achieve maximum heating power with 
the highest setting, rega rdless of the outside 
temperature.
The lowest setting effe cts continuous cooling.
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above 
327/06  and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum 
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recir-
culated-air mode at the  lowest temperature. Air 
flows at maximum rate  from the vents for the 
upper body area. You should therefore open 
them for maximum cooling.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper 
body area and into the footwell for you. The air 
flow rate and your temperature specifications 
will be adapted to outside  influences as a result 
of seasonal changes, e.g. sunlight or window 
condensation.
The cooling is switched  on automatically with 
the AUTO program.
Intensity of the AUTO program
Press the AUTO button re peatedly to set the 
intensity of the AUTO program. The current 
setting is displayed on the Control Display 
when the button is pressed.
Select the intensity of the AUTO program:
> −Low
> −Medium
> −High
Adjusting air flow rate manually
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce airflow. Press the right side 
of the button to increase it.
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Climate
96
You can reactivate the 
automatic mode for the 
air flow rate with the AUTO button.
The air flow rate may be reduced or the blower 
may be switched off entire ly to save on battery 
power. The display remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
With the blower at its lowest setting, press the 
left side of the button  to switch off the auto-
matic climate control. All displays are cleared 
except for the rear window defroster if it is 
switched on.
Press any button except REST or rear window 
defroster to reactivate  the automatic climate 
control.
The recirculated-air mo de is switched on 
when you switch off the automatic cli-
mate control. If the air qu ality deteriorates or the 
window fogs over, switch the system back on 
and increase the air volume.<
Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC/Recirculated-air mode
Switch on the desired operating 
mode by pressing this button 
repeatedly:
> LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
> Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air. If nec-
essary, the system blocks the supply of out-
side air and recirculates the inside air. As 
soon as the concentration of pollutants in 
the outside air has decreased sufficiently, 
the system automatically  switches back to 
outside air supply.
> Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode: 
the supply of outside air is permanently 
shut off. The system then recirculates the 
air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation star ts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air  mode, you should switch 
it off while also increasi ng the air flow rate as 
required. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the  air quality inside the ca
r will deteriorate contin-
uously. <
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a 
school to pick up a child.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
> Up to 15 minutes after  the engine has been 
switched off
> While the engine is  at operating tempera-
ture
> As long as battery voltage is sufficient
> At an outside temperature below 77 7/
25 6
The LED is lit when the function is on.
As of radio readiness,  you can set the interior 
temperature, the air flow rate and the air distri-
bution.
Defrosting window s and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before reheating it as required, 
according to the temp erature setting. This 
function is only availa ble while the engine is 
running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weathe r, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
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Driving tips
 115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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, accele rate without hesitation 
or pauses. When accelerating, shift up before 
reaching high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into 
the highest applicable ge ar 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 lig ht, take your foot off 
the accelerator and coast to a stop in the high-
est applicable gear.
On a downhill slope, take  your foot off the accel-
erator and coast in a suitable gear.
The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting.
Switch off the engi ne 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 a dditional 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 page 216.
General driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate and rear 
window are closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes 
could enter the interior of the vehicle. <
If the vehicle must be driven with the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate open:
1. Close all windows and the glass roof.
2. Greatly increase the ai r volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to 
page 95.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the  heat shields installed 
adjacent to various sect ions of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply un dercoating to them. 
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust  system and any highly 
flammable materials such  as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the 
risk of serious personal injuries and property 
damage. Do not touch ho t exhaust tail pipes. 
Otherwise there is a risk of burns. <
Diesel particulate filter*
The diesel particulate filter collects soot parti-
cles and burns them periodically at high tem-
peratures. This cleaning process takes several 
minutes. During cleaning, you may notice that 
the engine temporarily runs less smoothly and 
that a somewhat higher engine speed is neces-
sary to achieve the accustomed performance. 
Also, noises may be heard and a slight amount 
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 115  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Things to remember when driving
116
of smoke may emerge from the exhaust, even 
for a short period after 
the engine is switched 
off.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation,  known as hydroplaning, 
means that the tire can  completely lose contact 
with the road surface, so  that neither the car can 
be steered nor the brak e be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning  increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tire s, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 208.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is 
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only 
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the 
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged. <
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a 
lengthy period using the clutch; use the 
parking brake instead. Ot herwise greater clutch 
wear will result. <
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page 83.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most 
effective way of braking  in situations in which 
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that 
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to  ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors. Full 
braking efficiency will th
en be available when 
you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even 
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way  to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page 56.
Never drive with the clutch held down, 
with the transmission in neutral or with 
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine 
braking action will not be present or there will be 
no power assistance to the brakes or steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
pedals, otherwise peda l function could be 
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driv en only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in op erating conditions where 
brake applications are less  frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on  the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to re spond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended  application will fail to 
cure.
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Mobility
 195Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also 
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving 
safety that depend on th e condition of the tires 
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it, if nece ssary: at least twice a 
month and before starting long trips. If you fail 
to observe this precauti on you may be driving 
on tires with incorrect  tire pressures, a condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive 
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using 
Run-Flat Tires. A flat tire will seriously impair 
your vehicle's handling  and braking response. 
Attempts to drive on a flat  tire can lead to loss of 
control over the vehicle. <
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the 
tires are cold. This means after a maximum of 
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are 
warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, re-
fer to page 85, or the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to 
page 83.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide  all the correct inflation 
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient 
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire 
sizes approved and tire brands recom-
mended by BMW; a list of these is available 
from your BMW center. <
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following: >
Tire sizes for your vehicle
> Load conditions
> Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to 
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h 
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust 
pressures to the respecti ve tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the follo wing pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of 
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pres sures can also be found 
on the driver's-side door post when the driver's 
door is open.
The maximum permissible speed for 
these tire pressures is 100 mph or 
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed, otherwise 
tire damage and accidents could occur. <
Tire inflation pressures for driving 
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in 
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust 
pressures to the respecti ve tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the follo wing pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those ex-
ceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise tire 
damage and accidents could occur. <
Observe all national an d local maximum speed 
limits, otherwise violations of the laws could oc-
cur.
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Wheels and tires
208
heat when tested under controlled conditions 
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. 
Sustained high temperature can cause the 
material of the tire to
 degenerate and reduce 
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to 
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to 
a level of performance  which all passenger car 
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent higher levels of performance on the 
laboratory test whee l than the minimum 
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is 
established for a tire  that is properly 
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, 
underinflation, or excessi ve loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat 
buildup and possible tire failure. <
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire, refer to page209.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. 
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specia lly reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged 
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3mm, although, for exam ple, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed 
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth  of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less 
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of 
safety, new tires sh
ould be installed.
Wear indicators in the ba se of the tread groove 
are distributed around th e tire's circumference; 
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the 
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate 
these wear indicators. On ce the tire tread has 
worn down to the wear  indicators, the tire has 
worn to a depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-pr ofile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard  and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indi cate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same 
applies to any other abnormal road behavior, 
such as pulling severely  to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary, 
have the vehicle towed there. 
Otherwise, tire damage can be extremely dan-
gerous for vehicle occu pants and other road 
users. <
Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development 
of brittleness, BMW re commends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of 
the actual wear of the tires.
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Mobility
 209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: 
DOT ... 3208 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 32 of 2008.
Run-Flat Tires
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall. 
Run-Flat Tires comprise a conditionally self-
supporting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can 
continue to be used su bject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat 
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page 84.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only 
by your BMW center or tire shop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trai ned personnel. If this 
work is not carried out  properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent dama ge and related safety 
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced. <
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use 
retreaded tires, since driving safety may 
be impaired. The causes  for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often 
wide variations in tire ag e, which can result in a 
limited service life. <
Correct wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for  your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved  for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different  dimensions, which could 
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving 
safety. <
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is 
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of 
various vehicle systems  such as ABS, DSC or 
FTM.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single brand and 
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire  Pressure Monitor 
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only 
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise the 
Tire Pressure Monitor may  not be able to detect 
a puncture, refer to page 84. Your BMW center 
will be glad to advise you.
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Maintenance
216
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The objective is to optimize 
efforts with respect to  minimal vehicle mainte-
nance costs.
If and when you come to sell your BMW, a com-
prehensive record of servicing will prove a sig-
nificant benefit.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algo rithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting  you define a service 
and maintenance regimen  that reflects your 
own individual requirem ents, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Displa y, you can have the 
remaining times or distan ces for selected main-
tenance tasks and any le gally prescribed dates 
displayed, refer to page 71:
> Engine oil
> Brake pads: separately  for front and rear
> Brake fluid
> Vehicle check
> Legally mandated in spections depending 
on local regulations
> Diesel particulate filter
*
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuo usly stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. Your BMW Service Advi-
sor can read out this da ta from the remote con-
trol unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever you take your car in 
for servicing you should therefore hand your 
BMW Service Advisor the remote control unit 
that you last used.
Make sure that the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page 74; otherwise the 
effectiveness of Condit ion Based Service CBS 
is not assured. <
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US  models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure  that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by  entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance. <
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