
Mobility
 209Reference
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work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage 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 the 
possibly different tire casing structures and the 
often wide variations in their age, which can 
result in a limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
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 than the 
approved units – these differences could lead to 
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects 
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g., ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following 
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire 
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon 
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for 
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use 
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the 
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire, 
refer to page90. Your BMW center will be 
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW 
depending on the tire size. You can recognize 
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on 
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with 
the most demanding standards for safety and 
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat 
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare 
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW 
center will be glad to advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
winter tires.
Paying attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise 
tire damage may occur, which can result in acci-
dents.<
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with 
as little exposure to light as possible. Always 
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease 
and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum tire 
inflation pressure indicated on the side wall of 
the tire. 

Under the hood
212
Engine compartment
1Filler spout for engine oil, refer to Adding 
engine oil
2Starting-aid terminal, refer to page232
3Filler neck for washer fluid of the headlamp 
and windshield cleaning systems, refer to 
page65
4Expansion tank for coolant, refer to 
page214
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication 
of the oil level possible is measurement with the 
engine at operating temperature, i.e., following 
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km. 
You can display the oil level on the Control Dis-
play while driving or when stopped on a level 
surface with the engine running.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Engine oil level"
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level OK"
>"Measurement not possible at this time." 

Mobility
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>"Measuring engine oil level...":
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface and the engine 
is running, and about 5 minutes while the 
car is moving.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the 
measurement of the oil level can take up to 
30 minutes.
>"Engine oil level below minimum. Add 1 
quart!": 
Add a maximum of 1 literUS quart/liter of 
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer also 
to Adding engine oil below. If the oil level 
displayed is below minimum, add engine oil 
immediately. Failure to do so may lead to 
engine damage.
>"Engine oil level too high! Have this 
checked.":
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay.<
>"Measurement inactive. Have this 
checked.":
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to Service requirements on page77. Have 
the system checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a corre-
sponding message is shown on the Control Dis-
play.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km, 
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.
For this reason, thoroughly wash exposed areas 
of skin with soap and water after such work.
Keep oil, grease, etc., out of reach of children 
and observe the warnings on the containers to 
prevent health risks.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or 
at a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of 
an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific oils after confirming their suitability for use 
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Do not use oil additives, as these may 
result in engine damage.<
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is 
unavailable, you can add small quantities of 
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Only 
use oils of the specification API SM or higher.
Your BMW center will be happy to answer 
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and 
is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on 
the climatic conditions in the region in which 
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the 0W-40, 
0W-30, 5W-40 and 5W-30 SAE 
classes.< 

Under the hood
214 These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant is composed of equal parts water and a 
coolant additive. Not all commercially available 
additives are suitable for your BMW. Ask your 
BMW center for suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has 
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to 
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant level is between the MIN and MAX 
marks, refer to the diagram adjacent to the 
filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible. 

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving through water126
Driving tips, refer to General 
driving notes124
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function107
Drying the air, refer to Cooling 
function107
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control85
– indicator lamp13,86
– malfunction87
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control86
– activating86
– indicator lamp13,86
DVD
– country codes162
– settings163
– video playback162
DVD menu163
DVD player, refer to CD 
player160
DVD video162
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
– warning lamp87
Dynamic destination 
guidance143
Dynamic Drive88
Dynamic Driving Control62
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC85
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC86
E
Easy entry/exit52
– backrest width45
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
in area of CD/DVD 
player152
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap200
– glass sunroof, electric40
– luggage compartment lid32
– panorama glass sunroof41
– tailgate33Electrical steering wheel 
adjustment52
Electronic brake-force 
distribution85
Electronic oil level check212
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap200
– luggage compartment lid32
– tailgate33
– transmission lock, automatic 
transmission61
Emergency operation, refer to 
Moving manually
– glass sunroof40
– panorama glass sunroof41
Emergency release for 
luggage compartment lid in 
cargo bay32
Emergency request231
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance232
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control75
Energy Control75
Engine
– breaking-in124
– data238
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature74
– speed238
– starting58
– starting, with Comfort 
Access36
– switching off58
Engine compartment212
Engine coolant214Engine oil
– adding213
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils213
– approved engine oil213
– checking oil level212
– electronic oil level check212
– interval between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements
77
– oil change213
– oil grades, refer to Approved 
engine oils213
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data238
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data238
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine58
Entering destination via town/
city name133
Entering intersection, 
navigation134
Entering special destinations 
by name137
Entering the 
address133,139
Entering zip code for 
navigation134
Entertainment sound output 
on/off152
Entry map for destination138
Environmentally friendly 
driving
– refer to Energy control75
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control153
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control85
Event Data Recorders216
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system125 

Reference 263
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Mobility
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Electric glass 
sunroof39
– refer to Panorama glass 
sunroof40
Slope assistant, refer to Drive-
off assistant87
Snap-in adapter
– mounting/removing188
– using178
Snow chains210
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface216
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock57
Sockets, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices115
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing31
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency request231
Spare
– adapter for spare key26
– fuses230
– key26
– wheel, refer to Compact 
wheel228
Spare wheel, refer to 
Changing wheels226
Special destinations136
Special destinations, 
displaying138
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils213
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils213
Speed
– limit81
– with compact wheel229
Speed dial, refer to 
Speedometer12
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit81
Speedometer12
Speed Volume153
Speed with winter tires209
Split screen, refer to Control 
Display, switching on/off19Split screen content, refer to 
Display for split screen 
content, selecting20
Sport automatic 
transmission62
– Dynamic Driving Control62
– kick down60
– towing234
– with Comfort Access37
Sport program, Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic61
Sports Wagon
– automatic luggage 
compartment roller 
cover117
– automatic tailgate 
operation34
– compartments in cargo 
bay118
– expanding cargo bay117
– luggage compartment roller 
cover117
– luggage compartment roller 
cover for cargo bay117
– opening rear window32
– opening tailgate33
– panorama glass sunroof40
– partition net118
– rear window wiper64
– rear window wiper, changing 
wiper blade221
– releasing fuel filler flap in 
event of electrical 
malfunction200
– self-leveling suspension88
– socket in cargo bay115
– storage area loading 
options119
– tail lamps, replacing 
bulbs225
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems85
Start/Stop button57
– starting the engine58
– switching off the engine58
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine58Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting232
Starting difficulties, refer to 
Jump starting232
Starting off on slopes, refer to 
Drive-off assistant87
Start menu17
Station, refer to Radio155
Station, selecting
– radio155
Stationary ventilation
– preselecting activation 
times109
Status information on Control 
Display19
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners217,218
Steering wheel
– adjustment52
– automatic adjustment, refer 
to Steering wheel 
memory45
– easy entry/exit52
– heating52
– lock, refer to Ignition lock57
– memory45
– shift paddles62
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering92
Steptronic
– refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic59
– refer to Sport automatic 
transmission62
– refer to Sport program and 
manual mode61
Storage area loading options, 
Sports Wagon119
Storage compartments113
Stored trip, calling up141
Storing220
Storing a destination in the 
address book135
Storing a trip140
Storing music167