
Things to remember when driving
124
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds, 
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on various factors. Through a few simple steps, 
your driving style, and regular maintenance, you 
can have a positive influence on your fuel con-
sumption and environmental impact.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Removing add-on parts after use
Remove unneeded auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear 
luggage racks after use. Add-on parts attached 
to the vehicle impede the aerodynamics and 
increase the fuel consumption.
Closing windows and glass sunroof
An open glass sunroof or open windows like-
wise increase the drag coefficient and therefore 
the fuel consumption.
Checking tire inflation pressures 
regularly
Check and correct the tire inflation pressure as 
needed at least twice a month and before long 
trips.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases 
the rolling resistance and thus increases the 
fuel consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive at a moderate engine 
speed. This is the fastest way for the cold 
engine to reach its operating temperature. 

Things to remember when driving
126 the road surface, ultimately undermining your 
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread 
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page208.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it 
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at 
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Using parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle in 
place for a long time by riding the clutch; 
use the parking brake. Otherwise greater clutch 
wear will result.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to 
brake with full force. 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.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the 
brake pedal. Even light but consistent 
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure 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 to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then 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 braking is required. Even 
light but consistent pressure on the brake can 
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further 
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the 
way down into first gear. This strategy helps 
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake 
system. For information on downshifting in the 
manual mode of the automatic transmission, 
refer to page61.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in 
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise there will be no engine braking action or 
support of the braking force and steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area of movement 
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants 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 respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the 
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the 
vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over- 

Mobility
 215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The ultimate objective is to 
ensure economical maintenance by providing 
the ideal service for your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, a complete center service history 
will prove to be an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms 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 requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page77:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. You should therefore hand over the remote 
control you last used to drive to the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor when you take your vehicle in for 
service.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page79, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
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.< 

Everything from A to Z
252 Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System85
– brake assistant85
– brake force display93
– breaking-in124
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control85
– electronic brake-force 
distribution85
– parking brake59
– refer to Braking safely126
– warning lamps13
Brake system124
– brake pads124
– breaking-in124
– disk brakes126
– warning lamp87
Braking safely126
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance232
Breaking-in brake pads124
Breaking-in the clutch124
Breaking-in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential124
Break-in period124
Brightness of Control 
Display83
Button for starting engine, 
refer to Start/Stop button57
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
Call
– accepting181
– ending182
– rejecting182
Calling, refer to Phone 
numbers, dialing182
Can holder, refer to 
Cupholders114
Capacities242
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery229Care217
– car-care products217
– carpets219
– car washes217
– CD/DVD player219
– chrome components218
– displays219
– exterior217
– fine wooden 
components219
– hand washing218
– headlamps218
– high-pressure cleaning 
jets217
– interior219
– leather219
– light-alloy wheels218
– paint218
– plastic components219
– rubber gaskets218
– safety belts219
– sensors and cameras219
– upholstery and cloth-
covered paneling219
– windows218
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading126
– securing128
– securing with ski bag120Cargo bay
– capacity241
– emergency operation, refer 
to Opening manually, Sports 
Wagon33
– emergency release32
– expanding, Sports 
Wagon117
– floor panel flap, refer to 
Compartment in floor, 
Sports Wagon118
– locking separately31
– opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate31
– opening from inside31
– opening from inside, Sports 
Wagon33
– opening from outside
31
– opening from outside, 
Sports Wagon33
– opening with remote 
control29
Cargo bay cover, refer to 
Luggage compartment 
roller cover117
Caring for the vehicle 
finish218
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest112
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car phone, refer to 
Telephone178
Car radio, refer to Radio155
Car Shampoo219
Car wash58
– with Comfort Access37
Car washes217
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system125
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control85
CBS Condition Based 
Service215
CD, audio playback160