
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 11
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator and warning lamps12
3Tachometer46
Indicator and warning lamps12
4Coolant temperature gauge47
5Fuel gauge46
6Button for
>Displaying the time47
>Service Interval Display47
>Checking oil level103
7Selector lever and program displays for 
automatic transmission
*408Button for
>Resetting trip odometer46
>Setting time47
9Display for
>Trip odometer/odometer46
>Time47
>Service Interval47
>Computer48
>Checking oil level103 

Cockpit
12
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
Indicator and warning lamps that are identified 
with 
+ are checked for proper function each 
time you turn the ignition key. They each light 
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go 
out when the engine is started, or it will come on 
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Battery charge current 
+118
Headlamp flasher41
High beams60
Engine oil 
+103
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System 
+51
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis 
control system for Canadian models
Brake system 
+ 
With handbrake released53, 105
With handbrake engaged39
With other warning lamps53
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models
Brake pads 
+85
Please fasten safety belts 
+32
Airbags 
+57
Front fog lamps61
Automatic transmission +40 
Turn signals41
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 51, 52
DTC Dynamic Traction Control 
+52
Service Engine Soon 
+107
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for 
Canadian models.
Check Gas Cap
* +92
Engine electronics 
+38
Topping off washer fluid43
Coolant low105
Flat Tire Monitor
* +54 
Tire Pressure Monitor
* +55
Lamp defective59
Cruise control44
Door or liftgate open 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 47
Coolant temperature gauge
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate 
engine and vehicle speeds.
Between blue and red fields
Normal operating range. It is permissible for the 
dial to drift up to the red field.
Red
Comes on while driving: 
The engine is overheated. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page105.
When you switch on the ignition, the warning 
lamp1 comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Service Interval Display
Remaining distance until next service 
due
The displays shown in the illustration appear for 
a few seconds once the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1 or after starting the engine.Together with the message OIL SERVICE or 
INSPECTION, the next scheduled service and 
remaining distance to this service are dis-
played.
The remaining distance is determined on the 
basis of the past driving style.
A flashing display and a – sign before the 
numerical value mean that the service interval 
has been passed by the displayed number of 
miles/kilometers. Please make an appointment 
with your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center.
Clock
If you wish to have a continuous clock display, 
you can also set the car radio display to show 
the time, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock or the time that appears in 
the car radio display as follows.
Setting time
With the ignition key in position 1 or higher:
Hours
1.Hold button2 pressed for a few seconds 
until the hours are displayed and the colon 
flashes.
2.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired 
hour is set.
Minutes
3.Press button2 to change to the minutes 
display.
4.Press button1 repeatedly until the desired 
minutes are set.
5.Press button2 to confirm the time. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 103
Engine oil
Engine oil consumption depends on driving 
style and operating conditions.
Warning lamp
Engine oil pressure
The warning lamp lights up red:
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Stop the vehicle immediately and 
switch off the engine. Check the engine oil level 
and top off as needed. If the oil level is correct: 
Have the system checked immediately.
Do not continue driving. The engine could 
be damaged because of inadequate lubri-
cation.<
Engine oil level
The warning lamp lights up yellow dur-
ing driving. An acoustic signal also 
sounds and "+1.0" is displayed in the 
instrument cluster, refer to page103.
The oil level is at its absolute minimum; top off 
e n g i n e  o i l  a s  s o o n  a s  p ossible. Until then, do not 
drive more than approx. 125 miles/200 km.
The warning lamp lights up yellow after 
the engine is switched off. In addition, a 
signal sounds.
Top off engine oil at the earliest opportunity, 
e.g. with your next refueling.
The warning lamp lights up yellow 
within 30 seconds after starting the 
engine:
The oil level sensor has failed. It is not possible 
to take a current or meaningful measurement. 
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Checking oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level control.
For the most precise possible display of the oil 
level, the engine must be at operating tempera-
ture, i.e. after at least 6.5 miles/10 km of unin-
terrupted driving. You can have the oil level dis-
played while you drive or while the vehicle is standing on a flat surface with the engine run-
ning.
You can have the current oil level displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
Press button1. The oil level is checked and dis-
played for approx. 15 seconds.
In order to cancel the display early, press but-
ton 1 again.
Possible displays
1Oil level OK
2Oil level is being detected
This process can last approx. 3 minutes 
while standing on a flat surface and approx. 
5 minutes while driving. 

Under the hood
104 3Oil level at minimum
At your earliest opportunity, add 1 US quart/
1 liter engine oil, also refer to Adding engine 
oil.
4Oil level too high
Have vehicle checked immediately; 
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to 
engine damage.<
5Oil level sensor has failed
It is not possible to take a current or mean-
ingful measurement.
Do not add engine oil. It is possible to con-
tinue driving. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Add the maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter 
of oil only after the warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up, refer to page103, or 
when the oil level measurement "+1.0 " appears 
on the display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km; 
otherwise, engine damage could result.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers. Otherwise, you could endanger your 
health.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center or 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.
Only use approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil, you can add small 
amounts of another synthetic oil in between oil 
changes. Only use oils with the API SH specifi-
cation or higher.
Ask your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center for more details concerning 
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil or other 
approved synthetic oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
BMW engines are designed to operate 
without additives, and their use could 
even lead to damage in some cases.<
Viscosity classes
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in 
SAE classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class depends 
on the climate conditions in the area where you 
typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE classes 
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40, and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving in all ambient 
temperatures. 

Care
108
Care
Car-care products
BMW recommends that your vehicle be 
cleaned, cared for, and maintained using prod-
ucts that have been approved by BMW for this 
purpose.
Regular cleaning and care makes a significant 
contribution to maintaining the value of your 
BMW.
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center will 
be happy to advise you on products and ser-
vices for the cleaning, care, and maintenance of 
your BMW.
Genuine BMW Care Products are materi-
als tested, lab tested, and field tested and 
offer optimum care, maintenance, and protec-
tion for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol 
or solvents; they can damage your vehi-
cle.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or pose health risks. 
For this reason, always read and comply with 
the warnings and danger notices on the pack-
aging. Open the doors or windows on your vehi-
cle whenever cleaning the interior. Make sure 
that there is sufficient ventilation when working 
in enclosed spaces. Use only products that are 
provided for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing your vehicle
In the winter months, it is especially 
important to ensure that the vehicle is 
washed on a regular basis. Heavy soiling and 
road salts can result in damage to the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them. Failure to do so 
may lead to a reduction in braking efficiency and 
also to corrosion of the brake rotors.<
Car washes
Give preference to cloth car washes.
Before driving into the car wash, check whether 
the system is suitable for your BMW. To do so, 
pay attention to the following points:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page127
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors, 
refer to page33.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Deactivate rain sensor
* to prevent undes-
ired wiper operation.
>Deactivate rear window wiper and protect 
from damage. Ask the operator of the car 
wash about suitable protection measures 
should the need arise.
>Remove additional add-on components, 
e.g. spoilers or telephone antennas; other-
wise, they could be damaged.
Steam cleaners/high pressure cleaning 
jets
When using steam cleaners or high pres-
sure cleaning jets, be sure to maintain a 
sufficient distance and do not exceed a maxi-
mum temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient distance or excessive pressure or 
temperature can damage parts of the vehicle or 
water can penetrate to the interior of the vehi-
cle. Follow the operating instructions for the 
high pressure cleaning jet.<
Do not aim high pressure cleaning jets at 
sensors such as those of the Park Dis-
tance Control for long periods of time and main-
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.<
Hand washes
When washing the vehicle by hand, use ample 
water and optionally Auto Shampoo. Clean the 
vehicle with gentle pressure, using a sponge or 
a washing brush.