
Things to remember when driving
86 safely exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permitted load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage 
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>To protect passengers, use the partition 
net, refer to page78.
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low 
as possible, placing it directly behind the 
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not stack cargo higher than the upper 
edge of the backrests.
>Items that could bump against the rear win-
dow while driving must be adequately cov-
ered.>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure the safety belt on 
each side in the buckle on the opposite 
side.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* o r  d r a w  s t r a p s  t o  h o l d  
down small and lightweight luggage and 
cargo, refer to page78.
>For larger and heavier pieces, heavy-duty 
cargo straps
* are available from your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. These 
heavy-duty cargo straps are secured to 
lashing eyes mounted in the cargo area, 
refer to page78.
Read the information provided with the 
heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure cargo as 
described above. If you do not, it can 
endanger the passengers during braking or 
evasive maneuvers. 
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle weights, 
refer to page128, as excessive loads can pose 
a safety hazard and may also put you in violation 
of road safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or 
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as 
they could be thrown around and pose a safety 
hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt 
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes, refer to page78, to 
fasten the heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not use 
the upper attachment points for top tether, refer 
to page36, to secure cargo; this can damage 
them.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 131
Blower, refer to
– Air volume64
– Air volume, adjusting 
manually67
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance 
system106
Bottle holder, refer to Cup 
holders72
Brake assistant51
– warning lamp53
Brake fluid105
– level105
– warning lamp105
Brake force display56
Brake lamps114
– brake force display56
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb12,59
– replacing bulbs114
Brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– warning lamp85
Brake pedal, refer to Safe 
braking84
Brake rotors
– brake system82
– breaking-in82
Brakes84,105
– ABS51,84
– brake fluid105
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– handbrake39
– indicator/warning lamp12
Brake system105
– brake fluid105
– brake pads85
– breaking-in82
– disk brakes85
– warning lamp105
Brake wear warning
– refer to Brake pads85
– warning lamp105
Breakdown service, refer to 
Receiving assistance120
Breaking-in82Bulb replacement, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs111
Buttons on steering wheel13
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders107
– Proposition 65 Warning5
Calling, refer to telephone 
operation instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders72
Capacities129
Capacity, cargo area128
Care
– exterior108
– interior110
Care and maintenance
– car-care products108
– carpets110
– car washes108
– CD/DVD players110
– chrome sections109
– displays110
– fine wood components110
– finish109
– hand washes108
– headlamps109
– high pressure cleaning 
jets108
– leather110
– light-alloy wheels109
– plastic components110
– rubber seals109
– running boards109
– safety belts110
– sensors109
– upholstery materials/cloth 
coverings110
– windows109
– wiper blades109
Cargo, securing86Cargo area22,76
– capacity128
– cover77
– emergency release, refer to 
Opening manually22
– enlarging76
– floor cover78
– foldable rear backrest76
– hatch, refer to Liftgate22
– lashing eyes78
– opening from outside22
– opening with remote 
control20
– power socket74
Cargo loading85
– load86
– securing cargo86
– stowing cargo
86
– vehicle85
Caring for vehicle finish109
Caring for your vehicle108
Car keys, refer to Key set18
Car phone, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
Car phone preparation75
Car radio, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Car washes84,108
Cassette operation, refer to 
Owner's Manual for Radio/
Onboard Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Central locking system19
– interior21
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Changing wheels98,115
Charge-current indicator 
lamp12,118
Check Gas Cap, warning 
lamp12,92 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 133
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
instructions84
Drying air, refer to Switching 
cooling function on/
off64,67
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control51
– indicator lamp52
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control52
– indicator lamps52
DVD changer, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC51
– indicator lamp52
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC52
– indicator lamps52
E
Electrical malfunctions
– automatic transmission 
malfunction41
– door lock21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Electronic brake-force 
distribution51
Electronic Stability Program, 
refer to DSC Dynamic 
Stability Control51
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– doors21
– driver's door21
– fuel filler door92
– liftgate22
– panorama glass sunroof25
Emergency request120
Emergency Service, refer to 
Receiving assistance120Engine
– breaking-in82
– data126
– indicator lamps38
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
thermometer47
– speed46
– starting38
– switching off39
Engine compartment102
Engine coolant105
Engine coolant 
temperature47
Engine oil103
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils104
– approved engine oils104
– electronic oil level 
control103
– indicator/warning lamp103
– possible displays103
– required oil grades104
– specifications, also refer to 
Approved engine oils104
Engine oil grades104
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp103
Engine oil pressure103
– indicator/warning lamp103
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data126
Equipment package, refer to 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models, Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control51
Exhaust system
84
Exterior mirrors33
– automatically dimming34
External audio device74
Eye, tow starting and 
towing122
F
Failure of electrical 
accessories119
False alarms, refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms26
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts32
Filter, refer to
– Microfilter65
– Microfilter/activated 
charcoal filter68
First-aid kit121
Flat tire115
– compact wheel116
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– refer to Tire inflation 
pressure94
– refer to Wheel changes115
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Flat Tire Monitor54
– indicator lamp54
– initializing system54
– snow chains100
– system limits54
– warning errors54
Flooding, refer to Driving 
through water84
Floor cover78
Fog lamps, indicator lamp61
Folding rear seat back76
Footwell lamps61
Four wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive52
Front airbags57
Front fog lamps61
– replacing bulbs114
Front passenger airbags
– automatic deactivation57
– status58
Fuel93
– average consumption49
– capacity129
– gauge46
– quality93
– refer to Average fuel 
consumption49
– saving83 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 137
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant105
Radio, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Radio-control key, refer to 
Master key with remote 
control18
Radio navigation, refer to 
separate Owner's Manual
Rain sensor42
Range, setting units48
Reading lamps
– front61
– rear62
Rear armrest, refer to Armrest, 
rear73
Rear backrests, folding76
Rear lamps
– refer to Tail lamps114
– replacing bulbs114
Rear lamps and reflector, refer 
to Tail lamps114
Rear seat back, folding76
Rearview mirrors, exterior33
Rear window defroster
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Rear window safety switch23
Rear window wiper43
– wiper blade 
replacement111
Recirculated-air mode
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Refueling92
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range49
Remaining distance until 
service47
Remote control19
– garage-door opener69
– liftgate20
– malfunction20
Removing condensation, 
windows
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67Replacement fuses119
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs111
Replacing tires
– new wheels and tires98
– wheel changes115
Replacing windshield 
wipers111
Reporting an accident, refer to 
Initiating an emergency 
request120
Reporting safety defects7
Required oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils104
Reserve indicator lamp, refer 
to Fuel gauge46
Restraint systems
– for children35
– refer to Safety belts32
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
– manual transmission40
Roadside Assistance, refer to 
Receiving assistance120
Roadside parking lamps60
Roller cover for cargo area, 
refer to Cargo area cover77
Roll-up cover, refer to Cargo 
area cover77
Roof load capacity, refer to 
Weights128
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack87
Rope, refer to Tow starting 
and towing122
Rotating coin holder, refer to 
Storage compartments73
Run-flat indicator, refer to Flat 
Tire Monitor54
S
Safety belts32
– safe sitting position27
– warning lamp32
Safety belt tensioners, refer to 
Safety belts32
Safety defects7Safety feature, window23
Safety systems, refer to
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System51
– Airbags57
– DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control51
– xDrive52
Screw thread for tow 
fitting122
Seat heating31
Seat memory, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory31
Seats
– adjusting electrically28
– adjusting sports seat29
– heating31
– memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory31
– sitting safely27
– storing the setting31
Securing, vehicle, with the 
remote control19
Securing cargo, refer to Cargo 
loading85
Selector lever
– automatic transmission40
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
Selector lever interlock, refer 
to Shiftlock40
Selector-lever positions, 
automatic transmission40
Service, refer to Receiving 
assistance120
Service and warranty6
Service Engine Soon38,107
Service Interval 
Display47,106
Setting interior 
temperature64,67
Shifting gears in automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic41
Shiftlock40
Side airbags57
Side tilt, permissible87
Side turn signals, bulb 
replacement114 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 139
Torque
– engine126
– lug bolts117
Touch signaling42
Tow bar123
Tow fitting122
Towing eye122
Towing the vehicle122
– with automatic 
transmission122
Tow rope123
Tow sockets for tow 
fitting122
Tow starting122
TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor55
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions127
Traction97
Traction control, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control51
Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic40
– manual transmission40
Transmission locking 
mechanism, refer to 
PPark41
Transmission malfunction, 
refer to Malfunction41
Transporting children 
safely35
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing cargo86
Traveling on poor roads87
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tread depth98
Tread wear97
Tread wear indicator in tires, 
refer to Minimum tread 
depth98
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer46
Trip odometer46
Trunk lid, refer to Liftgate22
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions127Turning lamp60
Turn signals41
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs113
– side, replacing bulbs114
U
Units48
– outside temperature48
Universal garage-door 
opener, refer to Integrated 
universal remote control69
Universal remote control69
Unlocking
– from inside21
– hood101
– with the remote control19
Unlocking and locking doors 
with the remote control19
V
Valve screw caps, refer to 
After mounting117
Vehicle
– battery118
– breaking-in82
– cargo loading85
– dimensions127
– locking from inside21
– parking39
– storage110
– weights128
Vehicle care, refer to Care and 
maintenance108
Vehicle jack116
– jacking points117
Vehicle Memory18
Vehicle storage110
Ventilation65,68
– draft-free65,68
Viscosity104
Voice control, refer to 
separate Owner's Manual
W
Warning and indicator lamps, 
overview12
Warning triangle120
Warranty, refer to Service and 
Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models, 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models106
Warranty and service6
Washer fluid43
Washer fluid reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling 
capacities129
– refer to Filler neck for washer 
fluid43
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray74
Water penetration108
Weights128
Welcome lamps59
Wheel/tire combination99
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions127
Wheel bolt, wrench116
Wheel changes, compact 
wheel116
Wheel chock116
Wheels and tires99
Width, refer to 
Dimensions127
Windows22
– convenience operation21
– safety switch23
Windshield
– cleaning43
– defrosting, refer to 
Defrosting windows64,67
Windshield washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling 
capacities129
– refer to Washer fluid43
Windshield washer system
– washer/wiper system42
– washer fluid43
Windshield wiper blade 
replacement111