
Maintenance
106
Maintenance
BMW maintenance system
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the road and operating safety of 
your BMW.
Regular maintenance is not only required for 
the safety of the vehicle, it also improves the 
resale value.
Service Interval Display
The BMW maintenance system takes the driv-
ing conditions of the vehicle into account when 
determining service intervals:
From the maintenance standpoint, 
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated in 
short-distance urban driving are not the equiva-
lent of the same distance covered at moderate 
speeds in long-distance highway travel.
The BMW maintenance system is divided into 
engine oil service and inspection.
Determining the maintenance intervals accord-
ing to the actual loads on the vehicle covers 
practically every kind of operating situation. 
However, even those who drive only short dis-
tances, significantly less than 6,200 miles/
10,000 km annually, should have the engine oil 
changed at least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic: it absorbs 
moisture from the atmosphere over the 
course of time. To ensure that the brake system 
continues to provide safe and reliable perfor-
mance, remember to have the brake fluid 
changed at least every two years by a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center, also refer to the 
Service and Warranty Information Booklet for 
US models or the Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models.<
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 Sports Activity Vehicle 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.< 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 107
Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics
The chief components that make up the emis-
sions content can be checked by a device that 
uses the OBD socket.
This socket is located under a cover on the left 
side of the driver's footwell, just under the 
instrument cluster.
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. Exhaust 
values are deteriorating. Have the vehi-
cle checked as soon as possible.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will flash. 
This indicates a serious rate of engine misfire. 
When this occurs, you should reduce speed 
and consult the nearest BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center as soon as possible. Severe 
engine misfire even for only a short period of 
time can seriously damage emission control 
components, especially the catalytic converter.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
When the fuel filler cap is not properly 
tightened, the OBD system can detect 
the vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light 
up. If the filler cap is subsequently tightened, 
the indicator lamp should go out within a few 
days.<
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or more 
sensing and diagnostic modules or a recording 
device capable of recording or transmitting cer-
tain vehicle data or information. In addition, if 
you have a Subscription Service Agreement for 
the BMW Assist system, certain vehicle infor-
mation may be transmitted or recorded in order 
to provide such services. 

Care
110
Interior care
Upholstery materials/cloth coverings
Clean regularly with a vacuum cleaner in order 
to remove surface dirt.
With heavy soiling, such as spotting caused by 
beverages, use a soft sponge or a lint-free 
microfiber cloth in combination with suitable 
interior cleaners. Follow instructions on the 
packaging.
Clean upholstery material in large areas 
extending all the way to the seams. Avoid 
rubbing forcefully.<
Open Velcro-type fasteners on pants or 
other items of clothing can damage the 
seat covers. Make sure that Velcro-type fasten-
ers are closed.<
Leather/leather seat covers
The leather used by BMW is a high-qual-
ity natural product. Slight grain patterns 
are part of the typical properties of a leather in 
its natural state.<
Dust and road grime chafe in pores and folds, 
leading to pronounced abrasion and premature 
degradation of the leather surface. We there-
fore suggest that you clean the leather at fre-
quent intervals with a dust cloth or vacuum 
cleaner.
Particularly with light-colored leather, make 
sure that it is cleaned regularly since it tends to 
soil more easily.
Treat the leather twice a year with a leather 
lotion since dirt and grease break down the pro-
tective layer of the leather.
Carpets/cargo area
Floor carpeting and floor mats can be vacu-
umed or when more heavily soiled, cleaned with 
an interior cleaner.
Floor mats can be removed for cleaning. When 
inserting them, make sure that the seat rails do 
not protrude over the floor mats; otherwise the 
floor mats can be damaged.Fluff on floormats results from the production 
process and can be removed by repeated vacu-
uming.
Plastic components inside
>Imitation leather surfaces
>Lamp lenses
>Covering glass of the instrument panel
>Matte components
Clean with water and solvent-free plastic 
cleaner if so desired.
Fine wooden components
Use a damp cloth to clean fine wooden trim 
panels and components. Follow up by drying 
with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Do not clean with cleansers; this can 
destroy the webbing.<
Displays
Use a display-cleaning cloth or a soft, nonabra-
sive, lint-free cloth to clean displays, e.g. of the 
radio or the instrument panel.
Avoid rubbing too forcefully when clean-
ing displays; otherwise, you can damage 
them.<
Never use chemical-based cleansers or 
scouring household cleansers. Keep all 
liquids away from the equipment. Moisture can 
attack or damage the surfaces of electrical 
components.<
CD/DVD players
Do not use cleaning CDs; they can dam-
age parts of the player.<
Storing your vehicle
If you are planning not to drive your vehicle for 
more than three months, please seek advice 
from your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center 
or a workshop that works in accordance with 
BMW guidelines. 

Replacing components
112 Please have your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center work on lamps whose 
replacement is not described here.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes are related to ordinary 
lasers.
Do not remove the covers, and never 
stare into the unfiltered light for several 
hours, as irritation of the retina could result.<
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and 
the probability of failure is very low, provided 
that they are not switched on and off an unusual 
number of times. If one of these bulbs should 
nevertheless fail, it is possible to continue driv-
ing with great caution using the fog lamps, pro-
vided traffic laws in your area do not prohibit 
this.
To avoid risk of potentially fatal injuries 
due to the extremely high voltages at 
which these units operate, service work should 
always be entrusted to qualified personnel.<
Halogen low beams
H7 bulb, 55 watts
Always wear gloves and eye protection – 
the atmosphere inside the H7 bulb is 
pressurized. Failure to observe this precaution 
can lead to injuries should the bulb be dam-
aged.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp 
aim, please contact your BMW Sports 
Activity Vehicle Center.<
Driver's side
1.Position the screwdriver from the onboard 
tool kit and pull off the lamp cover.
Exercise caution when handling the 
screwdriver; otherwise, personal 
injury can occur or the vehicle can be dam-
aged.<2.Press the bulb holder downward and 
remove.
3.Remove the bulb, install a new bulb.
4.Place the bulb holder with the lower edge 
against the bracket and press it in until the 
lamp base locks into place.
Front passenger side
Before replacing the bulb, remove the reservoir 
for the windshield washing system from the 
bracket. To do so, unscrew the screws, refer to 
arrow, using the screwdriver from the onboard 
tool kit and set reservoir aside.
Bear in mind that the windshield washing 
system reservoir is heavy. Failure to take 
this into account can lead to personal injury or 
damage to the vehicle.< 

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 

Everything from A to Z
132 Child's seat, refer to Child 
restraint devices35
Child restraint devices35
– installing35
– with tether strap36
Child-restraint system 
LATCH36
Child-safety locks37
Child seat security35
Cigarette lighter74
Circulation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air 
mode64,68
Cleaning rear window43
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care and maintenance108
Clock47,48
– 12 or 24 hour mode48
– setting, also refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
– setting time47
Closing
– from inside21
– with the remote control19
Clothes hooks74
Clutch82
– breaking-in82
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine38
Combination of wheel/tire99
Compact wheel, wheel 
changes116
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments73
Compartments in cargo area, 
refer to Behind side trim 
panel78
Compass, digital70
Computer48
– also refer to Owner's Manual 
for Onboard Computer
– functions48
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked84
Confirmation signal for 
locking/unlocking 
vehicle19,21Connecting car vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices74
Connecting electrical 
devices74
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption49
Consumption indicator, refer 
to Fuel gauge46
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenience operation
– from outside21
– panorama glass sunroof21
– windows21
Coolant105
– level105
– temperature gauge47
– warning lamp105
Cooling, refer to 
Temperature64,67
Copyright2
Correct wheels and tires99
Courtesy lamps61
Cruise control44
– buttons on steering 
wheel13
– indicator lamp44
Cruising range49
Cup holders72
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights128
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data126
D
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting61
Dashboard system, refer to 
Cockpit10
Data, technical126
– dimensions127
– engine126
– filling capacities129
– weights128
Daytime driving lamps59
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags35,57Defective lamp59
Defects7
Defrosting windows64,67
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control67
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows64,67
Digital clock47
Digital compass70
Dimensions127
Dimming mirror34
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals41
Disk brakes85
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data126
Display illumination, refer to 
Instrument lighting61
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting61
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster11
Disposal, vehicle battery118
Distance warning, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control50
Door exit lighting61
Door handle lighting59
Door keys18
Door lock21
Doors
– locking and unlocking from 
inside21
– manual operation21
– unlocking and locking, 
confirmation signals19,21
DOT Quality Grades97
Draft-free ventilation65,
68
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams59
Driving notes84
Driving on poor roads87
Driving stability control 
systems51
Driving through water87 

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 

Everything from A to Z
134 Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Fuel filler cap92
Fuel filler door92
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction92
Fuel gauge46
Fuel tank contents, refer to 
Filling capacities129
Full preparation package 
mobile phone, refer to 
separate Owner's Manual
Fuses119
G
Garage-door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control69
Gasoline
– refer to Fuel quality93
– refer to Fuel 
specifications93
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge46
Gear indicator in automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic40
Gearshift lever, manual 
transmission40
General driving notes84
Glove compartment72
Grills, refer to 
Ventilation65,68
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights128
Ground clearance87
H
Halogen lamps112
Handbrake39
– indicator lamp39
Hands-free microphone, refer 
to Car phone preparation75
Hand washes108
Hazard warning flashers10
HDC Hill Descent Control52
Head airbags57Headlamp control, 
automatic60
Headlamp flasher41
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps112
– replacing bulbs111
Headlamp washer reservoir
– capacity, refer to Filling 
capacities129
– refer to Washer fluid43
Headlamp washer system
– headlamp washing43
– washer fluid43
Head Light, refer to Adaptive 
Head Light60
Head restraints29
– sitting safely27
Heated mirrors33
Heated rear window
– air conditioner64
– automatic climate control68
Heated seats31
Heated steering wheel34
Heater
– rear window64,68
– windshield washer jets43
Heating
– exterior mirror33
– seats31
– steering wheel34
Heating and ventilation63,66
Heavy cargo, refer to Cargo 
loading85
Height, refer to 
Dimensions127
Height adjustment
– seats28
– steering wheel34
High beams60
– headlamp flasher60
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs113
High Performance Synthetic 
Oil104
High pressure cleaning 
jets108
Hill-climbing ability, refer to 
Driving on poor roads87Hill Descent Control HDC52
Hills85
Holder for beverages72
Hood101
Horn10
Hotel function18
Hot exhaust system84
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to Brake assistant51
Hydroplaning84
I
Icy conditions, refer to 
Outside temperature 
warning48
Ignition38
Ignition key18
Ignition key positions, refer to 
Ignition lock38
Ignition lock38
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamp
– airbags58
– alarm system25
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic41
– brakes105
– coolant temperature47
– DSC52
– engine temperature47
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– fog lamps61
– front passenger airbags58
– reserve46
– safety belt warning32
– Tire Pressure Monitor55
Indicator and warning lamps, 
overview12
Individual settings, refer to 
Vehicle Memory, 
Key Memory18
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure94
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to
– Flat Tire Monitor54
– Tire Pressure Monitor55