Controls
51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas;
otherwise, the inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause loss of consciousness and
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly
toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle
with the engine running; otherwise, such a vehi-
cle represents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
place the transmission in neutral or move the
selector lever to position P and set the parking
brake to prevent the car from moving.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or incompletely burned and
there is a danger of overheating and damaging
the catalytic converter.<
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer
to page34.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to neutral
position.
3.Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer
to page34.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
7-gear sport automatic transmission
with dual clutch
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer
to page34.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Press the start/stop button.
The engine starts, regardless of the current
selector lever position.
Mobility
193Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Fuel specifications
Do not fill the tank with leaded fuel as this
would cause permanent damage to the
catalytic converter.
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e., fuel containing
85 % ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise,
the engine and fuel supply system will be
damaged.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
>Z4 sDrive30i: 87
>Z4 sDrive35i: 89
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the speci-
fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise, the
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
driveability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
y o u a r e u s i n g , w e r e c o m m e n d t h a t y o u r e s p o n d
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<
Mobility
207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Socket for Onboard
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust
emissions can be checked by a device via the
OBD socket.
This socket is located under a cover on the left
on the driver's side.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle emissions are raised. The
trip can be continued. Have the car
checked as soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warn-
ing lamp.
The lamp flashes under certain condi-
tions. This indicates excessive misfiring in the
engine. If this happens, you should reduce your
speed and visit your nearest BMW center as
soon as possible. Severe engine misfiring can
quickly lead to serious damage of emissions-
related components, especially the catalytic
converter.
The warning lamp comes on if the gas
cap is not properly tightened and the
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor
is escaping. If the gas cap is then tightened, the
warning lamp should go out within a few days.
Data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a
device for recording or sending certain vehicle
data or information. In addition, if you have
signed a service contract for BMW Assist, cer-
tain vehicle data may be transmitted or
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding
services.
Giving and receiving assistance
222
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
With a tow truck
Manual and automatic transmission:
7-gear sport automatic transmission with dual
clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to
page219. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine
is cold.
Vehicles with an automatic transmission or 7-
gear sport automatic transmission with dual
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page50.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
depressed and slowly release the clutch.
After the engine starts, immediately
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Everything from A to Z
238 Call
– accepting174
– ending174
– rejecting174
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing174
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders105
Capacities228
Capacity of the cargo area228
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery216
Car care, refer to Care208
Care208
– automatic car washes208
– care products208
– carpets210
– CD/DVD drives211
– chrome parts210
– displays211
– exterior208
– fine wood parts211
– headlamps209
– high-pressure washer209
– interior210
– leather210
– light-alloy wheels210
– paintwork209
– plastic parts211
– retractable hardtop209
– rubber seals210
– safety belts211
– sensors and cameras211
– upholstery and cloth
trim210
– washing the car
manually209
– windows209
Cargo, securing116
Cargo area
– capacity228
– Comfort Access35
– lamp, refer to Interior
lamps92
– opening from inside32
– opening from outside33Cargo loading
– securing cargo116
– stowing cargo116
– vehicle115
Car jack
– jacking points215
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest
104
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car phone, refer to
Telephone170
Car radio, refer to Radio143
Car shampoo211
Car wash115
– with Comfort Access36
Car wash, refer to the Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system113
CBS Condition Based
Service206
CD, audio playback152
CD/DVD changer
– filling or emptying the
magazine156
CD changer151,155
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse153
– random play sequence152
– selecting a track152
– switching on/off140
– tone control140
– volume140
CD player151
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse153
– random play sequence152
– selecting a track152
– switching on/off140
– tone control140
– volume140
Center armrest104
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb215Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– Comfort Access34
– setting unlocking
characteristics29
Changes, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs212
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display68
Changing wheels215
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment202
Check Control73
Child restraint systems48
Child seats, refer to
Transporting children
safely48
Chrome parts211
Chrome polish211
Cleaning headlamps61
– washer fluid61
Cleaning your BMW, refer to
Care208
Clock64
– 12h/24h mode72
– setting the time and date72
– setting time71
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine51
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort Access34
– replacing the battery36
– what to observe before
entering a car wash36
Comfort access, refer to
Comfort Access34