
Replacing components
238
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you 
do not feel competent to perform yourself or 
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW center.
Only change bulbs while they are cool to 
the touch; otherwise, you could suffer 
burns.<
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
For care of the headlamps, please follow the 
instructions in the chapter entitled 'Care'.
If the routine for changing a particular 
bulb is not described here, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls, displays, and equipment in your 
vehicle. These light-emitting diodes, which 
operate using a concept similar to that applied 
in conventional lasers, are officially designated 
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours; otherwise, this could cause 
irritation of the retina.<
Headlight lenses
In cool or humid weather, condensation may 
form on the interior of outside lamps. When the 
light is switched on, the condensation will dis-
appear after a short time. The headlight lenses 
do not need to be replaced.
At high humidities, e.g. water droplets may form 
in the lights; have these checked by your BMW 
center.,
Xenon lamps*
These bulbs have a very long service life and are 
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue 
the journey with great care, provided that local 
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, 
including bulb replacements, performed 
only by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if 
such work is carried out improperly, the high 
voltage in the system presents the danger of 
fatal injuries.<
Replacing parking lamps, roadside 
parking lamps, and daytime running 
lights
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Turn the cover to the left, see arrow, 
and remove it. 

Mobility
 241Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Turn signals, front
PY24W bulb, 24 watts
1.Open the flap in the wheel well, refer to 
Access through the wheel well on 
page240.
2.Rotate turn signal bulb socket 1 to the left 
and remove.
3.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the right for removal and 
replacement.
4.Insert turn signal bulb socket 1.
5.Attach the flap to the wheel well.
Side turn signals
W5W bulb, 5 watts
1.Press the front edge of the lamp toward the 
rear with your fingertip, arrow1 and pivot it 
out, arrow2.
2.While simultaneously lifting the retaining 
tab, rotate bulb holder to the left and 
remove.
3.Remove lamp and replace it.
To install, insert rear end of the lamp and press 
into place at the front.
Tail lamps
Sedan
>Brake lamp in the trunk lid:
H21W bulb, 21 watts
>Backup lamp:
W16W bulb, 16 watts
>Other lamps:
P21W bulb, 21 watts
The tail lamps are divided in two parts. One part 
is in the trunk lid, the other is in the fender.
1Brake lamp
2Roadside parking lamp/tail lamp, LED
3Turn signal, LED
4Backup lamp
5Tail lamp, LED
6Brake lamp
If one of the bulbs2, 3 or 5 malfunctions, please 
contact your BMW center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel. 

Everything from A to Z
276 Radio position, refer to Radio 
readiness55
Radio readiness55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Radio-remote key, refer to 
Remote control with 
integrated key26
Rain sensor61
Random sequence
– external devices176
– music collection171
Rapeseed-oil methyl ester 
RME204
Reading lamps101
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps241
Rear seat backrest, 
folding115
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints45
– folding115
– folding down 
backrests114,115
– folding head restraint down 
and up45
Rear ventilation105
Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors48
Rear window
– cleaning62
– opening33
Rear window blind, refer to 
Roller sun blinds110
Rear window defroster104
Rear window safety switch37
Rear window wiper62
– changing rear wiper 
blade237
Receiving level of mobile 
phone, refer to Status 
information19
Reception
– quality154
– radio station154
Recirculated-air mode104
Recirculation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode104Reclining seat, refer to 
Backrest43
Refueling202
Releasing
– hood225
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range73
Remote control26
– battery renewal36
– Comfort Access34
– garage door opener107
– malfunction29,36
– removing from the ignition 
lock55
– service data231
– tailgate28
– trunk lid28
Replacement fuses, refer to 
Fuses245
Replacement remote 
control26
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs238
Replacing tires223
Replacing tires, refer to New 
wheels and tires223
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Reset, refer to Resetting tone 
settings152
Restraint systems
– for children51
– refer to Safety belts47
Reverse
– CD changer163
– CD player163
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
RME, refer to Rapeseed-oil 
methyl ester204
Road map142
Roadside 
Assistance196,246
Roadside parking lamps99
– replacing bulbs238,240Roadworthiness test, refer to 
Service requirements76
Roller blind
– sun blinds110
Roof load capacity257
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack127
Rope, refer to Tow-starting, 
towing away250
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to 
iDrive16
Route140,141
– bypassing sections141
– changing140,141
– changing criteria140
– displaying streets or towns/
cities141
– map view142
– selecting140
Route instructions, refer to 
Destination guidance 
through voice 
instructions142
Route map, refer to Map 
view142
Route section, changing141
Route selection140
RSC Runflat System 
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires223
Runflat System Component 
RSC, refer to Run-flat 
tires223
Run-flat tires223
– continuing driving with a 
damaged tire89
– flat tire89
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– Inflation pressure208
– new tires223
– tire replacement223
– winter tires224
Runflat tyres, refer to Run-flat 
tires223 

Reference 281
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Windshield wipers, refer to 
Wiper system61
Winter diesel204
Winter tires224
– setting speed limit82
– storage224
Wiper blade replacement237
Wiper system61
Word-matching principle for 
navigation139
Work in the engine 
compartment225
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to 
Onboard vehicle tool kit237
X
xDrive86
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb238
Y
Your individual vehicle
– settings, refer to Personal 
Profile26