
At a glance
 13Reference
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Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper 
functioning and light up temporarily when the 
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Text messages
Text messages at the upper edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
You can call up more information on the Control 
Display, e.g. on the cause of a malfunction and 
on how to respond, via Check Control, refer to 
page78.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps notify you that 
certain functions are active:
High beams/headlamp flasher96
Fog lamps
*97
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability84
Canada: parking brake applied59
Parking brake applied59
Canada: engine malfunction with 
adverse effect on emissions222
Engine malfunction with adverse 
effect on emissions222 

Controls
 37Reference
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Mobility
afterward, insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page28.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a recycling center 
or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote control out of the ignition 
when you leave the car; otherwise, children 
could operate the electric windows and possi-
bly injure themselves.<
Coupe: opening, closing
>Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
Convertible: opening, closing
Window operation with Comfort Access, refer 
also to page30.
To close the side windows while driving, 
either close the rear windows first or all 
four windows together; otherwise, the windows 
may not close tightly at high speeds.< 

Controls
 41Reference
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Mobility
tion.
Always completely finish the operation of the 
convertible top. Driving with the convertible top 
incompletely opened or closed can result in 
damage or injury.
Do not reach into the mechanism during the 
opening or closing procedure. Keep children 
away from the opening/closing path of the con-
vertible top.
For safety reasons, only operate the convertible 
top while the vehicle is standing.<
While opening and closing, the convert-
ible top pivots upward. When operating 
the convertible top in a garage, under a bridge, 
etc., ensure that there are at least 6 ft 7 in/2 m 
of headroom; otherwise, the vehicle may be 
damaged.<
Before opening and closing
>Comply with the safety precautions 
described above.
>Ensure that the cargo area partition is 
folded down and engaged on both sides, 
refer to page110; otherwise, it will not be 
possible to open the convertible top.
>Ensure that the cargo does not press 
against the cargo area partition from below.
>Ensure that the trunk lid is closed.
Opening and closing
Convertible top operation with Comfort Access, 
refer also to page30.
As of radio readiness, refer to page57:
To conserve battery power, if possible 
operate the convertible top only while the 
engine is running.
Prior to closing the convertible top, check for 
and remove all debris from the windshield 
frame; otherwise, the closing of the top may be 
hampered.<1Push button: closing the convertible top
2Push button: open convertible top
3LEDs
The side windows move down when the 
convertible top is opened.<
Operating while driving
You can open or close the convertible top while 
driving, as long as the car is not moving faster 
than approx. 25 mph/40 km/h.
If you accelerate to over 30 mph/50 km/h while 
the convertible top is moving, the procedure is 
interrupted.
While operating the convertible top, pay 
close attention to the surrounding traffic; 
otherwise, an accident may happen. Try to 
avoid operating the convertible top while 
reversing the vehicle since the rear view is very 
limited during the convertible top's movement. 
Do not operate the convertible top while driving 
in windy conditions. Do not drive faster than 
30 mph/50 km/h; otherwise, damage to the 
vehicle can occur.<
LEDs
>While the convertible top is being operated, 
the left LED lights up green. It goes out as 
soon as the top is fully opened or closed.
In the following situations, a message appears 
on the Control Display or an acoustic signal 
sounds in addition to the LED lighting up:
>If the right-hand LED flashes red when you 
release the button, the opening or closing 
action has not yet finished. 

Controls overview
78
Date
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile on 
page28.
Setting the date
In the instrument cluster
To set the dd/mm or mm/dd date format, refer 
to Setting the date format below.
1.Push button1 in the turn signal/high beam 
lever up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol appears in the display, 
accompanied by the date and the word 
"SET".
2.Press button2.
3.Use button1 to set the day of the month.
4.Press button2 to confirm the entry.
5.Set the month and the yea r  i n  t he  s a m e  w a y .
6.Press button 2.
The system stores the new date.
Via iDrive
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Date:"
4.Turn the controller until the desired day is 
displayed, and press the controller.
5.Create the necessary settings for the 
month and year.
The date is stored.
Setting the date format
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Format:"
4.Select the desired format.
The date format is stored.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors vehicle functions 
and alerts you to any malfunctions in the sys-
tems monitored. Such a Check Control mes-
sage includes indicator and warning lamps in 
the instrument cluster and, in some circum-
stances, an acoustic signal as well as text mes-
sages at the top of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper 
functioning and light up temporarily when the 
engine is started or the ignition is switched on. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
82
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator
 warn you of the presence of an object 
behind your vehicle. Four ultrasonic sensors in 
the bumper measure the distance.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not 
sound until an object is approx. 2 ft/60 cm from 
the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from 
the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed; oth-
erwise, physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated after approx. second 
when you engage reverse gear or move the 
automatic transmission selector lever to 
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 150 ft/50 m of driving or approx. 
20 mph/30 km/h of speed, the system switches 
off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.An interval tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>If you stop in front of an object that has been 
detected by only one of the corner sensors
>If you are driving parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up. PDC is malfunction-
ing. A message appears on the Con-
trol Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display 
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC 
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs, 
can disappear again from the detection area of 
the sensors before or after a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC  

Lamps
96
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. 
The Adaptive Light Control is mal-
functioning or failed. Have the system checked 
as soon as possible.
High beams/roadside parking 
lamps*
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
There is an additional option of switching on the 
lamps on the side of the car facing the road 
when parked.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the pressure point for approx. 
1 second, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Switching off
Press the lever in the opposite direction to the 
pressure point, arrow 3.
High-beam Assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off. The procedure is controlled 
by a sensor on the front of the interior rearview 
mirror. The assistant ensures that the high 
beams are switched on whenever the traffic sit-
uation allows. It handles this task for you and 
gives you the benefit of the best possible view. 
You can intervene at any time and switch the 
high beams on and off as usual.
Activating the system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to 
page94.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly 
push the turn signal/high beam lever in the 
direction of the high beam.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the high beams 
are activated. The system automati-
cally switches from high beams to low beams 
and vice versa in response to oncoming traffic, 
traffic ahead of you, and adequate ambient 
lighting, e.g. on city streets.
Switching the high beams on and off 
manually
Whenever you wish, or when the situation 
requires, you can intervene:
>If the High-beam Assistant switches on the 
high beams, but you would like to drive with 
the low beams, simply switch off the high 
beams using the turn signal/high beam 
lever. This deactivates the High-beam 
Assistant. 
To reactivate the system, briefly push the 
turn signal/high beam lever toward the high 
beams again.
>If the High-beam Assistant switches on the 
low beams, but you would like to drive with 
the high beams, switch on the high beams 
as usual. This deactivates the system and 
the high beams need to be switched off 
manually, if necessary. 

Mobility
 219Reference
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Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately; otherwise, the excess oil may 
lead to engine damage.<
>"Measurement inactive. Have this 
checked.":
Do not add engine oil. Before continuing to 
drive, note the recalculated remaining mile-
age until the next oil change service, refer to 
Service requirements on page74. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until a 
corresponding message is shown on the Con-
trol Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km; 
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.<
If the engine oil is too high, have the vehi-
cle checked immediately; failure to do so 
may result in engine damage.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the relevant 
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health 
hazards may result.<
Oil grades to add
Do not use oil additives as this could 
result in engine damage.<
When selecting an engine oil, make sure 
to use one from the SAE viscosity classes 
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30; failure to do 
so may result in malfunctions or engine dam-
age.<
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the 
engine.Some oil grades may not be available in all 
countries.
Approved oil grades
Additional information about approved oil 
grades is available at your BMW center.
Alternative oil types
If approved oils are not available, you can add 
quantities of up to 1 US quart/1 liter of another 
oil with the following specifications:
Oil change
Oil changes should only be performed by a 
BMW center.
Coolant
Coolant consists of half water and half additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, 
engine damage may result. Because 
additives are harmful to your health, it is impor-
tant to follow the instructions on the contain-
ers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Coolant temperature
If the coolant and therefore the engine over-
heats, a warning lamp lights up. A message 
appears on the Control Display.
Gasoline engine
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Gasoline engine
API SM or higher 

Maintenance
222
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnosis OBD
On the driver's side is an OBD socket for check-
ing components relevant to the composition of 
the vehicle's emissions.
Emissions
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle is producing higher emis-
sions. The trip can be continued. Have 
the car checked as soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warning 
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 fuel 
cap is not properly tightened and the 
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor 
is escaping. Make sure that the fuel cap is cor-
rectly positioned and close it until it audibly 
clicks.
Data memory
Your vehicle records data about the operation, 
faults, and user settings. These data are stored 
in the vehicle and in extract form, in the remote 
control, and can be read out using suitable 
devices at your BMW center. The data that are 
read out are used to support service proce-
dures and repairs or to optimize and expand 
vehicle functions. If you have a BMW Assist 
contract, certain vehicle data can also be trans-
mitted directly from the vehicle in order to 
enable the desired services.