
211
Replacing components
Mobility
Backup lamp
If these lamps malfunctio
n, please contact your
BMW center.
Turn signal, brake, license plate,
parking, and tail lamps
These lamps use LED technology for operation.
If they malfunction, please contact your BMW
center.
Coupe: Brake Force Display lamp in the
trunk lid
H21W bulb, 21 watts
1. Pry out the plastic plugs in the trim of the
trunk lid using a screwdriver and remove the
trim.
2. Release the bulb holder, see arrow, and
remove.
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
4. Attach the bulb holder.
5. Attach trunk lid trim.
Convertible: Brake Force Display lamp
in the trunk lid
H21W bulb, 21 watts
1. Take the warning triangle out of its holder,
refer to page 215. Unscrew the holder using
the screwdriver from the onboard vehicle
tool kit.
2. Pry out the plastic plugs in the trim of the
trunk lid using a screwd river and remove the
trim.
3. Release the bulb holder, see arrow, and
remove.
4. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
5. Attach the bulb holder.
6. Reattach the trim of the trunk lid and the
holder for the warning triangle.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with run-flat tires as
standard. This eliminates the need to change a
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on
page 94.
The symbol identifying run- flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
Run-flat tires, page 195.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

220
MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may
not be available in a vehi cle, for example due to
the special options or national-market version
selected. This also app lies to safety related
functions and systems.
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a
variety of combinations and colors. See the
table for information on causes and how to
react. Note whether a lamp lights up alone or in
combination with another. Some lamps can
light up in different co lors. Corresponding dis-
tinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, also refer to
page 49.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied while driving Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied while driving Release the parking brake.
Outside temperature warning Drive cautiously, also refer to page78.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

221
Indicator and warning lamps
Mobility
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel
remain in the tank
Remains on:
Remaining operating range is no more
than 30 miles/50 km, refer to page
79
Engine refuses to start Depress th e brake or clutch in order to
start the engine , refer to page58.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
open Switch off the ignition, refer to page
57,
or close the driver's door.
The desired function cannot currently
be carried out
Parking lamps still on Switch off the parking lamps, refer to
page 103.
Roadside parking lamps still on Switch off the roadside parking lamps,
refer to page 105.
Door open
Engine compartment lid open
Lights up in red:
Backrest of driver's seat or front pas-
senger seat not locked Lock the backrest; otherwise, the safety
belt will not provide protection in the
event of an accident.
Lights up in yellow:
Seat backrest monitor malfunctioning Engage the seat backrest. Have it
checked by your nearest BMW center.
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

222
MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Lights up in red:
Roof activation system failure Roof cannot be moved. If the retract-
able hardtop does not lock, contact
your nearest BMW center.
Roof activation system malfunctioni ng Roof movement incomplete. Please
check if the roof is blocked, then press
or pull the switch again.
Lights up in yellow:
Roof drive overheated Roof activation temporarily limited to closing only.
Cargo area partition not in lowermost
position Press down the cargo area partition
until it engages on both sides.
Vehicle not level, ro of activation not
possible Move the vehicle to a level surface.
Rollover protection system malfunc-
tioning Have the rollover protection system
checked by the nearest BMW center.
Trunk lid open
Fuel cap is open Make sure that the fuel cap is correctly positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between the
fuel cap and the vehicle.
Windshield washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible, refer to page69.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment. Check service requirements, refer to
page84.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
Start/Stop button is briefly pressed,
possibly without the brake or clutch
being depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detected The engine cannot be started. Have the
remote control checked, if necessary.
Battery in remote co ntrol discharged Use the remote control for a longer jour-
ney or, in cars with Comfort Access,
replace the battery.
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

224
MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Indication in Canadian models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load w ill result in damage
to the catalytic converter You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Warning lamp lights up:
Engine malfunction wi th adverse effect
on emissions Have the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully br ing the car to a stop, switch
off the engine and allo w it to cool down.
Do not open the hood; otherwise, there
is a risk of injury from scalding. Contact
your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue dr iving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunction Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the power supply
system checked without delay.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connected Have the battery ch
ecked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Braking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact your BMW center.
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

225
Indicator and warning lamps
Mobility
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Braking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact your BMW center.
Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked without delay.
> Starter failed or The engine cannot be restarted.
> Ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake is
depressed or
> Lighting system failed. Low beams/
tail lamps and brake lamps still
operational. All other lamps failed Depress the brake to restart the engine.
Lights up in yellow:
> Control of the brake lamps failed or
> Fuel supply malfunctioningDrive
unit malfunction You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system in question
checked without delay.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, also
refer to page 91
Dynamic Traction Control DTC acti-
vated, also refer to page 91
Dynamic Stability Control DSC and
Dynamic Traction Control DTC deacti-
vated, also refer to page 91Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
Driving style must be readjusted.
Suspension control system failed, also
refer to page 90 Driving stability limited during accelera-
tion and cornering.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

229
Indicator and warning lamps
Mobility
Lights up in red:
>
Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of
gears, possibly with reduced accel-
eration You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
> Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brake Always depress the brake to engage a
gear.
Lights up in yellow:
> Transmission limp-home program
active with restricted range of gears You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked
without delay.
> Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running or ignition
switched on and brake depressed Overriding selector lever lock, refer to
page
62.
> Selector lever position P malfunc-
tioning:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running or ignition
switched on and brake depressed Release parking lock, refer to page
65.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
> Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brake To engage a gear while the vehicle is at
a standstill, always step on the brake.
Before leaving the
vehicle, engage P
and switch off the engine.
Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and engage P.
Allow the transmission to cool down.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise due
caution. Have the system checked if the
situation reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate your
speed and exercise due caution.
P is not engaged. Vehicle not pre-
vented from rolling
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG

230
MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
Selector lever positi on P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched off Engage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch o
ff the ignition, refer
to page 57.
Selector lever malfunctioning You ca n continue your journey. Shift
again if necessary. Have the system
checked if the situation reoccurs.
Brake signal malfunctioning: gear can
be engaged without depressing the
brake To engage a gear while the vehicle is at
a standstill, always step on the brake.
Switch off the engine before leaving the
vehicle. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
Pinch protection system of the power
windows malfunctioning Have the system checked.
Pinch protection system of the electric
glass roof malfunctioning Have the system checked.
Cruise control deactivated:
> Driving stability control systems are
active or
> parking brake is applied or
> the vehicle has not achieved a
speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h or
> engaged gear is not suitable for the
speed being driven
Cruise control system failed You ca n continue your journey. Have
the system checked.
Active Cruise Co ntrol deactivated:
> Driving stability control systems are
active or
> parking brake is applied or
> the vehicle has not achieved a
speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h or
> engaged gear is not suitable for the
speed being driven or Keep a safe distance.
> Radar sensor dirty Clean the radar sensor, refer to
page75.
Active Cruise Control fa iled Keep a safe distance.
Have the system checked.
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 312 - \251 08/11 BMW AG