
7
Notes
If the vehicle is not maintained according to 
these specifications, this 
could result in serious 
damage to the vehicle.  Such damage is not 
covered by the BMW New Vehicle Limited 
Warranty.
Data memory
A variety of electronic components in your vehi-
cle include data storag e devices, which store 
technical information on the condition of your 
vehicle, events and errors, either temporarily or 
permanently. In general,  this technical informa-
tion documents the condition of a component, a 
module, a system or the surroundings:
> Operating conditions of system compo-
nents, e.g., fill levels.
> Status messages regarding the vehicle and 
of its individual components, such as wheel 
rpm/vehicle speed, resp onse delay, lateral 
acceleration.
> Malfunctions and defects in the major sys-
tem components, such as the lights and 
brakes.
> Responses of the vehicle in special driving 
situations, such as the deployment of an 
airbag, the utilization of stability control 
systems.
> Environmental conditions, such as 
temperature.
These data are exclusively of a technical nature 
and are used for the detection and correction of 
errors, as well as the optimization of vehicle 
functions. Motion profiles  of traveled routes can 
not be deduced from these data. If services are 
required, such as repair  services, service pro-
cesses, warranty claims  and quality assurance, 
then this technical information can be read out 
by employees of service departments, includ-
ing the manufacturer, from the event and error 
data storage devices by using special diagnos-
tic equipment. There, if necessary, you will  receive further informatio
n. After remedying an 
error, the information in  the error memory is 
deleted or progressively overwritten.
When using the vehicle, situations are conceiv-
able in which this techni cal data, in conjunction 
with other information, such as accident 
reports, vehicle damage, witness statements, 
etc. - possibly with the assistance of an expert - 
could be traced to pa rticular individuals.
Additional functions that are agreed upon 
contractually with the cu stomer, such as vehi-
cle tracking in case of emergency, permit the 
transmission of certain vehicle data from the 
vehicle.
Reporting safety defects
For US customers
The following only app lies to vehicles owned 
and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect 
which could cause a crash or could cause injury 
or death, you should immediately inform the 
National Highway Traffic  Safety Administration, 
NHTSA, in addition to notifying BMW of North 
America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New 
Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone 1-800-831-
1117.
If NHTSA receives sim ilar complaints, it may 
open an investigation, and  if it finds that a safety 
defect exists in a group  of vehicles, it may order 
a recall and remedy campaign. However, 
NHTSA cannot become involved in individual 
problems between you, yo ur center, or BMW of 
North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle 
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to 
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Adminis-
trator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain 
other information about  motor vehicle safety 
from http://www.safercar.gov
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14
At a glanceDashboard
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
135i: with fuel gauge
2 Indicator lamps for turn signals
3 Indicator and warning lamps 15
4 Tachometer 76
5 Fuel gauge 76
135i: engine oil temperature 76
6 Display for
>Clock 75
> Outside temperature 75
> Indicator and warning lamps 847
Display for
>Position of automatic transmission 64
> Gear indicator of 7-gear Sport automatic 
transmission with double clutch 66
> Computer 77
> Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven 80
> Odometer and trip odometer 75
> High-beam Assistant 102
> Checking the oil level 233
> Settings and information 79
8 Resetting the trip odometer 75
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41
Opening and closing
Controls
Convertible: window and convertible 
top operation
With the ignition at radio readiness or beyond, 
you can open and close the windows and the 
convertible top when a remote control is 
located inside the vehicle.
Unlocking the trunk lid separately
Press the button on the ou
tside of the trunk lid.
This corresponds to pressing the  button. If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accident ally left inside the 
locked vehicle after the trunk lid is closed, the 
lid will reopen. The haza rd warning flashers 
flash and a signal sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches on 
radio readiness.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; other-
wise, the engine will start immediately.
Starting the engine
The engine can be started or the ignition can be 
switched on when a remote  control is inside the 
vehicle. It is not necessa ry to insert a remote 
control into the ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in po sition P, refer to page 63.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition lock.
Malfunctions
Local radio waves can in terfere with the func-
tion of Comfort Access, for example when a 
mobile phone is in the immediate vicinity of the 
remote control or by when a mobile phone is 
being charged in the vehicle. If this happens, open and close the vehicle via 
the buttons on the remote control or using the 
integrated key. To star
t the engine 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 co ntrol is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctio ning. 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 wh ile 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 ke y out of the remote 
control, refer to page 32.
2. Remove the cover.
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61
Driving
Controls
Driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, 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.
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock
Insert the remote contro l all the way into the 
ignition lock.
> Radio readiness is switched on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Comfort Access
If the car is equipped with Comfort Access, only 
insert the remote control  into the ignition lock 
under special circumstances, refer to page 40.
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out 
of the ignition lock as this may cause 
damage. < Before removing the remote control, push it all 
the way in to release 
the locking mechanism.
> The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the  remote control unless 
the selector lever is in  the P position: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches radio 
readiness or the ignition on or off.
Manual transmission: if you press the 
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch, 
the engine starts.
Automatic transmission and Sport automatic 
transmission with doub le clutch: when you 
press the Start/Stop button and depress the 
brake pedal, the engine starts. <
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are 
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
> When the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
> In cars with Comfort  Access, by touching 
the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page 40
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62
ControlsDriving
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The 
odometer and trip odometer are displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
When the engine is off, please switch 
off the ignition and any unnecessary 
electrical consumers in order to preserve the 
battery. <
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warnin g lamps as well as 
displays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas; 
otherwise, the inhalati on 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 
vehicle represents a po tential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car with the engine running, 
place the transmission in  neutral or move the 
selector lever to positi on P and forcefully apply 
the parking brake to prevent the car from 
moving. <
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds. Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or  incompletely burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter. <
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page40.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch an d shift into neutral.
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 
page 40.
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.
Sport automatic transmission with 
double clutch
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page 40.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine starts independent of the current 
transmission position.
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63
Driving
Controls
Switching off the engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take 
along the remote control; this precaution 
prevents children from starting the engine, for 
example. <
When parking, apply the parking brake 
forcefully; otherwise, the vehicle could 
begin to roll. On steep uphill and downhill 
inclines, also secure th e vehicle by turning the 
wheels toward the curb, for example.<
Manual transmission
1. With the car at a standstill, press the 
Start/Stop button.
2. Shift into first  gear or reverse.
3. Forcefully apply  the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote  control from the 
ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a stan dstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
3. Forcefully apply  the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote  control from the 
ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Sport automatic transmission with 
double clutch
1.With the car at a standstill, press the 
Start/Stop button.
If the transmission is  shifted into N when 
the engine is switched off, you will be 
notified visually and acoustically of this 
fact.
2. Forcefully apply  the parking brake.
3. Remove remote contro l from the ignition 
lock, refer to page 61. The transmission is 
automatically shifted  into transmission 
position P.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Also follow the instructions on page 63, under 
Switching off the engine.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off a signal sounds in addition. 
The parking brake is still applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in po sition automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the parking brake 
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do 
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake 
lever. 
Otherwise, excessive force on the parking 
brake can lock up the rear wheels and cause the 
rear of the car to swerve. <
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking 
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied. <
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64
ControlsDriving
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to  the right. Otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear. <
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic
In addition to fully auto matic operation, you can 
also manually shift with  the Steptronic, refer to 
page 65.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and apply the 
parking brake before le aving the vehicle with 
the engine running. <
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the  remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must first move the selector 
lever to position P and  switch off the engine: 
interlock. Removing the remote control from 
the ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is displayed and, in 
manual mode, the engaged gear, e.g. M4.
Changing selector  lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine 
running, the selector  lever can be moved 
out of position P.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle statio nary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise, the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
depress the brake until you are ready to 
start. <
A lock prevents inadvert ent shifting into the 
selector lever positions R and P. To release the 
lock, press the button on  the front of the selec-
tor lever, see arrow.
P Park
Select this only when th e vehicle is stationary. 
The transmission locks to prevent the drive 
wheels from turning.
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65
Driving
Controls
R Reverse
Select this only when th
e vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can select this in a car wash, for example. 
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in 
position D.
Kickdown
Kickdown enables you to achieve maximum 
performance. 
Press the accelerator  pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move selector lever from position D toward the 
left into the M/S shifting slot; the Sport program 
is activated. This positi on is recommended for a 
performance-oriented driving style.
DS is displayed in the instrument cluster.
To deactivate the spor t program or manual 
mode M/S, move the sele ctor lever to the right 
into position D.
Shifting gears via the selector lever
Move selector lever from position D toward the 
left into the M/S shifting slot:
When you press the selector lever forwards or 
backwards, the manual  mode is activated and 
Steptronic changes gear.
The engaged gear, e.g. M1 is displayed in the 
instrument cluster.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in  a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would  cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system.
The gear selected is br iefly displayed in the 
instrument cluster, follo wed again by the gear 
actually in use.
Changing gears using shifting paddles 
on steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears 
quickly since both hands can remain on the 
steering wheel.
> When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the transmission switches to manual 
mode.
> If you do not accelerate  or shift gears using 
the shift paddles for  a certain amount of 
time, the transmission switches back to 
automatic mode.
If the selector lever is in the M/S gear 
plane, manual mode remains active. <
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