2006 BMW M3 Convertible User Manual

The Ultimate

Driving Machine

Owner's Manual

for Vehicle

Contents

A-Z

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

M3 Convertible

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Thank you for deciding on a BMW M3 Convertible.

Thorough familiarity with your vehicle will provide you with enhanced control and

security when you drive it. Therefore, we have one request:

Read the information contained in this Owner's Manual before driving your new

BMW M3 Convertible for the first time. It contains important information on vehicle

operation that will enable you to make full use of the advanced technical equipment

of your BMW M3 Convertible. In addition, you will receive information on vehicle

maintenance to help ensure operating and traffic safety as well as the best possible

value retention of your BMW. For more detailed information refer to the supplemen-

tal manuals.

BMW also makes decisive contributions toward greater safety in traffic through its

BMW driver training.

This Owner's Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It

should stay with the vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important

operating, safety and maintenance information.

We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.

BMW AG

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Notes

Aktiengesellschaft

Munich, Germany

Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the

written consent of BMW AG, Munich.

Order No. 01 41 0 158 515

US English VIII/04

Printed in Germany

Printed on environmentally friendly paper,

bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.

About this Owner's Manual

We have made every effort to ensure

that you are able to find what you need

in this Owner's Manual as quickly as

possible. The fastest way to find certain

topics is by using the detailed index at

the end. If you wish to gain an initial

overview of your vehicle, you will find

this in the first chapter.

Should you wish to sell your BMW at

some time in the future, please remem-

ber to hand over this Owner's Manual

to the new owner; it is an important part

of the vehicle.

Additional sources of information

Should you have any further questions,

your BMW center will be glad to assist

at any time.

You can find more information about

BMW, for example on its technology,

on the Internet at www.bmw.com.

Symbols used

Indicates precautions that must

be followed precisely in order to

avoid the possibility of personal injury

and serious damage to the vehicle.

Indicates information that will

assist you in gaining the optimum

benefit from your vehicle and enable

you to care more effectively for your

vehicle.

Refers to measures that can be

taken to help protect the environ-

ment.

Marks the end of a specific item of

information.

Indicates special equipment, coun-

try-specific equipment and optional

extras, as well as equipment and func-

tions not yet available at the time of

printing.

Vehicle Memory, Key Memory,

refer to page 64. Identifies func-

tions that can be specifically adapted

for a particular key or vehicle. These

adjustments can be performed by your

BMW center.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Notes

Indicates that you should consult

the relevant section of this

Owner's Manual for information on a

particular part or assembly.

Your individual vehicle

On purchasing your BMW, you have

decided in favor of a model with individ-

ualized equipment and features. This

Owner's Manual will describe all of the

equipment that the BMW M3 Convert-

ible has to offer you.

We hope you will understand that

equipment and features are included

that you might not have chosen for your

vehicle. You can easily identify any dif-

ferences with the aid of the asterisk

used to identify all optional equipment

and accessories.

If your BMW features equipment that is

not described in this Owner's Manual,

such as a car radio or telephone, we

have enclosed Supplementary Owner's

Manuals. We ask you to read these

manuals as well.

Status at time of printing

BMW pursues a policy of continuous,

ongoing development that is conceived

to ensure that our vehicles continue to

embody the highest quality and safety

standards combined with advanced,

state-of-the-art technology. In excep-

tional cases, the features described in

this Owner's Manual could therefore

differ from those on your vehicle.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Notes

For your own safety

Maintenance and repair

Advanced technology, e.g. the

use of modern materials and high-

performance electronics, requires spe-

cially adapted maintenance and repair

methods. Therefore, only have corre-

sponding work on your BMW carried

out by a BMW center or a workshop

that works according to BMW repair

procedures with correspondingly

trained personnel. If work is carried out

improperly there is a danger of conse-

quential damage and the related safety

risks.

Proposition 65 warning

California laws require us to state the

following warning:

Engine exhaust and a wide variety

of automobile components and

parts, including components found in

the interior furnishings in a vehicle, con-

tain or emit chemicals known to the

State of California to cause cancer and

birth defects and reproductive harm. In

addition, certain fluids contained in

vehicles and certain products of com-

ponent wear contain or emit chemicals

known to the State of California to

cause cancer and birth defects or other

reproductive harm.

Battery posts, terminals and related

accessories contain lead and lead com-

pounds. Batteries also contain other

chemicals known to the State of Cali-

fornia to cause cancer. Wash your

hands after handling.

Used engine oil contains chemicals that

have caused cancer in laboratory ani-

mals. Always protect your skin by

washing thoroughly with soap and

water.

Parts and accessories

Important safety information!

For your own safety, use genuine

parts and accessories approved by

BMW.

When you purchase accessories tested

and approved by BMW and Original

BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire

the assurance that they have been thor-

oughly tested by BMW to ensure opti-

mum performance when installed on

your vehicle.

BMW warrants these parts to be free

from defects in material and workman-

ship.

BMW will not accept any liability for

damages resulting from installation of

parts and accessories not approved by

BMW.

BMW cannot test every product made

by other manufacturers to verify if it can

be used on a BMW safely and without

risk to either the vehicle, its operation,

or its occupants.

Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories

and other products approved by BMW,

together with professional advice on

using these items, are available from all

BMW centers.

Installation and operation of non-BMW

approved accessories such as alarms,

radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Notes

wheels, suspension components, brake

dust shields, telephones, including

operation of any mobile phone from

within the vehicle without using an

externally mounted antenna, or trans-

ceiver equipment, for instance, CBs,

walkie-talkie, ham radio or similar

accessories, may cause extensive dam-

age to the vehicle, compromise its

safety, interfere with the vehicle’s elec-

trical system or affect the validity of the

BMW Limited Warranty. Contact your

BMW center for additional information.

Do not use key or remote control to

lock doors or luggage compartment

with anyone inside the car. Refer to the

Owner’s Manual for more details.

Maintenance, replacement, or

repair of the emission control

devices and systems may be performed

by any automotive repair establishment

or individual using any certified auto-

motive part.

Service and warranty

This manual is supplemented by a Ser-

vice and Warranty Information Booklet

for US models or a Warranty and Ser-

vice Guide Booklet for Canadian mod-

els.

We recommend that you read this pub-

lication thoroughly.

Your BMW is covered by the following

warranties:

New Vehicle Limited Warranty

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

Federal Emissions System Defect

Warranty

Federal Emissions Performance War-

ranty

California Emission Control System

Limited Warranty.

Detailed information about these war-

ranties is listed in the Service and War-

ranty Information Booklet for US mod-

els or in the Warranty and Service

Guide Booklet for Canadian models.

Reporting safety defects

The following only applies 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 High-

way Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA in addition to notifying BMW of

North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227,

Westwood, New Jersey 07675-1227,

telephone toll-free 1-800-831-1117.

If NHTSA receives similar 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 indi-

vidual problems between you, your

dealer, or BMW of North America, LLC.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call

the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at

1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in the

Washington, D.C. area, or write to:

NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transpor-

tation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You

can also obtain other information about

motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Contents

Notes

About this Owner's Manual 4

Additional sources of

information 4

Symbols used 4

Your individual vehicle 5

Status at time of printing 5

For your own safety 6

Service and warranty 7

Reporting safety defects 7

Overview

Cockpit 14

Instrument cluster 16

Indicator and warning lamps 18

Buttons in steering wheel 22

Hazard warning triangle* 23

First-aid kit* 23

Refueling 24

Fuel specifications 25

Controls and features

Opening and closing:

Keys 28

Central locking system 28

Opening and closing – via the

remote control 29

Opening and closing – via the

door lock 31

Opening and closing – from the

inside 32

Luggage compartment lid 33

Luggage compartment 35

Alarm system* 36

Electric power windows 38

Convertible top 39

Wind deflector* 44

To adjust:

Safe seating position 46

Seats 47

Power seat adjustment 47

Head restraints 48

Entering the rear 49

Safety belts 50

Seat and mirror memory 51

Seat heating* 52

Mirrors 53

Steering wheel 54

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Contents

Passenger safety systems:

Airbags 55

Transporting children safely 58

Rollover protection system 62

Vehicle Memory, Key

Memory 64

Driving:

Ignition lock 65

Starting the engine and driving

off 66

Switching off the engine 68

Parking brake 68

Manual transmission 69

Sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic* 70

Turn signal indicator/Headlamp

flasher 75

Washer/wiper system/Rain

sensor* 76

Cruise control 77

Everything under control:

Odometer 79

Tachometer 79

Engine oil temperature 79

Fuel gauge 80

Engine coolant temperature

gauge 80

Service interval display 81

Check Control 81

Clock 82

Computer 83

Technology for safety and

driving convenience:

Park Distance Control (PDC)* 85

Dynamic Stability Control

DSC 86

Flat Tire Monitor 87

M Engine dynamics control 89

Brake force display 89

Lamps:

Parking lamps/Low beams 90

Instrument lighting 91

High beams/Standing lamps 91

Front fog lamps 92

Interior lamps 92

Reading lamps 92

Controlling the climate for

pleasant driving:

Automatic climate control 94

Interior conveniences:

Glove compartment 99

Storage compartments 99

Microphone* 100

Ashtray, front* 100

Ashtray, rear* 101

Loading and transporting:

Ski bag* 102

Cargo loading 104

Roof-mounted luggage rack for

the hardtop* 107

Operation, maintenance

Special operating instructions:

Break-in procedures 110

General driving notes 111

Antilock Brake System

(ABS) 113

Hardtop* 113

Wheels and tires:

Tire inflation pressure 116

Tire code 118

Tire condition 119

New wheels and tires 120

Snow chains* 122

In the engine compartment:

Hood 123

Engine compartment

essentials 124

Washer fluids 126

Engine oil 126

Coolant 128

Brake fluid 129

Maintenance:

BMW Maintenance System 130

OBD interface socket 132

Controls and features

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Contents

Owner service procedures

Replacement procedures:

Onboard tool kit 136

Windshield wiper blades 136

Lamps and bulbs 137

Tire repair with the M Mobility

system 141

Battery 144

Fuses 145

Giving and receiving

assistance:

Receiving assistance 146

Jump-starting 147

Towing and tow-starting the

vehicle 149

Technical data

Engine data 154

Dimensions 155

Weights 156

Capacities 157

Index

Everything from A to Z 160

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

Index

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Cockpit

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1 Parking lamps/Low beams 90

Turn signal indicators 75

Standing lamps 91

High beams 91

Headlamp flasher 75

Computer 83

3 Washer/wiper system/Rain

sensor 76

4 Hazard warning flashers

5 Rear window defroster 97

Initiating an emergency call 146

Mobile Service 147

7 Central locking system 28

8 Horn: the entire surface

9 Steering wheel adjustment 54

10 Fog lamps 92

Cockpit

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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Instrument cluster

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1 Fuel gauge 80

2 Turn signal indicator 20

3 Speedometer

4 Indicator and warning lamps 18

to 21

5 Tachometer and engine oil

temperature gauge 79

6 Engine coolant temperature

gauge 80

7 Indicator and warning lamps 18

to 21

8 Control button for

Clock 82

Unit of measure of outside

temperature display 83

9 Display for sequential M gearbox

with Drivelogic 71

10 Indicator lamp for Dynamic Stability

Control (DSC) 86

11 Display for

Trip odometer 79

Clock 82

Service interval 81

Computer 83

12 Check Control 81

13 Trip odometer, reset to zero 79

14 Indicator and warning lamps 18

to 21

Instrument cluster

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Indicator and warning lamps

Technology that monitors itself

Indicator and warning lamps that are

identified by

●

are tested for proper

functioning whenever the ignition key is

turned. They each light up once for dif-

ferent periods of time.

If a fault should occur in one of these

systems, the corresponding lamp does

not go out after the engine is started, or

it lights up while the vehicle is moving.

You will see how to react to this below.

Red: stop immediately

Battery charge current

●

The battery is no longer being

charged. There is a malfunction

of the alternator drive belt or in the

charging circuit of the alternator. Please

contact the nearest BMW center.

If the drive belt is defective, stop

and switch off the engine immedi-

ately to prevent overheating and seri-

ous engine damage. If the drive belt is

defective, increased steering effort is

also required.

Engine oil pressure

●

An alarm sounds at the same

time. The engine oil pressure is

too low. Stop the vehicle immediately

and switch off the engine. It is not pos-

sible to continue driving. Please contact

the nearest BMW center.

Do not continue driving, as the

engine could sustain serious dam-

age from inadequate lubrication.

Flat Tire Monitor

●

In addition, an acoustic signal is

sounded: there is a flat tire.

Reduce speed and carefully come to a

stop. Avoid sudden braking and steer-

ing maneuvers.

For additional information, refer to

page 88.

Brake warning lamp

●

If the lamp comes on when the

parking brake is not engaged:

check the brake fluid level. It is very

important that you follow the instruc-

tions on page 129 before driving on.

Have the system checked immediately.

Brake warning lamp for Cana-

dian models.

Red: an important reminder

Brake warning lamp

●

Comes on when the parking

brake is engaged – an additional

acoustic signal sounds when starting

off.

For additional information, refer to

page 68.

Brake warning lamp for Cana-

dian models.

Lock seat backrest/Please fas-

ten safety belt

●

Comes on together with an

acoustic signal until driver fastens

safety belt. Flashes when the backrest

is not locked.

For additional information on locking

the seat backrests, refer to page 49.

For additional information on safety

belts, refer to page 50.

Airbags

●

Have the system checked as

soon as possible.

For additional information, refer to

page 57.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Red and yellow: continue driving

cautiously

The brake warning lamp comes

on together with the yellow indi-

cator lamps for ABS

●

and

DSC:

The entire ABS, CBC and DSC

control system has failed. Con-

tinue driving cautiously and

defensively and avoid full brake

applications. Please have the system

checked by your BMW center as soon

as possible.

For additional information, refer to

pages 86, 113.

Indicator and warning lamps

CBC, ABS and DSC for Cana-

dian models.

Orange: consult the nearest BMW

center

Sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic

If the indicator lamp fails to go

out after the engine is started, or if it

comes on during normal driving: this

indicates a malfunction in the system.

Have the system checked immediately.

Indicator lamp flashes: a system over-

load has occurred.

For additional information, refer to

page 74.

Yellow: check as soon as possible

Engine oil level

Comes on while driving and is

accompanied by an alarm: the

engine oil level has fallen to the abso-

lute minimum; refill as soon as possible.

Do not drive more than 30 miles/50 km

before refilling.

For additional information, refer to

page 126.

Engine oil level

Comes on after the engine has

been shut off and is accompa-

nied by an alarm: add engine oil at your

earliest opportunity such as when you

stop to refuel

For additional information, refer to

page 126.

Brake pads

●

Have the brake pads checked

immediately.

For additional information, refer to

page 112.

Flat Tire Monitor

●

The Flat Tire Monitor has been

deactivated, either at the button

or in response to a system malfunction.

If there is a malfunction, have the sys-

ten checked.

For additional information, refer to

page 88.

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Dynamic Stability Control

DSC

●

The indicator lamp flashes and

an acoustic signal sounds: the system

is active and governs drive and braking

force.

If the indicator lamp fails to go out after

the engine is started, or if it comes on

during normal driving and stays on:

DSC has been deactivated, either at the

button or in response to a system mal-

function.

If there is a malfunction, have the sys-

tem checked as soon as possible.

For additional information, refer to

page 86.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

●

Malfunction in DBC system.

Conventional braking efficiency

is available and unrestricted.

Have the system checked as soon as

possible.

For additional information, refer to

page 113.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

warning lamp for Canadian

models.

Add washer fluid

The washer fluid level is too low,

top it up at the earliest opportu-

nity.

For additional information, refer to

page 126.

SERVICE ENGINE SOON

●

If the indicator lamp comes on

either continuously or intermit-

tently, this indicates a fault in the emis-

sions-related electronic systems.

Although the vehicle remains opera-

tional, you should have the systems

checked by your BMW center at the

earliest possible opportunity.

For additional information: Refer to

page 132.

Service Engine Soon indicator

lamp for Canadian models.

Engine electronics

●

There is a fault in the electronic

engine-management system.

You can continue to drive with reduced

engine output or engine speed. Please

have the system inspected at your

BMW center.

Add coolant

Coolant level too low, top up as

soon as possible.

For additional information, refer to

page 128.

CHECK GAS CAP*

●

This indicator lamp comes on

when the gas cap is loose or

missing.

Close the gas cap tightly: refer to

page 25.

Rollover protection system

●

The rollover protection system is

deactivated due to a malfunc-

tion. Please have the system inspected

immediately at your BMW center.

For additional information, refer to

page 62.

Green: for your information

Turn signal indicator

Flashes when turn signals are

on. Rapid flashing: indicates a

system malfunction.

For additional information, refer to

page 75.

Indicator and warning lamps

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Cruise control

Lights up when the cruise con-

trol is activated. Ready for oper-

ation via the buttons in the steering

wheel.

For additional information, refer to

page 77.

Front fog lamps

Lights up whenever the fog

lamps are on.

For additional information, refer to

page 92.

Blue: for your information

High beams

Comes on when the high beams

are on or the headlamp flasher

is actuated.

For additional information, refer to

pages 75, 91.

Indicator and warning lamps

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Buttons in steering wheel

These buttons let you operate the fol-

lowing functions quickly and without

being distracted from traffic conditions:

Selected radio functions

> The cruise control

> Selected telephone functions*

> The voice command system*.

The controls are active only when

the corresponding systems and

accessories are switched on.<

Press briefly:

Receive a phone call, initiate dialing,

terminate a call.

Extended pressure:

Activate and deactivate voice com-

mand.

Display/hide telephone book. Display

the entries one after another with the

forward/backward buttons.

Forward:

> Radio

Press briefly: next station in station

memory

Extended pressure: station search

> CD

Press briefly: jump to next track

Extended pressure: search function

in track

> Cassette

Press briefly: jump to next track or

stop fast forward

Extended pressure: fast forward

> Phone

Scan personal phone book.

Rewind: same functions as forward.

Volume.

Cruise control: select a stored setting.

Cruise control: store and accelerate +

or decelerate and store –.

Cruise control: activate/interrupt/deac-

tivate.

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Hazard warning triangle*

The hazard warning triangle is stored

ready to use in the luggage compart-

ment lid inside the toolbox for the

onboard tool kit.

To open the container, loosen the wing

nut.

Always observe all legal regula-

tions requiring a warning triangle

to be carried in the vehicle.<

First-aid kit*

The first-aid kit is located under the

front passenger's seat.

To open: pull the handle and fold the

cover down.

To fasten: fold the cover up and press it

until the tab engages.

Several of the items contained in

the first-aid pouch have a limited

service life. For this reason, check the

expiration dates of each of the items

regularly, and replace any with passed

dates. These items can be purchased in

any drugstore or pharmacy.

Always observe all legal regulations

requiring a first-aid kit to be carried in

the vehicle.<

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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Refueling

Fuel filler door

Always switch off the engine

before refueling, as it is not possi-

ble to add fuel with the engine running,

and attempts may also trigger the

SERVICE ENGINE SOON lamp.<

Press on the rear edge of the fuel filler

door to open and close it.

If an electrical malfunction occurs, you

can unlock the fuel filler door manually:

Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol

on the right trim panel of the luggage

compartment.

When handling fuels, comply with

all of the applicable safety precau-

tions posted at the service station.

Never carry spare fuel containers in

your vehicle. Whether empty or full,

these containers can leak, cause an

explosion, or lead to fire in the event of

a collision.<

Please observe while refuelling

Open the gas cap carefully to pre-

vent fuel from spraying out. Fuel

spray may cause injury.<

Place the gas cap in the bracket

attached to the fuel filler door.

When refueling, insert the filler nozzle

completely into the filler pipe. Lifting the

nozzle during refueling

> results in premature pump shutoff

> and will reduce the effect of the vapor

recovery system on the pump.

The fuel tank is full when the filler noz-

zle shuts off the first time.

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Closing the gas cap

Place the cap in position and turn it

until a clearly audible click is heard.

Close the gas cap carefully after

refueling until a click is heard.

While closing, be sure not to squeeze

the strap which is fastened to the cap.

A loose or missing cap will activate the

CHECK GAS CAP* lamp.<

Warning lamp* lights up. The

gas cap is not properly closed

or is missing. Check if the gas

cap is properly closed.

Fuel tank capacity

> Approx. 16.6 gal./63 liters, of which

> approx. 2.1 gal./8 liters are reserve

capacity.

Do not drive to the last drop of

fuel. This can prevent the engine

from operating properly and result in

damage.<

Fuel specifications

The engine uses lead-free gasoline

only.

Required fuel

Premium Unleaded Gasoline,

Minimum Octane Rating: AKI 91.

Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to

the Anti Knock Index AKI and is deter-

mined according to the so-called

(R+M)/2 method.

Do not use leaded gasoline, as

otherwise the lambda probe and

catalytic converter will be permanently

damaged.<

Use high-quality brands

Field experience has indicated signifi-

cant differences in fuel quality: volatility,

composition, additives, etc., among

gasolines offered for sale in the United

States and Canada. Fuels containing up

to and including 10% ethanol or other

oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by

weight, that is, 15% MTBE or 3% meth-

anol 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 drivability, starting and

stalling problems especially under cer-

tain environmental conditions such as

high ambient temperature and high alti-

tude.

Should you encounter drivability prob-

lems which you suspect could be

related to the fuel you are using, we

recommend that you respond by

switching to a recognized high-quality

brand.

Failure to comply with these recom-

mendations may also result in unsched-

uled maintenance.<

Refueling

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

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Overview

Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

Index

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Opening and closing

Keys

The key set

1 Each master key with remote control

is powered by an extended-life bat-

tery that is charged automatically in

the ignition lock as you drive. For this

reason, user every master key at

least twice a year to keep its battery

charged. Depending on which master

key is recognized when the vehicle is

unlocked, different settings are called

up and carried out in the vehicle,

refer to Vehicle Memory, Key Memory

on page 64.

2 Replacement key for storage in a safe

place, e.g. your wallet.

This key cannot be used to open the

locks for the luggage compartment

lid or the glove compartment. This

can be advantageous for valet park-

ing, for example. The key is not

intended for constant use.

Central locking system

The concept

The central locking system engages

and releases the following locks at the

same time:

> doors

> luggage compartment lid

> fuel filler door and

> glove compartment.

The central locking system is ready for

operation whenever the driver's door is

closed.

The central locking system can be

operated

> from outside via the door lock and

using the remote control

> from inside via the central locking

system button.

If it is operated from inside, the fuel

filler door will not be locked, refer to

page 32.

Operating it from outside simulta-

neously activates the anti-theft system,

which prevents the doors from being

unlocked via the door lock buttons or

the door release handles.

In the event of a sufficiently severe

accident, the central locking system

unlocks automatically. In addition, the

hazard warning flashers and interior

lamps come on.

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Opening and closing – via the remote control

The concept

The remote control also provides two

additional functions beyond the central

locking feature:

> Switch on the interior lamps, refer to

page 30.

With this function you can also

search for your vehicle – when

parked in an underground garage, for

instance

> Open the luggage compartment lid,

refer to page 30.

The luggage compartment lid will

open slightly, regardless of whether it

was locked or unlocked.

Whenever you unlock or lock the vehi-

cle, you simultaneously deactivate/acti-

vate the anti-theft system and switch

the interior lamps on/off.

You can have the signal confirm-

ing that the vehicle's locks have

engaged securely deactivated.<

Master keys with remote control

Since passengers or animals

remaining in the vehicle might be

able to lock the doors from the inside,

always take the vehicle's keys with you

so that the vehicle can be opened again

from the outside at any time.<

If it is no longer possible to lock

the vehicle via the remote control,

the battery is discharged. Use this key

while driving for an extended period in

order to recharge the battery. To pre-

vent unauthorized use of the remote

control, surrender only the spare key

when leaving the vehicle for valet park-

ing, for example.

In the event of a system malfunction,

please contact your BMW center. You

can also obtain replacement keys

there.<

1 Unlocking and convenience opening

2 Locking and securing, turning on

interior lamps,

3 Opening luggage compartment lid

To release

Press button to unlock the driver's door

only.

Press the button twice in order to

unlock the entire vehicle.<

Convenience opening mode

Press the button briefly and then keep it

pressed. The windows and the fully-

automatic convertible top open.

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To lock and secure

Press button.

As a confirmation that the vehi-

cle's locks have engaged

securely, the hazard warning flashers

light up once.<

You can have this confirmation

signal deactivated.<

To switch on the interior lamps

After locking the vehicle, press button

again.

With this function, you can also search

for your vehicle when parked in an

underground garage, for instance.

To open the luggage

compartment lid

Press button briefly.

The lid will open slightly, no matter

whether it was locked or unlocked.

If the vehicle was previously

locked, the luggage compartment

is also locked again after it is closed.

Before and after a trip, be sure that the

luggage compartment lid has not been

opened unintentionally.<

Panic mode* – trigger alarm

By pressing the button for more than

2 seconds, the alarm system* can be

triggered in the event of danger, if the

system is armed.

To switch off the alarm

Press button.

External systems

Malfunctions:

Local radio waves can impede the func-

tioning of the remote control.

If this occurs, open and close the vehi-

cle using a master key in the door lock.

For US owners only

The transmitter and receiver units com-

ply with part 15 of the FCC Federal

Communications Commission regula-

tions. Operation is governed by the fol-

lowing:

FCC ID:

> LX8EWS

> LX8FZVS

> LX8FZVE.

Compliance statement:

This device complies with part 15 of the

FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the

following two conditions:

> This device may not cause harmful

interference, and

> this device must accept any interfer-

ence received, including interference

that may cause undesired operation.

Any unauthorized modifications to

these devices could void the

user's authority to operate the equip-

ment.<

Opening and closing – via the remote control

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Opening and closing – via the door lock

Turning the key in the door lock once

unlocks the driver's door, the fuel filler

door and the glove compartment.

Turning the key a second time unlocks

the passenger's door and the luggage

compartment lid.

As a confirmation that the vehi-

cle's locks have engaged

securely, the hazard warning flashers

light up once.<

You can have this confirmation

signal deactivated.<

Convenience operation

With the door closed you can also

operate the power windows and the

convertible top with the door lock.

> To open: with the door closed after

turning the key for the second time,

hold the key in the Unlock position

> To fasten: with the door closed, hold

the key in the Lock position.

Whenever closing the windows or

sliding/tilt sunroof you should

always monitor their path and progress

to ensure that no one is injured. Releas-

ing the key stops the operation.<

Manual operation

If there is an electrical malfunction, you

can unlock or lock the driver's door by

turning the key in the lock all the way to

the left or right.

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Opening and closing – from the inside

You can use this button to control the

central locking system whenever the

doors are closed. The doors and lug-

gage compartment lid are unlocked or

locked only. The anti-theft system is not

activated.

If only the driver's door was

unlocked from the outside and

you press the button, then, with the

driver's door still open, the passenger's

door, the luggage compartment lid, the

fuel filler door and the glove compart-

ment will unlock, too.

If the driver's door is closed, it will be

locked.<

If you desire, the central locking

system can be activated automati-

cally as soon as you begin to drive. You

may also have this adjusted so that it is

specific to keys.<

To unlock and open the doors

1. Press the button for the central lock-

ing system

2. Pull the release handle above the

armrest on the door you wish to open

pull the release handle for any door

twice: to unlock and open the door.

To lock

> Either use the central locking button

to lock both doors at once

> press the individual door lock buttons

down. As an added design feature to

prevent the driver from being inad-

vertently locked out of the vehicle,

the driver's door lock button will not

engage as long as the door is open.

Since passengers or animals

remaining in the vehicle might be

able to lock the doors from the inside,

always take the vehicle's keys with you

so that the vehicle can be opened again

from the outside at any time.<

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Luggage compartment lid

The lock

Only the master keys fit in the lock for

the luggage compartment lid, refer to

page 28.

To secure separately

Lock the glove compartment using the

master key.

The luggage compartment lid is locked

and disconnected from the central lock-

ing system. This feature can be used to

prevent unauthorized access to the lug-

gage compartment when you surrender

the spare key only, refer to page 28.

This can be advantageous for valet

parking, for example.

To open from the outside

Press the button in the handle recess:

the luggage compartment lid opens

slightly.

The luggage compartment is lit when

the luggage compartment lid is opened.

When the glove compartment is locked,

refer to page 99, the luggage compart-

ment lid cannot be opened using the

button in the strip handle.

Manual operation

In the event of electrical malfunction

Turn the master key to the right as far

as it will go, the luggage compartment

lid will open slightly.

The luggage compartment lid is locked

again as soon as you close the lid.

To open from inside the vehicle

If the luggage compartment lid has not

been locked separately, you can open it

with this button in the footwell on the

driver's side when the vehicle is sta-

tionary.

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To close

The handle recesses in the interior trim

panel of the luggage compartment lid

make it easier to pull the lid down.

To avoid injuries, be sure that the

travel path of the luggage com-

partment lid is clear when it is closed,

following the same precautions as with

all closing procedures.<

Operate the vehicle only when the

luggage compartment lid is com-

pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust

fumes could penetrate the interior of

the vehicle.<

Should it be absolutely necessary to

operate the vehicle with the luggage

compartment lid open, with closed con-

vertible top:

1. Close all windows

2. Greatly increase the quantity of air

from the automatic climate control

system, refer to page 96.

Emergency release

This lever releases the luggage com-

partment lid from the luggage compart-

ment's interior.

Luggage compartment lid

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Luggage compartment

To fold up and secure the floor

panel

1. Pull up at the handle and fold the

panel up

2. Press the button to release the

hanger from the handle

3. Hook the handle into the rubber seal

of the drip rail.

Carefully replace the hanger in its

holder when lowering the floor

panel back down.<

The fittings at the corners of the lug-

gage compartment provide you with a

convenient means of attaching luggage

nets* and flexible straps for securing

luggage.

Refer also to Cargo loading on

page 104.

Enlarging luggage compartment

With the convertible top closed, you

can enlarge the luggage compartment.

To do this, flip the handle outward and

press it down and toward the front of

the vehicle. The convertible top com-

partment panel is now raised and

secured.

To fold down the convertible top

compartment panel

To open the convertible top, the con-

vertible top compartment panel must

be lowered. To do this, fold out the

handle and pull opposite the direction

of travel.

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When opening the convertible top,

refer to page 39, make sure that

the convertible top compartment panel

is folded down in the luggage compart-

ment; otherwise you may damage

something.<

Alarm system*

The concept

The vehicle alarm system responds:

> When a door, the hood or the lug-

gage compartment lid are opened

> To movement inside the vehicle –

interior motion sensor

> To variations in the vehicle's tilt angle

such as those occurring during

attempts to steal the wheels or tow

the vehicle – tilt alarm sensor

> To interruption of battery voltage.

The system responds to unauthorized

vehicle entry and attempted theft by

simultaneously activating the following:

> The acoustic alarm sounds for

30 seconds

> The hazard warning flashers are acti-

vated for approx. five minutes

> Flashing the high beams on and off in

rhythm with the hazard warning flash-

ers.

To arm and disarm the alarm

system

When the vehicle is locked or unlocked

via the remote control or the driver's

door lock, the alarm system is also

simultaneously armed or disarmed.

You can have a signal set as con-

firmation that the alarm system

has been armed or disarmed.<

You can also open the luggage com-

partment lid when the system is armed

by pressing the button of the remote

control. When it is closed, the lid is

once again secured.

Extended pressure on the button sets

off the alarm – Panic mode, refer to

page 30.

Luggage compartment

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Indicator lamp displays

> The indicator lamp below the interior

rearview mirror flashes continuously:

the system is armed

> The indicator lamp flashes immedi-

ately after the vehicle is locked: doors

or luggage compartment lid are not

completely closed. Even if you do not

close the alerted area(s), the remain-

ing areas are secured, and the indi-

cator lamp will flash continuously

after 10 seconds. However, the inte-

rior motion sensor is not activated

> The indicator lamp goes out immedi-

ately after the vehicle is unlocked: no

manipulation or attempted intrusions

have been detected in the period

since the system was armed

> The indicator lamp flashes for

10 seconds immediately after the

vehicle is unlocked: an attempted

entry has been detected in the period

since the system was armed.

Following triggering of an alarm, the

indicator lamp will flash continuously.

Tilt alarm sensor and interior

motion sensor

Tilt alarm sensor:

The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The

alarm system reacts, for example, to

attempts to steal the wheels or tow the

vehicle.

Interior motion sensor:

The vehicle interior is monitored up to

the height of the seat cushions. Even

when the convertible top is open, the

alarm system including the interior

motion sensor is armed. Objects falling

into the vehicle, e.g. leaves, can trigger

unintentional alarms, refer to Avoiding

unintentional alarms.

Avoiding unintentional alarms

The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion

sensor may be switched off at the same

time. You can do this to prevent a false

alarm, e.g. in the following situations:

> In garages with elevator ramps

> When the vehicle is being trans-

ported by train

> When animals are to remain in the

vehicle.

Deactivating the tilt alarm and

interior motion sensors

> Press the button on the remote con-

trol twice.

The indicator lamp lights up briefly and

then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm

sensor and the interior motion sensor

are deactivated until the vehicle is

unlocked and locked again.

You can have the tilt alarm sensor

and the interior motion sensor

permanently deactivated.<

The system deactivates the tilt

alarm sensor and the interior

motion sensor if the convenience clos-

ing of windows and glass sunroof is

interrupted within the first 10 seconds

and then restarted. The vehicle must

then be unlocked and relocked before

the sensors will resume operation.<

Alarm system*

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Electric power windows

To open and close windows

With the ignition key in position 1 or

higher

> Press the switch until you feel resis-

tance: the window continues to move

as long as you continue to press the

switch

> Press the switch briefly past the pres-

sure point: the window moves auto-

matically. Touching the switch again

stops the opening cycle.

You can close the window in the same

manner by pulling the switch. The rear

windows do not close automatically.

Operating all windows at once

With the ignition key in position 1 or

higher

> Press the switch until you feel resis-

tance: all of the windows will con-

tinue to lower as long as you con-

tinue to press the switch

> Press the switch briefly past the pres-

sure point: all windows will move

automatically. Pressing the switch

again stops the opening cycle.

You can close the windows in the same

manner by pulling the switch. The win-

dows cannot be closed automatically

using this switch.

After the ignition has been

switched off

You can still use the electric power win-

dows for up to 15 minutes, as long as

no one opens one of the doors.

When leaving the vehicle, always

remove the ignition key from the

lock and remember to close the doors

to prevent children from operating the

power windows and injuring them-

selves, etc.<

For the convenience mode via the

remote control or the door lock, refer to

page 29 or 31.

Trap protection

If the closing force of a front window

exceeds a certain value as the window

is being closed, the closing procedure

is immediately interrupted and the win-

dow opens again slightly.

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Despite trap protection, always

make sure that the windows can

close without obstruction, otherwise in

some cases, e.g. with thin objects, it is

not guaranteed that the closing opera-

tion will be interrupted.

Trap protection is restricted when the

switch is pulled and held beyond the

pressure point.<

After a power loss

After the battery has been discon-

nected, the trap protection must be

reinitialized. Perform the following pro-

cedure twice for each window:

> Open and close the window com-

pletely

> With the window closed, keep pulling

the switch upward for approx.

1 second.

Convertible top

The completely automatically operated

convertible top combines assured pro-

tection against the elements with sim-

ple and easy handling.

To gain maximum satisfaction from your

convertible, please observe the follow-

ing:

> It is advisable to close the convertible

top when the vehicle is being parked.

The closed convertible top not only

protects the passenger compartment

from unforeseeable damage from the

weather, it also provides a certain

degree of theft protection. In addi-

tion, keep valuables only in the

locked luggage compartment, even

when the convertible top is closed

> Never mount a roof-mounted luggage

rack system on the convertible top.

At temperatures below 147/

–106 do not operate the convert-

ible top to prevent damage. Never store

the convertible top in its compartment

for more than one day while it is wet to

avoid permanent damage from mois-

ture.<

Do not lay objects on the convert-

ible top, as they could fall off

when it moves, causing vehicle damage

or personal injury.<

Electric power windows

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Driving when the opening or clos-

ing process has not been com-

pleted can cause vehicle damage or

personal injuries.

Do not reach into the convertible top

mechanism during opening and closing.

Keep children away from the moving

parts of the convertible top during

operation.<

If possible, only operate the con-

vertible top with the vehicle

stopped, as otherwise the process may

be interrupted.

If you set the convertible top in motion

with the vehicle stationary and then

have to start suddenly – for instance, at

a traffic light – you can still complete

the operation by driving as slowly as

possible and again pressing and main-

taining pressure on the button.<

To close the electric power win-

dows while driving, always be

sure to first close either the rear win-

dows, or all 4 windows at the same

time, otherwise, at high speed, the win-

dows may not close tightly.<

At higher speeds, the ensuing

vacuum in the passenger com-

partment can cause the convertible top

to begin fluttering. Increase the air sup-

ply via the ventilation controls so that a

vacuum does not occur in the vehicle.<

Opening and closing

1 To close

2 To open

To avoid placing unnecessary

loads on the battery, you should

avoid operating the top when the

engine is switched off.

Before closing the convertible top,

remove any objects from the windshield

frame that could keep the convertible

top from closing properly.<

With the ignition key in position 1 or

higher, and with the vehicle stationary

1. Read and comply with the preceding

safety precautions

Convertible top

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

2. Ensure that the convertible top com-

partment panel in the luggage com-

partment is folded down, refer to

page 35; otherwise, it will not be

possible to open the convertible top

3. Make sure that the luggage compart-

ment lid is closed

4. Press and hold the corresponding

button for convertible top operation.

It can take a few seconds until the

opening or closing procedure starts.

The luggage compartment lid can-

not be opened while the convert-

ible top is in motion.<

During convertible top operation

the rear window moves toward the

passenger compartment. To prevent

injuries, make sure that the closing path

of the convertible top is unobstructed.<

After having been stored for an

extended period of time in the

convertible top compartment, e.g. dur-

ing the winter months because the

hardtop was being used, you may have

to support the convertible top by hand

when closing it for the first time.

If the convertible top should halt right

before the closing phase is completed,

press against the front part of the con-

vertible top frame from the outside to

help the closing process along. Keep

pressing the button while doing so until

the top starts up again on its own.<

Indicator lamps

> The red indicator lamp is lit whenever

the convertible top is in motion. It

goes out as soon as the opening or

closing operation has been com-

pleted

> If the red indicator lamp flashes after

the button is released, the convertible

top has not yet been opened or

closed completely. You can resume

operation in the desired direction by

pressing the button again

> If the yellow indicator lamp lights up

continuously with the button pressed,

the convertible top compartment

panel has been raised and the top

cannot be moved.

The side windows move down slightly

whenever the button for operating the

convertible top is pressed.

They will go back up if you keep holding

the button down for more than

2 seconds after the opening or closing

process has been completed and the

indicator lamp has gone out.

Interruption

The convertible top stops moving

immediately when the button is

released. You can resume operation in

the desired direction by pressing the

button again.

Do not close the side windows

using the power window switches

if the convertible top has not been

closed completely. Otherwise, the side

windows may not seal properly with the

rubber seals of the convertible top.<

If the opening or closing operation is

interrupted by releasing the buttons,

the convertible top remains in the

respective position for 15 minutes

before it slowly moves into a stable

position. The operation can be contin-

ued by pressing the buttons.

Convertible top

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Do not repeatedly interrupt and

resume the closing operation, as

otherwise the fully-automatic convert-

ible top mechanism could be dam-

aged.<

In certain cases, the luggage compart-

ment lid cannot be opened if the open-

ing or closing operation has been inter-

rupted.

Operate the convertible top manu-

ally in emergency situations only

to avoid causing damage due to incor-

rect operation.<

Convenience operation via

remote control and driver's door

lock

Refer to pages 29 and 31.

Closing manually in the event of

an electrical malfunction

1 Emergency operation

2 Allen wrench

3 Recess

Only operate the convertible top

manually to close it. Never open it

manually since the convertible top

compartment lid cannot be locked and

would open during driving.<

Manual closing is best carried out

by two persons from outside with

the driver's door open and the driver's

seat folded forward. No one is to be in

the rear seat while you are doing this.<

1. Remove the center piece between

the rear seats. Take the trim off of the

guide rod and flip it forward

2. Press down hard on the emergency

lock 1 – see previous illustration.

After a brief pause, the mechanisms

for the convertible top compartment

lid will be released

If the mechanism for the convert-

ible top compartment lid does not

unlock, then insert the Allen wrench 2

into the recess 3 and turn clockwise to

release it.<

3. If the luggage compartment lid is

closed, open the convertible top

compartment lid up as far as the stop

will allow

Convertible top

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4. Grasp the convertible top by the lat-

eral guide section – see arrow 1 –

and the front convertible top frame –

see arrow 2. Lift out the top and

swing forward until you encounter a

perceptible resistance at a stop.

Position the rear convertible top

frame vertically and close the con-

vertible top compartment lid. Fold

down the rear convertible top frame

To avoid damaging the side trim,

always fold the convertible top

forward before folding the rear frame

brace up into its vertical position.<

5. Use a screwdriver to lift out the cover

panel that is in the center of the front

convertible top frame

6. Insert the Allen wrench 2 – refer to

page 42 – into the recess – see arrow

7. Pull down on the front convertible

top frame as far as possible. Close

the convertible top further by turning

the wrench in a clockwise direction;

continue turning until the front con-

vertible top frame is locked to the

windshield frame. The rear convert-

ible top frame will automatically be

pressed down onto the convertible

top compartment lid and, because of

the tension, will close completely.

The closing operation must be

completed, as otherwise damage

and/or injuries may result.<

Please consult your BMW center

to have the defect corrected.<

Convertible top

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Position for cleaning

To be able to access the convertible

top compartment, lean the rear frame of

the convertible top against the cover of

the convertible top compartment.

First, use the button for activating

the convertible top to unlock the

locks of the convertible top compart-

ment. Refer to page 40.<

For additional information on vehi-

cle care, refer to the Caring for

your vehicle brochure.<

Wind deflector*

With the convertible top open, the wind

deflector keeps air movement in the

passenger compartment to a minimum,

thus providing you with a pleasant

drive, even at higher speeds. The wind

deflector comes in a protective sleeve,

and because of its slim dimensions, can

be easily stored in the luggage com-

partment.

Installation

1. Remove wind deflector from the pro-

tective sleeve

2. Flip out both sides and lock into

place. It is essential for the two com-

ponents marked in the illustration to

mesh at this point

Convertible top

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3. Hold the wind deflector so that the

smaller half points toward the front

and guide the mounting pin for the

side piece into the proper opening

4. Pull back on the mounting pin for the

other side piece by using a slide, so

that the mounting pin can be guided

into the opening provided

5. Unlock the convertible top compart-

ment lid via the convertible top con-

trol button, refer to page 40, and

open the convertible top compart-

ment lid

6. Flip the back half of the wind deflec-

tor backward, so that the mounts are

lying on the vehicle

7. Close the convertible top compart-

ment lid via the convertible top con-

trol button. The wind deflector is now

attached so that it is theft-proof.

Operate the convertible top com-

partment lid from above only in

order to avoid any pinching.

With the wind deflector in place: to

avoid damaging the wind deflector

never push the front seats all the way

back.<

Removal

Follow the same procedure as when

installing, just reverse the steps.

Wind deflector*

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To adjust

Safe seating position

For driving that is relaxed and less likely

to cause fatigue, you should select a

sitting position that reflects your per-

sonal requirements. In combination

with the safety belts and airbags, the

correct seating position also plays an

important role in enhancing occupant

safety in the event of an accident. To

ensure that the vehicle's safety systems

provide you with optimal protection, we

request that you direct your careful

attention to the following section.

For supplementary information on

transporting children, refer to page 58.

Airbags

Always maintain an adequate dis-

tance between yourself and the

airbags. Always hold the steering wheel

by the rim to keep any chance of injury

to hands or arms to an absolute mini-

mum should the airbag be deployed.

Never allow any objects, individuals or

animals to obstruct the areas between

passengers and airbags. Never use the

front airbag's cover as a storage tray or

support for objects of any kind. Never

allow front passengers to rest their feet

or legs on the airbag cover.<

For airbag locations and additional

information on airbags, refer to

page 55.

Safety belt

Your vehicle is equipped with four

seats, each of which is provided with a

safety belt.

Never allow more than one person

to wear a single safety belt. Never

allow infants or small children to ride in

a passenger's lap. Avoid twisting the

belt while routing it firmly across the

pelvis and shoulder, wear it as snugly

against your body as possible. Do not

allow the belt to rest against hard or

fragile objects in your pockets. Do not

route the belt across your neck, or run it

across sharp edges. Be sure that the

belt does not become caught or

jammed. Avoid wearing bulky clothing

and pull on the lap belt periodically to

retension it over your shoulders. In the

event of a frontal impact, a loose lap

belt could slide over the hips, leading to

abdominal injury. In addition, the safety

belt's restraint effectiveness is reduced

if the belt is worn loosely. Expectant

mothers should always wear their

safety belts, taking care to position the

lap belt against the lower hips, where it

will not exert pressure against the

abdominal area.<

For information on using the safety

belts, refer to page 50.

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Seats

When adjusting your seat, always

observe the following precautions

Never try to adjust your seat while

operating the vehicle. The seat

could respond with an unexpected

movement, and the ensuing loss of

vehicle control could lead to an acci-

dent. Never ride with the backrest

reclined to an extreme horizontal angle

– important for front passengers to

remember. If you do, there is a risk that

you will slide under the safety belt in an

accident, thus reducing the protection

provided by the safety belt.

With the wind deflector in place:

Do not push the front seats all the way

back, otherwise the wind deflector will

be damaged.<

Adjusting the seats

> Power seat adjustment, refer to

page 47

> Head restraint, refer to page 48

> Entering the rear, refer to page 49

Power seat adjustment

Seat adjustment

1 Tilt angle

2 Forward/backward adjustment

3 Height

4 Backrest angle

You can manually adjust the thigh sup-

port.

Thigh support

Pull the lever and adjust the position of

the cushion for thigh support as

desired.

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Adjusting the lumbar support*

You can adjust the backrest's contour

to support the lordosis of the spine, i.e.

the curvature of its lumbar section.

The upper hips and spinal column

receive supplementary support to help

you maintain a relaxed, upright position.

> To increase or decrease the curva-

ture: press front or rear of the switch.

> To shift the curvature up or down:

press the upper or lower part of the

switch.

Head restraints

Front head restraints

1 Height

Head restraints reduce the risk of

spinal injury in the event of an

accident.

Adjust the head restraint.

When moving the head restraints up or

down, do not grab on between the

head restraint and the upper edge of

the backrest to avoid the possibility of

injury.<

Tilt:

Position the head restraints manually in

the preferred position.

Power seat adjustment

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Rear head restraints

The rear head restraints may only

be lowered if there are no passen-

gers in the rear seats. If you do so, you

are in violation of the law. Raise the rear

head restraints before taking on any

passengers in the back.<

To completely lower the rear head

restraints:

1. Press the button and hold it down

2. Push the head restraint down from

above.

Raising the rear head restraints

Raise the head restraints until you hear

them click into place.

Do not remove the rear head

restraints as this would damage

them.<

For further information, please consult

your BMW center.

Do not use the rear head

restraints as storage shelves.

Always keep the travel path for the roll-

over protection system free and clear.

Under no circumstances should you put

any kind of cover such as an antima-

cassar on the head restraints, refer also

to the labeling on the head restraints.<

Entering the rear

The seat-integrated safety belt system

allows for easy access to the rear.

1. Lift lever 1 up and tilt the backrest

forward until it engages

2. Press and hold button 2 in driving

direction until the seat moves to the

desired position

3. After entering the rear, fold back and

lock the backrest

4. Press button 2 opposite the direction

of travel and hold. The seat moves

back into its previous position. If the

button 2 is released beforehand, the

seat stops in the respective position.

Head restraints

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The seat can be locked into posi-

tion when it is tilted forward. This

is particularly convenient when entering

the vehicle on an incline, for example.

Press against the backrest until you

hear it snap into place. Lever 1 does

not have to be released to fold the seat

back.<

Lock both backrests while driving,

otherwise there is a danger of an

unexpected movement causing an

accident.<

The indicator lamp in the instru-

ment cluster flashes when the

backrest is not locked, refer to

page 18.

Safety belts

Always wear your safety belt

Always fasten your safety belt before

starting off. As supplemental restraint

devices, the airbags are designed to

enhance the effectiveness of the safety

belts, and not to replace them.

Before putting your safety belts on

in the rear, take them out of the

holder.<

Leave the rear safety belts in the

holders if they are not needed, in

order to avoid unwanted movement

from the safety belts at high speeds.<

To close

Make sure you hear the lock engage in

the belt buckle.

To release

1. Press the red button in the belt

buckle

2. Hold the belt

3. Guide the belt back into its reel.

Safety belt height

The front safety belt automatically

adapts to your body size via the setting

of the head restraint height, refer to

page 48.

If the safety belt system has been

subjected to the stresses involved

in an accident or otherwise damaged:

have the entire safety belt mechanism

replaced by your BMW center, includ-

ing the safety belt tensioner. In addi-

tion, have your BMW center inspect the

safety belt anchors. If a child-restraint

system was in the vehicle during an

accident, consult the manufacturer's

instructions regarding replacement.<

Entering the rear

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Seat and mirror memory

You can store and recall three different

driver's seat and outside mirror posi-

tions.

Memory will not retain the adjust-

ment made to the lumbar sup-

port.<

To store

1. Ignition key in position 1 or 2

2. Adjust your seat and outside mirrors

to the desired position

3. Press the M

EMORY button: the indica-

tor lamp in the button lights up

4. Press memory button 1, 2 or 3, as

desired. The indicator lamp goes out.

To select a stored setting

Do not select a memory position

while the vehicle is moving. If you

do so, there is a risk of accident from

unexpected seat movement.<

Driver's door open after unlocking or

ignition key in position 1:

> Briefly press memory button 1, 2 or 3,

as desired.

Movement stops immediately when

one of the seat-adjustment or mem-

ory buttons is operated during the

adjustment process.

With the driver's door closed and the

ignition key either removed or in posi-

tion 0 or 2:

> Press and hold the desired memory

button – 1, 2 or 3 – until the adjust-

ment process is completed.

If you press the M

EMORY button acci-

dentally: press the button again; the

indicator lamp goes out.

You can have this feature pro-

grammed so that when you use

the remote control from your personal-

ized key to unlock your door, your seat

and the exterior mirrors will move into

your own preferred positions.<

Before activating the programmed

adjustment feature, ensure that

the footwell behind the driver's seat is

empty and unobstructed. If you fail to

do so, persons, animals or objects

could be injured or damaged if the seat

should move backward.<

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Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt

function

Automatic curb monitor*

To activate:

1. Select the driver's mirror using the

mirror selector switch 1

2. When shifting into Reverse or placing

the selector lever in position R, the

passenger-side mirror tilts down-

ward. This allows the driver to see

the area directly adjacent to the vehi-

cle, e.g. the curb, during parking.

To deactivate:

Set the mirror selector switch to the

passenger-side position.

How far the passenger mirror tilts

can be set individually for each

ignition key.<

Seat heating*

The seat cushion and backrest can be

heated with the ignition key in

position 2.

You can call up different heating modes

by repeatedly pressing the buttons.

You can also switch the higher heating

modes off directly:

Press the button and hold it slightly

longer.

Seat and mirror memory

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Mirrors

To adjust exterior mirrors

1 Switch for 4-way adjustment

2 Switch to select between mirrors

To adjust manually

The mirrors can also be adjusted manu-

ally:

Press the edges of the lens.

To store the mirror setting, refer to Seat

and mirror memory on page 51.

Curved mirror

The outer part of each mirror conveys a

slightly distorted, larger field of vision

than the inner part of the mirror. This

helps to extend your range of vision

toward the rear and to reduce the size

of the blind spot.

The mirror on the passenger's

side is more convex than the

driver's mirror. When estimating the

distance between yourself and other

traffic, bear in mind that the objects

reflected in the mirror are closer than

they appear. This means that when you

are estimating the distance to following

vehicles, the mirror is not necessarily a

reliable aid. This also applies to the

outer parts of each mirror.<

Electric defrosting

Both mirrors are heated automatically in

ignition key position 2.

Interior rearview mirror with

automatic dimming feature

While the vehicle is being driven for-

ward, this mirror dims light through an

infinitely variable range depending on

the light's incidence. Two photocells in

the interior rearview mirror serve this

purpose. One is positioned in the mir-

ror's frame, while the other is slightly

offset on the opposite side of the mir-

ror.

To ensure perfect functioning, keep the

photocells clean and the area between

the interior rearview mirror and the

windshield free of any obstruction like

stickers, etc.

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Steering wheel

To adjust

Never attempt to adjust the steer-

ing wheel while driving the vehicle

– it could respond with unexpected

movement, posing a potential accident

hazard.<

1. Push the locking lever downward

2. Adjust steering column reach and

height for your selected seating posi-

tion

3. Pull the lever back up.

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Passenger safety systems

Airbags

1 Front airbags on the driver and pas-

senger sides

2 Side airbags on the driver and pas-

senger sides – front and rear*

Protective effect

The front airbags protect the driver and

passenger in the event of a head-on

collision where the protection provided

by the safety belt alone would not be

adequate. The side airbags provide

protection in the event of a collision

from the side. They help support the

respective seat occupant's upper body.

For information on the correct sitting

position, refer to page 46.

The side airbags in the rear pas-

senger area* of your vehicle may

already have been deactivated by a

BMW center. You may have them acti-

vated if you desire to do so. Please

contact your BMW center for additional

information.<

The airbags will not be triggered in

the event of a minor accident, cer-

tain vehicle rollover situations or colli-

sions from the rear.<

Do not apply adhesive materials to

the cover panels of the airbags,

cover them or modify them in any other

way. Do not attempt to remove the air-

bag restraint system from the vehicle. In

the event of a malfunction, deactivation

or triggered activation – as a response

to an accident – of the airbag restraint

system, consult your BMW center for

inspection, repair or disassembly. Mod-

ifications may not be made on either

the wiring or the individual components

in the airbag system. These include the

upholstered covers on the steering

wheel, instrument panel, side trim pan-

els of the doors and front roof pillars

and on the sides of the headliner. Do

not attempt to remove or dismantle the

steering wheel. Unprofessional

attempts to service the system could

lead to failure in an emergency or

undesired airbag activation, either of

which could result in personal injury. Do

not touch the individual components

directly after the system has been trig-

gered, as otherwise there is a danger of

burns.<

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At all times, occupants should sit

upright and be properly restrained

– infants and small children in appropri-

ate child-restraint systems; larger chil-

dren and adults using the safety belts.

Never let an occupant's head rest near

or on a side airbag because the inflating

airbag could cause a serious or fatal

injury. Please note that the word Airbag

imprinted on the door trim panel indi-

cates the airbag's location.

Accident research shows that the saf-

est place for children in an automobile

is in the rear seat. However, a child sit-

ting in the rear seat and not properly

restrained may place his or her head on

or near the side airbag, if so equipped.

For example, a child – even though

belted – may fall asleep with his or her

head against the side airbag. It may be

difficult for a driver to ensure that chil-

dren in the rear seat will remain prop-

erly positioned at all times and not

place their heads on or near the side

airbag. Therefore, we recommend that

the rear seat side airbags, if provided,

be deactivated if you plan to transport

children in the rear seat.

The rear seat side airbags may already

have been deactivated by a BMW cen-

ter. If you are uncertain of their status,

or wish to have the airbags activated or

deactivated, please contact your BMW

center.<

Even when all these guidelines are

observed, there is still a small residual

risk of injuries to the face, hands and

arms occurring from airbag deployment

in isolated instances.

In sensitive individuals, the ignition and

inflation noise may induce a mild hear-

ing loss that is temporary in most

cases.

Airbag warning information is also pro-

vided on the sun visors.

This is the right way a child should sit in

a child restraint when rear side airbags

are provided.

Airbags

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This is the right way a larger child

should sit wearing the seat belt when

rear side airbags are provided.

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp indicates the

operational status of the airbag

system when the ignition key is

in position 1 or higher.

System operational:

> The indicator lamp comes on briefly

when the ignition key is turned to

position 1 or higher.

System malfunction:

> Indicator lamp does not come on or

> indicator lamp lights up continuously.

If there is a system malfunction,

there is a risk that the airbags will

not be triggered within their normal

response range, even if the level of

impact would normally have triggered

them. Have your BMW center inspect

the airbag system immediately.<

Airbags

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Transporting children safely

Leave the rear safety belts in the

holders if they are not needed to

avoid unwanted movement from the

safety belts at high speeds.<

Commercially available child seats

complying with the legal standard are

designed to be secured with a seat belt

or with the seat belt portion of a combi-

nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or

inadequately installed restraint sys-

tems can increase the risk of injury to

children. Always read and follow the

instructions that come with the system.

Correct location for installing

In your BMW, all seats equipped with a

three-point safety belt – except for the

driver's seat – are suitable for installing

universal child-restraint systems of all

age classes and which have been

approved for the age group in question.

Child-restraint system with tether

strap

If you use a child-restraint system with

a tether strap, two additional tether

anchorage points have been provided.

Depending on the location selected for

seating in the rear passenger area,

attach the tether strap to the corre-

sponding anchorage point to secure the

child-restraint system, as shown in the

illustration.

1. Open the convertible top compart-

ment lid, refer to page 39

2. Lift the headrest and pass the tether

strap between the headrest and the

seat back. It is recommended that

you return the head restraint back to

its lowest possible position

3. Adjust the tether strap according to

the child-restraint manufacturer's

instructions

4. Close the convertible top compart-

ment panel.

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It is recommended to cover the child-

restraint attaching clip with a soft mate-

rial to prevent damage to the stored

soft top.

Should a hard top be installed, the

fitting of child harness tether

strap/s – if child seat is required – is

necessary before installation of the

hard top.<

Before installing any child-

restraint device or child seat,

please read the following:

Never install a rearward-facing child-

restraint system in the front passenger

seat of this vehicle.

Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag

supplemental restraint system for the

front passenger. Because the backrest

on any rearward-facing child-restraint

system – of the kind designed for

infants under 1 year and 20 lbs/9 kg –

would be within the airbag's deploy-

ment range, you should never mount

such a device in the front passenger

seat, as the impact of the airbag against

the child restraint's backrest could lead

to serious or fatal injuries.

If it is necessary for a child – not an

infant – to ride in the front seat, certain

precautions should be taken. First,

move the passenger seat as far away

from the instrument panel as possible.

This important precaution is intended to

maximize the distance between the air-

bag and the child. Older children

should be tightly secured with the

safety belt after they have outgrown a

booster seat that is appropriate for their

age, height, and weight.

Younger children should be secured in

an appropriate forward-facing child-

restraint system that has first been

properly secured with a safety belt.

Never install a rearward-facing child-

restraint system in the front passenger

seat.

We strongly urge you to carefully read

and comply with the instructions for

installation and use provided by the

child restraint's manufacturer when-

ever you use such a device.

Do not attempt to modify child-restraint

systems. If you do this, the protection

provided by these systems could be

impaired.

Be sure that all occupants – of all ages –

remain properly and securely restrained

at all times.<

All rear seating positions in your vehicle

meet the recommendations of

SAE J1819, an industry-recommended

practice for securing child-restraint sys-

tems in motor vehicles.

Transporting children safely

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Securing child-restraint system

All of the rear belt retractors and the

front passenger's safety belt can be

locked for mounting and securing child-

restraint systems.

A label with the appropriate instructions

for this is located in the immediate

vicinity of the buckle latch of each

safety belt.

To lock the safety belt

Extract the entire length of the belt from

the inertia reel mechanism. Allow the

reel to retract the belt somewhat and

engage the buckle, then tighten the belt

against the child-restraint system. The

retraction mechanism is now locked.

The belt cannot be extracted further.

Always observe the installation instruc-

tions provided by the manufacturer of

the child-restraint system.

To unlock the safety belt

Release the safety belt, remove the

child seat and retract the safety belt to

its end position on the belt retractor.

LATCH child-restraint mounting

system

LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tether for

CHildren

The left and right rear seats are both

equipped with a LATCH child-restraint

mounting system.

Transporting children safely

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The LATCH anchorage points are iden-

tified by symbols.

The anchorage points for the LATCH

child-restraint system installation are

located behind the upholstery at the

positions indicated by the arrows.

Carefully slide the brackets through the

gaps in the upholstery at the indicated

locations.

Always follow all manufacturer's

instructions and observe all safety

precautions when installing the LATCH

child-restraint mounting system.

Leave the rear safety belts in the hold-

ers if they are not needed to avoid

unwanted movement from the safety

belts at high speeds.<

To prevent damage to the upholstery,

you can purchase an insertion aid* from

your BMW center.

Firmly press the insertion aid into the

gap between the seat cushion and

backrest, continuing until the two

guides snap into place on the LATCH

brackets in the seat.

The illustration is an example showing

the anchorages for a LATCH child-

restraint system on the right rear seat.

Transporting children safely

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Rollover protection system

In the event of an accident or some

other critical driving situation – extreme

tilting in the longitudinal or transverse

axis, loss of contact with the ground –

the rollover protection system will be

automatically activated. The protective

bars located in the rear head restraints

extend within fractions of a second.

In addition to the integrated rollover bar

in the windshield frame, the rollover

protection system affords all the vehicle

occupants necessary headroom.

Always keep the travel path for the

rollover protection system free

and clear. Under no circumstances

should you cover the head restraints.

In the event of less serious accidents,

the safety belt will protect you and,

depending on the severity of the acci-

dent, so will the safety belt tensioner

and the multi-stage airbag restraint sys-

tem as well.<

If, after being automatically triggered,

the protective function is not needed,

then the rollover protection system can

be lowered back into place. No special

tool is needed for this.

1. Using a screwdriver from the

onboard tool kit, remove the cover

panel; to do this, position the screw-

driver under the notch

2. Push the lever toward the front of the

vehicle and keep it in this position

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3. Keep pressing down on the protec-

tive bar from on top – see arrow 1 –

until you hear it click into place

4. Put the cover panel back in place

and press down firmly

5. Push the back panel of the head

restraint closed – see arrow 2.

Do the same for the second protective

bar. If you are not familiar with any of

the procedures, consult your BMW

center.

Have the rollover protection system

checked out by your BMW center after

it has been inadvertently triggered.

Do not move the convertible top

under any circumstances if the

rollover protection system has

extended.

Do not use the rear head restraints as

storage shelves.

Absolutely no modifications are to be

made to any of the rollover protection

system's individual components or any

of its wiring.

Only your BMW center is to carry out

any work on the rollover protection sys-

tem.

Work done on the system that is carried

out improperly could lead to failure in

an emergency or accidental activation.

Regarding having the system checked

to ensure long-term operation: be scru-

pulous in adhering to the Service Inter-

val Display for maintenance intervals.

Every two years at the latest, the roll-

over protection system must be

inspected by a BMW center.<

Rollover protection system

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Vehicle Memory, Key Memory

How the system functions

You have probably frequently wished

that you could configure individual

functions of your vehicles to reflect your

own personal requirements. In engi-

neering your vehicle, BMW has pro-

vided for a number of options for per-

sonal adjustment that can be

programmed into your vehicle at your

BMW center.

The available configuration data fall into

two categories, according to whether

their primary orientation is the vehicle –

Vehicle Memory – or the individual –

Key Memory. You can have up to four

different basic settings adjusted for four

different persons. The only require-

ment is that each person uses his or her

own remote control key.

When your vehicle is unlocked with the

remote control, the vehicle recognizes

the individual user by means of a data

exchange with the key, and makes

adjustments accordingly.

Distinguishing between keys

In order for you to be able to distinguish

between different keys, colored decals

are supplied together with the keys.

What the system can do

Your BMW center can provide you with

details on the possibilities that the Vehi-

cle and Key Memory systems offer.

You will see this symbol through-

out the Owner's Manual. It is to

remind you at appropriate places of the

settings that are available to you.<

Examples for Vehicle Memory:

> Various signals that can serve as

acknowledgment for locking and

unlocking the vehicle, refer to

page 29

> Activates/deactivates the 'Follow me

home' lamps function, refer to 90

> Activates/deactivates daytime driv-

ing lamps, refer to page 90

> Sets the units of measure for display-

ing time, outside temperature, dis-

tance traveled and fuel consumption

in the instrument cluster

> When you shift into Reverse, an

acoustic signal indicates that PDC

has been activated, refer to page 85

> Switches on rear window defroster

automatically, refer to page 97

> After giving an ice warning, the

onboard computer display returns to

the previous setting, refer to page 83.

Examples for Key Memory:

> Locks the vehicle automatically after

you start off, refer to page 32

> Automatically moves the seat and

outside mirror into position for the

programmed driver when unlocking

the vehicle, refer to page 51

> Automatic tilting of the passenger-

side mirror, refer to Automatic curb

monitor, page 52

> After the engine is started, calls up

the last selected driving program for

each shifting mode, refer to page 73.

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Driving

Ignition lock

Ignition key positions

0 Steering locked

1 Steering unlocked

2 Ignition on

3 Start engine

Steering locked

The key can only be inserted and

removed in this position.

After removing the key, turn the steer-

ing wheel slightly to the left or right until

you hear the lock engage.

If the key is not removed, an acoustic

signal sounds when the driver door is

opened.

Steering unlocked

You will find that it is often easier to turn

the ignition key from position 0 to posi-

tion 1 when you move the steering

wheel slightly to help disengage the

lock.

Individual electrical accessories are

ready for operation.

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Starting the engine and driving off

Do not allow the engine to warm

up by leaving it running while the

vehicle remains stationary. Instead,

drive off immediately at a moderate

engine speed.<

Do not allow the engine to run in

enclosed spaces. Otherwise,

breathing the exhaust fumes can lead

to unconsciousness and death. The

exhaust gases contain carbon monox-

ide, an odorless and colorless, but

highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehi-

cle unattended with the engine running.

An unattended vehicle with a running

engine represents a safety hazard.

If you leave the vehicle with the engine

running, move the gearshift lever into

the idling position or the selector lever

into position N, as applicable, and

apply the parking brake. If you fail to do

this, the vehicle could move.<

> Do not press the accelerator pedal

while starting the engine

> Do not end the starting procedure too

early, but do not continue it for more

than 20 seconds

> Release the ignition key immediately

when the engine starts

> Do not let the engine warm up in

idling position. Instead, begin to drive

at moderate engine speeds.

If the engine does not start on the first

attempt – if it is very hot or cold, for

instance:

Press the accelerator pedal halfway

down while engaging the starter.

Cold starts at very low temperatures

below about +5 7/–156 and at high

altitudes above 3,300 ft/1,000 m:

> On the first attempt, engage the

starter for approx. 10 seconds

> Press the accelerator pedal halfway

down while engaging the starter.

Extended starting attempts, char-

acterized by excessively frequent

or long periods with the starter

engaged, can damage the catalytic

converter.<

When driving, standing at idle or

parking the vehicle, take care to

avoid contact between the hot exhaust

system and flammable materials –

grass, hay, leaves, etc. Such contact

could lead to a fire, resulting in serious

personal injury and property damage.<

Manual transmission

1. Engage the parking brake

2. Gearshift lever in idling position

3. Depress the clutch pedal.

If the clutch pedal is not depressed,

the engine cannot be started

4. Start the engine. Do not press the

accelerator pedal. Do not actuate the

starter for too short a time. Do not

turn it for more than approx.

20 seconds. Release the ignition key

immediately when the engine starts.

Sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic

1. Depress footbrake

2. Move selector lever into position N

3. Start the engine. Do not actuate the

starter for too short a time. Do not

turn it for more than approx.

20 seconds. Release the ignition key

immediately when the engine starts

4. Engage a driving position

5. Release footbrake and slowly

depress accelerator pedal.

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With the engine running, the gear

indicator in the SMG Drivelogic

display flashes to indicate that a driving

position is engaged with the driver's

door open or if the hood is not closed

properly, refer to page 71.

If neither the pedals, the shift paddles,

nor the selector lever are actuated, then

the gearbox is automatically taken out

of gear after approx. four seconds. It

will then be necessary to move the

selector lever back to position N before

engaging the desired driving position.

Driving off is not possible with the hood

open.<

Before exiting the vehicle with the

engine running, move the selector

lever into position N and apply the

parking brake.

Never leave the vehicle unattended

with the engine running. An unat-

tended vehicle with a running engine

represents a safety hazard.<

Engine idle speed is controlled by the

engine computer system. Increased

speeds at start-up are normal and

should decrease as the engine warms

up. If engine speed does not decrease,

service is required.

To prevent the battery from discharg-

ing, always deactivate electrical

devices that are not in use. Switch the

ignition off when the vehicle is not

being driven.

Starting the engine and driving off

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Switching off the engine

You should never remove the igni-

tion key when the vehicle is in

motion, as the steering lock could

engage.

When you leave the vehicle, always

remove the ignition key and engage the

steering lock.<

Always engage the parking brake

when parking on downhill roads.

Engaging a gear may not provide ade-

quate resistance to rolling.<

Manual transmission

Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.

Sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic

If you turn the ignition key to position 1

or 0 with the selector lever in the for-

ward or reverse position, a gear auto-

matically remains engaged.

If you turn the ignition key to position 1

or 0 with the selector lever in

position N, a warning tone and the

flashing gear indicator in the SMG

Drivelogic display remind you that no

gear is engaged to secure the vehicle

against rolling.

The warning stops after approx. ten

seconds. If you move the selector lever

into a forward or reverse position dur-

ing this time, a gear is automatically

engaged.

Parking brake

The parking brake is primarily designed

to prevent the vehicle from rolling while

parked. It operates on the rear wheels.

To engage

The detent engages automatically, and

the indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster comes on when the ignition key

is in position 2, refer to page 18.

To release

Pull up slightly on the lever, press the

button and lower the lever.

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If exceptional circumstances

make it necessary to engage the

parking brake while the vehicle is in

motion, do not pull it with excessive

pressure. Keep your thumb pressed

against the release button while care-

fully pulling the lever up.

Excessive pressure can lead to over-

braking and loss of traction – fishtailing

– at the rear axle.

The brake lamps do not come on when

the parking brake is engaged.

Always engage the parking brake when

parking on slopes and inclined sur-

faces. Engaging a gear may not provide

adequate resistance to rolling.<

To avoid corrosion and one-sided

braking, apply the parking brake

lightly from time to time when coasting

to a standstill – at a traffic light, for

example – provided that it is safe to do

so.<

Manual transmission

When shifting gears in the

fifth/sixth gear plane, be sure to

press the gearshift lever to the right in

order to prevent inadvertent selection

of a gear in the third/fourth gear plane.

Do not hold the vehicle in place on

slopes by slipping or 'riding' the clutch.

Use the parking brake instead. Riding

the clutch leads to severe and prema-

ture clutch wear.<

Reverse

Select only when the vehicle is station-

ary. Press the gearshift lever to the left

to overcome the slight resistance.

When you select reverse the backup

lamps will light up automatically when

the ignition key is in position 2.

Parking brake

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Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*

The concept

The sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic is an automated manual

gearbox with which clutching and shift-

ing is assumed by an electro-hydraulic

system.

The SMG Drivelogic is operated via two

shift paddles on the steering wheel and

the selector lever in the center console.

It offers the following functions:

> Sequential and automated shifting

mode

> Ability to choose between different

driving programs – Drivelogic

> Gradient assistance, refer to page 73

> Upshift display and shift lights, refer

to page 74

> RPM matching on downshifts

> Driving dependent functions:

The respective driving situation, e.g.

cornering, mountain driving or brak-

ing, is detected by sensors and taken

into account for shifting, e.g. to

achieve optimum gear selection dur-

ing deceleration and subsequent

acceleration

> Slip recognition at the rear axle for

increasing driving stability, e.g. dur-

ing downshifting on slippery road

surfaces

> Operating safety through protection

against misshifting.

Under normal operating conditions, fuel

consumption is lowest when driving in

the first driving program of the auto-

mated shifting mode.

Selector lever positions

R: Reverse position

N: Neutral position

Forward position with one-touch mode:

> S: sequential mode

> D: automated mode

> +: upshifting in sequential mode

> –: downshifting in sequential mode.

The SMG Drivelogic is ready for opera-

tion from ignition key position two or

higher.

For your safety, it is only possible to

engage a driving position with the vehi-

cle stopped approx. two seconds after

engaging position N with the footbrake

depressed – shift-lock function.

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Display in instrument cluster

The selector lever position, currently

engaged gear and selected driving pro-

gram are displayed in the instrument

cluster.

1 Engaged gear

2 Selected driving program, corre-

sponds to the number of illuminated

fields, refer to page 73

3 Tapping the selector lever to the right

switches over into the displayed shift

mode

4 'D' indicates an activated automated

shift mode

R – Reverse position

Only engage with the vehicle stopped

or at low speed, e.g. for rocking free in

deep snow.

An intermittent signal tone indi-

cates that the reverse position has

been engaged.<

N - Neutral

Always engage before starting the

engine.

If the driving situation requires, e.g.

when downshifting on slippery roads,

the SMG Drivelogic automatically dis-

engages and reengages the clutch, i.e.

it is not necessary to manually engage

position N.

S – Sequential mode

In the sequential mode all forward

gears are to be shifted by the driver.

To switch from automated to sequential

mode:

> Tap the selector lever to the right

toward S or

> change gears with the selector lever

or the shift paddles on the steering

wheel.

You do not need to reduce the throttle

for shifting.

Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*

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Shifting gears with shift paddles on

steering wheel:

> To upshift, briefly pull the right pad-

dle +

> To downshift, briefly pull the left pad-

dle –.

Shift paddles with various widths

matched to the shape of your

hand are available from your BMW cen-

ter.<

Shifting gears with selector lever:

> To upshift, pull the selector lever

backward in the + direction

> To downshift, push the selector lever

in the – direction.

No automatic upshifting is carried out in

the sequential mode.

You accelerate from higher gears, e.g.

during passing, by manually downshift-

ing.

In the following situations the

SMG Drivelogic anticipates your

actions in the sequential mode:

> Upshifts and downshifts are only exe-

cuted at appropriate combinations of

engine rpm and vehicle speed. For

instance, downshifts that would

result in excessive engine speed are

not executed

> During a stop the gearbox is auto-

matically downshifted into the first

gear so that, e.g. before a traffic light,

it is only necessary to accelerate to

continue driving

> As speed diminishes, the gearbox

downshifts automatically, without you

taking any action, just before the

vehicle slows to below each gear's

minimum speed.

D - Automated mode

Each time the engine is started, the

automated mode is activated as soon

as you move the selector lever into the

forward driving position.

In the automated mode all forward

gears are shifted automatically.

To switch from sequential to automated

mode: tap the selector lever to the right

toward D. Watch the display in the

instrument cluster, refer to page 71.

For rapid acceleration, e.g. during

passing, depress the accelerator pedal

completely – kickdown. The gearbox

now downshifts depending on the

selected driving program.

Even in the automated mode, you can

help specify the shifting point: if a gear-

dependent minimum speed is

exceeded, you can upshift by slowly

reducing pressure on the accelerator

pedal. In the process, the respective

driving situation is detected by sensors

and taken into account.

Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*

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Drivelogic

Drivelogic makes various driving pro-

grams available to you.

Press the Drivelogic repeatedly until the

desired driving program is shown in the

SMG display of the instrument cluster,

refer to page 71.

In the automated mode you can select

from five driving programs ranging from

convenience mode/winter operation to

sporty and highly dynamic.

In the first automated driving program,

starting off takes place in second gear,

which is advisable under winter road

conditions with ice and snow.

In the sequential mode you can choose

from six driving programs ranging from

balanced, dynamic driving – 1 – to

sporty, puristic driving – 6. The sporty,

puristic driving program can only be

activated when Dynamic Stability Con-

trol DSC is switched off, refer to

page 86.

To maintain vehicle stability,

always drive with the DSC acti-

vated on whenever possible.<

Following each change between the

sequential and the automated mode,

the last driving program selected in the

respective mode is active. Exception: if

program 6 had been the last selected

sequential driving program, program 5

is activated instead.

Your vehicle is set so that when

the engine is started, the last

selected driving program saved in your

key is activated for each shifting

mode.<

Gradient assistance

The gradient assistance enables start-

ing off on grades with virtually no roll-

back. It can be activated in the sequen-

tial and automated mode with the vehi-

cle stopped and can be used for both

forward and reverse driving.

The vehicle may roll slightly before

it is held by the gradient assis-

tance after releasing the footbrake.

Two seconds after the footbrake is

released, the vehicle begins to roll, as it

is no longer held with the gradient

assistance.<

1. Depress footbrake with vehicle

stopped

2. Activate the gradient assistance by

pulling the left paddle for at least

0.5 seconds. An increase in the

engine speed indicates that the gra-

dient assistance is activated

Briefly pulling the left paddle again

deactivates the gradient assis-

tance again.<

3. Release the footbrake and start off

within two seconds.

The gradient assistance must be reacti-

vated before each use.

Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*

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Indicator lamp

The gearbox indicator lamp in

the instrument cluster goes out

after the engine is started.

> If it does not go out, or if it lights up

during driving, a malfunction has

occurred. The available functions

may be limited under certain circum-

stances.

Drive carefully and with the Dynamic

Stability Control (DSC) activated.

Have the system checked by the

nearest BMW center

> If the indicator lamp flashes while

driving, the system is overloaded.

Avoid high loads until the indicator

lamp goes out again permanently.

Shift lights

To achieve the best possible vehicle

acceleration with a sporty driving style

in the sequential mode, shift lights in

the instrument cluster indicate the opti-

mum shifting point shortly before the

maximum engine speed is reached.

1. When the maximum engine speed is

approached, yellow indicator fields –

shift lights – in the tachometer light

up consecutively to indicate the

approaching upshift time

2. Shift at the latest when the last indi-

cator field lights up red.

Tire replacement, snow chains

Following a tire or wheel change and

after mounting or removing snow

chains, the slip recognition of the

SMG Drivelogic must become familiar

with the changed condition.

Reinitialize the system afterwards:

1. Move the selector lever into

position N on a straight stretch of

road at a speed of over 20 mph /

30 km/h

2. Pull both shift paddles for approx.

two seconds.

If you do not carry out the initialization,

the system automatically learns the

changed condition gradually during

driving. This can become apparent due

to brief opening and closing of the

clutch.

Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Turn signal indicator/Headlamp flasher

1 High beams

2 Headlamp flasher

3 Turn signal indicators

To signal briefly

Press the lever up to the detent but not

beyond. It then returns to the center

position when released.

If the flashing of the indicator lamp

and the clicking from the relay are

both faster than usual, one of the turn

signal indicators has failed.<

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Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*

0 Wipers retracted

1 Intermittent mode or rain sensor

2 Normal wipe

3 Fast wipe

4 Brief wipe

5 Rotary dial for control of the wipe

interval or the sensitivity of the rain

sensor

Intermittent mode

Not on vehicles with rain sensor.

You can select any of four sweep inter-

vals with rotary dial 5. In addition, the

wipe interval varies automatically

depending on road speed.

Rain sensor

The rain sensor is located on the wind-

shield directly behind the rearview mir-

ror.

To activate the rain sensor:

> With the ignition key in position 1

or higher, move the lever to

position 1. The wipers travel once

across the windshield, regardless of

the weather

> You can leave the lever in position 1

at all times. With the ignition key in

position 1 or higher, it is then only

necessary to activate the rain sensor.

To do this

> turn rotary dial 5 upward or

> clean windshield 1, refer to page 77.

To adjust the sensitivity of the rain sen-

sor: turn rotary dial 5.

To switch off the rain sensor: place

lever in position 0.

Turn the rain sensor off in auto-

matic car washes. Failure to do so

could result in damage caused by

undesired wiper activation.<

Normal wiper speed

When the vehicle is stationary, the wip-

ers switch automatically to intermittent

wipe – not on vehicles with rain sensor.

Fast wiper speed

When the vehicle is stationary, the wip-

ers operate at normal speed – not on

vehicles with rain sensor.

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0 Wipers retracted

1 Clean windshield and headlamps

Clean windshield and headlamps*

The system sprays washer fluid against

the windshield and activates the wipers

for a brief period.

When the vehicle's lighting system is

switched on, the headlamps will also be

cleaned at reasonable intervals.

Do not use the washers if there is

any danger that the fluid will

freeze on the windshield, as your vision

could be obscured. Always use a wind-

shield washer antifreeze in cold

weather. Refer to page 126.

Do not use the washers if the fluid res-

ervoir is empty, as the washer pump

will otherwise be damaged.<

Windshield washer nozzles

The windshield washer jets are warmed

automatically when the ignition key is in

position 2.

Cruise control

You can store and automatically main-

tain any desired vehicle speed above

approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h.

The cruise control is available whenever

the engine is running and the system

has been activated.

To activate the system

In ignition key position 2:

Press the button in the steering wheel.

The indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster comes on, refer to page 21. You

can now use the cruise control.

Do not use cruise control on twist-

ing roads, when high traffic den-

sity prevents driving at a constant

speed, or when the road surface is slick

– snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or

gravel, sand.<

To deactivate the system

Press the button as often as needed

until the indicator lamp in the instru-

ment cluster goes out.

Cruise control is also deactivated when

the ignition key is in position 0.

Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*

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The speed stored in memory is deleted.

To store and maintain speed or to

accelerate

Press button + briefly:

The system maintains and stores the

current vehicle speed. Every time you

tap the button, the speed increases by

approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.

Press and hold button +:

The vehicle accelerates without pres-

sure on the accelerator pedal. When

you release the button, the system

maintains and stores the current speed.

If on a downhill gradient the

engine braking effect is not suffi-

cient, the controlled speed can be

exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill

grades if the engine output is insuffi-

cient.<

To decelerate

Press button – briefly:

If you are already driving with activated

cruise control, the speed is decreased

by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h every time

you tap the button.

Press and hold button –:

With the cruise control active, the sys-

tem automatically reduces the throttle

opening to slow the vehicle. When you

release the button, the system main-

tains and stores the current speed.

To interrupt the cruise control

When the system is activated, press the

button. The indicator lamp stays on.

You can use the cruise control again

whenever you want by calling up the

speed that was stored last.

In addition, cruise control is interrupted

automatically:

> When the brakes are applied

> When pressing down the clutch pedal

> If you exceed or fall below the pro-

grammed speed for an extended

period – by depressing the accelera-

tor, for example

> Sequential M gearbox with Drivel-

ogic, refer to page 70: when shifting

in the sequential mode.

To recall the stored setting

Press the button:

The vehicle accelerates to and main-

tains the last speed stored.

Cruise control

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Everything under control

Odometer

1 Odometer

2 Trip odometer

Odometer

You can activate the displays shown in

the illustration with the ignition key in

position 0 by pressing the left button in

the instrument cluster.

Trip odometer

To reset the trip odometer to zero,

press the left button with the ignition

key in position 1 or higher.

Tachometer

Variable pre-warning zone

The yellow pre-warning zone displays

current permissible engine speeds,

depending on the engine temperature.

As the engine temperature climbs,

some of the sectors for this pre-warning

zones will go out one after the other.

Avoid engine speeds in the early warn-

ing zone if possible.

Never allow the engine to operate with

the needle in the red overspeed zone of

the gauge.

To protect the engine, the fuel supply is

interrupted when you approach this

sector.

Engine oil temperature

The general operating temperature lies

between 1757/806 and 2507/

1206. During high-performance driv-

ing, do not exceed a maximum value of

3007/1506.

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Fuel gauge

Once the indicator lamp stays on con-

tinuously, there are still approx.

2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.

Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.6 gal./

63 liters.

If the tilt of the vehicle varies – when

you are driving in mountainous areas,

for example – the needle may fluctuate

slightly.

Fill the fuel tank before it is com-

pletely empty. Driving to the last

drop of fuel can prevent the engine

from operating properly and result in

damage.<

When you switch on the ignition, the

indicator lamp lights up briefly as an

operation check.

Engine coolant temperature gauge

Blue

The engine is still cold. Drive at moder-

ate engine and vehicle speeds.

Between the blue and red zones

Normal operating range. The needle

may rise as far as the edge of the red

sector during normal operation.

Red

When you switch on the ignition, the

warning lamp comes on briefly as an

operation check.

If the lamp comes on while operating

the vehicle: the engine has overheated.

Switch off the engine immediately and

allow it to cool down.

To check the coolant level, refer to

page 128.

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Service interval display

Remaining distance to next

service

The displays shown in the illustration

appear for a few seconds when the

ignition key is in position 1 or higher or

after the engine is started.

The next service due appears with the

message OIL SERVICE or

INSPECTION, together with the dis-

tance remaining in miles – in kilometers

in Canada – before the next scheduled

service.

The computer bases its calculations of

the remaining distance on the preced-

ing driving style.

A flashing message and a '–' in front of

the number mean that the service inter-

val has already been exceeded by the

distance shown on the display. Please

contact your BMW center for an

appointment.

Check Control

Display

When the ignition key is in position 2,

the following information and/or condi-

tions are indicated using symbols until

the conditions have been corrected.

1 Inspect the low-beam and high-beam

headlamps, as well as the parking

lamps

2 Door open

3 Luggage compartment lid open

4 Check brake and tail lamps

When you open the driver's door after

having turned the ignition key to posi-

tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal

for a few seconds to remind you that

the lamps have not been switched off.

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Clock

If you wish to have a permanent time

display, you can make this adjustment

in the car radio display, refer to the

Owner's Manual for Radio.

You can set the time of day, and the

display for the car radio, as follows.

Setting

Before the clock can be set, the

time must be showing in the

instrument cluster display.<

With the ignition key in position 1 or

higher

To set ahead: turn the right button to

the right.

To set back: turn the right button to the

left.

The adjustment speed will increase the

longer you continue to hold the right

button.

To change the display mode: press the

right button briefly.

Every time you press the button, the

clock display alternates between the

12-hour and 24-hour mode.

In ignition key position 0: the time is

displayed for a few seconds after you

press the left button, refer to Odometer

on page 79.

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Computer

Mode selection

With the ignition key in position 1 or

higher, you can use the onboard com-

puter button BC in the turn signal lever

to retrieve information from the com-

puter for display in the instrument clus-

ter.

Every time you tap the onboard com-

puter button BC, the display changes to

the next function in sequence.

Order of the displays:

> Clock

> Outside temperature

> Average fuel consumption

> Range

> Average speed.

When the ignition key is in position 1 or

higher, the last active setting is dis-

played.

Outside temperature

You can change the units of measure –

7/6 – for the outside temperature dis-

play by pressing the right-hand reset

button in the instrument cluster while

the temperature display is active. The

units of measure – 7/6 – in the tem-

perature display of the automatic cli-

mate control change automatically,

refer to page 94.

Ice warning

If the outside temperature drops to

about 37.57/+36, then the computer

will automatically switch to a display of

the outside temperature. In addition, a

signal sounds as a warning and the dis-

play flashes for a brief period.

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After giving an ice warning, the

display returns to the previous

setting.<

The ice warning does not alter the

fact that surface ice can form at

temperatures above 37.57/+36, on

bridges or shaded road surfaces, for

instance.<

Average fuel consumption

If you press the onboard computer but-

ton BC in the turn signal lever for longer

while the average fuel consumption is

being displayed, a new consumption

value is calculated from that point in

time.

If you wish, you can have the aver-

age fuel consumption displayed in

a different unit of measure.<

Range

The display shows a range estimate

based on the available fuel. The amount

of fuel remaining in the tank is mea-

sured, the estimated range is calcu-

lated taking into account the operating

conditions over the last 20 miles/30 km.

It is important that you refuel when

the cruising range falls below

approx. 35 miles/50 kilometers. Other-

wise, the engine cannot be guaranteed

to operate properly and damage may

result.<

Average speed

Any time spent when the vehicle is sta-

tionary and the engine is shut off is

ignored for the calculation.

To reset the average speed: press the

onboard computer button BC in the

turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.

Computer

Online Edition for Part-No. 01 41 0 158 515 - © 09/04 BMW AG

Technology for safety and driving convenience

Park Distance Control (PDC)*

The concept

PDC assists you when you back into a

parking space. Acoustic signals alert

you to the momentary distance to an

object behind your vehicle. To do this,

four ultrasonic sensors in the rear

bumper measure the distance to the

nearest object. The range for the sen-

sors located at both rear corners ends

approx. 2 ft/60 cm behind the bumpers.

The range for the two middle sensors is

slightly less than 5 ft/1.50 m.

PDC is a parking aid that can

identify objects if they are

approached slowly, as is generally the

case when parking. Avoid driving

towards objects rapidly; due to underly-

ing physical principles, the system may

otherwise alert you too late for you to

take evasive steps.<

The system starts to operate automati-

cally approx. one second after you shift

into Reverse or move the selector lever

into the R position with the ignition key

in position 2.

Let this short period elapse before

driving backwards.<

PDC is deactivated when you shift back

out of Reverse.

You can have a signal set to con-

firm that the PDC has been acti-

vated. The signal then sounds when

you shift into Reverse or move the

selector lever into the R position.<

Acoustic signals

The distance to the nearest object is

indicated by a tone sounding at various

intervals. As the distance between vehi-

cle and object decreases, the intervals

between the tones become shorter. A

continuous tone indicates the pres-

ence of an object less than 1 ft/30 cm

away.

The warning signal is canceled after

approx. three seconds if the distance to

the object remains constant during this

time – if you are moving parallel to

a wall, for instance.

System malfunctions will be indicated

by a continuous high-pitched tone

when the system is activated the first

time. Please have your BMW center

resolve the problem.

PDC does not remove the driver's

personal responsibility for evaluat-

ing the distance between the vehicle

and any objects. Even when sensors

are involved, there is a blind spot in

which objects cannot be detected. This

applies especially in those cases where

the system approaches the physical

limits of ultrasonic measurement, as

occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-

plings, and in the vicinity of thin or

wedge-shaped objects. Moreover, low

objects that have already been

detected – such as a curb edge – can

disappear out of the detection range of

the sensors before a continuous tone

sounds.

Loud sources of sound from outside or

inside the vehicle could drown out the

PDC signal tone.<

Keep the sensors clean and free

of ice or snow in order to ensure

that they will continue to operate effec-

tively.

Do not apply high pressure spray to the

sensors for a prolonged period of time.

Always maintain a distance of more

than 4 in/10 cm.<

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Dynamic Stability Control DSC

The concept

DSC supports vehicle stability, even in

critical driving situations.

DSC optimizes driving stability and

traction during acceleration and when

you are starting from a standstill. In

addition, it also recognizes unstable

vehicle conditions, such as understeer-

ing and oversteering. By reducing

engine power and applying brakes at

the wheels, DSC helps to keep the

vehicle on a steady course within phys-

ically feasible limits.

The system starts up automatically

each time you start the engine.

The laws of physics cannot be

repealed, even with DSC. The

driver remains responsible for the con-

sequences of any inadequate driving

style. Therefore, do not take any risks

because of the additional safety pro-

vided. Do not make any modifications

to the DSC system. Allow only autho-

rized technicians to perform service

procedures on the DSC.<

Indicator lamp for DSC

The indicator lamp in the instru-

ment cluster will go out shortly

after the ignition has been

switched on, refer to page 20.

> The indicator lamp flashes: DSC is

active and is controlling the drive

torque based on driving conditions

> The indicator lamp does not go out

after the engine is started or lights up

continuously while you are driving:

DSC has been deactivated via the

button or is defective.

Please consult your BMW center for

repairs.

You can continue to drive the vehicle

normally without DSC. In the event of a

malfunction, contact a BMW center or a

workshop that works according to

BMW requirements with appropriately

trained personnel.

To deactivate DSC

Press the DSC button; the DSC indica-

tor lamp lights up continuously. DSC is

switched off.

When better traction is required, it is

beneficial to deactivate the system in

the following situations:

> When rocking the vehicle or starting

off in deep snow or on loose surfaces

> When driving with snow chains.

To maintain vehicle stability,

always drive with the system

switched on whenever possible.<

To reactivate DSC

Press the DSC button again; the indica-

tor lamp goes out.

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Flat Tire Monitor

The concept

As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor

keeps track of pressure levels in all four

tires. The system alerts you whenever

the inflation pressure of a tire falls sig-

nificantly below the pressure of another

tire.

In the event of tire pressure loss, the

rolling radius of the tire changes, and

thereby the rotational speed of the

wheel. This change is detected, and a

flat tire warning is issued to the driver.

Functional requirements

To ensure a reliable flat tire warning,

the system must be initialized with the

correct tire inflation pressures.

Initialize the system immediately

after you have corrected a tire

inflation pressure, or changed the tire

or wheel.<

System limitations

The Flat Tire Monitor cannot pro-

vide you with advance warning of

sudden and severe tire damage caused

by external factors and does not detect

the balanced and very gradual pressure

loss that takes place in all four tires

over an extended period of time.<

The system could issue a false warning

or function in a delayed manner in the

following situations:

> System was not initialized

> You are driving on a snow-covered or

slippery road surface

> Performance-oriented driving: slip at

the drive wheels, high levels of lateral

acceleration

> You are driving with snow chains.

Initializing the system

The initialization is completed

while you are driving, and can be

interrupted at any time. Initialization is

automatically continued when you con-

tinue driving. When driving with snow

chains, do not initialize the system.<

1. Before driving off, start the engine

but do not start driving

2. Press the button as long as you need

to, but no more than 8 seconds, until

the indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster lights up in yellow for several

seconds

3. Drive off. Initialization is completed

during the drive without any feed-

back issued.

When driving with snow chains,

do not initialize the system.<

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To activate/deactivate the system

The system is automatically activated in

ignition key position 2 and conse-

quently is on whenever the vehicle is

operated.

To deactivate the system: tap the but-

ton; the indicator lamp will light up yel-

low.

To activate the system: tap the button

again; the indicator lamp goes out.

Deactivate the system when snow

chains are mounted, since false warn-

ings and undetected losses in pressure

are possible under these kinds of con-

ditions.

Flat tire

The indicator lamp in the instru-

ment cluster lights up red. In

addition, an acoustic signal is

sounded.

1. Carefully reduce speed and come to

a stop. Avoid sudden braking and

steering maneuvers

2. Determine which wheel is damaged

If this cannot be determined, con-

tact your BMW center.<

3. Fix the flat tire using the M Mobility

system, refer to page 141

4. Press the button for approx.

4 seconds. The red indicator lamp

goes out.

After replacing the damaged tire, initial-

ize the system.

System malfunction

The indicator lamp in the instru-

ment cluster lights up yellow.

The Flat Tire Monitor is malfunc-

tioning or out of order. Please contact

your BMW center.

Flat Tire Monitor

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M Engine dynamics control

The system – Sport mode – will cause

the engine to respond more spontane-

ously to any motion of the accelerator

pedal.

Activating/deactivating Sport

mode

Activating: with the ignition key in posi-

tion 2, press the SPORT button. The

indicator lamp will come on.

When the system is activated, the

vehicle may gain speed without

any additional pressure on the acceler-

ator pedal.<

Deactivating: press the SPORT button

again; the indicator lamp will go out.

The Sport mode is deactivated every

time the engine is started.

Brake force display

Brake force display indicates to the

road users behind you how hard you

are braking.

> Normal braking: the brake lamps

among the rear lamps and the center

brake lamp light up

> Hard braking or braking with ABS: in

addition, the illuminated rear lamp

surface is extended, refer to the pic-

ture.

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Lamps

Parking lamps/Low beams

Parking lamps

The front, rear and side vehicle

lighting is switched on. You can

use this to signal the position of

the vehicle when it is parked. For light-

ing on one side for parking as an addi-

tional feature, refer to page 91.

Low beams

When you switch the ignition off

with the low-beam headlamps

on, only the parking lamps will

remain on.

Follow me home lamps

When you activate the headlamp

flasher after parking the vehicle and

switching off the lights, the low beams

will come on for a brief period.

You can also have this function

deactivated.<

LIGHTS ON warning

Whenever you open the driver's door

after having turned the ignition key to

position 0, you will hear an acoustic

signal for a few seconds to remind you

that the lamps have not been switched

off.

Daytime driving lamps*

If you desire, the light switch can be left

in the low-beam position: when the

ignition is switched off, the external

lighting is also switched off.

Observe the legal regulations regarding

the use of daytime driving lamps.

When required, switch on the parking

lamps as usual as described under

Parking lamps.

You can have the activation set-

tings for the daytime driving lamps

programmed on your vehicle.<

Automatic headlamp control*

When the switch is in this posi-

tion, the system automatically

responds to changes in ambient

light, for example in tunnels, at dusk

and when it is raining or snowing, by

switching the low beams on or off.

The low-beam headlamps remain

on, regardless of the ambient

light, when you switch on the fog

lamps.<

Automatic headlamp control can-

not serve as a substitute for your

personal judgement in determining

when the lamps should be switched on.

For example, the sensors are not able

to detect fog. In such situations switch

on the lamp manually, as otherwise a

safety hazard will result.<

You can have the sensitivity of

your vehicle's automatic head-

lamp control adjusted.<

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Instrument lighting

Turn the rotary dial to control the light-

ing when the parking or low beam

lamps are on.

High beams/Standing lamps

1 High beams

2 Headlamp flasher

3 Standing lamps

Standing lamps, left or right

As an additional feature, you can illumi-

nate your vehicle on either side for

parking, if you wish to do so:

With the ignition key in position 0, push

the lever in the appropriate direction.

The lever engages in the turn signal

position.

The standing lamps discharge the

battery. Avoid using them for

longer periods of time; otherwise, you

may not be able to start the engine.<

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Front fog lamps

Tap the button to switch on or off.

The parking lamps or low-beam

headlamps must be switched

on. The green indicator lamp in

the instrument cluster lights up to indi-

cate that the front fog lamps are on.

If the automatic headlamp control

is on, the low beams will come on

automatically whenever you activate

the front fog lamps.<

Interior lamps

The interior lamps operate automati-

cally.

To switch the interior lamps on

and off manually

Press the button briefly.

If you want the interior lamps to remain

off all the time, press and hold the but-

ton for approx. three seconds.

Press the button briefly to revert to nor-

mal operation.

Reading lamps

Front reading lamps

Switch on and off with the button adja-

cent to each lamp.

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Rear reading lamps

With the hardtop reading lamps are also

located in the rear, refer to page 113.

Switch on and off with the button adja-

cent to each lamp.

In order to prevent battery dis-

charge, all of the lamps in the

vehicle are automatically switched off

approx. 15 minutes after you turn the

ignition key to position 0.<

Reading lamps

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Controlling the climate for pleasant driving

Automatic climate control

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1 Air onto the windshield and the side

windows

2 Air for the upper body area 97

3 Air to the footwell

4 Interior temperature sensor – please

keep clear and unobstructed

5 Outside air/Automatic recirculated-

air control (AUC)/Recirculated

air 97

6 Automatic air distribution and

supply 96

7 Individual air distribution 96

8 Temperature 96

9 Display for temperature and air

supply 96

10 Air supply/Blower 96

11 To defrost windows and remove

condensation 96

12 Air conditioning 96

13 Rear window defroster 97

Automatic climate control

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Tips for pleasant driving

Use the automatic mode – switch on

with AUTO button 6. Select the desired

interior temperature.

Detailed setting options are described

for you in the following sections.

You can make the settings of your

vehicle in such a manner that,

when you unlock the vehicle with the

remote control of your personal key,

your own personalized setting for the

automatic climate control is initiated.<

AUTO program

The AUTO program adjusts the

air supply and the air distribu-

tion to the windshield and the side win-

dows, towards the upper body and to

the footwells, and in addition adapts

the temperature to external influences:

e.g. summer, winter.

The cooling function is automatically

switched on when you are using the

AUTO program.

Individual air distribution

You can cancel the AUTO pro-

gram by selecting specific dis-

tribution patterns to suit your

own individual requirements.

While the AUTO program is then deacti-

vated, the automatic airflow control

remains in operation. Air flows onto

the windows , toward the upper

body , and into the footwell . You

can reactivate the automatic air supply

by pressing the AUTO button.

Temperature

The interior temperature that

appears in the display panel is a

general figure intended for refer-

ence purposes. We recommend

727/+226 as a comfortable setting,

even if the air conditioning is on. When

you start the vehicle, the system

ensures that the selected temperature

is reached as quickly as possible. It

then maintains this temperature,

regardless of the season.

To select the units of measure 7/6

of the display, refer to page 83.

Air supply/Blower

By pressing the upper or lower

button, you can vary the air sup-

ply. This deactivates the auto-

matic air supply – the AUTO display dis-

appears from the panel. Nevertheless,

the automatic air distribution remains

unchanged. You can reactivate the

automatic air supply by pressing the

AUTO button.

When the lowest blower speed is set

and you press the lower button, all of

the displays are canceled: the blower,

heating and air conditioner are

switched off, and the air supply is

stopped. You can reactivate the system

by pressing any button for the auto-

matic climate control.

To defrost windows and remove

condensation

This program quickly removes

ice and condensation from the

windshield and the side windows.

Air conditioning

The air is cooled and dehumidi-

fied and – depending on the

temperature setting – rewarmed.

Depending on the weather, the wind-

shield may fog over briefly when the

engine is started. Air conditioning helps

prevent the windows from fogging up.

The cooling function is automatically

switched on when you are using the

AUTO program.

Automatic climate control

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Condensation forms during opera-

tion of the air conditioning system,

which then exits under the vehicle.

Traces of condensed water of this kind

are thus normal.<

Outside air/Automatic

recirculated-air control (AUC)/

Recirculated air

You can respond to unpleasant

external odors or pollutants by

temporarily stopping the flow of outside

air. The system then recirculates the air

currently within the vehicle.

By repeatedly pressing the button, you

can select one of three different operat-

ing modes.

> Indicator lamps off: outside air always

flowing into the vehicle

> Left-hand indicator lamp on – auto-

matic mode: the system detects pol-

lutants in the outside air and

responds by deactivating the outside

airflow as required. The system then

recirculates the air currently within

the vehicle.

Depending on air quality require-

ments, the system automatically

switches between outside air supply

and recirculation of the air already

within the vehicle

> Right-hand indicator lamp on: the

flow of outside air is permanently

blocked. The system recirculates the

air already within the vehicle.

If the windows fog over in the

recirculated-air mode, switch the

recirculated-air mode off and increase

the air supply as required.<

Rear window defroster

With the convertible top closed

or with the hardtop* mounted,

press the button. The indicator lamp

remains on. The rear window defroster

switches off automatically after a short

while.

You can have your vehicle pro-

grammed in such a way that the

rear window defroster switches on

automatically. This occurs within 5 min-

utes after starting the engine when out-

side temperatures are below approx.

397/+46.<

Draft-free ventilation

You can adjust the blower controls for

the upper body area to obtain the opti-

mum airflow rates and directions for

your personal requirements:

1 Rotary dials for opening and closing

the vents at any setting desired

2 Lever for adjusting airflow direction

3 With the rotary dial, you can add

more or less cool air to the air coming

from the outlets for the upper body

area:

> Turn toward blue – colder

> Turn toward red – warmer.

Automatic climate control

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Microfilter, activated-charcoal

filter

The built-in microfilter removes dust

and pollen from the incoming air. The

activated-charcoal filter provides addi-

tional protection by filtering gaseous

pollutants from the outside air. Your

BMW center will replace the combined

filter as a standard part of your sched-

uled maintenance. A substantial reduc-

tion in airflow indicates that the filter

needs to be replaced early.

Automatic climate control

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Interior conveniences

Glove compartment

To open

Pull the handle. The glove compartment

will light up.

To close

Fold up cover.

To prevent injury in the event of an

accident, close the glove com-

partment immediately after use.<

To lock

Lock with one of the master keys. A

master key can also be used for unlock-

ing. To open the luggage compartment

lid when the glove compartment is

locked, refer to the instructions on

page 33.

If – for example for valet parking –

you turn over only your spare key,

refer to page 28, then access to the

glove compartment and luggage com-

partment is not possible.<

Storage compartments

Front center armrest*

To open: press the button and fold up.

Additional compartments and

nets

You will find additional storage areas in

the doors and in the center console

above the ashtray. Storage nets are

located on the backrests of the front

seats.

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100

Beverage holders, coin box

A coin box and two beverage holders

are provided in the center console.

Do not place any glass containers

in the beverage holders, as this

increases the risk of injury in the event

of an accident.<

Microphone*

Hands-free system

On vehicles that are wired for a tele-

phone* or equipped with a voice com-

mand system*, the hands-free micro-

phone is located on the steering

column.

For additional information on using your

car phone, cellular phone or voice com-

mand system, refer to the respective

separate Owner's Manual.

Ashtray, front*

To empty

Press on the edge of the open cover.

you can now pull the ashtray upward for

removal.

Extinguishing cigarettes

Tap off the ash and gently press the tip

into the funnel.

Cigarette lighter

Hold or touch the hot cigarette

lighter by the knob only. Holding

or touching it in other areas could result

in burns.

The cigarette lighter remains opera-

tional when the ignition key has been

removed. For this reason, children

should never be left in the vehicle unat-

tended.<

Storage compartments

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101

Press lighter 1 in. As soon as the lighter

jumps back out, it can be removed.

Power socket

The cigarette lighter socket can be

used as a power socket for a flashlight,

car vacuum cleaner, etc., up to a rating

of approx. 200 watts at 12 volts. Do not

damage the socket by inserting plugs of

the wrong shape or size. In vehicles

with a non-smoker's equipment pack-

age, the socket is covered by a remov-

able cap.

Ashtray, rear*

To empty

Press on the edge of the open cover in

the opening direction: you can now pull

the ashtray upward for removal.

Ashtray, front*

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102

Loading and transporting

Ski bag*

The ski bag allows the safe and clean

transport of up to 3 pairs of standard

skis or up to two snowboards.

The length of the ski bag and the addi-

tional space provided in the luggage

compartment make it possible to carry

skis up to 6 ft 10 in / 2.10 m long.

Because of the tapered shape of the

bag, only two pairs of skis longer than

6 ft 10 in / 2.10 m can be carried.

1. Release the safety belts from their

holders

2. Press lever downward and remove

the center piece by pulling it forward

3. Extend the ski bag between the front

seats. The zipper provides conve-

nient access to stored items. It may

be opened to allow the ski bag to dry

4. Press the button in the luggage com-

partment

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103

5. Secure the cover panel with the

magnetic retainer on the rear wall,

then pull out the ski bag.

Securing cargo

After loading, secure the ski bag and its

contents. To do so, tighten the retaining

strap at the tensioning buckle.

Be sure to secure the ski bag in

this way, as it could otherwise

injure occupants, for example during

braking or evasive maneuvers.

Be sure that the skis are clean before

loading them into the bag. Be careful to

avoid damage from sharp edges.<

Storing the ski bag

To store the ski bag, perform the above

steps in reverse sequence.

When reattaching the center

piece, guide both bars into the

guide and press the center piece back

into place. Secure the safety belts in

their holders again.<

Ski bag*

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104

Cargo loading

Avoid overloading the vehicle so

that the permitted load on the tires

is not exceeded. Overloading can lead

to overheating and internal tire damage.

This can result in a sudden loss of tire

inflation pressure.<

Determining the maximum load

1. Locate the following statement on

your vehicle's placard*:

The combined weight of occu-

pants and cargo should never

exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs., as this

could otherwise result in damage to the

vehicle or unstable driving conditions.<

2. Determine the combined weight of

the driver and passengers that will be

riding in your vehicle

3. Subtract the combined weight of the

driver and passengers from

XXX kilograms or YYY pounds

4. The resulting figure equals the avail-

able amount of cargo and luggage

load capacity.

For example, if the YYY amount

equals 820 lbs. and there will be four

150 lbs. passengers in your vehicle,

the amount of available cargo and

luggage load capacity is 220 lbs.:

820 lbs. minus 600 lbs. = 220 lbs.

5. Determine the combined weight of

luggage and cargo being loaded on

the vehicle. That weight may not

safely exceed the available cargo

and luggage load capacity calculated

in Step 4

6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,

load from your trailer will be trans-

fered to your vehicle. Consult the

manual for transporting a trailer to

determine how this may reduce the

available cargo and luggage load

capacity of your vehicle.

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105

Load

The permissible load is the sum of the

occupants' weights and the weight of

the cargo. The greater the weight of the

occupants, the less cargo can be trans-

ported.

Stowing cargo

> Load heavy cargo as far forward as

possible – directly behind the lug-

gage compartment partition – and as

low as possible

> Cover sharp edges and corners.

You can enlarge the luggage com-

partment when the convertible top

is closed, refer to page 35. To do this

you have to fold the convertible top

compartment panel up.

We recommend that you always fold

the convertible top compartment panel

down as soon as you have removed

your cargo from the luggage compart-

ment. This way, you can be sure that

you can always operate you convertible

top at any time.

At the same time, when the top is

raised you should fold the convertible

top compartment panel back up before

stowing large objects in the luggage

compartment; this precaution will help

reduce the likelihood of damage to

either the convertible top compartment

or your luggage.<

Cargo loading

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106

Securing the cargo in the luggage

compartment

> For small, light items, use the rubber-

lined, non-skid side of the floor mat

or secure using the luggage compart-

ment net* or elastic straps, refer to

page 35

> For large, heavy pieces, see your

BMW center for load-securing

devices*. Four anchorages located in

the luggage compartment can be

used for fastening these load-secur-

ing devices.

Comply with the information enclosed

with the load-securing devices.

Always position and secure the

load correctly. If you do not, it can

endanger the passengers during brak-

ing or evasive maneuvers.

Do not exceed the approved gross

vehicle weight or the approved axle

loads, refer to page 156, otherwise the

vehicle's operating safety is no longer

assured and the vehicle will not be in

compliance with the certification regu-

lations.

Do not stow heavy or hard objects in

the passenger compartment without

first securing them. Otherwise they

would be thrown around during braking

and evasive maneuvers and endanger

the occupants.<

Cargo loading

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107

Roof-mounted luggage rack for the hardtop*

A special roof-rack system is available

as an optional extra for your BMW.

Please observe the precautions

included with the installation instruc-

tions.

Anchorages

Access to the mounting points:

To fold up the covers, please use the

tool provided with the roof-rack system.

Loading and driving notes

Because roof racks raise the center of

gravity of the vehicle when loaded, they

exercise a major effect on its handling

and steering response.

When loading, be sure to remember not

to exceed the approved roof weight or

the approved gross vehicle weight or

the axle loads. You will find the specifi-

cations under Technical data on

page 156.

Make sure that the load is not too bulky,

and attempt to distribute it evenly.

Always load the heaviest pieces first so

that they are at the bottom. Make sure

that no objects get in the way when the

luggage compartment lid is opening or

closing.

Secure the roof-mounted luggage cor-

rectly and safely to prevent it from shift-

ing or being lost during driving.

Drive smoothly and avoid sudden

acceleration or braking. Do not corner

at high speeds.

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108

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109

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

Index

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110

Special operating instructions

Break-in procedures

To ensure that your vehicle continues to

provide maximum economy throughout

an extended service life, we request

that you devote careful attention to the

following instructions.

Because of its engineering design,

the BMW M3 Convertible is an

especially high-quality vehicle. It is in

your best interest to follow the break-in

tips very closely. Doing this, you will

create the basis for a long, optimum

service life.<

Engine and differential

The first 1,250 miles/2,000 km:

Drive at varying engine and road

speeds, but do not exceed an engine

speed of 5,500 rpm or a road speed of

105 mph / 170 km/h.

Obey your local and state maximum

speed limits.

Do not depress the accelerator pedal to

the full-throttle position.

Vehicles with SMG Drivelogic, refer to

page 73: do not use Drivelogic pro-

grams 5 or 6 or launch control during

the break-in period.

> Following the break-in inspection at

1,250 miles/2,000 km, you can grad-

ually increase engine or road speeds.

Transmission

The transmission will begin to function

optimally after approx.

300 miles/500 km. Shift gears cau-

tiously during this period and do not

exceed an engine speed of 5,500 rpm.

Vehicles with SMG Drivelogic, refer to

page 73: do not use Drivelogic pro-

grams 5 or 6 or launch control during

the break-in period.

Tires

Owing to technical factors associated

with their manufacture, tires do not

achieve their full traction potential until

an initial break-in period has elapsed.

We thus ask you to drive with extra care

during the first 200 miles/300 km.

Obey your local and state maximum

speed limits.

Brake system

Approx. 300 miles/500 km must elapse

before the brake pads and rotors

achieve the optimal pad-surface and

wear patterns required for trouble-free

operation and an extended service life

later on.

To break in the separate parking brake

drums, apply the parking brake lightly

when coasting to a standstill, e.g. at a

traffic signal, provided that traffic condi-

tions permit to do so.

To avoid corrosion repeate this proce-

dure from time to time.

The brake lamps do not come on

when the parking brake is set.

Vacuum for the brake system servo unit

on your BMW is available only when the

engine is running. When you move the

vehicle with the engine off – when tow-

ing, for example – substantially higher

levels of pedal force will be required to

brake the vehicle.<

Clutch

The clutch will also begin to function

optimally after about 300 miles/500 km.

Drive cautiously during this break-in

period and do not press the clutch or

shift at high engine speeds.

After replacing parts

Follow the same break-in procedures if

any of the components mentioned

above have to be replaced in the future.

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111

General driving notes

Hot exhaust system

High temperatures occur with

every vehicle equipped with a cat-

alytic converter. Heat shields are

installed adjacent to some sections of

the exhaust system. Never remove

these shields; do not apply undercoat-

ing to their surfaces. When driving,

standing at idle and parking the vehicle,

take care to avoid contact between the

hot exhaust system and flammable

materials, e.g. hay, leaves, grass, etc.

Such contact could lead to a fire,

resulting in serious personal injury and

property damage.<

When the vehicle is parked

Condensation forms in the automatic

climate control system during opera-

tion, which then exits under the vehicle.

Traces of condensed water of this kind

are thus normal.

Before driving through a car wash

Fold in the exterior mirrors manually

because they could otherwise be dam-

aged due to the width of the vehicle.

Hydroplaning

When driving on wet or slushy

roads, reduce vehicle speed. If

you do not, a wedge of water may form

between the tires and the road surface.

This phenomenon is referred to as

hydroplaning, and can lead to partial or

complete loss of traction, vehicle con-

trol and braking effectiveness.<

The risk of hydroplaning increases as

the tread depth of the tires decreases,

refer also to Tire tread on page 120.

Driving through water

Do not drive through water on the

road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm,

and then only at walking speed. Other-

wise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical

systems and the transmission may be

damaged.<

Braking safely

Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a

standard feature. If you are in a situa-

tion which requires full braking, it is

best to brake using maximum brake

pressure: panic stop. Since the vehicle

maintains steering responsiveness, you

can avoid possible obstacles with a

minimum of steering effort, despite the

full brake application.

Pulsation at the brake pedal combined

with sounds from the hydraulic circuits

indicates to the driver that ABS is in its

active mode.

Do not drive with your foot resting

on the brake pedal. Otherwise,

even light but consistent pedal pres-

sure can lead to high temperatures,

brake wear and possibly even brake

failure.<

Wet roads:

if the roads are wet or if there is heavy

rain, it is advisable to gently press the

brakes for a brief moment every few

miles/kilometers. Monitor traffic condi-

tions to ensure that this maneuver does

not pose a hazard to you or to other

road users. The heat generated in this

process helps dry the pads and rotors.

Immediate braking force is then avail-

able if necessary.

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Inclines:

To prevent overheating and, as a

result, diminished braking effec-

tiveness, drive down long or steep

downhill grades in a gear which

requires the least braking. Otherwise,

even light but consistent pedal pres-

sure can lead to high temperatures,

brake wear and possibly even brake

failure.<

The braking power of the engine can be

further enhanced by downshifting the

automatic transmission in manual

mode, if necessary, into first gear. This

helps avoid placing excessive loads on

the brake system.

Do not coast with the clutch

depressed or with the transmis-

sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not

coast with the engine switched off. Oth-

erwise, the engine provides no braking

effect while the transmission is in idling

position, and there is no power-assist

for braking or steering when the engine

is off.

Floor mats, floor carpets or other

objects must not be in the area near the

brake or accelerator pedal, as this

could impair the movement of the ped-

als.<

Corrosion on the brake rotors

Limited vehicle use, extended periods

with the vehicle parked or in storage,

and operating conditions in which brak-

ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure

applications will all increase the ten-

dency for corrosion to form on the

rotors and contamination to accumulate

on the brake pads. This occurs because

the minimal pressure which must be

exerted by the pads to clean the rotors

by brake applications is not reached.

If the brake rotors are corroded, they

will tend to respond to braking with a

pulsating effect that even extended

brake applications will fail to cure.

Brake pads

For your own safety: use only

brake pads that BMW has

released for your particular vehicle

model. BMW cannot evaluate non-

approved brake pads to determine if

they are suitable for use, and therefore

cannot ensure the operating safety of

the vehicle if they are installed.<

Portable phone in the vehicle

BMW advises against using

mobile equipment, e.g. cellular

phones, inside the vehicle without con-

necting them directly to an outside

antenna. Otherwise, it cannot be ruled

out that vehicle electronics and the

mobile equipment interfere with one

another. In addition, it is not ensured

that the radio waves emitted during

transmission are directed outside of the

vehicle interior.<

General driving notes

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Antilock Brake System (ABS)

The concept

ABS keeps the wheels from locking

during braking, thereby enhancing

active driving safety.

Braking with ABS

If you are in a situation that requires full

braking, you will exploit the full benefits

of ABS system if you apply maximum

pedal pressure: panic stop. Since the

vehicle maintains steering responsive-

ness, you can avoid possible obstacles

with a minimum of steering effort,

despite the full brake application.

Pulsation at the brake pedal combined

with sounds from the hydraulic circuits

indicates to the driver that ABS is in its

active mode.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)

DBC is included in the DSC, refer to

page 86.

If you apply the brakes rapidly, this sys-

tem automatically generates maximum

braking force boost and thus helps to

achieve the shortest possible braking

distance in panic braking situations. All

of the benefits of the ABS are exploited

under these circumstances.

Do not reduce the pressure on the

brake pedal for the duration of the

brake application. When the brake

pedal is released, the DBC is deacti-

vated.

Cornering Brake Control (CBC)

CBC is an advanced engineering devel-

opment of ABS. When braking during

cornering with high lateral accelera-

tion, or when braking during a lane

change, vehicle stability is improved

and the steering response is enhanced.

Hardtop*

It is not necessary to remove the fabric

top even in the winter, when the hard-

top is generally in constant use. But you

can also remove it easily at any time.

Before the fabric top is stored in the

convertible top compartment, it must

be absolutely dry in order to avoid

water spots and mildew from forming.

The hardtop offers reading lamps and

clothes hooks that can be used just by

pressing. It is also possible to mount a

luggage rack on the roof. Please con-

sult your BMW center.

When hanging clothing from the

hooks, be sure that they will not

obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang

heavy objects on the hooks. If you do

so, they could cause personal injury

during braking or evasive maneuvers.<

Two people are required for installation

or removal. Work with extreme caution

in order to avoid paint damage and

damage to the body or hardtop.

To facilitate hardtop installation or

removal, you can obtain a specially

designed hardtop lift* or hardtop rack*

at your BMW center.

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Storage

Storing the hardtop on the floor:

slide the styrofoam block that

came with the hardtop onto its center.

The arrow on top of the styrofoam block

has to be pointing upward when you

are doing this.<

Installation

1. Lower the side windows com-

pletely and flip the sun blinds

down. If necessary, remove the

antenna rod to avoid any damage

2. Open the convertible top compart-

ment lid slightly by pressing the

button for the convertible top oper-

ation, refer to page 40

3. Press trim piece 1 on each side of

the car upwards and remove. Do

so by pulling the tab on trim

piece 1 in the direction of travel

4. Open the two front locking levers

on the hardtop. Press on the but-

tons to do so. The levers will

release slightly. Open the levers as

far as possible

Hardtop*

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5. Before installing, first flip down the

cover panels 2 that are located

underneath the left and right inte-

rior lamps. To do this, press on the

slight bump on cover panel 2.

There is a holder in the cover panel

to securely store the trim pieces

that have been removed. Pull the

adapter 3 out of the holder, clip the

trim piece into the bottom and rein-

sert the adapter

6. Open the red locking levers as far

as the stop will allow, see arrow 4

7. Position the hardtop onto the sup-

port brackets with the help of a

second person. Be sure to put the

mountings exactly into the proper

brackets

Lift the hardtop carefully. Be

extremely careful not to shift the

seals. Seals that have been shifted out

of place or actually pulled out cause

leaks.<

8. In the back, close the red locking

levers by turning to the inside as far

as the stop located behind the trim

will allow. Flip the cover panels

back into place

9. To lock the hardtop in the front,

close the front locking levers until

you hear them engage

10. Check the seal between the wind-

shield frame and the hardtop on

both the left and right sides. If it is

folded or bent out of place, you

should smooth it back into position

by hand to ensure secure and reli-

able sealing.

Removal

Follow the same procedure as when

installing, just reverse the steps.

Hardtop*

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Wheels and tires

Tire inflation pressure

Information for your safety

It is not merely the tire's service life, but

also driving comfort and, above all else,

driving safety that depend on the condi-

tion of the tires and the maintenance of

the specified tire pressure.

Checking tire pressures

Only check the tire inflation pressures

of cold tires. This means after driving a

maximum of 1.25 miles/2 km or after

the vehicle has been parked for at least

2 hours. Warm tires have higher infla-

tion pressures.

Check tire inflation pressures reg-

ularly and correct them if neces-

sary: at least twice a month and before

beginning a longer trip. Otherwise,

incorrect tire pressures can cause driv-

ing instability or tire damage, ultimately

resulting in accidents. Do not drive on a

deflated, i.e. flat, tire. A flat tire greatly

impairs steering and braking response,

and can lead to complete loss of con-

trol over the vehicle.<

After correcting the tire inflation pres-

sure, reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor,

refer to page 87.

Inflation pressures for original

tires

Tire pressures for the standard tires of

your vehicle are shown on the driver's

door post, visible when the door is

open.

The inflation pressures apply to BMW-

approved tire sizes and recommended

tire brands. Your BMW center will be

glad to supply this information.

Inflation pressures for other tire

sizes

The following tire pressure table shows

all tire pressures for the given tire sizes

at ambient temperature.

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BMW Tires

All pressure specifications in

the table are indicated in psi/

kilopascal with cold tires –

cold = ambient temperature

225/45 ZR 18 33/230 – 41/280 –

255/40 ZR 18 – 35/240 – 48/330

M3 225/40 ZR 19 33/230 – 41/280 –

255/35 ZR 19 – 35/240 – 48/330

225/45 R 17 91 H M+S 33/230 38/260 36/250 46/320

225/40 R 18 92 V M+S 36/250 38/260 39/270 51/350

Tire inflation pressure

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Tire code

Knowing the tire code on the tire side-

wall makes it easier to correctly choose

and identify your tires.

Tire size

E.g. 205/60 R 15 91 W

205 = Nominal width in mm

60 = Cross-sectional ratio in %

R = Radial belt construction

15 = Rim diameter in inches

91 = Load index, not on ZR tires

W = Speed rating, in front of the R on

ZR tires

Speed rating

Q = up to 100 mph (160 km/h)

T = up to 118 mph (190 km/h)

H = up to 130 mph (210 km/h)

V = up to 150 mph (240 km/h)

W = up to 167 mph (270 km/h)

Y = up to 186 mph (300 km/h)

Tire Identification Number

Tires with DOT codes comply with the

guidelines of the U.S. Department of

Transportation.

DOT code:

E.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3204

xxxx = Manufacturer's code for tire

brand

xxx = Tire size and tire version

3204 = Tire age

Tire age

The date on which the tire was manu-

factured is indicated by the code on the

sidewall:

DOT … 3204 indicates that the tire was

manufactured in week 32 of the year

2004.

BMW recommends the replacement of

all tires when they are no more than

6 years old, even if a tire life of 10 years

is possible.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Quality grades can be found where

applicable on the tire sidewall between

tread shoulder and maximum section

width. For example:

Tread wear 200 Traction AA

Temperature A

DOT quality grades

Tread wear

Traction AA A B C

Temperature A B C

All passenger car tires must con-

form to Federal Safety Require-

ments in addition to these grades.<

Tread wear

The tread wear grade is a comparative

rating based on the wear rate of the tire

when tested under controlled condi-

tions on a specified government test

course.

For example, a tire graded 150 would

wear one and one-half – 1

– times as

well on the government course as a tire

graded 100. The relative performance

of tires depends upon the actual condi-

tions of their use, however, and may

depart significantly from the norm due

to variations in driving habits, service

practices and differences in road char-

acteristics and climate.

Traction

The traction grades, from highest to

lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.

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Those grades represent the tire's ability

to stop on wet pavement as measured

under controlled conditions on speci-

fied government test surfaces of

asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C

may have poor traction performance.

The traction grade assigned to

this tire is based on straight-

ahead braking traction tests, and does

not include acceleration, cornering,

hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-

teristics.<

Temperature

The temperature grades are A, the

highest, B, and C, representing the

tire's resistance to the generation of

heat and its ability to dissipate heat

when tested under controlled condi-

tions on a specified indoor laboratory

test wheel.

Sustained high temperature can cause

the material of the tire to degenerate

and reduce tire life, and excessive tem-

perature can lead to sudden tire failure.

The grade C corresponds to a level of

performance which all passenger car

tires must meet under the Federal

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.

Grades B and A represent higher levels

of performance on the laboratory test

wheel than the minimum required by

law.

The temperature grade for this tire

is established for a tire that is

properly inflated and not overloaded.

Excessive speed, under-inflation, or

excessive loading, either separately or

in combination, can cause heat buildup

and possible tire failure.<

M+S

Winter and all-season tires. These have

better winter driving properties than

summer tires.

Tire condition

Wheel/tire damage

Inspect your tires frequently for signs of

damage, foreign objects and tread

wear, and check tread depth.

Due to low-profile tires, please

note that wheels, tires and sus-

pension parts are more susceptible to

road hazard and consequential dam-

ages.

Unusual vibrations encountered during

normal vehicle operation can indicate

tire failure or some other vehicle defect.

This type of problem can be caused by

contact with curbs, etc. This is also true

for irregularities in the vehicle's han-

dling characteristics, such as a pro-

nounced tendency to pull to the left or

right.

Should this occur, respond by immedi-

ately reducing your speed. Proceed

carefully to the nearest BMW center or

professional tire center, or have the

vehicle towed there. Tire damage, up to

and including blowouts, can endanger

the lives of both the vehicle occupants

and other road users.<

Tire code

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Tire tread

Tread depth should not be allowed to

go below 1/8 in/3 mm, even though

European legislation, for example,

requires a mimimum tread depth of only

1/16 in/1.6 mm. Below 1/8 in/3 mm

tread depth, there is a great risk of

hydroplaning, even at relatively moder-

ate speeds and with only small amounts

of water on the road.

At tread depths below approx.

3/16 in/4 mm, tire performance under

winter driving conditions deteriorates

noticeably. Worn tires should therefore

be replaced for safety considerations.

Tread wear indicators in the tread-

groove base, see arrow, are distributed

around the wheel circumference and

are labeled on the tire sidewall with

TWI, Tread Wear Indicator. At a tread

depth of 1/16 in/1.6 mm, the indicators

signal that the legally permissible wear

limit has been reached.

New wheels and tires

Have new wheels and tires

mounted only by a BMW center or

specialized tire shop that works

according to BMW requirements with

appropriately trained personnel. Work

that is improperly carried out could

result in consequential damage and

pose safety hazards.<

Ask your BMW center for details con-

cerning the correct wheel and tire com-

bination. Have the wheels balanced

each time a wheel or tire has been

replaced.

The correct wheel and tire combination

also affects different systems such as

ABS or DSC. The function of these sys-

tems is impaired if improper wheel and

tire combinations are used.

BMW advises against using

retreaded tires, as driving safety

could otherwise be impaired. The rea-

son for this are the possibly different

tire casing structures involved, some of

which may be greatly aged, factors

which can lead to a decrease in durabil-

ity.<

Tire condition

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The correct wheels and tires

BMW recommends using only

wheels and tires that have been

tested and approved by BMW for the

particular vehicle model, as otherwise

body contact and serious accidents can

result despite the use of the same nom-

inal size, e.g. due to manufacturing tol-

erances. If non-approved wheels and

tires are used, BMW cannot evaluate

their suitability, and therefore cannot be

held liable for driving safety.<

To maintain good handling characteris-

tics, only use a full set of tires of the

same brand and tread configuration.

After a flat tire, have the previous wheel

and tire combination restored as soon

as possible.

Recommended tire sizes and

brands

For each tire size, certain tire brands

have been tested, classified as road-

safe and approved by BMW. You can

find out about these from a professional

tire center, preferably your BMW cen-

ter. Observe any country-specific regu-

lations, e.g. on making a corresponding

entry in the vehicle documents.

The factory-approved radial belt tires

are matched to your vehicle and pro-

vide optimum safety and driving com-

fort when used properly.

Special characteristics of winter

tires

BMW recommends the use of winter

tires for operation under winter road

conditions. While all-season tires with

M+S designation provide better winter

traction than summer tires, they gener-

ally do not achieve the full performance

of winter tires.

Observing speed ratings

Never exceed the maximum

speed for which the winter tires

are rated. Unprofessional attempts by

laymen to service tires can lead to dam-

age and accidents. Have this work per-

formed by skilled professionals only.

The technicians at your BMW center

will be glad to assist you with the

required professional knowledge and

specialized equipment.<

Storage

Always store tires in a cool, dry place.

Store them away from light whenever

possible. Protect the tires against con-

tact with oil, grease and fuel. Do not

exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-

sures specified on the tire sidewall.

New wheels and tires

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Snow chains*

Only certain snow chains have been

tested by BMW and determined and

approved as roadworthy. Consult your

BMW center for more information.

BMW recommends using only these

approved fine-link snow chains. Use

them in pairs on winter tires, but only on

both rear wheels.

Comply with all manufacturer's safety

precautions when mounting the chains.

Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /

50 km/h with snow chains.

After mounting or removing snow

chains, always reinitialize the sequential

M gearbox with Drivelogic, refer to

page 87.

It is not possible to mount snow

chains on tires with 18- and 19-

inch wheels.

Deactivate the Flat Tire Monitor when

using snow chains. Malfunction warn-

ings and undetected losses in pressure

are a possibility when driving with snow

chains.

When driving with snow chains, it may

be useful to deactivate DSC, refer to

page 86.<

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In the engine compartment

Hood

To release

Pull the lever located under the left-

hand side of the instrument panel.

Do not attempt to service your

vehicle if you do not have the

required technical background. If you

are not familiar with the regulations to

be observed, have your vehicle ser-

viced only by a BMW center or a shop

that works according to BMW require-

ments with appropriately trained per-

sonnel. Work that is improperly carried

out could result in consequential dam-

age and pose safety hazards.<

To open

Pull the release handle and open the

hood.

It is not possible to drive off using

SMG Drivelogic when the hood is

open.<

To close

Pull the hood downwards and allow the

hood to fall from a minimum height of

1 ft/30 cm so that it audibly engages.

Check for proper locking by pulling on

the hood at the left and right above the

headlamps.

To avoid injuries, be sure that the

travel path of the hood is clear

when it is closed, following the same

safety precautions used in all closing

procedures.

If you notice while driving that the hood

is not completely closed, stop immedi-

ately and close it securely.<

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Engine compartment essentials

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1 Filler neck for windshield and head-

lamp washer cleaning system 126

2 Coolant expansion tank 128

3 Auxiliary terminal for jump-starting –

positive terminal 147

4 Engine oil filler neck 127

5 Expansion tank for SMG Drivelogic

hydraulic unit – checking and possi-

ble refilling by your BMW center 70

6 Engine oil dipstick 126

7 Filler neck for brake fluid 129

Engine compartment essentials

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Washer fluids

Headlamp* and windshield

washer system

Capacity approx.

5.6 US quarts/5.3 liters.

Fill with water and, if required, with a

washer antifreeze additive according to

manufacturer's recommendations.

We recommend that you mix the

washer fluid before adding it to

the reservoir.<

Antifreeze agents for the washer

fluid are highly flammable. For this

reason, keep them away from sources

of flame and store them only in their

closed original containers, inaccessible

to children. Comply with the instruc-

tions on the containers.<

Engine oil

Checking the oil level

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface

2. Switch the engine off after it has

reached normal operating tempera-

ture

3. After approx. 1 minute, pull the dip-

stick out and wipe it off with a clean

lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar

material

4. Carefully push the dipstick all the

way into the guide tube and pull it

out again

5. The oil level should be between the

two marks on the dipstick.

As with fuel economy, oil consumption

is directly influenced by your driving

style and vehicle operating conditions.

The oil volume between the two marks

on the dipstick corresponds to approx.

1.4 US quarts/1.3 liters.

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Adding engine oil

Only add engine oil when the oil level

has dropped to just above the lower

mark on the dipstick.

Do not fill beyond the upper mark on

the dipstick. Excess oil will damage the

engine.

Before checking the engine oil level

after topping up, restart the engine and

allow it to run to obtain a correct dis-

play. Then proceed as described under

Checking the oil level.

Continuous exposure to used oil

has caused cancer in laboratory

testing. For this reason, thoroughly

wash any areas of skin that come into

contact with oil using soap and water.

Store oils, grease and similar materials

so that they are inaccessible to chil-

dren. Comply with warning labels and

information on containers.<

Comply with the applicable envi-

ronmental laws regulating the dis-

posal of used oil.<

Recommendation: have the oil changed

by your BMW center.

Specified engine oils

The quality of the engine oil is

extremely important for the function

and life of an engine. Based on exten-

sive testing, BMW has approved only

certain grades of engine oil.

Use only oils approved for your vehicle

model.

Ask your BMW center for details

concerning oils that have been

approved. You can also call BMW of

North America toll-free at 1-800-831-

1117 or visit this website:

www.bmwusa.com to obtain this infor-

mation.<

BMW engines are designed to

operate without oil additives; the

use of additives could even lead to

damage in some cases.<

Alternative oil types

If a High Performance Synthetic Oil

approved by BMW should be unavail-

able, you may use small volumes of

other synthetic oils for topping up

between oil changes. The following

data must appear on the packaging:

> Viscosity

preferred: SAE 10W-60

alternative: SAE 5W-40 or

SAE 10W-40

> Specifications

preferred: API SJ/CF

alternative: API SJ – also SK, SL, S

etc.

Engine oil

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Low ambient temperatures

The oils used by BMW at the factory for

your vehicle model can be used at virtu-

ally any ambient temperature.

However, if the vehicle is exposed to

temperatures below –47/–206 for

extended periods, please have your

BMW center recommend a suitable oil.

Coolant

Do not open the cooling system

when the engine is hot. If you do,

escaping coolant can cause burns.<

Coolant consists of water and coolant

additives. Not all commercially available

additives are suitable for your BMW.

Your BMW center knows which addi-

tives are appropriate.

Only use approved additives, as

the engine could otherwise be

damaged. The additives are hazardous

to health.<

Comply with the applicable envi-

ronmental laws regulating

the disposal of coolant additives.<

Checking the coolant level

1. The engine must be at ambient tem-

perature

2. Open the cap for the expansion tank

by turning it slightly counterclock-

wise to allow accumulated pressure

to escape. Then open

3. The coolant level is correct when the

upper end of the red float is even

with the upper edge of the filler neck,

refer to the arrow in the illustration or

to the schematic diagram next to the

filler neck

4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until

the correct level is reached; do not

overfill

5. Close the cap by turning until it is

well tight

6. Have the cause for the coolant loss

removed as soon as possible.

Engine oil

129

Brake fluid

Indicator lamp

The warning lamp comes on

even though the parking brake

is released:

The brake fluid level is too low, refer to

page 18. At the same time, there may

be significantly greater pedal travel.

Have the system checked immediately.

Warning lamp for Canadian

models.

If you continue driving, extended

pedal travel may be necessary

and braking distances may be signifi-

cantly longer. Be sure to adapt your

driving style accordingly.<

Adding brake fluid

For adding brake fluid or for determin-

ing and correcting the cause of brake

fluid loss, consult your BMW center.

Your BMW center is familiar with the

specifications for factory-approved

brake fluids – DOT 4.

Due to loss in brake fluid, pedal travel

can lengthen and braking efficiency

may be reduced.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is,

it absorbs moisture from the air

over time.

In order to ensure the safety and reli-

ability of the brake system, have the

brake fluid changed every two years by

a BMW center. Refer also to the Service

and Warranty Information Booklet for

US models or the Warranty and Service

Guide Booklet for Canadian models.

Brake fluid is toxic and damages the

vehicle's paint. You should always store

it in its closed original container and in

a location inaccessible to children.

Do not spill the brake fluid and do not

fill the brake fluid reservoir beyond the

MAX mark. The brake fluid could ignite

upon contact with hot engine parts and

cause serious burns.<

Comply with the applicable envi-

ronmental laws regulating

the disposal of brake fluid.<

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130

Maintenance

BMW Maintenance System

The BMW Maintenance System helps

maintain your vehicle's road safety and

operational safety. Comfort-related

aspects, such as the timely change of

filters for the air inside the vehicle, are

taken into consideration. The goal is to

optimize maintenance with respect to

low total cost of ownership.

If you should sell your BMW one day,

consistent service and maintenance will

prove to your advantage.

Service interval display

The service interval display shows you

when an oil service, an inspection –

always alternating between I and II – or

a brake fluid change is due. The special

feature is that the service intervals are

calculated according to your BMW's

individual driving conditions instead of

from fixed mileage increments.

The technology developed for this

takes your personal driving style into

account, as well as your BMW's driving

conditions. After all, short-distance

driving, i.e. frequent cold starts, or driv-

ing off at high engine speeds, affects

your BMW differently from long-dis-

tance driving with the engine at consis-

tent operating temperature.

Have a break-in inspection per-

formed at 1,250 miles/2,000 km

regardless of the service interval indi-

cated on the display.<

Special feature regarding engine

oil change

The calculation of the service intervals

covers practically every kind of operat-

ing situation. If you drive very rarely,

however, you should have the oil

changed at least every two years, since

engine oil deteriorates over time

regardless of use.

Service and Warranty Information

Booklet for US models/Warranty

and Service Guide Booklet for

Canadian models

For additional information on required

maintenance intervals and procedures,

please refer to the Service and War-

ranty Information Booklet for US mod-

els, or the Warranty and Service Guide

Booklet for Canadian models.

As a precaution against corrosion, it is

advisable to have the body checked for

damage from rocks or gravel at the

same time, depending upon operating

conditions.

131

Have your BMW center perform

maintenance and repair.

Be sure that all maintenance work is

recorded in the Service and Warranty

Information Booklet for US models, or

in the Warranty and Service Guide

Booklet for Canadian models. These

entries are your verification for the reg-

ular maintenance of your vehicle and

are required for the performance of

warranty repairs.<

Care

You can find everything you need to

know on this topic by consulting the

separate Caring for your vehicle bro-

chure.

BMW Maintenance System

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

132

Laws and regulations

OBD interface socket

The Onboard Diagnostic OBD interface

socket is located on the left of the

driver's side under the instrument panel

and under a cover.

The cover has the letters OBD on it.

The purpose of the OBD system is to

ensure proper operation of the emis-

sion control system for the vehicle"s

lifetime. The system monitors emission-

related components and systems for

deterioriation and malfunction.

An illuminated lamp informs you

of the need for service, not of

the need to stop the vehicle.

However, the systems should be

checked by your BMW center at the

earliest possible opportunity.

Display in Canadian models for

the malfunction described

above.

Under certain conditions, the indicator

will blink or flash. This indicates a rather

severe level of engine misfire. When

this occurs, you should reduce speed

and consult the nearest BMW center as

soon as possible. Severe engine misfire

over only a short period of time can

seriously damage emission control

components, especially the catalytic

converter.

When the fuel filler cap is not

properly tightened, the OBD sys-

tem can detect the vapor leak and the

indicator will light up. If the filler cap is

subsequently tightened, the indicator

should go out within a few days.<

Event data recorders

Your vehicle may be equipped with one

or more sensing and diagnostic mod-

ules or a recording device capable of

recording or transmitting certain vehicle

data or information. In addition, if you

have a Subscription Service Agreement

for the BMW Assist system, certain

vehicle information may be transmitted

or recorded in order to provide such

services.

133

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

134

135

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

Index

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

136

Replacement procedures

Onboard tool kit

The onboard tool kit is located in the

luggage compartment lid.

To open, loosen the wing nut. For stor-

age place of towing eyelet, refer to

page 149.

Windshield wiper blades

1. Switch off the engine

2. Fold the wiper arm completely out

from the windshield

3. Position the wiper blade at an angle

and pull the release spring – see

arrow

4. Fold the wiper blade down and

unhook it toward the windshield

5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper

arm toward the top

6. Insert a new wiper blade and apply

pressure until you hear it engage.

137

Lamps and bulbs

The lamps and bulbs make essential

contributions to the safety of your vehi-

cle. Therefore, proceed carefully when

handling bulbs. BMW recommends that

you have such work performed by your

BMW center if you are not familiar with

the procedures.

Do not touch the glass portion of

a new bulb with your bare hands

since even small amounts of impurities

burn in to the surface and reduce the

service life of the bulb. Use a clean

cloth, paper napkin, or a similar mate-

rial, or hold the bulb by its metallic

base.<

A replacement bulb set is available from

your BMW center.

Before working on the electrical

system, switch off the electrical

accessory you are working on or dis-

connect the cable from the negative

terminal of the battery. Failure to

observe this precaution could result in

short circuits.

To prevent injuries and damage when

changing a bulb, be sure to comply with

any instructions provided by the bulb

manufacturer.<

Low beams and high beams

> Low beams: H7 bulb, 55 watts

> High beams: H7 bulb, 55 watts

The H7 bulb is pressurized. There-

fore, wear safety glasses and pro-

tective gloves. Failure to comply with

this precaution could lead to injury if the

bulb is damaged.<

Please contact a BMW center in case of

a malfunction.

Parking lamps

5 watt bulb

Please contact a BMW center in case of

a malfunction.

When cleaning the headlamps, please

follow the instructions in the Caring for

your vehicle brochure.

Xenon lamps*

The service life of these bulbs is very

long and the probability of a failure is

very low, provided that they are not

switched on and off an unusual number

of times. If one of these bulbs should

nevertheless fail, it is possible to con-

tinue driving with great caution using

the fog lamps, provided traffic laws in

your area do not prohibit this.

Because of the extremely high

voltages involved, any work on the

xenon lighting system, including bulb-

changing, should be carried out by

technically qualified personnel only.

Otherwise, there is a risk of fatal

injury.<

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138

Front turn signal indicators

21 watt bulb

1. Extend a screwdriver through the

upper opening, loosen the screw and

remove it

2. Remove lamp by pulling it out toward

the front

3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb

to the left. Remove and exchange the

bulb

4. Insert the 2 pins on the lamp into the

guides on the vehicle

5. Slide in the lamp and screw the bulb

in place through the upper opening.

Side turn signal indicators

5 watt bulb

1. Press the back edge of the lamp

toward the front with the tip of your

finger and remove

2. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb

while turning it to the left to remove.

Lamps and bulbs

139

Rear lamps

1 Turn signal indicator

LEDs

2 Backup lamp

21 watt bulb

3 Tail lamp/brake lamp

LEDs

Please contact a BMW center in

case of a defect with the LED

lamps.<

Bulbs in the luggage compartment lid

1. Using a screwdriver, loosen the clip

2. Fold the trim panel down – see

arrow 1. Disengage the bulb holder –

see arrow 2 – and remove it

3. Applying light pressure, turn the bulb

to the left. Remove and exchange the

bulb

4. Press the bulb holder into position

until you hear it engage

5. Reinstall the trim with the clip.

Lamps and bulbs

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140

Center high-mount brake lamp

LED strip in luggage compartment lid.

Please contact a BMW center in case of

a malfunction.

License plate lamps

5 watt bulb

1. Place a screwdriver in the slot and

press toward the left to release the

lens

2. Replace the bulb.

Light-emitting diodes

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) installed

behind translucent lenses serve as the

light sources for many of the controls

and displays in your vehicle. These

light-emitting diodes are related to con-

ventional lasers, and legislation defines

them as light-emitting diodes, Class 1.

Do not remove the protective lens,

and avoid staring directly at the

unfiltered beam for several hours, as

inflammation of the retina could

result.<

Lamps and bulbs

141

Tire repair with the M Mobility system

Precautions in case of a flat tire:

Stop the vehicle as far as possible

from passing traffic and position it on a

firm surface. Turn on the hazard warn-

ing flashers.

Turn the steering wheel to the straight-

ahead position and engage the steering

lock. Engage the parking brake and

shift into 1st or reverse gear.

All passengers should be outside the

vehicle and well away from your imme-

diate working area – behind a guardrail,

for instance.

If necessary, set up your warning trian-

gle or portable hazard warning lamp on

the roadside at an appropriate distance

from the rear of the vehicle. Comply

with all safety guidelines and regula-

tions.<

You will find an M Mobility system in the

BMW M3 Convertible for repairing flat

tires. With this system you can apply a

sealant to the inside of the tire, thus

seal off the damaged point, then rein-

flate the tire and continue driving.

Preparing to repair a tire

The M Mobility system is located in the

luggage compartment under the floor

panel.

If possible, leave the foreign object in

the tire.

You will find corresponding

instructions for using the

M Mobility system on the device.<

Before using the M Mobility sys-

tem, read the warnings on the

sealant bottle.<

Pull the sticker showing the speed limit

from the sealant bottle and stick it onto

the steering wheel.

Please observe the expiration

date on the sealant bottle.<

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142

Components of the M Mobility

system

1 Sealant bottle and sticker showing

the speed limit

2 Filler hose from the sealant bottle to

the wheel

System version with manometer

on the hose*

3 Plug and cable for the cigarette

lighter socket

4 Connector for the sealant bottle

5 Compressor

6 On/Off switch

7 Manometer for indicating the tire

pressure

8 Screw for reducing the filling pres-

sure

9 Hose connecting compressor and

sealant bottle, or compressor and

wheel

Plug, cable and connecting hose are

stored inside the compressor box.

System version with manometer

integrated in the box*

3 Plug and cable for the cigarette

lighter socket

4 Connector for the sealant bottle

5 Compressor

6 On/Off switch

7 Manometer for indicating the tire

pressure

8 Screw for reducing the filling pres-

sure

9 Hose connecting compressor and

sealant bottle, or compressor and

wheel

Plug, cable and connecting hose are

stored inside the compressor box.

Tire repair with the M Mobility system

143

Using the M Mobility system

To repair a flat tire using the M Mobility

system, proceed as follows:

> Fill with sealant, refer to page 143

> Distribute the sealant, refer to

page 143

> Restore tire inflation pressure, refer

to page 143.

Filling with sealant

1. Shake the bottle of sealant

2. Screw hose 9 onto the opening of

the sealant bottle

3. Twist the dust cap off of the valve on

the flat tire and screw filler hose 2

connected to the sealant bottle onto

the valve

4. Insert the sealant bottle into the con-

nector on the compressor so that it is

standing upright

5. Make sure that the system is

switched off, position 0

6. Insert connector 3 into the cigarette

lighter socket inside the vehicle, refer

to page 101

7. When using the version with the

manometer on the hose: make sure

that screw 8 on the manometer is

tightened down

8. With the ignition key in position 2:

Switch on the compressor and keep

it running for approx. 3 minutes to fill

in the sealant. It does not matter

afterward, what the tire's inflation

pressure is

9. Turn the system off and disconnect

the hose from the sealant bottle and

the wheel valve. Stow the M Mobility

system in the vehicle.

Distributing the sealant

Right afterward, drive at least about

2 miles / 3 km, so that the sealant is

distributed evenly in the tire.

Do not exceed a maximum speed

of 35 mph / 60 km/h. If possible,

keep the vehicle speed above 12 mph /

20 km/h.<

Inflating tire to correct pressure

1. After driving approx. 1.9 miles/3 km,

pull over at a suitable location

2. Screw hose 9 connected to the com-

pressor directly onto the tire valve

3. Insert connector 3 into the cigarette

lighter socket inside the vehicle

Tire repair with the M Mobility system

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

144

4. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to

29 psi / 200 kilopascal. For this pur-

pose, with the ignition key in

position 2:

> Increase the tire pressure: switch

on the compressor, position I. To

check the current inflation pres-

sure, turn off the device briefly

> Reduce the tire pressure: press

button 8, or turn screw 8 on the

manometer.

Do not run the compressor for

longer than 10 minutes, otherwise

the unit may overheat and be dam-

aged.<

If the tire fails to hold the pres-

sure, drive the vehicle again, see

Distributing the sealant. Then repeat

Steps 1 through 4.

The use of the M Mobility system may

be ineffective if the damaged area in

the tire is larger than approx. 1/8 in /

4 mm. If the tire cannot be temporarily

repaired with the M Mobility system,

please consult the nearest BMW cen-

ter, or a workshop that has appropri-

ately trained personnel working in

accordance with BMW specifications,<

The tire pressure must be at least

29 psi / 200 kilopascal. Otherwise,

do not continue driving.<

Driving on

Do not exceed the maximum

speed limit of 45 mph / 80 km/h;

otherwise, accidents may occur.<

Have the damaged tire replaced

as soon as possible. Reinitialize

the Flat Tire Monitor, and refer to

page 87 for further information.

Have the sealant bottle of the M Mobil-

ity system replaced.<

Battery

Battery posts, terminals, and

related accessories contain lead

and lead compounds. Wash hands after

handling.<

Maintenance

The battery is completely maintenance-

free. This means that the original bat-

tery acid will normally last for the ser-

vice life of the battery under moderate

climate conditions. Your BMW center

will be glad to advise you if you have

any questions concerning the battery.

Please consult your BMW center

whenever you have any questions

concerning the battery.<

Charging the battery

Charge the battery in the vehicle only

when the engine is not running. Use the

connections provided in the engine

compartment. For information on the

connections, see Jump-starting,

page 147.

Tire repair with the M Mobility system

145

Disposal

After changing the battery, have

the old battery disposed of by

your BMW center or bring it to a recy-

cling point. Maintain the battery in an

upright position for transport and stor-

age. Secure the battery against tilting in

transit.<

Power loss

After a temporary power loss, e.g. due

to a discharged battery, some equip-

ment will be limited in its use and will

have to be reinitialized. Individual set-

tings are also lost and must be reset:

> Seat and mirror memory

The position settings must be stored

again, refer to page 51

> The trap protection of the electric

power windows must be re-initial-

ized, refer to page 39

> Clock

must be reset, refer to page 82

> Radio

Stations must be reset, refer to the

Owner's Manual for Radio/Onboard

Computer

> Navigation system

The system will not be operable

immediately, refer to the Owner's

Manual for Radio/Onboard Com-

puter.

Fuses

You will find the fuses and information

on their respective allocation in the

glove compartment behind a panel with

two snap clips.

Do not attempt to repair a blown

fuse or replace it with a fuse

having a different color or amperage

rating. To do this could cause a fire in

the vehicle resulting from a circuit over-

load.<

Battery

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146

Giving and receiving assistance

Receiving assistance

The BMW Group's Mobile Service

offers you 24-hour assistance in the

event of a breakdown, even on week-

ends and holidays.

The telephone numbers of the Mobile

Service control center in your country

are listed in the Contact brochure.

If your vehicle has the necessary equip-

ment, you can contact the Mobile Ser-

vice or issue an emergency call using

buttons in the interior rearview mirror.

When an emergency call is initiated, a

telephone connection is established

with the BMW Assist response center.

Fold down the cover.

1 Emergency call

2 Mobile Service

Requirements for initiating an emer-

gency call or contacting Mobile Service:

> Ignition key in position 1 or higher

> The car phone must be registered

with a mobile network

> The emergency call system must be

operational.

Initiating an emergency call*

Press button 1 for at least 2 seconds.

The indicator lamp above the buttons

lights up. As soon as a telephone con-

nection has been set up to the BMW

Assist response center, the indicator

lamp flashes.

If the situation permits you to do so,

wait in the vehicle until the voice con-

nection is established. You can then

provide detailed information to the

response center.

If your vehicle is equipped with an acti-

vated BMW Assist and the current loca-

tion of the vehicle can be determined,

this location is transmitted to the BMW

Assist response center.

If the navigation system has failed,

the current location of the vehicle

is not transmitted.<

If the indicator lamp is flashing but you

cannot hear the BMW Assist response

center over the hands-free system, it is

possible that e.g. the hands-free sys-

tem is malfunctioning. The BMW Assist

response center can still hear you,

however.

If certain requirements are met, an

emergency call is automatically initiated

after a serious accident. The automatic

emergency call will not be hindered by

pressing the button.

For technical reasons, the emer-

gency call function cannot be

guaranteed in certain unfavorable con-

ditions.<

147

Mobile Service*

To establish contact with the BMW

Group's Mobile Service:

Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.

The indicator lamp above the buttons

lights up. As soon as a telephone con-

nection has been set up with the Mobile

Service, the indicator lamp flashes.

Depending on the country you are in,

your vehicle's current location will also

be transmitted if your vehicle is

equipped with an activated BMW Assist

function.

Jump-starting

When your battery is discharged, you

can use two jumper cables to start your

vehicle with power from the battery in a

second vehicle. You can also use the

same method to help start another

vehicle. Use only jumper cables with

fully insulated handles on the terminal

clamps.

Do not touch high-voltage wiring

and cables on a running engine.

Contact with components carrying high

voltage can be harmful or fatal.

Carefully observe the following instruc-

tions to avoid personal injury and/or

damage to one or both vehicles.<

Preparations

1. Check whether the battery of the

support vehicle has 12 volts and

approximately the same capacity –

measured in Ah. This information is

provided on the battery

2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-

cle

3. Switch off all consumers in both

vehicles.

Make absolutely certain that there

is no contact between the body-

work of the two vehicles, otherwise

there is a short circuit hazard.<

Connecting the jumper cables

Be sure to connect the jumper

cables in the right order; other-

wise there is a risk of injury due to

sparks being created near the battery.<

The jump-starting terminal located in

your BMW's engine compartment

serves as the positive battery terminal;

refer also to the engine compartment

overview on page 124. The cover of this

auxiliary terminal is marked with a +.

1. Open the cover of the BMW jump-

starting terminal. Do so by pulling the

tab – see arrow 1

2. Connect one terminal clamp of the

plus/+ jumper cable to the positive

terminal of the battery or to a jump-

starting terminal in the donor vehicle

Receiving assistance

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148

3. Connect the second terminal clamp

of the plus/+ jumper cable to the

positive terminal of the battery or to a

jump-starting terminal in the vehicle

to be started

4. Your BMW is equipped with a special

nut – see arrow 2 – to serve as the

ground or negative terminal.

Attach a terminal clamp of the

minus/– jumper cable to the negative

terminal of the support vehicle's bat-

tery or to a suitable ground on its

engine or bodywork

5. Attach the second terminal clamp of

the minus/– jumper cable to the neg-

ative terminal of the battery or to a

suitable ground on the engine or

bodywork of the vehicle to be

started.

Starting the engine

1. Start the engine of the support vehi-

cle and let it run for several minutes

at a slightly elevated engine idle

speed

2. Start the engine of the other vehicle

as usual.

If the first start attempt is not suc-

cessful, wait a few minutes before

another attempt in order to allow the

discharged battery to recharge

3. Allow the engines to run for several

minutes

4. Disconnect the jumper cables in

reverse sequence.

Have the battery recharged at your

BMW center as required.

Do not use spray starter fluids to

start the engine.<

Jump-starting

149

Towing and tow-starting the vehicle

Always observe all applicable

towing laws and regulations.<

Using the towing eyelet

The screw-in towing eyelet is in the lug-

gage compartment under the floor

panel and must remain with the vehicle

at all times. It can be attached at the

front or rear of your BMW.

Observe the following instruc-

tions in order to avoid damaging

the towing eyelet or the vehicle: use

only the towing eyelet supplied with the

vehicle, and screw it in firmly until it

stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing

on paved roads only. Avoid subjecting

the towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g.

do not lift the vehicle using the towing

eyelet.<

Access to the threaded socket

Press out the cover in the front or rear

bumper with a screwdriver at the top of

the recess.

Being towed

Make sure that the ignition key is

in position 1, even if the electrical

system has failed, because the steering

lock could otherwise engage and the

vehicle could no longer be steered.

There is no power assist while the

engine is off. Therefore, you will need to

exert more force to brake and steer the

vehicle.<

Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if

required by national regulations. If the

electrical system has failed, clearly

identify the vehicle being towed, e.g. by

placing a sign or a warning triangle in

the rear window.

Vehicles with manual transmission:

gearshift lever in idling position.

Vehicles with sequential M gearbox

with Drivelogic: selector lever in posi-

tion N.

Towing methods

In some countries, it is not permitted to

tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow

rope on public roads.

Familiarize yourself with the applicable

towing regulations for the country in

which you are driving.

With a tow bar

The towing vehicle must not be

lighter than the vehicle being

towed; otherwise, vehicle handling can

no longer be controlled.<

The towing eyelets of both vehicles

should be on the same side.

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150

If the tow bar can only be used in a

diagonal position, please note the fol-

lowing:

> Clearance is restricted while you are

driving around corners

> The inclination of the tow bar pro-

duces lateral force.

Only attach the tow bar to the

towing eyelets. Other parts of the

vehicles could otherwise be dam-

aged.<

With a tow rope

When the towing vehicle is driving off,

make sure that the tow rope is taut.

Use nylon ropes or straps for tow-

ing because they prevent sudden

jerking movements. Attach the tow rope

only to the towing eyelets. Other parts

of the vehicles could otherwise be

damaged.<

With a tow truck

Have the BMW transported by a tow

truck with a lift sling, or on a flatbed.

Never allow passengers to ride in

a towed vehicle for any reason.<

Do not lift the vehicle by the tow-

ing eyelet, nor by parts of the

body or chassis. Otherwise damage

could result.<

Tow-starting

Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic

converters if the engine is cold. It is

better to jump-start the engine, refer to

page 147.

1. Turn on hazard warning flashers;

comply with national regulations

2. Turn the ignition key to position 2

3. Engage the 3rd gear

4. Have the vehicle towed with the

clutch pedal completely depressed

and then slowly release the clutch

pedal. After the engine has started,

immediately depress the clutch pedal

again completely

5. Pull over at a suitable location,

remove the tow bar or tow rope, and

turn on the hazard warning flashers

6. Have the vehicle checked.

Vehicles with sequential M gearbox

with Drivelogic:

> Have the vehicle towed with the

selector lever in position N

> Move the selector lever into position

S and pull it toward + within 2 sec-

onds. The correct gear will automati-

cally be selected and engaged

> After the engine has started, move

the selector lever into position N

again.

Towing and tow-starting the vehicle

151

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152

153

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

Index

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

154

Engine data

Displacement

Number of cylinders

cu in/cm

198.1/3,246

Max. power output

at engine speed

rpm

333

7,900

Maximum torque

at engine speed

lb ft/Nm

rpm

262/355

4,900

Compression ratio ε 11.5

Stroke

Bore

in/mm

3.58/91

3.43/87

Fuel mixture preparation Digital electronic engine-management

system

155

Dimensions

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

156

Weights

Curb weight lbs/kg 3,782/1,715

Approved gross vehicle weight lbs/kg 4,608/2,090

Approved front axle load lbs/kg 2,183/990

Approved rear axle load lbs/kg 2,513/1,140

Permissible roof load for the hardtop lbs/kg 165/75

Luggage compartment capacity

with the convertible top compartment raised

cu ft/l

9.2/260

10.6/300

Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight must never be exceeded.

157

Capacities

Notes

Fuel tank

Reserve

gal./liters

approx. 16.6/63

approx. 2.1/8

Fuel specification, refer to page 25

Windshield washer system/

Headlamp cleaning system quarts/liters approx. 5.6/5.3

Specifications, refer to page 126

Engine with oil filter change quarts/liters approx. 5.8/5.5 Specifications, refer to page 127

Manual transmission quarts/liters approx. 1.9/1.8 Oil change during running-in check

and during each inspection II

Differential quarts/liters approx. 1.2/1.1 Oil change during running-in check

and during each inspection II

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

158

159

Overview

Controls and features

Operation, maintenance

Owner service procedures

Technical data

Index

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z

ABS Antilock Brake

System 113

indicator lamp 19

Accessories, refer to For

your own safety 6

Accident, refer to Emer-

gency call 146

Activated-charcoal filter 98

Adaptive brake lamp, refer

to Brake force display 89

Adding brake fluid 129

Additional sources of infor-

mation 4

Air conditioning mode

automatic climate

control 96

Air distribution

automatic climate

control 96

individual 96

Air outlets, refer to Ventila-

tion 94

Air pressure, refer to Tire

inflation pressure 116

Air recirculation, refer to

Recirculated-air mode 97

Air supply

automatic climate

control 96

Air, drying, refer to Air con-

ditioning mode 96

Airbags 55

deactivating 55

indicator lamp 18, 57

safe seating position 46

Airing out, refer to Ventila-

tion 94

AKI, refer to Fuel specifica-

tions 25

Alarm system 36

avoiding unintentional

alarms 37

All-season tires, refer to

Winter tires 120

Alternative oils 127

Antifreeze

coolant 128

washer fluid 126

Antilock Brake System

(ABS) 113

indicator lamp 19

Anti-theft system 28

Anti-theft warning system,

refer to Alarm system 36

Approved axle loads, refer

to Weights 156

Approved gross weight,

refer to Weights 156

Armrest 99

Artificial leather, refer to the

Caring for your vehicle

brochure

Ashtray

front 100

rear 101

Assistant systems, refer to

Dynamic Stability Control

(DSC) 86

AUC Automatic recircu-

lated-air control 97

AUTO program 96

Automatic

cruise control 77

headlamp control 90

Automatic air distribution,

refer to AUTO program 96

Automatic air supply, refer

to AUTO program 96

Automatic car wash, refer to

the Caring for your vehicle

brochure

Automatic climate control 94

Automatic curb monitor 52

Automatic dimming, interior

rearview mirror 53

Automatic recirculated-air

control (AUC) 97

Automatic windshield

washer, refer to Rain sen-

sor 76

Average fuel

consumption 84

Average speed 84

Avoiding unintentional

alarms 37

Axle loads, refer to

Weights 156

Backrest

unlocking 49

Backrest, refer to Seat

adjustment 47

Backup lamps 69

bulb replacement 139

Bandages, refer to First-aid

kit 23

Bar, for towing 149

Battery 144

charge 144

disposal 145

indicator lamp 18

jump-starting 147

remote control 28, 29

Battery charge current 18

Battery charge indicator

lamp 18

Belts, refer to Safety

belts 50

Beverage holders 100

Blower

automatic climate

control 96

BMW Maintenance

System 130

Everything from A to Z

161

BMW sports seat 47

Bore, refer to Engine

data 154

Bottle holders, see Bever-

age holders 100

Brake fluid 129

indicator lamp 18, 129

level 129

Brake force display 89

Brake lamps

bulb replacement 139

indicator lamp, defective

lamp 81

Brake lamps, refer to Brake

force display 89

Brake pads

brake fluid level 18, 129

breaking in 110

Brake rotors

breaking in 110

Brake system

brake pads, indicator

lamp 19

Brake wear warning

indicator lamp 19

Brakes

ABS 113

brake fluid 129

brake force display 89

brake pads 112

breaking in 110

driving notes 111

indicator/warning lamp

18, 19

parking brake 68

Break-in procedures 110

Bridging, refer to Jump-

starting 147

Bulb replacement 137

Bulb replacement, refer to

Lamps and bulbs 137

Buttons in steering wheel 22

California Proposition 65

warning 6

Can holders, see Beverage

holders 100

Capacities 157

Car battery 144

Car care, refer to the Caring

for your vehicle brochure

Car keys, refer to Keys 28

Car phone hookup

microphone 100

Car radio, refer to the

Owner's Manual for Radio

Car telephone, refer to the

separate Owner's Manual

Car vacuum cleaner, con-

necting 101

Car wash, refer to the Caring

for your vehicle brochure

Carpet care, refer to the

Caring for your vehicle

brochure

Cassette operation, refer to

the Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

CBC Cornering Brake Con-

trol 113

warning lamp 19

CD changer, refer to the

Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

CD operation, refer to the

Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

Center armrest

front 99

Center high-mount brake

lamp

bulb replacement 140

Central locking system 28

button 32

passenger

compartment 32

Check Control 81

Check Gas Cap

indicator lamp 19

Child seats, refer to Child-

restraint systems 58

Child-restraint mounting

system LATCH 60

Child-restraint systems 58

Cigarette lighter 100

Cleaning chrome parts, refer

to the Caring for your vehi-

cle brochure

Cleaning light alloy wheels,

refer to the Caring for your

vehicle brochure

Cleaning position, convert-

ible top 44

Cleaning the vehicle, refer to

the Caring for your vehicle

brochure

Cleaning windshield 77

Clock 82

12-/24-hour mode 82

setting, refer also to the

Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

Closing

from inside 32

from outside 29

Clutch

breaking in 110

Cockpit 14

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z

Code, refer to the Owner's

Manual for Radio/Onboard

Computer

Coin box 100

Cold start, refer to Starting

the engine 66

Compact disc operation,

refer to the Owner's Man-

ual for Radio/Onboard

Computer

Compression ratio, refer to

Engine data 154

Computer 83

Condensation, refer to Air

conditioning mode 96

Configuring settings, refer to

Vehicle Memory, Key

Memory 64

Connecting a vacuum

cleaner, refer to Power

socket 101

Consumption, refer to Aver-

age fuel consumption 84

Control elements, refer to

Cockpit 14

Convenience operation

from outside 31

windows 29

Convertible top 39

cleaning position 44

convenience operation

29, 31

electrical malfunction 42

emergency operation 42

indicator lamps 41

opening and closing 40

remote control 29

Coolant 128

indicator lamp 19, 80

level 128

temperature gauge 80

Coolant water, refer to Cool-

ant 128

Cooling, refer to Tempera-

ture 96

Cornering Brake Control

(CBC) 113

warning lamp 19

Cruise control 77

indicator lamp 20

Cup holders, see Beverage

holders 100

Curb weight, refer to

Weights 156

Cylinders, refer to Engine

data 154

Dashboard, refer to

Cockpit 14

Data

capacities 157

dimensions 155

engine 154

technical 154

weights 156

Daytime driving lamps 90

DBC Dynamic Brake Control

19, 113

Deep water, refer to Driving

through water 111

Defrost position, refer to

Defrosting windows 96

Defrosting and demisting

windows

automatic climate

control 96

Defrosting windows 96

Defrosting windshield, refer

to Defrosting windows 96

Demisting windows

automatic climate

control 96

Differential

breaking in 110

Digital clock 82

Dimensions 155

Dipstick, engine oil 126

Displacement, refer to

Engine data 154

Display lighting, refer to

Instrument lighting 91

Displays, refer to Instrument

cluster 16

Disposal

oil 127

vehicle battery 145

Distance warning, refer to

Park Distance Control

(PDC) 85

Door key 28

Door lock 31

Doors

emergency operation 31

Draft-free ventilation 97

Drivelogic 73

Driving light, refer to Parking

lamps/Low beams 90

Driving notes 111

Driving through water, deep

water 111

Dry air, refer to Air condi-

tioning mode 96

DSC Dynamic Stability Con-

trol 86

indicator lamp 19, 86

Dynamic Brake Control

(DBC) 19, 113

indicator lamp 19

Everything from A to Z

163

Dynamic Stability Control

(DSC) 19, 86

Easy entry, refer to Entering

the rear 49

Electric power windows 38

power loss 39

Electrical accessories, fail-

ure 145

Electrical malfunction

door lock 31

driver's door 31

fuel filler door 24

luggage compartment

lid 33

Electronic Stability Program

(ESP), refer to Dynamic

Stability Control (DSC) 86

Emergency call 146

Emergency operation

doors 31

driver's door 31

fuel filler door 24

luggage compartment

lid 33

Emergency release

luggage compartment

lid 34

Engine

breaking in 110

data 154

electronics 19

indicator lamp 19

speed 79, 154

starting 66

switching off 68

Engine compartment 124

Engine coolant 128

refilling 128

Engine oil

adding 127

additives, refer to Adding

engine oil 127

alternative oils 127

capacity 157

consumption 126

dipstick 126

indicator/warning lamp 19

quality 127

specified oils 127

temperature gauge 79

types 127

Engine oil level 19

check 126

indicator/warning lamp 18

Engine oil pressure

indicator/warning lamp 18

Engine oil temperature 79

Engine output, refer to

Engine data 154

Engine speed 79, 154

Entering the rear 49

Equipment range, refer to

the Service and Warranty

Information Booklet for US

models / Warranty and

Service Guide Booklet for

Canadian models

ESP Electronic Stability Pro-

gram, refer to Dynamic

Stability Control (DSC) 86

Exterior mirrors 53

Eyelet, towing 149

False alarm, refer to

Avoiding unintentional

alarms 37

Fasten safety belts

indicator lamp 18

Fastening the safety belts 50

Fault displays 81

Filling the windshield washer

reservoir 157

Filling with sealant

M Mobility system 143

First aid, refer to First-aid

kit 23

First-aid kit 23

Flat tire 141

Flat Tire Monitor 87

repairing 141

Flat Tire Monitor 87

activating/deactivating 88

indicator lamp 18, 19, 88

Floor panel, raising 35

Fluid reservoir for washer

systems 126

Fog lamps

indicator/warning lamp 20

Folding down convertible

top compartment panel 35

Follow me home lamps 90

Footbrake, refer to Braking

safely 111

Front airbags 55

Front fog lamps 92

indicator/warning lamp 20

Front seat adjustment 47

Fuel

display 80

specifications 25

volume 157

Fuel consumption

display 84

Fuel display, refer to Fuel

gauge 80

Fuel filler door 24

release following an elec-

trical malfunction 24

Fuel level indicator, refer to

Fuel gauge 80

Fuel mixture preparation 154

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z

Fuel reserve indicator, refer

to Fuel gauge 80

Fuel tank capacity 157

Fuses 145

Gasoline consumption, refer

to Average fuel consump-

tion 84

Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-

ifications 25

Gear indicator 71

Gearbox

manual transmission 69

Gearbox malfunction

sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic 74

Gearbox, sequential 70

Gearshift lever

manual transmission 69

sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic 70

General driving notes 111

Glove compartment 99

Gradient assistance 73

Grills, refer to Ventilation 94

Gross weight, refer to

Weights 156

Handbrake, refer to Parking

brake 68

Hands-free system 100

Hardtop 113

Hardtop preparation 113

Hardtop, refer to the sepa-

rate Owner's Manual 113

Hazard warning flashers 14

Hazard warning triangle 23

Head restraints 48

Headlamp cleaning system

cleaning headlamps 77

washer fluid 126, 157

Headlamp control, auto-

matic 90

Headlamp flasher 91

indicator lamp 21

Headlamps

bulb replacement 137

care, refer to the Caring

for your vehicle brochure

Heated mirrors 53

Heated rear window

automatic climate

control 97

Heated seats 52

Heating

exterior mirrors 53

rear window 97

seats 52

Heating and ventilation 94

Heavy loads, refer to Cargo

loading 105

Height adjustment

seats 47

steering wheel 54

Height, refer to

Dimensions 155

High beams 75, 91

bulb replacement 137

headlamp flasher 91

indicator lamp 21

Holder for beverages 100

Hood release 123

Horn 14

Hydraulic brake assistant,

refer to DBC 113

Hydroplaning 111

Ice warning 83

Ignition 65

Ignition key 28

positions 65

Ignition lock 65

Imprint 4

Indicator lamps 18

Indicator/warning lamp

airbags 18

alarm system 37

brakes 18, 19

Check Gas Cap 19

convertible top 41

coolant 19, 80

DSC 19

Flat Tire Monitor

18, 19, 88

fog lamps 20

Please fasten safety

belts 18

reserve 80

rollover protection

system 19

Service Engine Soon 19

Individual air distribution 96

Individual settings, refer to

Vehicle Memory, Key

Memory 64

Inflation pressure monitor-

ing, refer to Flat Tire Moni-

tor 87

Inflation pressure, tires 116

INSPECTION 81

Instrument cluster 16

Instrument lighting 91

Instrument panel 14

Interface socket for onboard

diagnostics (OBD) 132

event data recorders 132

Everything from A to Z

165

Interior lamps 92

remote control 30

Interior motion sensor 36, 37

switching off 37

Interior rearview mirror

automatic dimming

feature 53

Interior temperature

adjusting 96

Intermittent mode, wipers 76

Interval display, service 81

Jump-starting 147

Key Memory 64

Keys 28

with remote control 28

Lamp defect 137

Lamps

reading lamps 92

Lamps and bulbs 137

Lashing down loads, refer to

Cargo loading 104

Lashing eyelets, refer to

Securing cargo 106

Lashing fittings, refer to

Securing cargo 106

LATCH child-restraint

mounting system 60

Leather care, refer to the

Caring for your vehicle

brochure

Leaving the vehicle 68

LEDs light-emitting

diodes 140

Length, refer to

Dimensions 155

License plate lamp

bulb replacement 140

Light switch 90

Light-emitting diodes

(LEDs) 140

Lighter 100

LIGHTS ON warning 90

Lights, refer to Parking

lamps/Low beams 90

Load, determining the maxi-

mum 104

Load, refer to Cargo

loading 104

vehicle 104

Load-securing devices 106

Lock buttons on doors, refer

to Locking 32

Lock, steering wheel 65

Locking

from inside 32

from outside 29, 31

Locking and unlocking

doors

from inside 32

from outside 29, 31

Low beams 90

automatic 90

bulb replacement 137

indicator lamp, defective

lamp 81

Luggage compartment 35

capacity 156

emergency operation,

refer to Manual

operation 33

floor panel 35

increase volume 35

lid 33

lighting 33

opening from outside 33

opening, remote

control 30

opening/closing, refer to

Luggage compartment

lid 33

remote control 30

securing separately 33

volume 156

Luggage compartment lid 33

emergency operation 33

emergency release 34

indicator lamp 81

opening from inside the

vehicle 33

opening from outside 33

remote control 30

unlocking manually 33

Luggage rack, refer to Roof-

mounted luggage rack 107

Lumbar support 48

M Engine dynamics

control 89

M Mobility system 141

Maintenance 81, 130

Maintenance system 130

Malfunction

convertible top 42

door lock 31

fuel filler door 24

Malfunction displays 81

Manual operation

convertible top 42

door lock 31

driver's door 31

fuel filler door 24

luggage compartment

lid 33

power convertible top 42

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z

Manual transmission 69

Master keys

with remote control 28

MC operation, refer to the

Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

MD operation, refer to the

Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

Memory, refer to Seat and

mirror memory 51

Memory, refer to Vehicle

Memory, Key Memory 64

Microfilter

automatic climate

control 98

Microphone 100

Mini disc operation, refer to

the Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

Mirrors 53

automatic curb monitor 52

heated 53

memory, refer to Seat and

mirror memory 51

Mobile Service 147

Modifications, technical,

refer to For your own

safety 6

Multifunction steering

wheel 22

Multifunction switch

turn signal indicator/head-

lamp flasher 75

washer/wiper system 76

Navigation system, refer to

the Owner's Manual for

Radio/Onboard Computer

Neck restraints, refer to

Head restraints 48

Nets 99

Nozzles, refer to

Ventilation 94

Nylon rope, refer to Towing

and tow-starting the vehi-

cle 149

OBD interface socket 132

Odometer 79

Oil

additives, refer to Adding

engine oil 127

alternative oils 127

capacity 157

dipstick 126

quality 127

specified engine oils 127

Oil change interval, refer to

Service interval

display 130

Oil change intervals, refer to

the Service and Warranty

Information Booklet for US

models / Warranty and

Service Guide Booklet for

Canadian models

Oil filter change 157

Oil level

checking 126

indicator lamp 18

Oil pressure

indicator lamp 18

OIL SERVICE 81

Oil temperature 79

Oil types 127

Old batteries, refer to Dis-

posal 145

Onboard computer 83

Onboard computer, refer

also to the Owner's Man-

ual for Onboard Computer

Onboard tool kit 136

Opening and closing

from inside 32

from outside 29

via door lock 31

via remote control 29

Outlets, ventilation 94

Outside temperature dis-

play 83

changing unit of

measure 83

Paintwork care, refer to the

Caring for your vehicle

brochure

Panic mode, trigger

alarm 30

Park Distance Control

(PDC) 85

Parking aid, refer to Park

Distance Control (PDC) 85

Parking brake 68

indicator lamp 18

Parking lamps 90

bulb replacement 137

Parking lamps/Low

beams 90

Parts and accessories, refer

to Your individual vehicle 5

Passenger-side exterior mir-

ror tilt function 52

PDC Park Distance

Control 85

Placing a telephone call,

refer to the Owner's Man-

ual for the telephone

Plastic, refer to the Caring

for your vehicle brochure

Pollen, refer to Microfilter/

activated-charcoal filter 98

Power loss

electric power windows 39

Everything from A to Z

167

Power output, refer to

Engine data 154

Power seat 47

Power socket 101

Power socket, cigarette

lighter 101

Power windows

electric 38

Pressure monitoring, tires

Flat Tire Monitor 87

Pressure, tires 116

inflating with M Mobility

system 143

Proposition 65 warning 6

Protective function

electric power windows 38

Puncture

M Mobility system 141

Radio remote control key,

refer to Master key with

remote control 28

Radio, refer to the Owner's

Manual for Radio

Rain sensor 76

Range 84

Reading lamps

hardtop 113

rear 93

Rear lamps

bulb replacement 139

indicator lamp, defective

lamp 81

Rear window heating

automatic climate

control 97

Rear-entry assist 49

Rearview mirror 53

Receiving assistance 146

Recirculated-air mode

automatic climate

control 97

Recirculating the air, refer to

Recirculated-air mode 97

Reclining seat, refer to Seat

adjustment 47

Refueling 24

fuel filler door 24

Releasing

hood 123

Remaining distance to ser-

vice 81

Remaining distance, refer to

Range 84

Remote control 29

luggage compartment

lid 30

malfunction 30

Replacement key 29

Replacing lamps, refer to

Lamps and bulbs 137

Reporting safety defects 7

Restraint systems

for children 58

Restraint systems, refer to

Safety belts 50

Reverse gear

manual transmission 69

Rollover protection

system 62

indicator lamp 19

lowering 62

Roof load capacity 156

Roof-mounted luggage

rack 107

Rope, refer to Towing and

tow-starting the

vehicle 149

Safe seating position 46

airbags 46

safety belt 46

Safety belt

safe seating position 46

Safety belt height adjust-

ment 50

Safety belts 50

height adjustment 50

seat-integrated safety belt

system 49

warning lamp 18

Safety systems, refer to

Antilock Brake

System 113

Dynamic Stability Control

(DSC) 86

Screwdriver, refer to

Onboard tool kit 136

Seat adjustment 47

BMW sports seat 47

lumbar support 47, 48

power seats 47

Seat belt tensioner, refer to

Safety belts 50

Seat heating 52

Seat memory, refer to Seat

and mirror memory 51

Seat positions, storing 51

Seats 47

Securing cargo 106

Securing child-restraint sys-

tem 60

Securing the vehicle

from inside 32

from outside 29, 31

Selector lever

sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic 70

Selector lever positions

sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic 70

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z

Sequential M gearbox with

Drivelogic 70

indicator lamp 19, 74

tow-starting 150

Service and Warranty Infor-

mation Booklet 130

Service Engine Soon

warning lamp 19

Service interval display

81, 130

Shift lights 74

Shift paddles 71

Side airbags 55

Side turn signal indicators

bulb replacement 138

Size 155

Ski bag 102

Slipstream deflector, refer to

Wind deflector 44

SMG Drivelogic 70

Smokers' package, refer to

Ashtray 100

Snow chains 122

SOS, refer to Emergency

call 146

Spare key 28

Special oils 127

Special oils, refer to Speci-

fied engine oils 127

Specified engine oils 127

Specified oils 127

Speed gauge, refer to

Speedometer 16

Sport mode 89

Sports seat 47

Stability control, refer to

Dynamic Stability Control

(DSC) 86

Standing lamps 91

bulb replacement 137

Starting difficulties

jump-starting 147

temperature 66

Starting the engine 66

Starting, refer to Starting the

engine 66

Starting-off assistance

DSC 86

gradient assistance 73

Status of the Owner's Man-

ual 5

Steering wheel lock 65

Steering wheel, adjusting 54

Storage compartments 99

Storage nets 99

Storing seat positions,

refer to Seat and mirror

memory 51

Storing tires 121

Stroke, refer to Engine

data 154

Surface ice, refer to Ice

warning 83

Switches, refer to

Cockpit 14

Switching off

engine 68

Symbols 4

Tachometer 79

Tail lamps

bulb replacement 139

Tail lamps, refer to Rear

lamps 139

Tank capacity, refer to Fuel

tank capacity 157

Tank indicator, refer to Fuel

gauge 80

Technical data 154

Technical modifications 6

Technical modifications,

refer to For your own

safety 6

Telephone hookup

microphone 100

Telephone, refer to the sep-

arate Owner's Manual

Television, refer to the

Owner's Manual for

Onboard Computer

Temperature

automatic climate

control 96

Temperature adjustment 96

Temperature display

engine coolant 80

ice warning 83

outside temperature 83

setting units 83

Temperature layering 97

Tempomat, refer to Cruise

control 77

Thigh support area, adjust-

ing 47

Third brake lamp, refer to

Center high-mount brake

lamp 140

Threaded socket for towing

eyelet 149

Three-point safety belt 50

Tilt alarm sensor 37

switching off 37

Tilting passenger-side exte-

rior mirror 52

Time 82

Tire inflation pressure 116

Tire pressure monitoring,

refer to Flat Tire

Monitor 87

Everything from A to Z

169

Tires

age 118

breaking in 110

condition 119

damage 119

flat 141

inflation pressure 116

storing 121

tread 119, 120

tread wear indicators,

refer to Tire tread 120

winter tires 120

Tools, refer to Onboard tool

kit 136

Torque

engine 154

Tow bar 149

Tow rope 149

Towing 149

Towing eyelet 149

Towing the vehicle 149

Tow-starting 149

Track width, refer to Dimen-

sions 155

Transmission

breaking in 110

Transport securing devices,

refer to Securing

cargo 106

Transporting children

safely 58

Trap protection

electric power windows 38

Tread depth, refer to Tire

tread 120

Tread wear indicators in the

tires, refer to Tire

tread 120

Tread wear, tires 120

Trip distance recorder, refer

to Trip odometer 79

Trip meter, refer to Trip

odometer 79

Trip odometer 79

Trunk lid, refer to Luggage

compartment lid 33

Trunk lighting, refer to Lug-

gage compartment light-

ing 33

Turn signal indicator 75

bulb replacement 138

indicator lamp 20

Turn signal indicator, side

bulb replacement 138

Turning circle, refer to

Dimensions 155

TV function, refer to the

Owner's Manual for

Onboard Computer

Underbody protection, refer

to the Caring for your vehi-

cle brochure

Units

average fuel

consumption 84

temperature 83

Unlocking

from inside 32

from outside 29, 31

Upshift indicator, refer to

Shift Lights 74

Using antifreeze 128

Vehicle

battery 144

break-in procedures 110

dimensions 155

leaving the vehicle 68

loading 104

starting 66

washing, refer to the Car-

ing for your vehicle bro-

chure 76

weight 156

Vehicle Memory 64

Vehicle weight 156

Ventilation 94

draft-free 97

Viscosity 127

Voice command system 22

microphone 100

Voice control, refer to sepa-

rate Owner's Manual

Volume

luggage compartment 156

Warning and indicator

lamps 18

Warning lamp 'Please fas-

ten safety belts' 18

Warning messages 81

Warranty and Service Guide

Booklet 130

Warranty, refer also to sepa-

rate booklet 7

Washer fluid

adding 126, 157

Washer fluid reservoir 126

volume 126

Washer jets, refer to Wind-

shield washer jets 77

Washer/wiper system 76, 77

washer fluid 126

Waste tray, refer to

Ashtray 100

Weights 156

Wheelbase, refer to Dimen-

sions 155

Wheels and tires 116

Wheelslip control DSC 86

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Everything from A to Z

Width, refer to

Dimensions 155

Wind deflector 44

Window condensation

removing 96

Windows

convenience operation

29, 31

remote control 29

Windshield washer

nozzles 77

Windshield washer reservoir

volume, see

Capacities 157

Windshield wiper blades,

replacing 136

Windshield wipers, refer to

Washer/wiper system 76

Winter tires 120

storing 121

Wiper blades, replacing 136

Work in the engine compart-

ment 123

Xenon lamps

bulb replacement 137

171

OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex

Refueling

To ensure that you always have conve-

nient access to all essential information

when you stop for fuel, we recommend

that you take the time to fill out the

adjoining chart by entering the data that

apply to your vehicle. Consult the index

for individual specifications.

Fuel

Please enter your preferred fuel here.

Engine oil

The oil quantity between the two marks

on the dipstick is approx.

1.4 US quarts/1.3 liters.

Tire inflation pressure

Designation

Quality

Summer tires Winter tires

front rear front rear

Up to 2 persons

4 persons plus luggage

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2006 BMW M3 Convertible

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User Manual

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