BMW 3.0i Roadster & Coupe (2005 year). Instruction

Driving

empty, as the washer pump will otherwise be
damaged.

Windshield washer nozzles

The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated

when the engine is running or the

ignition is switched on.

Cruise control*

Do not use cruise control when unfavor-
able conditions make it inadvisable to

drive at a constant speed. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle could go out of control and an accident
could be caused. Unfavorable conditions
include, for example, twisting roads, high traffic
density, or adverse road conditions such as
snow, rain, ice, or loose surfaces.

1 To maintain, store and increase speed
2 To maintain, store and decrease speed
3 To recall the stored speed
4 To deactivate the system

To maintain, store and increase speed

Above approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h you can main-
tain and store any desired speed.
Press the lever briefly in direction

The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed. Every time you tap the lever, the
speed increases by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Hold the lever in position

The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. As soon as you release
the lever, the system stores and maintains the
current speed.

If, on a downhill grade, the engine braking
effect is not sufficient, the controlled

speed can be exceeded. Speed can drop on
uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.

To maintain, store and decrease speed

Press the lever briefly in direction

When the cruise control is active, vehicle speed

is reduced by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h every
time you tap the button.
Hold the lever in position

With the cruise control active, the system auto-
matically reduces the throttle opening to slow
the vehicle. As soon as you release the lever,
the system stores and maintains the current
speed.

To recall the stored speed

Press the lever briefly in direction

The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the
last speed stored.

To deactivate the system

Press the lever briefly in direction

The cruise control is deactivated immediately.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated in response to the following conditions:

When you apply the brakes

When you depress the clutch or move the
automatic selector lever from D to N

If you exceed or fall below the preset speed
for an extended period, for example by
depressing the accelerator

If DSC is in action.

You can recall the speed last stored.
Cruise control is also deactivated when the igni-
tion key is turned to position 0.
The stored speed is cleared in this case.

Everything under control

Odometer

1 Odometer
2 Trip odometer

Odometer

With the ignition key in position 0, you can acti-
vate the displays shown in the illustration by
pressing the button – see arrow – in the instru-
ment cluster.

Trip odometer

To set to zero
Ignition key position 1
Keep the button pressed until the trip odometer
counter is set to zero.

Tachometer

Never allow the engine to operate with the nee-
dle in the red overspeed sector of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is inter-
rupted when you approach this sector.

Fuel gauge

When indicator lamp

1 begins to stay on contin-

uously, there are still approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters
of fuel in the fuel tank.
Tank capacity: approx. 14.5 gallons/55 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, for example when
you are driving in mountainous areas, the nee-
dle may fluctuate slightly.

Fill the fuel tank well before it is 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 comes on briefly to indicate an operational
check.

Engine coolant temperature

gauge

Blue

The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
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, warning
lamp

1 comes on briefly to indicate an opera-

tional check.
Comes on while driving:
The engine has overheated. Stop and switch
the engine off immediately and allow it to cool
down.
For checking the coolant level, refer to page

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 after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the message
OIL SERVICE or INSPECTION, together with
the distance remaining in miles – in kilometers
in Canada – before the next scheduled service.
The computer bases its calculations of the
remaining distance on the preceding driving
style.
A flashing message and a minus sign in front of
the number mean that the service interval has
already been exceeded by the distance shown
on the display. Please contact your BMW center
for an appointment.

Outside temperature

If the vehicle is not equipped with a computer,
the display in the instrument cluster always
shows the outside temperature.

Clock

If you wish to have a permanent time display,
you can have it appear in the car radio display,
refer to the Owner's Manual for Radio.
You can set the clock and the time display in the
car radio as follows.

To set

Ignition key in position 1 or higher:

Hours

Keep button

2 pressed for several seconds

until the hours are displayed and the colon
flashes

Press button

1 repeatedly until the required

hour is set

Minutes

Press button

2 to switch to the minutes dis-

play

Everything under control

Press button

1 repeatedly until the required

minutes are set

Press button

2 to confirm the settings.

The set time of day is transferred to the car
radio display or appears in the instrument clus-
ter display.

Display mode

In ignition key position 0:
Press button

The time of day is displayed for several sec-
onds.

Computer*

Mode selection

With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, you
can use the onboard computer button BC in the
turn signal lever to retrieve information from the
computer for display in the instrument cluster.
Every time you tap the onboard computer but-
ton BC, another function is displayed.
The order of the displays:

Time

Outside temperature

Average fuel consumption

Cruising range

Average speed.

With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, the
last active setting is displayed.

If you wish, you can have all the displays
of the following functions shown in

another unit of measure.

Outside temperature

To change the unit of measure,°F/°C

While the temperature display is active, keep
the onboard computer button BC in the turn
signal lever pressed until the display changes.

Ice warning

If the outside temperature drops to approx.
37.5

7/36, the computer automatically

switches to the outside temperature display.
A signal also sounds and the display flashes for
a short time.

Clock

Setting the 12-hour or 24-hour mode*

If the vehicle is equipped with a computer, you
can have the time displayed in either a 12-hour
or 24-hour mode.
While the time display is active, press the
onboard computer button BC in the turn signal
lever until the display changes.

Average fuel consumption

If you press the onboard computer button 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.
Any time spent when the vehicle is stationary
and the engine shut off is ignored in the calcula-
tion.

Cruising range

The computer bases its calculations of the
cruising range on the preceding driving style
and on the remaining fuel in the tank.

It is important that you refuel when the
cruising range falls below approx.

30 miles/50 km. Otherwise, the engine cannot
be guaranteed to operate properly and damage
may result.

Average speed

If you press the onboard computer button BC in
the turn signal lever for longer while the average
speed is being displayed, a new average speed
value is calculated from that point in time.

Technology for safety and driving convenience

Technology for safety and driving

convenience

Driving stability control

systems

Your BMW is equipped with a series of systems
that help maintain driving stability even in
adverse driving situations.

Antilock Brake System ABS

ABS keeps the wheels from locking during
braking. Steering stability is maintained even
during full brake applications. In this way, active
safety is enhanced.
ABS is operational each time the engine is
started. Braking safely, refer to page

Electronic brake-force distribution

The system controls brake-force application at
the rear wheels in order to obtain increased sta-
bility in the vehicle's braking response.

Dynamic Brake Control DBC

When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this
system automatically supplies maximum brake-
servo boost, thereby helping to keep the vehi-
cle's braking distance as short as possible dur-
ing full brake applications. At the same time, the
benefits of the ABS are also exploited.
As long as you are braking, do not reduce pres-
sure on the brake pedal. When the brake pedal
is released, the DBC is switched off.

Dynamic Stability Control DSC

DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels while
starting off and accelerating the vehicle. DSC
also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions,
such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In these
cases, and subject to physical limits, DSC helps
to keep the vehicle on a steady course by
reducing engine speed and by applying brakes
at individual wheels.

The laws of physics cannot be repealed
even with DSC. It will always be the

driver's responsibility to drive in a manner that
matches road conditions. Therefore, do not
limit the additional safety margin by practicing
risky driving.

Dynamic Traction Control DTC

DTC is a variant of the DSC in which forward
momentum is optimized for special road condi-
tions, e.g. snow-covered roads that have not
yet been cleared. The system ensures maxi-
mum forward momentum, but driving stability is
limited. Therefore, drive carefully in accordance
with conditions.
In the following exceptional circumstances, it
may be effective to activate the DTC for a short
period:

When driving on snow-covered grades, in
slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads

When rocking the vehicle or starting off in
deep snow or on loose surfaces

When driving with snow chains.

Activating DTC

Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp
lights up in the instrument cluster.

Reactivating DTC

Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
goes out in the instrument cluster.

Deactivating DTC and DSC at the same
time

Press and hold the button for at least
3 seconds; the DSC indicator lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster. No more interventions
to increase stability and forward momentum are
carried out.
To enhance vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as
soon as possible.

Reactivating DSC

Press the button briefly; the indicator lamp goes
out in the instrument cluster.

Checking

The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating drive torque
and braking forces.

The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC and DSC have been deactivated together
by pressing the DTC button.

The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC has been activated by pressing
the DTC button.
The DSC indicator lamp flashes and the
DTC indicator lamp is lit:
DTC is actively regulating drive torque
and braking forces.

Malfunction in the driving stability
control systems

The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in red, together with the yellow
indicator lamps for ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control systems
have failed.

Continue driving cautiously and defensively.
Avoid hard brake applications. Have the system
checked immediately.

Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.

The DSC warning lamp lights up
together with the yellow warning lamp
for the brake system:
DSC, including DTC and DBC, are mal-
functioning.

The stabilizing interventions are no longer avail-
able. The vehicle remains operational. Have the
system checked as soon as possible.

Indication of the above-described mal-
function in Canadian models.

Technology for safety and driving convenience

Brake force display

The Brake force display lights up in two stages
depending on how strongly you are braking.

Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp
light up

Hard braking or braking with ABS:
In addition, the illuminated surface of the
brake lamps is extended, refer to the pic-
ture.

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 significantly below the pressure of
another tire.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the rolling
radius of the tire changes, thereby affecting the
rotational speed of the wheels. This change is
detected, and a flat tire warning is issued to the
driver.

System requirements

To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system
must be initialized with the correct tire inflation
pressures.

Each time you correct the pressure in a
tire, or change a wheel or tire, the system

must be re-initialized.

System limitations

The Flat Tire Monitor cannot provide 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 func-
tion in a delayed manner in the following situa-
tions:

System was not initialized

You are driving on a snow-covered or slip-
pery road surface

Performance-oriented driving: slip at the
drive wheels, high levels of lateral accelera-
tion

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 continue driving.
When driving with snow chains, do not initialize
the system.

Start the engine, but do not drive off

Press the button as long as you need to until
the yellow indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up for a few seconds

Drive off.
Initialization is completed during the drive,
without any feedback issued.

Flat tire warning

The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up in red. This visual alert
is accompanied by an acoustic warning

signal. There is a flat tire or a signficant loss of
tire pressure.

Carefully reduce your speed to under
50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid strong braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.

Do not continue driving if the vehicle
is not equipped with Run Flat tires,

refer to page

. If you continue to drive

with a flat tire, a serious accident could
result.

Check the inflation pressure in all four tires
as soon as possible.

If the inflation pressure is correct in all
four tires, it is possible that the Flat

Tire Monitor was not initialized. In this case,
initialize the system.

If there is a total loss of tire inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/0 kilopascal, or obvious tire dam-
age, you can gauge the mileage for contin-
ued driving on the basis of the following
indications:

With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km

With a medium load:
1 person, luggage compartment full,
or
2 persons with luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km

With a full load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.

Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Driving characteris-

tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure.
This includes diminished track stability during
braking, longer braking distances and modified
steering. If unusual vibrations occur while driv-
ing, this can indicate a complete failure of the
damaged tire. Reduce your speed and pull over

as soon as possible. Do not continue driving
and contact a BMW center.

Malfunction

The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up yellow. The Flat Tire
Monitor is malfunctioning or out of

order. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.

Airbags

The following airbags are located under the
marked covers:
1 Front airbags for driver and passenger
2 Side airbags for driver and passenger
3 Knee airbags for driver and passenger

Protective effect

Comply with the instructions on page

or the occupants' personal safety will be

diminished.

The front airbags help 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
help provide protection in the event of a colli-
sion from the side. Each of the side airbags is
designed to help support the seat occupant's
upper body. The knee airbags help provide
additional protection in the event of a head-on
collision.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in
every impact situation, e.g. not in less severe
accidents, certain roll-over conditions, or rear-
end collisions.

Technology for safety and driving convenience

For information on the correct seating position,
refer to page

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 airbag retention system from the
vehicle. Never modify or tamper with either the
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the
instrument panel, and the side trim panels on
the doors. Do not attempt to remove or disman-
tle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components
directly after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system malfunc-
tion, if you desire to have an airbag deactivated,
or if the airbag retention system is triggered in
response to an accident, you should always
entrust all inspection, repair and dismantling
operations to your BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the system
could lead to failure in an emergency or to
undesired airbag activation, either of which
could result in personal injury.
To ensure compliance with official safety regu-
lations, please also entrust disposal of airbag
generators to a BMW center.

Airbag warning information is also provided on
the sun visors.

Automatic deactivation of the

passenger airbags

Before transporting a child on the pas-
senger seat be sure to observe the infor-

mation/instructions under Transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page

Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the pas-
senger's seat, the system detects whether or
not the seat is occupied by a child in the child-
restraint system or an adult.

When a child is seated in the child-restraint
system or in an empty seat, the front, side
and knee airbags are automatically deacti-
vated on the passenger's side

When an adult is traveling in the passen-
ger's seat, the front, side and knee airbags
remain active on the passenger's side.

Although not desired, it can occur in the
case of heavier children that the passen-

ger airbags remain active or, in the case of very
light adults or young persons, that the passen-
ger airbags are deactivated. The condition of
the passenger airbag system will be shown by
the indicator lamp in the central console, refer
to Passenger airbag status lamp below. If the
indicator lamp indicates that the passenger air-
bags are active and you want them to be deac-
tivated, the airbags have to be deactivated with
the vehicle ignition key and the key switch on
the outer passenger's side of the instrument
panel. Apart from passengers, do not place any
additional objects on the passenger seat. Do
not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball
mats or other items to the passenger seat
unless they are specifically recommended by
BMW. Do not place any items under the seat.
Otherwise, the function of the seat occupation
detection could be impaired.

Operational readiness of the airbag

system

The airbag indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster indicates the operational readiness of
the entire airbag system and the safety belt ten-
sioners as of ignition key position 1.
The indicator lamp goes out after a few sec-
onds.

Airbag system malfunction

The indicator lamp does not light up as of
ignition key position 1

The warning lamp lights up continuously.

In the event of a malfunction, have the air-
bag system checked immediately. Other-

wise, there is a risk that the system may not
respond in the expected manner to an impact
occurring within its normal response range.

Passenger airbag status lamp

The center console contains one of the indica-
tor lamps shown in the illustration.
The indicator lamp indicates whether or not the
passenger airbag system is activated or deacti-
vated as of ignition key position 1.

The indicator lamp is used only for the
passenger airbag system. The indicator

lamp illuminates to show that the passenger air-
bag system is OFF/not active.

The lamp illuminates briefly during startup,
but then goes out if the seat is empty, or if
an adult or child of sufficient size is recog-
nized

The lamp remains illuminated when a child
in a rear facing child-restraint system is
detected, indicating that the passenger air-
bag system is off.

Find more information about the passenger air-
bag system and seat occupation detection in
the section entitled Automatic deactivation of
the passenger airbags.

mps

Lamps

Parking lamps/Low beams

Parking lamps

The front, rear and side vehicle lighting
is switched on. You can use the parking
lamps to signal the position of the vehi-

cle when it is parked. For information on lighting
on one side of the vehicle for parking, which is
available as an additional feature, refer to
page

Low beams

When you switch off the ignition with
the low beam headlamps on, only the
parking lamps will remain on.

Defective bulb

The indicator lamp lights up:
At least one bulb of the vehicle's exte-
rior lighting has failed.

For replacing bulbs refer to page

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 activated/
deactivated if you wish.

LIGHTS ON warning

Whenever you open the driver's door after hav-
ing 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
second position:
When the ignition is switched off, the external
lighting is also switched off.

You can have the activation settings for
the daytime driving lamps programmed

on your vehicle.

Automatic headlamp control*

When the switch is set to this position,
the system automatically activates and
cancels the low beams in response to

changes in ambient light, for example in tun-
nels, at dusk, and when it is raining or snowing.

The low-beam headlamps remain on
regardless of the ambient light when you

switch on the fog lamps.

Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's jud-

gement in determining when the vehicle lights
should be switched on. For example, the sen-
sors are not able to detect fog. To avoid safety
risks, you should respond to these kinds of low-
visibility situations by switching the headlamps
on manually.

You can have the sensitivity of your vehi-
cle's automatic headlamp control

adjusted.

High beams/Standing lamps

1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Standing lamps

Left or right standing lamps*

As an additional feature, you can illuminate your
vehicle on either side for parking:

Turn the ignition key to position 0 or
remove it

Turn off the low beams

Push the lever in the appropriate turn-signal
direction, until it engages.

The standing lamps discharge the bat-
tery. Avoid using the standing lamps for

longer periods of time; otherwise, you may no
longer be able to start the engine.

Fog lamps*

Tap the button to switch them on or off.

The parking lamps or low-beam head-
lamps must be switched on. A green indi-
cator lamp comes on in the instrument

cluster to indicate that the front fog lamps are on.

If the automatic headlamp control is on,
the low beams will automatically come on

whenever you activate the front fog lamps.

Instrument lighting

Turn the rotary dial to adjust the illumination
intensity.

Interior lamps

The interior lamps operate automatically.

To switch the interior lamps on and off

manually

Press button

1 briefly.

If you would like the interior lamps to remain off
all the time, press and hold the button for
approx. 3 seconds.
Press the button briefly to revert to normal
operation.

Reading lamps*

Switch on and off with button

2 adjacent to

each lamp.

Controlling the climate for pleasant driving

Air conditioning

1 Air onto the windshield and the side win-

dows

2 Air for the upper body area

3 Air for the footwell
4 Air distribution

5 Air conditioning

6 Outside air/recirculated air mode

7 Temperature adjustment

8 Air supply/blower

9 Rear window defroster

Air distribution

You can direct airflow onto the win-
dows

, toward the upper body

and into the footwell

. All interme-

diate settings are possible.

Air supply/blower

Turn the rotary control to adjust the
air supply. Both heating and ventila-
tion become more effective as the air
supply rate is increased.

Turn the rotary control toward zero:
The blower and the heating are turned off, and
the air supply is stopped.

Temperature

In order to increase the temperature
of the passenger compartment, turn
to the right toward the red zone.

Air conditioning

The air is cooled and dehumidified
and, depending on the temperature
setting, rewarmed.
Depending on the weather, the wind-

shield may fog over briefly when the engine is
started.

Condensation forms during operation of
the air conditioning system, which then

exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water on the ground underneath the vehicle are
thus normal.

Outside air/recirculated air mode

If there are unpleasant odors in the
outside air, you can temporarily block
the supply of incoming air. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently

within the vehicle.

If the windows fog over in the recirculated
air mode, switch this mode off and

increase the air supply as required. Do not use
the recirculated-air mode continuously over a
long period of time as this would otherwise
reduce the air quality in the interior of the vehi-
cle.

Rear window defroster

The indicator lamp lights up when
the rear window defroster is active.
The rear window defroster switches
off automatically.

Ventilation

You can adjust the blower controls for the upper
body area to obtain the optimum airflow rates
and directions for your personal requirements:
1 Rotary dials for opening and closing the

vents at any setting desired

2 Slide for adjusting airflow direction

Microfilter

The built-in microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air and in the recirculated air
mode. Your BMW center will replace this filter
during the regularly scheduled maintenance. A
substantial reduction in airflow indicates that
the filter needs to be replaced earlier.

BMW 3.0i Roadster & Coupe (2005 year). Instruction - part 3