Starting the engine

Never let the engine run in enclosed spaces: inhaling exhaust gases, which are harmful to health, can cause loss of consciousness and even death. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that has no color or odor. Never leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. In this condition, it becomes a potential source of danger.

Before leaving the vehicle with the engine running, shift the gear selector lever to neutral (automatic transmission: to position P) and apply the parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling away unintentionally.◄

Do not depress the accelerator pedal when starting the engine.

Do not warm up the engine at idle; drive off immediately at moderate engine speed.

Petrol engines

Vehicles with manual transmission

Do not engage the starter for too short a time, but do not keep it engaged for longer than 20 seconds. As soon as the engine starts, release the key immediately.

Vehicles with SMG and automatic transmission

Your BMW is equipped with a Comfort Start system. Turn the ignition key to position 3 and release it immediately. The starter engages automatically for a certain time and disengages automatically as soon as the engine starts.

Starting the engine in severe conditions

Press the accelerator pedal down about halfway if ► the engine does not start on the first attempt (for example, if it is too cold or too hot);

► the engine is started at very low temperatures (below –15 °C) or at high altitudes (above 1000 m).

Avoid repeated unsuccessful start attempts, as the fuel will not burn completely, which may cause overheating and damage to the catalytic converter.◄

Diesel engines

With a cold engine

1. Leave the ignition key in position 2 until the glow plug indicator light on the instrument display goes out.

2. Start the engine.

At very low temperatures, increase the starting time to 40 seconds.

With a warm engine

The glow plug indicator light does not illuminate. The engine can be started immediately.

Vehicles with automatic transmission

Your vehicle is equipped with a Comfort Start system, see "Gasoline engines".

Vehicles with manual transmission

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the gear lever to neutral.
3. Depress the clutch pedal (especially at low outside temperatures).
4. Start the engine.

Vehicles with SMG transmission

1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Move the selector lever to position N.
3. Start the engine.

If the engine does not start, engage the gear that was last selected (see the display in the instrument cluster), then move the selector lever to position N.◄

Vehicles with automatic transmission

1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Move the selector lever to position P or N.
3. Start the engine.