
 
Contents
 
9
 
Passenger safety systems:
 
Airbags54
Transporting children safely57
Vehicle Memory, Key 
Memory61
 
Driving:
 
Ignition lock63
Starting the engine63
Switching off the engine65
Parking brake65
Manual transmission66
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*67
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*71
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher74
Washer/wiper system/Rain 
sensor*75
Cruise control*77
 
Everything under control:
 
Odometer79
Tachometer79
Energy control79
Fuel gauge80
Engine coolant temperature 
gauge80
Service interval display81
Check Control81
Clock82
Computer*83
 
Technology for safety and 
driving convenience:
 
Park Distance Control (PDC)*85
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC)86
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) – 
325xi88
Hill Descent Control (HDC)*90
Flat Tire Monitor*91
Brake force display92
 
Lamps:
 
Parking lamps/Low beams93
Instrument lighting94
High beams/Standing lamps94
Fog lamps*95
Interior lamps95
 
Controlling the climate for 
pleasant driving:
 
Air conditioning96
Automatic climate control*100
 
Interior conveniences:
 
Premium sound system*105
Glove compartment105
Storage compartments106
Cellular phone*107
Ashtray, front*108
Ashtray, rear*108
Socket109
 
Loading and transporting:
 
Ski bag*110
Cargo area111
Cargo loading113
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack*116
 
Controls and features 

 
17
1Fuel gauge80
2Indicator lamp for turn signals20
3Speedometer
4Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
5Tachometer and Energy Control 79, 
79
6Engine coolant temperature 
gauge80
7Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
8Control button for
 
>
 
Time82
 
>
 
Service interval display81
 
>
 
Outside temperature display83
9Selector lever and program display 
for automatic transmission/sequen-
tial manual gearbox19, 67, 73
10 Display for
 
>
 
Trip odometer/Odometer79
 
>
 
Clock82
 
>
 
Service interval81
 
>
 
Computer82
11 Check Control81
12 Trip odometer, reset to zero79
13 Indicator and warning lamps18 
to 21
 
Instrument cluster
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

38
Alarm system*The conceptThe vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, the tailgate 
or the rear window is 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
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized 
vehicle entry and attempted theft by 
simultaneously activating the following:
>Sounding an acoustic alarm 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 
systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked 
via the driver's door lock or with the 
remote control, the alarm system is also 
simultaneously armed or disarmed.You can have different acknowl-
edgment signals set to confirm 
arming and disarming.<
You can also open the rear window 
when the system is armed by pressing 
the remote control button, refer to 
page 32. The window is once again 
secured when it is closed.
Extended pressure on the button sets 
off the alarm – Panic mode, refer to 
page 32.
Indicator lamp displays>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously:
The system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes while the 
system is armed: a door, the hood, 
the tailgate or rear window is 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 when the 
system is disarmed: no manipulation 
or attempted intrusions have been 
detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed
>The indicator lamp flashes for 
10 seconds when the system is dis- 

61
Vehicle Memory, Key MemoryHow the system functionsNo doubt you have often reflected on 
how great it would be if you could per-
manently configure your vehicle's vari-
ous features and adjustments to mirror 
your own personal preferences. In engi-
neering your vehicle, BMW has 
included a number of options for stor-
ing personal adjustment data. These 
can be programmed at your BMW cen-
ter.
The available configuration data fall into 
two categories, according to whether 
their primary orientation is the vehicle – 
Vehicle Memory – or the individual – 
Key Memory. Provided that each per-
son has a separate remote-control key, 
you can have your BMW center enter 
basic adjustment data for up to four 
individuals in the system.
The system relies on a bilateral data 
exchange to identify the individual user 
and executes the selected settings 
whenever the remote control unit is 
used to disengage the locks.
Distinguishing between keysColor-coded decals have been pro-
vided to help you distinguish the differ-
ent keys with their individual settings.What the system can doYou can learn about the entire array of 
features this system offers at your BMW 
center. Here are just a few examples:
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 as acknowledgment 
when locking or unlocking your vehi-
cle, refer to pages 31, 34
>Activates/deactivates the 'Follow me 
home' function, refer to page 93
>Activates/deactivates daytime driv-
ing lamps, refer to page 93
>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, to pages 98, 103
>Activates/deactivates various alarm 
system functions, refer to page 39
>After giving an ice warning, the 
onboard computer display returns to 
the previous setting, to page 83.
Examples for Key Memory:
>Locks the vehicle automatically after 
starting off, refer to page 35
>Unlocks the driver's door first, then 
the vehicle's remaining locks, refer to 
page 35
>Opens the tailgate instead of the rear 
window with the remote control, refer 
to page 32
>Automatically adjusts the driver's 
seat to the personal programmed 
settings when the vehicle is 
unlocked, refer to page 50
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64
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 start at very low temperatures of 
under approx. +57/–156 at high alti-
tudes of over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>On the first start attempt, it may be 
necessary to engage the starter for a 
longer period, but no longer than 
20 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.<
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.Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idling position
3. Start the engine.Automatic transmission1. Depress footbrake
2. Place the selector lever in position P 
or N
3. Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from start-
ing off on its own, always move 
the selector lever to position P and 
engage the parking brake before leav-
ing your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.
position N
3. Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, reen-
gage the gear last selected, refer 
to the gear indicator in the display, and 
move the selector lever into neutral 
position N again.
The gearbox is automatically taken out 
of gear if the driver's door is opened 
while the engine is running and the 
driver does not actuate the pedals, the 
shift paddles or the selector lever. This 
is accompanied by a warning tone and 
the flashing gear indicator. The gear 
display N appears in the instrument 
cluster.<
Before exiting the vehicle with the 
engine running, move the selector 
lever into position N and apply the park-
ing brake.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended 
with the engine running. An unattended 
vehicle with a running engine repre-
sents a safety hazard.<
Starting the engine 

65
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 sufficiently secure the 
vehicle against rolling.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Automatic transmissionMove the selector lever into position P, 
and turn the ignition key to position 1 or 
0.SMG gearboxIf you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in position 
R, or in sequential mode, a gear auto-
matically remains engaged.
If you turn the ignition key to position 1 
or 0 with the selector lever in neutral 
position N, a warning tone and the 
flashing gear indicator in the display 
remind you that no gear is engaged to 
secure the vehicle against rolling.
The warning stops after approx. 
9 seconds.
Parking brakeThe parking brake is designed primarily 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling when 
it is parked. It operates against the rear 
wheels.To engageThe 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 releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.
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67
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*The conceptThe sequential manual gearbox SMG is 
an automated manual gearbox with 
which clutching and shifting is assumed 
by an electro-hydraulic system.
The SMG is operated via the selector 
lever in the center console and two shift 
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Sequential mode: manual mode
>Drive mode: automatic operation 
>Ability to choose between two differ-
ent driving programs: Standard, 
Sport
>Operating safety through protection 
against misshifting
>Automatic upshifts and downshifts in 
the drive mode
>Automatic downshifts at minimum 
engine rpm
>Kickdown function in the drive mode.
>Acceleration assistant, refer to 
page 70.
Selector lever positionsThe current selector lever position is 
indicated by a light-emitting diode in 
the center console.
R: Reverse
N: Neutral
Position for forward driving with one-
touch functions:
Sequential mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
D: drive mode.
The SMG is ready for operation in igni-
tion key position 2.
The gearbox is automatically 
placed in neutral gear if the 
driver's door is opened while the engine 
is running and the driver does not actu-
ate the pedals, the shift paddles or the 
selector lever.
This is accompanied by an acoustic 
signal and the flashing gear indicator. 
The gear display N appears in the 
instrument cluster.
A driving position can only be engaged 
when the driver's door is closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzer 
in the area of the transmission indicates 
that the system is ready for operation.<
ShiftlockWhen the car is at a standstill, a safety 
function requires you to depress the 
brake pedal if you want to move the 
selector lever from the neutral 
position N to a driving position.Driving precautions
Use enough acceleration to pull 
away speedily when moving off on 
an uphill gradient. Never try to prevent 
the car from rolling back on an uphill 
gradient by depressing the accelerator 
pedal; always apply the handbrake. 
Otherwise you could overheat the SMG 
gearbox.<
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

69
instance, downshifts that would 
result in excessive engine speed can-
not be executed
>When you brake the car to a stop, the 
transmission automatically shifts 
down to first gear
>As speed diminishes, the transmis-
sion will shift down automatically, 
without any action on your part, just 
before the vehicle slows to below 
each gear's minimum speed.
Available displaysR N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The currently engaged gear, the 
selected mode, and any malfunctions 
are displayed in the instrument cluster.Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp comes on, 
there is a malfunction in the 
transmission system.
All selector lever positions can still be 
engaged, but in the forward driving 
positions only certain gears are actually 
available when the vehicle is driven.
Avoid extreme loads and proceed to 
the nearest BMW center.
For information on jump-starting and 
towing the vehicle, refer to page 153.Warning toneAn acoustic signal sounds if the SMG 
gearbox overheats; if possible you 
should either stop or increase your pull-
away speed so that the system can 
cool down.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex