
Controls
 49Reference
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Mobility
Driving 
Ignition lock 
0 Steering locked 
The key can only be inserted or removed in 
this position. 
After removing the key, turn the steering 
wheel slightly until it locks. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission: 
only move the selector lever from 
position P with the engine running. To turn 
the key back to position 0 or to remove it, 
first place the selector lever in position P: 
Interlock.<
1 Steering unlocked 
A slight steering wheel movement often 
makes it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1. 
Individual current consumers are ready for 
operation. 
2 Ignition switched on 
All vehicle systems are ready for operation. 
3 Start engine
Starting the engine 
Do not run the engine in closed 
rooms, as otherwise the inhaling of 
toxic exhaust gases can cause uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases 
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas. Never leave 
an unattended vehicle with the engine run-ning, as such a vehicle represents a poten-
tial safety hazard.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle remains 
stationary. Instead, begin to drive immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed. 
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal. 
Your BMW is equipped with the con-
venience starting feature. Here, it is 
sufficient to turn the ignition key only briefly 
to position 3 'Start engine' and to let go of it 
right away. The system responds by auto-
matically engaging the starter for a certain 
period and allowing it to run until the engine 
starts, after which it then disengages auto-
matically. The automatic starting mode will 
not operate or will be canceled if the bat-
tery voltage is low. The engine can be 
started by jump-starting, refer to 
page 192.<
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down 
when starting if
>the engine fails to start on the first 
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or 
cold 
>the engine is started at very low tem-
peratures, as of approx. +5 7/Ð156, 
at high altitudes over approx. 3,300 ft/
1,000 m. 
Avoid frequent starting in quick suc-
cession or repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, 
the fuel is not burned or inadequately 
burned and there is a danger of overheat-
ing and damaging the catalytic converter.
2.Gearshift lever in idle position 
3.Press the clutch pedal 
4.Start the engine. 
Before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running, place the gearshift  

Driving
52 >Automatic upshifts and downshifts in 
the Drive mode 
>Automatic downshifts with minimum 
engine speed 
>Kickdown function in the Drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to 
page 54.
Selector-lever positions 
The current selector-lever position is dis-
played on the center console. 
R: Reverse gear 
N: Neutral, idle 
Position for forward driving with one-touch 
functions: 
Sequential mode 
+: manual upshifts 
Ñ: manual downshifts 
D: Drive mode. 
The SMG is operational in ignition key posi-
tion 2. 
Idle is automatically engaged if the 
driver's door is opened with the 
engine running and neither pedals, shift 
paddles nor the selector lever are oper-
ated.
This is signaled by an acoustic signal and 
the flashing gear indicator. The gear dis-
play N appears in the instrument cluster.
A driving position can only be selected with 
the driver's door closed.
When the vehicle is unlocked, a buzzing 
sound in the area of the transmission sig-
nals that the system is ready for opera-
tion.<
Shiftlock
For your safety a driving position can only 
be engaged from the selector lever 
position N with the vehicle stationary with 
the brake pedal depressed.
Observe the following when driving
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not 
hold the vehicle on a hill by pressing 
the accelerator, but apply the handbrake 
instead. Otherwise overheating can occur 
in the area of the transmission.<
R Reverse 
Select R only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped. 
N Neutral: idle 
Engage prior to every engine start, refer 
also to page 50.
Sequential mode 
After every engine start, as soon as the 
selector lever is brought into a forward gear 
position and the brake is pressed, the 
sequential mode is activated. 
The gear is changed using the shift paddles 
or selector lever. 
Driving off is also possible in second gear, 
e.g. when there is snow on the roadway. 
D Drive mode 
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are 
shifted automatically. 
To switch from the sequential to Drive 
mode: briefly press the selector lever to the 
right towards D. 
For rapid acceleration, e.g. overtaking, 
press the accelerator pedal as far down as 
it will go Ð kickdown.
Kickdown: 
The kickdown mode provides maximum 
acceleration. 
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the 
full-throttle resistance point. 
To return to the sequential mode: briefly 
press the selector lever back to the right  

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
towards D or change the current gear using 
the shift paddles or selector lever. 
Gear changes 
Using selector lever
>To shift up, briefly press the selector 
lever towards + 
>To shift down, briefly press towards Ñ. 
Using shift paddles on steering 
wheel 
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles 
>To shift down, press. 
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g. 
when overtaking, by shifting down manu-
ally. 
In the following situations, the SMG in the 
sequential mode assists you: 
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed 
only when they will result in a plausible 
combination of engine and vehicle 
speed; thus, for example, a downshift 
that would cause the engine to overrev 
will not be executed by the system 
>When the vehicle is stopped, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into 
first gear 
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the trans-
mission downshifts automatically even 
without your intervention. 
Display in the instrument cluster
Gear display
R N 1 2 3 4 5 6
D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6
The gear currently selected, the selected 
shifting mode and, if applicable, malfunc-
tions are displayed in the instrument clus-
ter. 
Malfunctions
Indicator lamp
If the indicator lamp lights up, a 
malfunction has occurred in the 
transmission system. 
While it will remain still possible to move 
the selector lever to any desired position, 
the transmission will revert to operation in 
its default mode with only a limited number 
of forward gears.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads 
and consult the nearest BMW center. 
Warning tone
In case of overheating in the area of the 
transmission, an acoustic signal indicates 
that you should stop or start off quickly if 
possible so that the system can cool down 
again.
Information on jump-starting and towing 
begins on page 192.