
Control Center
16
Control Center 
The Control Center groups the functions of 
a large number of switches. This means 
that these functions can be operated from 
a central position. The following section 
provides an introduction to the principle of 
the menu guidance. How you control the 
individual functions is described in the con-
text of the relevant equipment. 
Controls 
1Controller: you navigate through the 
menus of the Control Center and make 
adjustments by turning, pressing and 
moving it to the left, right, forwards or 
backwards 
2Opening the start menu from any menu 
item 
3Control Display 
When you turn the controller, you feel a 
clicking. This helps you to select the 
desired menu item. 
To avoid posing an unnecessary haz-
ard due to inattention, both to your 
own vehicle's occupants and to other road users: never attempt to use the controls or 
make entries unless traffic and road condi-
tions allow.<
Menu overview 
You can call up all the functions in the Con-
trol Center using five menu items. 
Communication 
>Portable phone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*. 
Navigation or onboard information 
>Navigation system* 
>Onboard information, e.g. for display of 
the average fuel consumption. 
Entertainment 
>Radio 
>CD. 
Climate 
>Air distribution 
>Seat air conditioning
* 
>Independent ventilation
*. 
Menu item   
>Switching off the Control Display 
>Traffic information
>Sound and display settings 
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. Key 
Memory 
>Display of the maintenance requirement 
and dates for statutory emission and 
vehicle inspections.  

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changing the selector-lever 
positions
An interlock prevents inadvertent gear-
shifts into selector-lever positions R and P. 
To cancel the interlock, press the button on 
the front of the selector lever knob, refer to 
arrow. 
Press the brake pedal before shifting 
out of P or N; the shift command will 
not be executed unless the brake is 
applied: Shiftlock. 
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after 
you select a driving position, maintain pres-
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready 
to start.<
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and engage 
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle 
with the engine running. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P Parking 
Select P only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped. The rear wheels are 
blocked. 
R Reverse 
Select R only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
N Neutral 
Select N only if your journey is interrupted 
for a long period.
D Drive Ð automatic driving position 
Position for normal vehicle operation. All 
forward gears are available.Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
position D. 
Kickdown 
A kickdown provides you with maximum 
acceleration and the maximum road speed 
in position D. 
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the 
full-throttle resistance point.
M/S manual operation and Sport 
program 
Shifting from D into M/S activates the Sport 
program and this is indicated with D S in the 
gear display. This position is recom-
mended if a performance-oriented driving 
style is desired. 
The first time the selector lever is even 
slightly touched, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts from the Sport program into 
manual operation. 
If you start to move the selector lever 
towards +, the transmission shifts 
upwards; moving it towards Ð it shifts 
downwards. The gear display shows M1 
through M6. 
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combi-
nation of engine and vehicle speed; thus, 
for example, a downshift that would cause 
the engine to overrev will not be executed 
by the system.  The selected gear appears 
briefly in the instrument cluster, followed by 
the current gear. 
To obtain maximum acceleration, for 
passing maneuvers, etc., during 
operation in the manual mode, use the 
kickdown or downshift manually.< 

Everything under control
66
Energy Control/Current fuel 
consumption 
Displays the current fuel consumption. This 
allows you to see whether your current 
driving style is conducive to fuel economy 
with minimum exhaust emissions. 
Fuel gauge 
After the reserve quantity has been 
reached, a message appears for a short 
time on the Control Display; the range is 
shown in the computer. Below a range of 
approx. 30 miles/50 km, the message 
remains on the Control Display, and the 
range is displayed. 
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters, of which approx. 2.1 gallons/
8  liters reserve. You can find information on 
Refueling on page 168. 
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer 
period, when you are driving in mountain-
ous areas, for example, the indicator may 
fluctuate slightly.
Refuel well before the tank is empty, 
as otherwise engine functions will not 
be ensured and damage can occur if you 
drive down to the last drop.<
Service requirement display 
and display of legally 
prescribed inspections 
In the instrument cluster
The remaining distance to be driven, the 
date for the next maintenance as well as 
the date entered for the state emission or 
vehicle inspection are displayed briefly as 
of ignition key position 2, if the date is 
imminent. 
Your Service Advisor will determine 
your vehicle's current service require-
ments by reading out the data stored in the 
vehicle key.<
On the Control Display 
You can view additional information on ser-
vice and maintenance procedures using 
the Control Center. 
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16: 
1.Open the    menu
2.Select "Service" and press the control-
ler 
3.Select "Service requirements" and 
press the controller 
4.Select "Status" and press the control-
ler.  

Everything under control
70
Computer 
To select functions:
As of ignition key position 1, you can use 
the BC button in the turn signal indicator 
lever to call up computer information in the 
instrument cluster.
A new function appears each time you 
press the BC button briefly. 
Displays in the instrument cluster
The display sequence:
>Cruising range
>Average speed 
>Average fuel consumption.
Cruising range 
Displays the estimated cruising range 
available with the remaining fuel. The sys-
tem calculates the cruising range based on 
operating conditions and the amount of fuel 
remaining in the tank. The basis for the cal-
culations is the average fuel consumption 
over the preceding 20 miles/30 km.
Always refuel as soon as possible 
once your cruising range falls to 
below 30  miles/50  km, as otherwise engine functions are not ensured and damage can 
occur.<
Refueling is only registered by the com-
puter for fuel amounts above approx. 
1.3 gallons/5 liters. 
Average fuel consumption 
The average fuel consumption is calculated 
for the time during which the engine is run-
ning. 
You can use the Control Display to view 
your fuel consumption rate over two differ-
ent distances, refer to Computer or Trip 
computer. 
To reset the average fuel consumption to 
zero: press the BC button in the turn signal 
indicator lever for approx. 2 seconds. 
Average speed 
Periods with the vehicle parked and the 
engine switched off are not included in the 
calculations of average speed.
To reset the average speed to zero: press 
the BC button in the turn signal indicator 
lever for approx. 2 seconds. 
Displays on the Control Display 
You can also call up the computer via the 
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16:
1.Open the start menu by pressing the 
button
2.Move the controller to the right to open 
"Navigation".
On vehicles without navigation: open 
"Car Data"  

Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Select "Car Data" and press the con-
troller.
You have two possibilities to display infor-
mation of the computer: 
>Computer 
>Trip computer 
It is best to use this for driving on vaca-
tion, as when you reset the values to 
zero, all the functions are reset together 
and then restart. 
Computer 
Select "Onboard info" and press the con-
troller.
>Estimated time of arrival at destination.
Manually enter a distance in the com-
puter or a destination in the navigation 
system, see below or refer to page 116 
>Cruising range
>Distance to destination. 
Manually enter a distance in the com-
puter or a destination in the navigation 
system, see below or refer to page 116 
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption.
Trip computer 
Select "Trip computer" and press the con-
troller>Departure time 
>Driving time 
>Distance traveled
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption. 
To switch the trip computer on/off and 
reset values to zero: 
1.Select "Set" and press the controller 
2.Select the desired menu item and press 
the controller. 
Entering a distance manually 
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16:
1.Open "Navigation". 
On vehicles without navigation: open 
"Car Data" 
2.Select "Car Data" and press the con-
troller
3.Select "Onboard info" and press the 
controller
4.Select "Distance to destin." and press 
the controller
5.Turn the controller to select the dis-
tance to your destination
6.Press the controller to apply the setting. 

Reference 203
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 54
Ð indicator lamp 56
Ð interlock 49
Ð selector lever interlock 55
Ð shiftlock 55
Ð sport program 55
Ð starting the engine 50
Ð towing 193
AUTO program, refer to 
Automatic air distribution 
and volume 91
"Autostore" on the 
radio 136
"AUTO" with automatic 
climate control 93
Average fuel 
consumption 70
Ð setting the units 74
Average speed 70
"Avoid ferries" for 
navigation 121
"Avoid freeways / tolls" for 
navigation 121
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms 33
"Avoid tollroads" for 
navigation 121
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights 200
"A - Z" 154
B
Backrests, refer to 
Seats 36
Backrest width 
adjustment 37
Backup lamps, refer to 
Reverse gear 51
Ð replacing the bulbs 186
"Balance", audio 
system 132
Balance, refer to Tone 
control 131
"Bass", audio system 132
Bass, refer to Tone 
control 131
Battery 188
Ð in the remote control 26
Ð jump-starting 192Belts, refer to Safety 
belts 36, 40
Beverage holders 99
Black ice, refer to Ice 
warning 65
Blocking sections of a route 
for navigation 125
Blower, refer to Air 
volume 91
BMW Assist 161
Ð enabling 161
Ð services offered 162
"BMW Info" 163
BMW Maintenance 
System 181
"BMW Service 
settings" 161
Bore, refer to Engine 
data 198
Bottle holder, refer to 
Beverage holders 99
Brake Assistant, refer to 
DBC Dynamic Braking 
Control 79
Brake fluid 180
Ð indicator lamp 180
Ð level 180
Ð replacing 180
Brake force display 82
Brake hydraulic 
systems 180
Brake lamps, replacing the 
bulbs 186
Brake pads 107
Ð breaking-in 
procedure 106
Brake pedal, refer to 
Brakes 107
Brake rotors 107
Brakes 107
Ð ABS 77
Ð brake fluid 180
Ð breaking-in 
procedure 106
Ð handbrake 50Brake system 106
Ð brake-fluid level 180
Ð brake pads 107
Ð breaking-in 
procedure 106
Ð disc brakes 107
Ð indicator lamp 13, 107
Breakdown services, refer 
to Roadside 
Assistance 191
Break-in procedures 106
Ð brakes 106
Ð clutch 106
Ð differential 106
Ð engine 106
Brightness on the Control 
Display 73
Bulbs and lamps
Ð replacing the bulbs 184
Buttons on steering 
wheel 11
C
California Proposition 
65 Warning 183
"Call" 154
Call
Ð accepting 153
Ð display accepted 154
Ð ending 154
Ð in absence 154
Ð starting 153
Calling
Ð from phone book 154
Ð from the Top 8 list 154
Ð redialing 154
Calling up traffic 
information 126
"Call sender" 156
"Call Sirius" 138
Can holder, refer to 
Beverage holders 99
Capacities 201
Car battery, refer to 
Battery 188
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure 

Reference 205
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Condition Based Service 
CBS 181
"Confirmation" 28
Confirmation signals for 
vehicle locking 28
"Confirm unlock code" 153
Connecting a vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Lighter 
socket 100
Consumption display
Ð refer to average
fuel consumption 70
Consumption indicator
Ð refer to Energy Control 66
"Continue guidance to 
dest.?" 126
Control Center 16
Ð adjusting the 
brightness 73
Ð assistance window 18
Ð automatic climate 
control 92
Ð changing settings 73
Ð changing the menu 
page 19
Ð confirming selection or 
entry 19
Ð display, menus 16
Ð language selection 74
Ð lists 19
Ð menu item selection 19
Ð selecting units of measure 
and display format 74
Ð setting time and date 74
Ð status information 18
Ð symbols 17
Control Display 16
Controller, refer to Control 
Center 16
Controls, audio 
systems 130
Controls, refer to 
Cockpit 10
Convenience operation
Ð glass roof 28
Ð windows 28
Convenience start, refer to 
Starting the engine 49
Coolant 179, 180
Ð level 180
Cooling, maximum 91Cornering Brake Control 78
"Country" for destination 
entry 117
Country of destination for 
navigation 116
Courtesy lighting 89
Cruise control 58
Ð active cruise control 59
Ð indicator lamp 11
Cruising range 70
Cup holder, refer to 
Beverage holders 99
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights 200
Current fuel 
consumption 66
"Current position" 115
"Customer Relations" 163
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data 198
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit 10
Data 198
Ð capacities 201
Ð dimensions 199
Ð engine 198
Ð weights 200
Date 65
Ð calling up 65
Ð display format 75
Ð setting 75
Daytime driving lamps 87
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control 79
Ð indicator lamp 79
Decommissioning the 
vehicle, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Defect
Ð automatic 
transmission 56
Ð door lock 29
Ð fuel filler door 168
Ð glass roof 35
Ð luggage compartment 
lid 31
Ð Sequential manual 
transmission SMG 53Defrosting the windshield, 
refer to Defrosting 
windows 91
Defrosting windows and 
removing 
condensation 91
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows 91
"Delete address book" for 
navigation 121
"Delete all numbers" on the 
portable phone 155
"Delete data" for 
navigation 121
"Delete" for portable 
phone 155
Deleting the destination 
address 120
Destination for navigation
Ð entry 116
Ð recent destinations 119
Ð selecting via map 118
Ð selecting with 
information 118
Ð storing 120
Destination guidance 123
Ð changing specified 
route 121
Ð interrupting voice 
instructions 125
Ð selecting a new route 125
Ð terminating/
continuing 126
Ð volume of voice 
instructions 125
"Detour" 126
"Dial number" 153
Digital clock 65
Dimensions 199
Dipstick for engine oil 178
Directional indicators, refer 
to Turn signal 
indicators 56
Direction announcements, 
refer to Voice 
instructions 124
Direction instructions, refer 
to Voice instructions 124
Directory, refer to Phone 
book 154 

Everything from A to Z
210 Music track
Ð find 142, 145
"Mute on / off" 44
MW, waveband 134
N
"Navigation" 44, 114
Navigation, refer to 
Navigation system 114
Navigation CD/DVD 114
Navigation computer, 
installation location 114
Navigation destination
Ð manual entry 116
Navigation system 114
Ð address book 120
Ð current position 115
Ð destination guidance in 
assistance window 115
Ð destination input 116
Ð destination list 119
Ð entering a destination 
manually 116
Ð navigation CD/DVD 114
Ð recent destinations 119
Ð route display 123
Ð route list 124
Ð selecting destination 
using information 118
Ð selecting route 
criteria 121
Ð starting 114
Ð starting destination 
guidance 123
Ð switching off, refer to 
Terminating/continuing 
destination guidance 126
Ð terminating/continuing 
destination guidance 126
Ð voice instructions 124
Ð volume adjustment 125
"Navigation voice 
instructions on" 124
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints 39
"New destination" 116, 118
"New route" 125
"Next entertainment 
source" 44North alignment of map for 
navigation 124
Nozzles, refer to 
Windshield washer 
nozzles 57
"Number" on portable 
phone 153
O
OBD connector 183
Octane numbers, refer to 
Fuel quality 169
Odometer 65
Oil
Ð additives 179
Ð capacity 201
Ð dipstick 178
Ð specified engine oils 179
Oil change interval,
refer to Service 
requirement display 66
Oil consumption 178
Oil level 178
Old batteries, refer to 
Disposal 189
"On a new destination" for 
navigation 119
"Onboard info" 71
Onboard monitor, refer to 
Control Center 16
Onboard tool kit 184
"On destination" 119
"On location" 119
Opening and closing
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 27
Ð using the door lock 29
Ð using the remote 
control 27Operation via voice for 
portable phone 157
Ð adjusting volume 158
Ð canceling 157
Ð correcting phone 
number 158
Ð correcting unlock 
code 158
Ð dialing phone number 158
Ð entering unlock code 158
Ð placing a call 158
Ð redialing 159
Ð switching on phone 158
Ð voice commands 157
Ð voice phone book 158
Orientation menu, refer to 
Start menu 17
Output, refer to Engine 
data 198
Outside air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode 91
Outside temperature 
display 65
Ð changing the 
measurement unit 74
Ð in the computer 74
P
Panic mode 28
Park Distance Control 
PDC 76
Parking
Ð vehicle 50
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control PDC 76
Parking brake, refer to 
Handbrake 50
Parking lamp
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Parking lamps/low 
beams 87
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
"Parking lamps on!" 69
Parts and accessories, 
refer to Your individual 
vehicle 5
"Passenger" 42
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function 39
"Pathway lighting" 87