
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
 27Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Examples of Key Memory functions 
>Automatic adjustment of the electric 
driver's seat 
>Locking the vehicle after moving off
>When unlocking with the remote con-
trol, either unlock only the driver's door 
or the entire vehicle
>Activating optical warning for Park Dis-
tance Control PDC
>Setting the volume.
Central locking system 
The concept 
The central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. This simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following: 
>Doors 
>Luggage compartment lid 
>Fuel filler door. 
The central locking system can be oper-
ated from the outside 
>via the remote control 
>via the driver's door lock 
and from inside via the button for the cen-
tral locking system. 
When the system is locked from inside, the 
fuel filler door remains unlocked, refer to 
page 30. 
The anti-theft system is automatically acti-
vated whenever you operate the central 
locking system from outside the vehicle. It 
prevents the doors from being unlocked 
using the safety lock buttons or door han-
dles. The alarm system is armed/disarmed 
at the same time. 
In the event of an accident, the central 
locking system automatically unlocks the 
vehicle. In addition, the hazard warning 
flashers and interior lamps come on. 
Opening and closing: from 
outside 
Using the remote control 
The remote control provides two additional 
functions for the central locking system: 
>Switching on the interior lamps, refer to 
page 28. 
You can also use this function to locate 
your vehicle in parking garages etc. 
>Opening the luggage compartment lid, 
refer to page 28.
The luggage compartment lid opens, 
regardless of whether it was previously 
locked or unlocked. 
In addition, the remote control offers you 
another function:
>Panic mode 
In case of danger, you can trigger an 
alarm.
When you lock/unlock the vehicle, you 
simultaneously activate/deactivate the 
anti-theft system, arm/disarm the alarm 
system, and switch the interior lamps on/
off.
Protect the remote control against 
unauthorized use by handing over 
only the spare key, for example when using 
hotel valet parking.< 
Because any persons or animals left 
unattended in a parked vehicle could 
lock the doors from the inside, you should 
always keep the remote control with you; 
this precaution ensures that you will remain 
able to unlock the vehicle from the outside 
at all times.< 
Unlocking 
Press the   button. 
You can set which doors are to be 
unlocked for each specific key:
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16: 
1.Open the   menu
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller 

Adjustments
36
Adjustments 
Sitting safely 
The ideal sitting position can make a vital 
contribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driv-
ing.The sitting position of the occupants 
plays an important role together with the 
safety belts and airbags in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the 
following section. 
For additional information on transporting 
children safely, refer to page 45. 
Sitting safely with airbags 
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the air-
bags. Always hold the steering wheel by 
its rim with hands at the 9 o'clock and 
3 o'clock positions, to minimize the risk of 
injuries to your hands and arms in the event 
of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on 
the front passenger side as a storage area. 
Make sure that the front passenger is cor-
rectly seated and does not rest feet or legs 
on the instrument panel, otherwise leg inju-
ries can occur if the knee and front airbag 
are triggered.
Never let an occupant's head rest near or 
on a side airbag because the inflating air-
bag could cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions 
injuries resulting from contact with airbags 
cannot be fully excluded, depending on the 
circumstances. The ignition and inflation 
noise may provoke a mild hearing loss in 
extremely sensitive individuals. This effect 
is usually only temporary. 
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page 83. 
Sitting safely with safety belts 
Fasten your safety belt before starting any 
trip. Airbags complement the safety belt as 
an additional safety device, but they do not 
represent a substitute. 
Your vehicle has five seats that are all 
equipped with a safety belt. 
At all times, occupants should sit 
upright and be properly restrained Ð 
infants and small children in appropriate 
child-restraint systems; larger children and 
adults using the safety belts.
Expectant mothers should always wear 
their safety belts, taking care to position 
the lap belt against the lower hips, where it 
will not exert pressure against the abdomi-
nal area. 
Never allow more than one person to wear 
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or 
small children to ride in a passenger's lap. 
Do not route the belt across your neck, or 
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that the 
belt does not become caught or jammed. 
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it firmly 
across the hips and shoulder. Do not allow 
the belt to rest against hard or fragile 
objects. Otherwise, in the event of a frontal 
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over 
your hips, leading to abdominal injury. 
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the 
belt from fitting properly and pull the lap 
belt periodically to readjust the tension 
across your shoulder in order to avoid a 
reduction in the retention effect of the 
safety belt.<
For instructions on operating safety belts, 
refer to page 40. 
Seats 
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat 
while the vehicle is moving. The seat 
could respond with unexpected move- 

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ment, and the ensuing loss of vehicle con-
trol could lead to an accident.
On the front passenger side as well, do not 
tilt the backrest too far toward the rear 
while driving. Failure to observe this pre-
caution can prevent the belt from providing 
effective protection against injury, as the 
passenger could slide under the belt in an 
accident.
Make sure that the footwell behind the 
driver's and front passenger's seat is empty 
and unobstructed. If you fail to do so, any 
persons or objects behind the seat could 
be injured or damaged by a rearward 
movement of the seat.<
Please observe the information on damage 
to safety belts provided on page 41 and the 
information on the active head restraints on 
page 40. 
Seat adjustment 
To ensure that the safety systems 
continue to provide optimized protec-
tion, please observe the adjustment 
instructions on page 36.<
1Forward/backward 
2Height 
3Angle 
4Backrest 
Comfort seat* adjustment 
In addition to the electric power seat func-
tions, several other adjustment options are 
available with the comfort seat: 
1Backrest width 
By adjusting the backrest width, you 
can increase or reduce lateral support 
2Shoulder support 
You can use the adjustable upper back-
rest for supplementary support in the 
shoulder region. This provides a 
relaxed driving position and helps 
relieve stress on the shoulder muscles 
Make corrections in the forward/
backward adjustment of the seat 
to ensure that the safety belt still fits 
firmly against your body. If you do not 
do this, the protection provided by the 
safety belt may be reduced.<
3Thigh support 
Adjust the thigh support until the ideal 
support is provided for the thigh 
4Lumbar support, see below 
Sports seat* adjustment 
In addition to the seat cushion, on the 
sports seat you can adjust the thigh sup-
port 3, see above. 
Easy entry/exit* 
The backrest width automatically moves as 
high up and far forward as possible to ease 
driver entry and exit before then returning 
to the standard or stored memory setting. 
This automatic feature is governed by the 
driver's door and the ignition lock.  

Adjustments
38
Lumbar support* adjustment 
You can also adjust the contours of the 
backrest to obtain additional support in the 
lumbar region. 
The upper hips and spinal column receive 
supplementary support to help you main-
tain a relaxed, upright sitting position. 
>Press the front/rear of the switch to 
strengthen or weaken the curvature 
>Press the upper/lower end of the switch 
to strengthen the curvature at the top or 
bottom. 
Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory*
You can store and select two different 
adjustment settings for the driver's seat, 
exterior mirrors and steering wheel. 
The adjustment of the lumbar support is not 
stored in the memory. 
Storing 
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 2 
2.Set the desired seat, exterior mirror and 
steering-wheel positions 3.Press the 
MEMORY button: 
The indicator lamp in the button lights 
up 
4.Press the desired memory button 1 
or 2: 
The indicator lamp goes out. 
Calling up a stored setting 
Do not call up a position from the 
memory while the vehicle is moving. 
Otherwise there is a risk of accident from 
unexpected movement of the seat or steer-
ing wheel.<
Convenience mode 
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking 
or turn the ignition key to position 1 
2.Briefly press the desired memory but-
ton 1 or 2. 
The system immediately cancels the 
adjustment procedure when you press 
one of the seat adjustment buttons or 
use one of the memory buttons. 
When the respective last driver's seat, 
exterior mirror and steering-wheel position 
is called up can be set for each key. 
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16: 
1.Open the   menu   
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller
3.Select "Door locks" and press the con-
troller
4.Select "Central locking" and press the 
controller
5.Select "Last seat position" and press 
the controller 

Adjustments
40
Comfort seat 
Setting the side extensions
You can fold the side extensions on the 
head restraint forward for increased lateral 
support.
Front head restraints, active* 
The comfort seats are equipped with an 
active head restraint. 
When necessary, the system will respond 
to a rear impact by automatically triggering 
the active head restraints.
To ensure that the active head 
restraints afford maximum protection, 
and to avoid unnecessary risks to personal 
safety, we request that you read and com-
ply with the following: 
>Adjust the head restraints so that they 
are centered roughly at the level of your 
ears
>Do not install seat or head-restraint 
covers
>Never use the head restraints as sup-
ports for suspending objects of any 
kind, such as clothes hangers. Refrain 
from mounting accessories on either 
the seat or the head restraint.<
Rear seats: adjusting the height 
>Upwards: by pulling
>Downwards: press the button, arrow 1, 
and press the head restraint down-
wards. 
Safety belts 
Fastening 
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage 
in the belt buckle.
Please fasten safety belts warning 
lamp: 
Lights up until the driver and front 
passenger have fastened their seat belts. 
Depending on the model, a signal
* sounds 
or a message
* appears on the Control Dis-
play at the same time.  

Adjustments
42 3.Move the controller to the left or right to 
select "Driver" or "Passenger"
4.Turn the controller. The adjustment is 
adopted; the field can be changed.
Active seat ventilation* 
The system progresses one step through 
the control sequence each time you press 
the button.
To switch off:
Maintain pressure on the button for several 
seconds.
Use level 3 to cool the passenger 
compartment rapidly, for instance, 
when heat accumulates in the vehicle. After 
a short time, there is an automatic return to 
level 2 to prevent undercooling of the occu-
pant's back.< 
Active seat*
The seat cushion is actively varied by alter-
nately raising and lowering the right and left 
half of the seat cushion. This reduces mus-
cular tension and fatigue to help prevent 
lower back pain. 
Center console: 
To activate, press the button; the indicator 
lamp lights up. 
If you switch off the active seat, it can take 
up to 1  minute before the two halves of the 
seat cushion have returned to their initial 
position. 
Mirrors 
Adjusting exterior mirrors 
Arm rest in the driver's door: 
14-way adjustment 
2To select mirror for adjustment 
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this 
vehicle from being damaged, always 
fold them in by hand before entering an 
automatic car wash.< 

Controls
 43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
You can also adjust the mirrors manually by 
pressing against the outer edges of their 
lenses.
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel memory on 
page 38.
The mirror on the passenger's side 
features a lens with a more convex 
surface than the mirror installed on the 
driver's side. When estimating the distance 
between yourself and other traffic, bear in 
mind that the objects reflected in the mirror 
are closer than they appear. This means 
that estimations of the distance to following 
traffic should not be regarded as precise.< 
Self-defrosting mirrors 
Both exterior mirrors are automatically 
heated in ignition key position 2. 
Interior rearview mirror 
To reduce the dazzle effect of following 
vehicles at night, turn the knob beneath the 
mirror.
Interior and exterior mirrors, 
automatic dimming feature*
These mirrors automatically respond to 
ambient light and headlamp glare from fol-lowing vehicles by automatically dimming 
through an infinitely-variable range.There 
are two photocells located in the interior 
rearview mirror for this purpose. One is 
integrated within the mirror's lens, while 
the other is located at an offset position on 
the rear of the mirror housing.
The mirrors automatically revert to their 
clear, undimmed mode whenever you 
engage reverse gear or place the selector 
lever into position R.
For trouble-free operation, keep the 
photocells clean and do not cover the 
area between the interior rearview mirror 
and the windshield. Do not attach any kind 
of stickers on the windshield in front of the 
mirror.<
Steering wheel adjustment 
Do not adjust the steering wheel while 
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement.<
The steering wheel can be adjusted in any 
of four directions by pressing the appropri-
ate end of the button. 
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to 
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory on 
page 38. 
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustment 
In conjunction with seat, mirror and steer-
ing wheel memory. 
The steering wheel automatically moves as 
high up and far forward as possible to ease 
driver entry and exit before then returning