
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 

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 

Controls
 39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Select "After unlocking" or "After door 
is opened" and press the controller. 
  displays the selected setting. 
When using this Key Memory feature, 
always make sure that the footwell 
behind the driver's seat is empty and unob-
structed. 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.<
Safety feature 
1.Close the driver's door and turn the 
ignition key to position 0 or 2 
2.Press the desired memory button 1 or 2 
and maintain pressure until the adjust-
ment process has been completed. 
If the 
MEMORY button is pressed acciden-
tally: 
Press the button a second time, the indica-
tor lamp goes out. 
Passenger-side exterior mirror tilt 
function*
Automatic curb monitor 
1.Select the exterior mirror on the driver 
side with the switch 
2.When you engage reverse gear or 
selector-lever position R, the exterior mirror on the front passenger side tilts 
downward slightly. This allows the 
driver to see the area immediately adja-
cent to the vehicle Ð such as a curb Ð 
when parking, etc. 
You can also deactivate this automatic 
function: push the mirror selector switch to 
the passenger's mirror position. 
Head restraints 
Head restraints reduce the risk of spi-
nal injury in the event of an accident. 
Adjust the head restraints so that they are 
centered roughly at the level of your ears.< 
Front seats: adjusting the height 
You can adjust the height of the head 
restraints electrically. 
Front seats: adjusting the angle 
Swivel the head restraint. 
With the comfort seat, you use the shoulder 
support to set the distance to the back of 
the head.  

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  

Everything from A to Z
208 Heating 90
Ð mirrors 43
Ð steering wheel 44
Heating while stopped 92
Heavy cargo, refer to 
Stowing cargo 109
Height, refer to 
Dimensions 199
Height adjustment
Ð head restraints 39
Ð seats 37
Ð steering wheel 43
High beams 88
Ð headlight flasher 88
Ð indicator lamp 13
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Hills 107
Holder for beverages 99
"Horn" 44
Horn 10
"Hour memo" 75
"House number" for 
destination entry 117
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to DBC 79
Hydroplaning 106, 174
I
Ice warning 65
iDrive, refer to Control 
Center 16
Ignition key 26
Ignition key positions, refer 
to Ignition lock 49
Ignition lock 49
Independent ventilation
Ð switching on and off 
directly 94
Independent ventilation/
heating
Ð entering switch-on 
times 95
Ð preselecting switch-on 
times 95Indicator/warning lamp
Ð active steering 82
Ð airbags 84
Ð Flat Tire Monitor 81
Ð front fog lamps 11
Ð overview 13
Ð safety belt warning 40
Individual air distribution 93
Individual button 
assignment options on 
steering wheel 44
Individual settings, refer to 
Key Memory 26
Inflation pressure, refer to 
Tire inflation 
pressure 170
"Information" for 
navigation 118
Information for navigation
Ð on a different city 118
Ð on city of destination 118
Ð on current position 118
"Information on 
destination" 119
"Input map" 118
Installation location
Ð CD changer 144
Ð navigation computer 114
Ð portable phone 151
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions 124
Instrument cluster 12
Instrument combination, 
refer to Instrument 
cluster 12
Instrument lighting 88
Instrument panel, refer to 
Instrument cluster 10
Integrated universal remote
control 96
Interesting destination 118
"Interim time" 73
Interior lamps 89
Ð remote control 28
Interior mirror, refer to 
Interior rearview mirror 43
Interior motion sensor 33
Ð switching off 28Interior rearview mirror 43
Ð automatic dimming 
feature 43
Interlock, refer to Steering 
locked 49
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers 57
J
Jacking points 188
Joystick, refer to Control 
Center 16
Jump-starting 192
K
Key Memory 26
"Keypad" 156
Keys 26
Key set, refer Central keys 
with remote control 26
Kickdown 55
Knock control 169
L
Lamps and bulbs 184
"Languages" 74
"Languages" for 
navigation 124
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing the load 109
"Last seat position" 38
LATCH child-restraint 
fixing 47
LEDs light-emitting 
diodes 89
Length, refer to 
Dimensions 199
Letter symbol on portable 
phone 156
License plate light
Ð replacing the bulbs 186
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs 89
Lighter 100
Ð socket 100
"Lighting" 56, 87 

Reference 209
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lighting
Ð instruments 88
Ð of the vehicle, refer to 
Lamps 87
Lighting of the instruments, 
refer to Instrument 
lighting 88
Lights, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams 87
Lights on warning 87
Light switch 87
Limit speed, refer to 
Limit 72
Loading
Ð securing the load 109
Ð stowing cargo 109
Ð vehicle 108
"Lock after driving off" 30
"Lock button" 28
Locking
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 28
Locking and unlocking 
doors
Ð from inside 30
Ð from outside 27
Ð setting confirmation 
signals 28
"LOGIC7", audio 
systems 132
Low beams 87
Ð automatic 87
Ð replacing the bulbs 185
Lower back support, refer 
to Lumbar support 38
Lug bolts 188
Ð wrench 187
Luggage compartment 31
Ð capacity 200
Ð locking separately 31
Ð opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment 
lid 31
Ð opening from the 
inside 31
Ð opening from the 
outside 31
Ð opening with remote 
control 28
Ð socket 100
Ð volume 200Luggage compartment 
lid 31
Ð emergency release from 
inside luggage 
compartment 32
Ð locking separately 31
Ð manual operation 31
Ð opening from the 
inside 31
Ð opening from the 
outside 31
Ð opening with remote 
control 28
Ð unlocking manually 31
Luggage rack, refer to 
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack 109
Lumbar support 38
LW, waveband 134
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter 
tires 175
Maintenance, refer also to 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for 
US models or Warranty 
and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models
Maintenance system 181
Malfunction
Ð automatic 
transmission 56
Ð Sequential manual 
transmission SMG 53
Malfunction warnings, refer 
to Check Control 68
Manually controlled 
recirculated air 91
"Manual" on the radio 135
Manual operation
Ð door lock 29
Ð fuel filler door 168
Ð glass roof 35
Ð luggage compartment 
lid 31
Manual operation with 
automatic 
transmission 55Manual release, refer to 
Manual operation
Manual station tuning 135
Manual transmission 51
"Map, arrow display" 123
"Map, direction of 
travel" 124
"Map, facing north" 124
Maximum cooling 91
Maximum roof weight 200
Maximum speed
Ð for winter tires 175
Ð with compact wheel 188
Memory
Ð refer to Key Memory 26
Ð refer to Seat, mirror and 
steering wheel 
memory 38
Menus, refer to Control 
Center 16
Message list of traffic
information 126
Microphone for hands-free 
system 151
Mirrors 42
Ð automatic curb 
monitor 39
Ð dimming feature 43
Ð heating 43
Ð memory, refer to Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel 
memory 38
"Missed calls" 155
Missed calls 154
Mobile communications in 
the vehicle 108
Mobile Service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance 191
Monitor, refer to Control 
Center 16
"Monitor display on" 77
Monitoring inflation 
pressure, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 80
Multifunction switch
Ð refer to Turn signal 
indicators/headlamp 
flasher 56
Ð refer to Wiper/washer 
system 57