
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is 
to use the index, refer to page 197.
Using this Owner's Manual 
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit 
16Control Center 
20Voice command system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
51Transporting children safely 
54Driving
64Everything under control 
75Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety
85Lamps 
88A congenial climate 
94Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
102Things to remember when driving 
Navigation
108Starting navigation system 
110Destination entry 
118Destination guidance 
122What to do if …
Entertainment
126On/off and tone 
130Radio 
137CD player and CD changer 
Communications
144Telephoning 
155TeleService, BMW Assist 
Mobility
162Refueling 
164Wheels and tires 
170Under the hood
174Maintenance
176Rules and regulations
178Replacing components
183Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
190Technical data 
194Short commands of the 
voice command system 
197Everything from A to Z 

At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Buttons on the steering wheel
Portable phone:
>Press briefly:
Accept call or terminate call
as well as dial if an entry has been 
selected from "A - Z", "Top  8", "Redial", 
"Received calls" or "Missed calls"
>Press longer: redial
Volume 
Voice command system
Fast forward/reverse
>Radio 
Press briefly: change radio station 
Press longer: manual tuning or auto-
matic station-search function scan
>CD 
Press briefly: select track
Press longer: fast forward/reverse
>Portable phone
Press briefly: select entry in "A - Z", 
"Top 8", "Redial", "Received calls" or 
"Missed calls"
Individually programmable49
Individually programmable498Instrument cluster12
10Ignition lock54
11Horn: the entire surface
14Releasing the engine hood170
15Opening the luggage compartment 
lid30
16Head-Up Display83 
9
Windshield wipers61
Rain sensor61
12
Steering wheel heater49
Steering wheel adjustment48
13
Cruise control63
17
Parking lamps85
Low beams85
Automatic headlamp 
control85
Adaptive Head Light86
18
Instrument lighting87
Front fog lamps86 

At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The text or numbers that the voice com-
mand system has registered will appear on 
the Control Display.
 This symbol appears on the Control Dis-
play when you can enter additional voice 
commands. 
If there are no other voice commands, 
operate the equipment using the Control 
Center.
Terminating or canceling voice 
command system
Press the   button on the steering wheel or 
in the center console
or 
Voice commands
To open the start menu: 
You can have a list of the respectively pos-
sible voice commands read off; this list is 
dependent on the menu item selected on 
the Control Display.
For example, if you have selected "CD", the 
possible voice commands for operating the 
CD player and the CD changer will be read 
off:
There are often a number of commands to 
run a function, e.g.: 
With short commands you can carry out 
certain functions directly, regardless of 
which menu item is selected, refer to 
page 194. 
An example: selecting a track 
1.If necessary, switch on sound output for 
Entertainment
2.Press the   button in the steering wheel 
or in the center console.
{Cancel}.
{Main menu}.
{Options} or {Help}.
{Radio on} or {Switch on radio}. 
3.{Entertainment}.
The system issues: 
{{Entertainment}}
4.{CD}.
The system issues: 
{{CD}}
5.Select a track, e.g.:
{Track 1}.
The system issues: 
{{Track 1}}. 

Controls
 49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 
to the standard position or stored memory 
setting.
This automatic feature is governed by the 
driver's door and the ignition lock.
Steering wheel heater* 
In ignition key position 2, press the button.
The indicator lamp within the button lights 
up when the steering wheel heater is in 
operation.
Programming button function 
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, an 
individual function can be assigned to each 
of the two programmable function buttons 
in the steering wheel.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16:
1.Open the   menu
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller
3.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and 
press the controller.A list with different functions is dis-
played:
>"Navigation" 
Voice instructions for the navigation 
system
>"Air recirculation on / off" 
In this mode, you can continuously 
block the supply of outside air, refer 
to AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control on page 89
>"Mute on / off" 
Mutes the audio sources
>"Screen on / off" 
Switches the Control Display on/off
>"Short cut / Telephone"
Display/hide phone book
>"Next entertainment source"
Changes audio source
4.Select the desired function
5.Press the controller
6.Select button if necessary
.
7.Press the controller.
Depending on which key you have used to 
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is 
applied.
You can operate the selected function 
using the corresponding button. 

Driving
56 do not pull it too strongly. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the handbrake 
lever.
Strong application of the handbrake can 
lead to overbraking of the rear axle and 
associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle rear 
end.
The brake lamps do not light up when the 
handbrake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual or SMG transmission: 
When parking on inclines, engage the 
handbrake, as even engaging the first or 
reverse gear might not under certain cir-
cumstances secure the vehicle against 
moving.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Engage selector-lever position P.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided 
braking action, occasionally engage 
the handbrake lightly when the vehicle is 
slowly coming to a standstill if the traffic 
conditions are suitable.<
Manual transmission 
While shifting gear in the 5th/6th  gear 
level, press the gearshift lever to the 
right, as otherwise engine damage could 
occur from inadvertently engaging a gear in 
the 3rd/4th gear level.
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with the 
clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise there 
is high clutch wear.<
Reverse gear 
Select only when the vehicle is completely 
stationary. When pressing the gearshift 
lever to the left, overcome some resis-
tance.The backup lamps automatically switch on 
in ignition key position 2.
SMG Sequential manual 
transmission* 
The concept
The SMG Sequential manual transmission 
is an automated manual transmission in 
which an electro-hydraulic system handles 
the clutching and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector 
lever in the center console and two shift 
paddles on the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode: 
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Options of two drive programs: 
Normal or Sport, refer to page 59
>Protection against incorrect gearshifts 
and automatic shift down at minimum 
engine speed, also in the Sequential 
mode
>Kickdown function in the Drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to 
page 60.
The SMG is operational in ignition key posi-
tion 2.
Selector-lever positions 
The current selector-lever position is dis-
played on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>One-touch function for Sequential 
mode
+: manual upshifts
—: manual downshifts
>D: Drive mode.
N 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 indicated by an acoustic signal and 
the flashing display N in the instrument 
cluster.<
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed, in 
the Drive mode preceded by a D.
Shiftlock 
Press the brake pedal before shifting out 
of N; the shift command will not be exe-
cuted unless the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is completely 
stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the 
selector lever is pushed to the right and the 
brake pedal 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 the roadway is icy.
D Drive mode 
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are 
shifted automatically.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode: 
Briefly press the selector lever to the right 
towards D.
Kickdown:
For rapid acceleration, e.g. overtaking, 
press the accelerator pedal as far down as 
it will go: you achieve maximum accelera-
tion.
To switch back to the Sequential mode: 
briefly press the selector lever back to the 
right towards D or change the current gear 
using the shift paddles or selector lever.
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not 
hold the vehicle on a hill by applying 
the throttle, but engage the handbrake 
instead. Otherwise overheating can occur 
in the area of the transmission.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever 
>To shift up, briefly press the selector 
lever towards +
>To shift down, briefly press towards —.
Using shift paddles on steering 
wheel 
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles
>To shift down, press.
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  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
76 indicate the presence of objects in green 
before they are close enough to generate a 
signal tone.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16:
1.Press button.
The start menu is opened
2.Press the controller to open the   menu
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller
4.Select "PDC" and press the controller
5.Select "Monitor display on" and press 
the controller.
 The PDC screen is activated. 
The display appears on the Control Display 
as soon as PDC is activated.
Depending on which key you have used to 
open the vehicle, the last adjustment is 
applied.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always 
remains with the driver. Even when sensors 
are involved, there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be detected. The system is 
also subject to the physical limits that apply 
to all forms of ultrasonic measurement, 
such as those encountered with thin and 
wedge-shaped objects, etc.  Low objects 
already displayed, e.g. a curb, can also dis-
appear from the detection area of the sen-
sors again before a continuous tone 
sounds.
Loud noises from outside and inside your 
vehicle may prevent you from hearing the 
PDC signal tone.<
Do not apply high pressure spray to 
the sensors for a prolonged period of 
time. Keep the spray at least 4 in/10 cm 
away from the sensors.<
Driving stability control 
systems 
Your BMW is equipped with an extended 
array of systems designed to enhance and 
maintain vehicle stability under extreme 
conditions. The following section describes 
these functions based on ABS and DSC.
ABS Antilock Brake System 
ABS enhances active safety by preventing 
the wheels from locking under braking.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. ABS includes the functions CBC 
Cornering Brake Control and EBV Elec-
tronic brake-force distribution.
CBC Cornering Brake Control 
It provides further enhancements in vehicle 
stability and steering response during lane 
changes and cornering at high rates of lat-
eral acceleration.
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution 
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure 
stable deceleration. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80
Report of a flat tire 
The warning lamp lights up in red 
and a message appears on the 
Control Display. In addition, an 
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat tire 
or extensive inflation pressure loss.
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden 
braking and steering maneuvers. Do 
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph/
80 km/h
Due to the reinforcement on the 
side walls of the run-flat tires, 
inflation pressure loss can not usually 
be recognized from the outside, refer to 
Run-flat tires on page 168.<
2.To continue driving, comply with the 
instructions for driving with damaged 
tires on page 168.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up yellow 
and a message appears on the 
Control Display. The Flat Tire Moni-
tor has a malfunction or has failed. Have 
the system checked as soon as possible.
Active steering* 
The concept 
The active steering is a system that actively 
varies the steering angle of the front wheels 
in relation to the steering wheel move-
ments.
When you are driving in the low road speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the 
steering angle of the wheels is reinforced, 
i.e. the steering becomes very direct.
In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle of the wheels is 
reduced more and more. This improves the 
handling capability of your BMW over the 
entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make 
targeted changes to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the 
vehicle before the driver intervenes.
Malfunction 
The fixed warning lamp lights up.
The active steering is no longer 
operational. In the low speed range, 
greater steering wheel movement is neces-
sary. Have the system checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first 
engine starting following a power supply 
interruption, the system must be activated 
with initialization.
Initializing system 
1.Start the engine
2.With the vehicle stationary, turn the 
steering wheel from the straight-ahead 
position to the left as far as it will go and 
then back to the straight-ahead position
3.Switch off the engine.
When you start the engine again, all the 
functions of the active steering are avail-
able once again.
Brake Force Display 
The two-stage brake lamps light up in two 
stages depending on how strongly you 
brake.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the third brake 
lamp go on
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
In addition, the light area of the rear 
brake lamps is enlarged, refer to illus-
tration.