
Driving
54
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.
Interlock on 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 select the selector lever 
position P.
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 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 running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
select idle position or position  N and apply 
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle 
with the engine running.<
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
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.
Special starting conditions
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, below approx. + 57/–156, 
at high altitudes, over 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.<
Manual transmission 
1.Apply the handbrake
2.Gearshift lever in idle position
3.Press the clutch pedal 
If the clutch pedal is not 
depressed, the engine will not 
start.<
4.Start the engine.
Do not terminate the starting operation 
too early, but after approx. 20 seconds 
at the latest. When the engine starts, let 
go of the ignition key immediately. 

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  

Driving
58 speed; thus, for example, a downshift 
that would cause the engine to overrev 
will not be executed by the system
>When the vehicle is stationary, the 
transmission automatically downshifts 
into first gear
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the trans-
mission downshifts automatically even 
without your intervention.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up and a 
message appears on the Control 
Display. There is a malfunction in 
the transmission system. Avoid high loads.
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.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Information on jump-starting and towing 
begins on page 185.
Overheating 
The warning lamp lights up and a 
message appears on the Control 
Display. In addition, an acoustic 
signal sounds. Overheating in the area of 
the transmission. If possible, stop or drive 
off quickly so that the system can cool 
down.
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic* 
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you 
can also shift manually with Steptronic, 
refer to page 59.
Selector-lever positions 
P R N D M/S + –
Possible displays 
P R N D DS M1 to M6 
The selector lever position is indicated, and 
in the manual mode the gear currently 
engaged.
Changing 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.
Shiftlock 
Press the brake pedal before shifting out 
of P or N; the shift command will not be 
executed unless the brake is applied.
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 selector-lever posi-
tion 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.< 

Driving tips
 103Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
road surface. This phenomenon is referred 
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized 
by a partial or complete loss of contact 
between the tires and the road surface, ulti-
mately undermining your ability to steer 
and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the 
tread depth of the tires decreases, also 
refer to Tire tread on page 167.
Driving through water 
Do not drive through water on the 
road if it is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, 
and then only at walking speed at the most. 
Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the electri-
cal systems and the transmission may be 
damaged.<
Braking safely 
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as stan-
dard. The best way to achieve optimized 
braking response from the ABS is to apply 
maximum pressure to the brake pedal in 
situations where this is required: panic 
stops. Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can nevertheless 
avoid possible obstacles with a minimum 
of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active 
mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on 
the brake pedal. Even light but con-
sistent pedal pressure can lead to high 
temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions 
While driving in wet conditions and in 
heavy rain, it is a good idea to apply light 
pressure to the brake pedal every few 
miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure 
that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to 
ensure that full braking efficiency will then 
be available when you need it.
Hills 
To prevent overheating and thus 
reduced efficiency of the brake sys-
tem, downshift to a gear in which only min-
imal brake applications are needed when 
descending long or steep downhill 
stretches. Even light but consistent pedal 
pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.<
You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing effect by selecting a lower gear in the 
automatic transmission's manual mode, 
downshifting as far as first gear on 
extremely steep stretches, refer to 
page 59. This strategy helps you avoid 
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
Never drive with the clutch pressed 
or allow the vehicle to coast with the 
transmission in Neutral – or with the engine 
switched off – there is no engine braking 
when the transmission is in Neutral, and no 
power assist for brakes and steering when 
the engine is not running.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct 
their movement.<
Corrosion on brake rotors 
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the 
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating 
conditions where brake applications are 
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while 
contaminants accumulate on the brake 
pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the 
pads during brake applications to clean the 
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, 
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure. 

Everything from A to Z
208 Screw thread for tow 
fitting 186
Seats 43
– adjusting 43
– heating 47
– memory, refer to Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel 
memory 44
– sitting safely 42
– sports seat 43
– storing the setting 44
– thigh support 43
Securing load 98
"Select as destination" 113
"Select current speed" 71
Selecting audio sources, 
refer to Operation using 
Control Center 126
Selecting frequency 
manually 131
Selecting menu items 18
Selecting new scale for 
navigation system 
display 120
Selecting route 116
Selection options with 
navigation system 116
Selector lever
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– manual transmission 56
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 56
Selector lever interlock, 
refer to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
– SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 57
Sequential manual trans-
mission, SMG 56
"Service" 65, 156
Service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance 184
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US 
models 174
"Service notification" 156
"Service Request" 157Service requirement 
display 65
– also refer to CBS 
Condition Based 
Service 174
"Service 
requirements" 65, 156
"Service Status" 155
"Set date" 74
"Set" in audio mode 127
"Set service date" 66
"Set time" 73
Setting road-speed limit 71
Settings
– changing on the 
Control Display 72
– configuring, refer to 
Key Memory 26
Setting the time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
time 93
"Set tire pressure" 79
Shifting gears with 
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 58
Short commands of the 
voice command 
system 194
"Short cut / Telephone" 49
Shortest route for 
navigation 116
"Short route" for 
navigation 116
"Show current 
position" 112
"Show destination 
position" 112
Side airbags 81
Side marker lamps, 
replacing the bulbs 180
Side turn signals, replacing 
the bulbs 180
Sill panel lighting 87
Sitting safely 42
– with airbags 42
– with safety belts 42
Ski bag 98
Sliding/tilt roof, refer to 
Glass roof, electric with 
raise function 35SMG Sequential manual 
transmission 56
– acceleration assistant 60
– convenience start 55
– Dynamic Driving 
Control 59
– gear display 57
– kickdown 57
– overheating 58
– shiftlock 57
– towing 186
– tow-starting 187
– warning lamp 58
"SMS" 150
Snow chains 169
Socket
– for Onboard Diagnosis 
interface 176
– in front passenger 
footwell 98
– refer to Cigarette lighter 
socket 97
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency call 183
Sound output for Enter-
tainment on/off 127
Spare fuses 182
Spare key 26
Special oils, refer to 
Specified engine oils 172
Specified engine oils 172
Speed-dependent 
volume 128
Speed limit warning, refer 
to Speed limit 71
Speedometer 12
"Speed volume", refer to 
Adjusting the tone 128
Speed with winter tires 169
Sport program
– automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 59
– Dynamic Driving 
Control 59
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems 76
"Start" for stopwatch 72
"Start guidance" 111, 118
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump-starting 184