
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
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning 
lamps 
Technology that monitors itself 
The indicator and warning lamps identified 
by the 
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the 
ignition or start the engine. They each light 
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored 
system, the corresponding lamp will either 
fail to go out when the engine is started, or 
it will come on again during normal driving, 
usually accompanied by a Check Control 
message. You will find more details on the 
specified pages.
Fixed indicator and warning lampsColors The indicator and warning lamps can light 
up in different colors and combinations.
>Red:
Stop immediately 
or 
important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system checked at the earliest 
opportunity
or
for your information
>Green or blue:
For your information.
Variable indicator and warning lamps 
On the display 5 of the instrument cluster, 
other indicator and warning lamps appear 
as necessary. Pay attention to the instruc-
tions of the accompanying Check Control 
messages, also refer to page 66. Turn signals60
Active steering 
+80
Brake system 
+
With handbrake engaged55
With handbrake released78, 173
With other warning lamps78
Brake system for Canadian models
Airbags 
+81
Service Engine Soon 
+176
If the indicator lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a malfunction 
the emissions-related electronic 
systems.
Although the vehicle remains oper-
ational, you should have the sys-
tems checked by your BMW center 
at the earliest possible opportunity
Service Engine Soon indicator 
lamp for Canadian models
Front fog lamps86
ABS Antilock Brake System +78
DTC Dynamic Traction Control78
High beams/headlamp flasher86
Please fasten safety belt 
+47
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 
+78
Check Gas Cap162
Lamp for US models 

Controls
 33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator lamp displays 
>The indicator lamp below the interior 
rearview mirror flashes continuously: 
the system is armed
>The indicator lamp flashes on locking: 
door(s) or luggage compartment lid are 
not completely closed. Even if you do 
not close the alerted area, the system 
begins to monitor the remaining areas, 
and the indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously after approx.10 seconds. How-
ever, the interior motion sensor is not 
activated
>The indicator lamp goes out on unlock-
ing: no manipulation or attempted intru-
sions have been detected in the period 
since the system was armed
>The indicator lamp flashes on unlocking 
before the remote control is inserted in 
the ignition lock, but for no more than 
roughly 5 minutes: an attempted entry 
has been detected in the period since 
the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indica-
tor lamp will flash continuously.
Tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor 
Tilt alarm sensor
Monitors the inclination of the vehicle. The 
alarm system reacts, for example, if some-
one attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle.
Interior motion sensor 
Coupe:
In order for the interior motion sensor to 
function properly, the windows and glass 
roof must be completely closed.
Convertible:
Monitors the interior up to the height of the 
seat cushions. This means that the alarm 
system, including the interior motion sen-
sor, is armed even if the convertible top is 
open. Falling objects, e.g. leaves, can trig-
ger false alarms, refer to Avoiding uninten-
tional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms 
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion 
sensor may be switched off at the same 
time. This is how you prevent unintentional 
alarms, e.g. in the following situations:
>In garages with elevator ramps
>During transport on automobile trans-
port trains
>If animals are to remain in the vehicle.
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor 
Press the   button on the remote con-
trol once again directly after locking.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and 
then flashes continuously. The tilt alarm 
sensor and the interior motion sensor are 
switched off until the vehicle is unlocked 
and locked again.
Windows 
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the windows and keep 
them in your field of vision until they are 
shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove 
the ignition key and close the doors to pre-
vent children from operating the windows 
and injuring themselves etc.< 

Opening and closing
34
Coupe: opening and closing 
windows 
Ignition key as of position 1:
>Press the switch up to the resistance 
point:
The window continues to move down-
wards as long as you continue to hold 
the switch
>Briefly press the switch beyond the 
resistance point:
The window moves downwards auto-
matically. Briefly press the switch again 
to stop the opening movement.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
Convertible: opening and closing 
windows 
Individually 
Ignition key as of position 1:
>Press the switch up to the resistance 
point:
The window continues to move down-
wards as long as you continue to hold 
the switch>Briefly press the switch beyond the 
resistance point:
The window moves downwards auto-
matically. Briefly press the switch again 
to stop the opening movement.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch. The rear win-
dows cannot be closed automatically with 
one touch.
Together 
Ignition key as of position 1:
1.Briefly press button 1:
The LEDs in button 1 and at switch 2 
light up
2.Press switch 2:
>Up to the resistance point:
All the windows move downwards 
as long as you continue to press the 
switch.
You can close the windows in the 
same manner by pulling the switch
>Briefly press the switch beyond the 
resistance point:
All the windows move downwards 
automatically. Briefly press the 
switch again to stop the opening 
movement.
Briefly press button 1 again to deactivate 
the function. The LEDs go out. 

Controls
 35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Rear window 
Ignition key as of position 1:
1.Briefly press button 1:
The LEDs in button 1 and at switch 2 
light up
2.Press switch 2:
>Up to the resistance point:
The rear window continues to move 
downward as long as you continue 
to hold the switch.
You can close the rear window in the 
same manner by pulling the switch
>Briefly press the switch beyond the 
resistance point: 
The rear window moves downwards 
automatically. Briefly press the 
switch again to stop the opening 
movement.
Briefly press button 1 again to deactivate 
the function. The LEDs go out.
The rear window opens and closes 
automatically when you open or close 
the convertible top.<
After switching off ignition 
You can still operate the windows:
>Ignition key in position 1 for approx. 
15 minutes
>In position 0 or with the ignition key 
removed for approx. 1 minute, as long 
as a door has not been opened.
To open, press the switch beyond the 
resistance point.
When leaving the vehicle, remove the 
master key with remote control and 
close the doors, as otherwise children 
could operate the windows and injure 
themselves etc.
remote control, refer to page 27 or 29.
Anti-trapping mechanism 
If the closing force rises beyond a pre-
defined threshold during closing, the sys-
tem will immediately stop moving the win-
dow prior to lowering it slightly.
Convertible: the back windows and 
rear window are not equipped with an 
anti-trapping mechanism.<
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism, 
you should always inspect the front 
side window's travel path prior to closing it, 
as the safety feature might fail to detect 
certain kinds of obstructions, such as very 
thin objects, and the window would con-
tinue closing.
Pulling the switch beyond the resistance 
point and holding it limits the response of 
the anti-trapping mechanism. Under these 
conditions, the window will respond to 
forces beyond a defined threshold by only 
opening a few inches/millimeters.
If you again pull the switch past the resis-
tance point and hold it in position within a 
period of roughly 4 seconds, the anti-trap-
ping mechanism will be deactivated.<
Accessories in window area 
After installing any accessory – such as a 
clamp-on antenna for a portable phone – 
within the window's travel range, you will 
need to have the system reinitialized for 
use under the new conditions. Please con-
tact your BMW center for assistance.
Coupe:
Glass roof, electric with 
raise function* 
To prevent injuries, exercise care 
when closing the glass roof and keep 
it in your field of vision until it is shut.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove 
the key and close the doors, as otherwise 
children could operate the roof and injure 
themselves etc.< 

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Turn the Allen wrench and move the 
glass roof in the desired direction.
Sliding panel
1.Lower the cover downwards, if neces-
sary using the screwdriver from the 
onboard tool kit at the positions indi-
cated, refer to page 178
2.Insert the Allen wrench supplied with 
the onboard tool kit in the opening pro-
vided
3.Turn the Allen wrench and move the 
sliding panel in the desired direction.
Convertible: top 
The fully automatic convertible top com-
bines secure weather protection with sim-
ple and convenient operation.
So that you get the maximum pleasure from 
your convertible, here are a few tips:
>It is recommended that you close the 
convertible top when the vehicle is 
parked. The closed convertible top not 
only protects the passenger compart-
ment against unforeseen weather dam-
age, it also represents a certain protec-
tion against theft. Nonetheless, even if 
the convertible top is closed, only keep 
valuables in the locked luggage com-
partment
>Do not attach luggage rack systems to 
the convertible top
>At temperatures below 147/–106, 
do not operate the convertible top, as 
otherwise damage can occur.
Do not leave the soft top in the con-
vertible top compartment for longer 
than one day when wet, as otherwise dam-
age from moisture can occur.
Do not place any objects on the convertible 
top, as otherwise if the top was to be oper-
ated, they would fall off and lead to damage 
or injury.
Never move the convertible top when the 
rollover protection system is raised.
Driving without having completed the 
opening or closing action can lead to dam-
age or injury.
Do not place hands in the top mechanism 
during the opening and closing action. 
Keep children away from the travel path of 
the convertible top.
For safety reasons, only operate the con-
vertible top when the vehicle is at a stand-
still.<
If you have initiated top operation with 
the vehicle at a standstill and then 
drive off, e.g. at a traffic light, you can con-
tinue the initiated operation up to a speed 
of 20 mph/30 km/h.
To do so, press and hold the correspond-
ing button.< 

Opening and closing
38 Partial vacuums that occur at higher 
speeds in the passenger compart-
ment can make the convertible top flap. 
Use the ventilation controls to increase the 
air supply so that no partial vacuum occurs 
in the vehicle.<
To close the electrically activated side 
windows while the vehicle is being 
driven, always close the rear windows or 
all four windows simultaneously first, as 
otherwise the windows cannot close tightly 
at higher speeds.<
Prior to opening and closing
>Read carefully and comply with the 
safety precautions that appear above
>Ensure that the convertible top com-
partment floor in the luggage compart-
ment is folded down, refer to page 32, 
as otherwise the convertible top cannot 
be opened
>Ensure that the luggage compartment 
lid is closed.
Opening and closing 
As of ignition key position 1, with the vehi-
cle stationary:
So as not to place an excessive load 
on the battery, only operate the con-
vertible top with the engine running, if pos-
sible.
Before closing the convertible top, remove 
foreign bodies from the windshield frame, 
as these might inhibit closing of the con-
vertible top.<
1Closing
2Indicator lamp
3OpeningIf the opening or closing action is not 
completed, the luggage compartment 
lid cannot be opened.
When the button for top operation is 
pressed, the side windows move down-
wards slightly; the rear window is lowered 
completely.
If you hold the button pressed for longer 
than 2 seconds after completion of the 
opening or closing action and the LED has 
gone out, the side windows and rear win-
dow move once again.<
Indicator lamp
In the following situations, a message is 
displayed on the Control Display and an 
acoustic signal sounds in addition to the 
indicator lamp:
>During convertible top operation, the 
LED lights up green. It goes out as soon 
as the opening or closing action is com-
pleted
>If the indicator lamp flashes red when 
you release the button, the opening or 
closing action is not completed
>If the indicator lamp lights up red with 
the button pressed, the convertible top 
compartment floor is folded up or a fault 
has occurred. The convertible top can-
not be moved.
Interruption
The automatic sequence of movements is 
interrupted immediately if the button for top 
operation is released. The sequence can 
be continued in the desired direction using 
the button.
If the opening or closing action is 
interrupted for a longer period by 
releasing the button, the convertible top 
remains in that position for approx. 15 min-
utes before it slowly moves to a stable 
position. The sequence can be continued 
using the buttons.
Do not interrupt and continue the closing 
action several times in succession, as oth-
erwise the fully automatic top mechanism 
can be damaged. 

Controls
 39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
If the opening or closing action is inter-
rupted, it can happen that the luggage 
compartment lid cannot be opened.<
Convenience operation using remote 
control and driver's door lock
Refer to pages 27 and 29.
Manual closing in the event of an 
electrical malfunction 
Only close the convertible top manu-
ally if absolutely necessary; never 
open it manually. The convertible top com-
partment lid cannot be locked in the event 
of an electrical malfunction and would 
open while the vehicle is being driven.
Improper handling can lead to damage.<
Before closing
1.Open the luggage compartment lid
2.Take the Allen wrench and screwdriver 
from the onboard tool kit
3.Lever out the two buttons in the lug-
gage compartment with the screwdriver 
and then pull firmly. The convertible top 
compartment lid is unlocked
4.Close the luggage compartment lid
5.Move the side windows downwards 
slightly; fully lower the rear window.
If the rear window cannot be opened 
using the switch, it must be lowered 
manually:Lever out the cover between the rear 
head restraints. To do so, place the 
screwdriver as close as possible to the 
lock element, as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Carefully insert the Allen wrench in the 
opening and turn firmly in the direction 
indicated by the arrow until the rear 
window is completely open.
Closing
Perform the following work steps with 
the assistance of a second person 
and with the doors open to prevent injury 
and damage to the convertible top.<
1.Push the cover 1 on the left and right of 
the side panel forwards. Reach into the 
resulting openings and raise the con-
vertible top compartment lid 2 as far as 
it will go