
At a glance
 11Reference
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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 

Opening and closing
32 If special circumstances should make it 
absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle 
with the lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows as well as 
the glass roof
Convertible: with closed top, close all 
windows
2.Adjust the automatic climate control to 
supply a high air volume, refer to 
page 89.
Luggage compartment
There are four lashing eyes on the inner 
corners of the luggage compartment for 
securing luggage nets or securing straps to 
fix luggage in position.
Also refer to Cargo loading, page 104.
Convertible: increasing luggage 
compartment capacity 
With the convertible top closed, you can 
enlarge the luggage compartment capac-
ity:
To do so, unfold the handle and press it 
downwards in the direction of travel, refer 
to arrow. This folds the convertible top 
compartment floor upwards.
Before opening the convertible top, run this 
procedure in reverse order.
The convertible top cannot be 
opened if the convertible top com-
partment floor is folded up.<
Alarm system 
The concept 
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the luggage 
compartment lid is opened
>To movement in the vehicle interior: 
interior motion sensor
>To changing of the vehicle's tilt if some-
one attempts to steal the wheels or tow 
the vehicle
>To interruption of battery voltage.
The system responds to unauthorized vehi-
cle entry and attempted theft by simulta-
neously activating:
>An acoustic alarm, which lasts for a 
period of approx. 30 seconds 
>The hazard warning flashers for approx. 
5 minutes
>The high beams, which flash on and off 
in the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming alarm system 
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either 
with the remote control or at the door lock, 
the alarm system is armed or disarmed at 
the same time.
The system indicates that it has been cor-
rectly armed by switching on the hazard 
warning flashers for a single cycle and by 
emitting an acoustic signal.
You can also open the luggage compart-
ment lid with the system armed using but-
ton   on the remote control, refer to 
page 28. When you close the lid, it is 
secured again.
Switching off alarm 
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote 
control, refer to page 27
>or turn the ignition key to position 1. 

Controls
 33Reference
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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.< 

Controls
 61Reference
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Mobility
 Triple turn signal activation is acti-
vated.
Wiper system 
1Standard wiper speed: briefly press 
once. 
The system automatically reverts to 
operation in the intermittent mode 
whenever the vehicle is stationary. 
Fast wipe: briefly press twice or press 
beyond the resistance point. 
The system automatically reverts to 
operation in the standard wipe mode 
whenever the vehicle is stationary 
2Switching off wipers or for brief wipe 
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor 
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps 
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level 
The lever automatically returns to its initial 
position when released. 
Cleaning windshield and headlamps 
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a 
brief period. 
When the vehicle lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps are also cleaned at regular and appropriate inter-
vals. 
Do not use the washers if there is  any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do so, your vision could 
be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a 
washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer 
fluid. 
Avoid activating the washer when the res-
ervoir is empty, as damage to the pump 
could result.<
Windshield washer nozzles 
The windshield washer nozzles are auto-
matically heated in ignition key position 2. 
Rain sensor 
The rain sensor controls windshield wipe 
operation depending on the amount of rain. 
The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror. 
Activating rain sensor 
As of ignition key position 1, briefly press 
the button. The indicator lamp in the button 
lights up. The wipers will always respond 
by completing at least one sweep of the 
windshield. 
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level 
Turn the serrated dial 5. 
Deactivating rain sensor 
Press the button again. The indicator lamp 
goes out. 
The rain sensor is automatically deacti-
vated when you switch off the ignition.  

Driving
62 Deactivate the rain sensor when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Washer fluid 
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Always keep it well away from sparks 
and open flames, and store it in tightly 
closed containers well out of the reach of 
children. Always observe the instructions 
for use provided on the containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir 
Capacity approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters
Fill with water and – if required – with a 
washer antifreeze, according to manufac-
turer's recommendations.
In order to keep to the mixture ratio, 
mix the washer fluid before filling.<
Cruise control
The concept 
The cruise control is available for use at 
speeds of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and 
higher. The vehicle maintains and stores 
the speed that you set using the lever 
mounted on the steering column.
Do not use the cruise control when 
driving on winding roads, in heavy 
traffic or in poor road conditions – e.g. 
snow, rain, ice, loose road surface – that do 
not permit a constant speed.<
One lever for all functions 
1Maintaining and storing speed, 
accelerating 
Press the lever up to the resistance point:
The system maintains and stores the cur-
rent vehicle speed. The display 1 in the 
speedometer indicates this regulated 
speed, refer to page 63. Every time you 
briefly press the lever, the vehicle's speed 
increases by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h.
Press the lever up to the resistance point 
and hold it: 
The vehicle accelerates without pressure 
on the accelerator pedal. The system main-
tains and stores your current speed as 
soon as you release the lever.
Press the lever beyond the resistance 
point:
Increases the speed by 5 mph/10 km/h.
The vehicle may accelerate beyond the 
regulated speed on steep downhill 
stretches where the engine's braking effect 
alone may not be sufficient to slow the 
vehicle. Speed can drop on uphill grades if 
the engine output is insufficient.
2 Maintaining and storing speed, 
decelerating 
Pull the lever:
Functions are the same as 1, only the vehi-
cle speed is reduced.
3Interrupting cruise control 
With the cruise control active, briefly press 
the lever up or down. 

Controls
 75Reference
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Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety 
PDC Park Distance Control* 
The concept 
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Signal tones and a visual display
* indicate 
the current distance to an object behind or 
in front of your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in 
each bumper. The sensors at the front and 
at the two rear corners have a range of 
approx. 20 in/50 cm; the rear middle sen-
sors have approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, 
as otherwise the physical circumstances 
would mean that the system warning was 
too late.<
Automatic mode 
In ignition key position 2, the system auto-
matically assumes operational status after 
a few seconds each time you engage 
reverse gear or selector-lever position R.
Wait this short period before driving.<
The system is automatically deacti-
vated once the vehicle travels approx. 
165 ft/50 m or exceeds a speed of roughly 
20 mph/30 km/h; the indicator lamp goes 
out. You can reactivate the system manu-
ally as needed.
Manual mode 
With the ignition key in position  2, press the 
button; the indicator lamp lights up.
Deactivating manual mode 
Press the button again; the indicator lamp 
goes out.
Signal tones 
The signal indicating the distance to the 
nearest obstacle is directional. Thus, an 
object detected to the left rear of the vehi-
cle will be indicated by a signal tone from 
the left rear speaker, etc.  As the distance 
between vehicle and object decreases, the 
intervals between the tones become 
shorter. The signal tone becomes continu-
ous once the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. 3 seconds if you are moving paral-
lel to a wall.
Malfunctions 
The indicator lamp within the button 
flashes and a message appears on the 
Control Display. PDC has failed. Switch off 
PDC. Have the system checked.
As a preventive measure, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to 
ensure that they will continue to operate 
effectively.
PDC with visual warning*
You also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show distances to objects on the Con-
trol Display. The Control Display will also  

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. 

Controls
 89Reference
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Navigation
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Mobility
14Indicator lamp for independent ventila-
tion
>Activation time set:
The indicator lamp   comes on
>Independent ventilation switched on:
The indicator lamp   flashes
15Rear window defroster
16Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
All other setting options for the automatic 
climate control can be found at "Climate" 
and in the   menu on the Control Display, 
refer to pages 90 and  91.
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate 
To use the automatic function, press the 
AUTO button. Select an interior tempera-
ture you find pleasant.
The following section contains more 
detailed information on the available set-
ting options.
The cooling function is only possible with 
the engine running.
AUTO program 
The AUTO program adjusts the 
air distribution to the wind-
shield and side windows, 
towards the upper body and footwell as 
well as the air volume, while also using your 
preselected temperature setting as the 
basis for adjusting the interior climate to 
adapt to external seasonal influences.
The cooling function comes on automati-
cally when you select the AUTO program. 
At the same time, a condensation sensor 
controls the program in such a way that 
window condensation is prevented as far 
as possible.
Temperature adjustment 
The figures on the display pro-
vide a general indication of inte-
rior temperature. A pleasant 
adjustment is 727/226. 
When you start the vehicle, this system ensures that the selected tempera-
ture is achieved as quickly as possible. It 
then maintains this temperature, regard-
less of the season.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation 
This program quickly removes 
ice and condensation from the 
windshield and front side win-
dows.
Adjusting air volume manually 
You can adjust the air volume 
by turning. You can reactivate 
the automatic mode for the air 
volume with the AUTO button.
Switching cooling function on and off 
manually 
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before also reheating it as 
required, according to the temperature set-
ting. Depending on the weather, the wind-
shield may fog over briefly when the engine 
is started.
The cooling function comes on automati-
cally when you select the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling 
This program quickly provides 
maximum cooling.
The system switches to the 
recirculated-air mode and the 
air flows at maximum air volume only from 
the vent outlets for the upper body area. 
For this reason you should ensure that 
these vent outlets are open before select-
ing this program.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control 
You can respond to unpleasant 
odors or pollutants in the imme-
diate environment by tempo-
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. 
The system then recirculates the air cur-