
Cockpit
10
Cockpit 
All around the steering wheel: controls and displays 
1Convertible: opening and closing rear 
window35
2Convertible: opening and closing 
windows together34
3Convertible: opening and closing back 
windows34
4Opening and closing front windows33
5Adjusting exterior mirrors48 6
Turn signals60
High beams, 
headlamp flasher86
Roadside parking lamps86
Check Control66
Computer69 

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster 
1Indicator lamps for turn signals13
2Speedometer with display of speed for 
cruise control63
3Fixed indicator and warning lamps13
4Tachometer64
 and engine oil thermometer65
5Display for
>Variable indicator and warning 
lamps66
>Speed for cruise control63
>Time/date64
>Outside temperature646Display for
>Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
>SMG Sequential manual 
transmission57
>Dynamic Driving Control59
>Computer69
>Date and remaining distance for 
service requirement65
>Odometer and trip odometer64
>Check Control message present66
7Fuel gauge65
8Resetting the trip odometer to zero64 

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 

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
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
SMG Sequential manual 
transmission and automatic 
transmission 
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. Here, it is sufficient 
to turn the ignition key only briefly to posi-
tion 3 'Start engine' and to let go of it right 
away. The system responds by automati-
cally engaging the starter for a certain 
period and allowing it to run until the engine 
starts, after which it then disengages auto-
matically.
SMG Sequential manual 
transmission
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Engage selector-lever position N
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, engage 
the last gear selected again, refer to 
instrument cluster display, and then 
engage selector-lever position N.<
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 
1.Press the brake pedal
2.Engage selector-lever position P or N
3.Start the engine.
Switching off engine 
Do not remove the ignition key while 
the vehicle is rolling, as otherwise the 
steering wheel lock would engage while 
steering.
When leaving the vehicle, remove the igni-
tion key and lock the steering.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply 
the handbrake, as otherwise the vehicle 
could roll away.<
Manual transmission 
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0
2.Engage first or reverse gear.
SMG Sequential manual 
transmission
1.Engage a drive position
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
A signal sounds if the idle position N is 
engaged on stopping the engine.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 
1.Engage selector-lever position P
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Handbrake 
The handbrake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; 
it brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and an 
acoustic signal also sounds when 
starting off. The handbrake is 
engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian mod-
els.
Engaging 
The lever locks into place automatically; 
the indicator lamp in the instrument cluster 
lights up as of ignition key position 1.
Releasing 
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to engage the 
handbrake while the vehicle is in motion,  

Driving
60
Activating system
With ignition key in position 2
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT 
is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again or
>engage reverse gear or
>switch off the engine.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the 
instrument cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant with SMG 
The acceleration assistant enables opti-
mized vehicle acceleration at racing car 
level on road surfaces with good adhesion 
when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant 
too often, as otherwise components 
will wear prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Driving Control
2.Press the DSC button, refer to page 77, 
for longer than three seconds
3.Press the accelerator pedal down fully:
kickdown. The ideal starting-off engine 
speed is set.
To maintain driving stability, drive 
with the DSC on whenever possible.<
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher 
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals 
Move the lever beyond the resistance 
point. It then returns to the center position 
when released. Press the lever as far as the 
resistance point to switch off the turn sig-
nals. 
If the indicator lamp flashes faster 
than usual, a turn signal has failed.<
Signaling briefly 
Press the lever as far as the resistance 
point and hold there if necessary. It then 
returns to the center position when 
released.
Triple turn signal activation 
Press the lever as far as the resistance 
point; the turn signals flash three times. 
You can activate or deactivate this func-
tion.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page 16:
1.Open the   menu
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller
3.Select "Lighting" and press the control-
ler
4.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and 
press the controller. 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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.  

Everything under control
64
Everything under control 
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, clock 
When the ignition is off you can briefly acti-
vate the time, outside temperature and 
odometer displays by pressing the knob 3 
at the lower left of the instrument cluster.
Outside temperature display, clock, 
date 1 
The outside temperature and the time are 
displayed from ignition key position 1 
onwards.
You can set the measurement unit 7 or 6 
on the Control Display, refer to Measure-
ment units on page 72.
To call up the date:
Briefly press the CHECK button on the turn 
indicator lever, refer to page 69.
Setting the time and date, refer to page 73.
Ice warning 
A signal sounds when the outside temper-
ature falls to roughly +37.57/+36; this is 
accompanied by a message.
Please bear in mind that the ice warn-
ing does nothing to alter the fact that 
black ice may be present on roads at tem-
peratures higher than +37.57/+36, e.g. 
on bridges and shaded roads.<
Odometer and trip odometer 2 
To reset the trip odometer to zero:
Press button 3 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer 
The white-striped advance warning field, 
arrow 1, changes depending on the engine 
temperature. The segments disappear in 
sequence as the engine warms to its nor-
mal operating temperature.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as 
far as the advance warning field whenever 
possible.
Engine speeds in the red warning field, 
arrow 2, must be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted 
to protect the engine.