
Driving
60
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into 
the ignition lock. This also activates the 
radio mode. 
When the remote control unit is in the 
ignition lock you can start the engine 
without first switching on the ignition.<
Comfort Access*
Carry the remote control on your person if 
you want to use Comfort Access.
With Comfort Access, you do not need to 
insert the remote control in the ignition 
lock. You can switch the ignition on and off, 
see below, or start the engine, page 61, 
when a remote control is detected in the 
vehicle interior.
When you switch off the engine, the 
transmission moves automatically to 
position P: interlock.<
Switching the ignition on and off 
Continue to briefly press the start/stop but-
ton to switch the radio mode on and off or 
switch the ignition on and off. 
Do not press the brake pedal until you 
are ready to start the engine. If you 
briefly press the start/stop button while the 
brake pedal is pressed the engine will start 
immediately.<
Radio mode 
Several systems, such as the Control Cen-
ter, independent ventilation, etc., are avail-
able for use. The time and outside temper-
ature appear in the Info Display. 
The radio mode is automatically 
deactivated: 
>After approx. 16 minutes, when a door 
is closed and the system does not reg-
ister the presence of any individuals in 
the vehicle
>Immediately if the remote control is 
removed from the ignition lock
>With Comfort Access, by pressing the 
door handle.<
Ignition switched on 
All vehicle systems are ready for operation. 
Ignition switched off 
The indicator lamps in the Info Display go 
out. Only the automatic transmission's 
range display remains visible for a brief 
period. 
Removing the remote control from 
the ignition lock 
Press the remote control in briefly; it is 
ejected and now protrudes slightly from the 
lock. This procedure will also switch off the 
ignition if it is on. 
Switch off the engine before removing 
the remote control unit from the igni-
tion lock.  

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The transmission automatically shifts to 
position P: interlock.<
If the remote control is still in the ignition 
lock when the driver's door is opened, a 
gong will sound and a message will appear 
in the Info Display.
Starting the 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.<
1.Insert the remote control all the way into 
the ignition lock. With Comfort Access, 
this is not required
2.Press the brake pedal 
3.Briefly press the start/stop button. 
Your BMW is equipped with the con-
venience starting feature. After press-
ing the brake pedal, all you need to do is 
briefly press the start/stop button. 
The system responds by automatically 
engaging the starter and allowing it to run 
until the engine starts, after which it then 
disengages automatically. 
The automatic starting mode will not oper-
ate or will be canceled if the battery voltage 
is low. The engine can be started by jump-
starting, refer to page 207.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by 
leaving it running while the vehicle remains stationary. Instead, drive off immediately at 
a moderate engine speed. 
If you have accidentally switched off 
the engine while driving, it can be 
restarted from a speed of approx. 3 mph/
5  km/h by pressing the button. It is not nec-
essary to press the brake pedal.< 
Under the following conditions you should 
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 
>During a cold start at high altitudes, 
from approx. 3,281 ft/1,000 m, at very 
low temperatures, from approx. + 57/
Ð156. 
Refrain from starting the vehicle 
repeatedly at brief intervals, and 
avoid an excessive number of starting 
attempts if the vehicle fails to start; 
repeated activation of the starter over an 
extended period would allow unburned or 
only partially combusted fuel to enter the 
catalytic converter, where it can cause 
overheating and damage to the unit.<
Switching off the engine
With the vehicle stationary, briefly press the 
start/stop button. This also activates the 
radio mode. 
The transmission automatically shifts to 
position P: interlock.
Transmission position N remains 
engaged if you keep to the following 
order:
1.With Comfort Access: insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock
2.With the engine running, engage trans-
mission position N
3.Switch off the engine
4.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
This function is useful in automatic car 
washes, etc.
Position P is engaged automatically after  

Driving
62 approx. 30 minutes or when you remove 
the remote control from the ignition lock. 
Remember to observe the Check Control 
for status messages.< 
Should exceptional circumstances 
render it necessary for you to switch 
off the engine while the vehicle is moving, 
press the start/stop button for approx. 
1 second. 
If you maintain pressure on the start/stop 
button for longer than two seconds while 
switching off the ignition, the remote con-
trol will be ejected.< 
Before leaving the vehicle, remove 
the remote control from the ignition 
lock; with Comfort Access, always take the 
remote control with you.<
Parking brake 
The concept 
Your BMW is equipped with an electrome-
chanical parking brake. 
The parking brake is primarily intended to 
prevent the vehicle from rolling while 
parked. 
You can operate or use the parking brake in 
two different ways: 
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, through activation of the 
Automatic Hold mode, refer to page 63. 
An electrohydraulic mechanism then 
engages the parking brake to prevent the 
rear wheels from turning whenever you 
switch off the engine. 
When the engine is running, parking brake 
engagement is controlled by the brake sys-
tem's hydraulic circuits, which act on the 
disc brakes at the front and rear wheels. 
Brake pedal feel 
Because this function is activated using 
the brake system's hydraulic circuits, the 
response of the brake pedal may change 
slightly. Engagement may also be accom-
panied by activation noise Ð this is normal. 
Manual engagement 
Briefly press the button, the 
word PARK appears briefly 
in the Info Display. With the 
parking brake set, the indicator 
lamp lights up red in the 
Info Display, refer to page 12. 
With the ignition off, the indicator 
lamp goes out after a brief 
period.< 
Manual release 
With the ignition on, briefly 
press the button: the indicator 
lamp in the Info Display goes 
out. 
Provided that the remote control unit 
is inserted in the ignition lock, you can 
also release the parking brake after the 
engine has been switched off. This function 
is intended for use in automatic car 
washes, etc.< 
When leaving the vehicle, always 
release the remote control from the 
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution 
prevents children from disengaging the 
parking brake, etc. 
The parking brake can still be engaged at 
any time when the remote control unit is 
released from the detent. It is only possible 
to disengage the parking brake with the 
ignition on.<
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to engage the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion, 
maintain pressure on the button. 
The indicator lamp appears in red in the 
Info Display. A gong sounds at the same  

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
time. 
The brake lamps come on. 
The vehicle continues to brake automati-
cally for as long as you maintain pressure 
on the button.< 
When you brake the vehicle to a vir-
tual stop, i.e., down to a speed of 
approx. 2 mph/3 km/h or below, the park-
ing brake remains engaged. 
The indicator lamp in the Info Display 
lights up red. Briefly press the button to 
disengage the parking brake manually.< 
Automatic Hold 
You can activate this feature after starting 
the engine; it then remains operational until 
the next time the engine is switched off. 
This feature provides supplementary sup-
port during vehicle operation by automati-
cally engaging and releasing the parking 
brake during stops at traffic lights, in stop-
and-go traffic, etc. As the vehicle then no 
longer tends to creep when the transmis-
sion is engaged, it is no longer necessary 
to hold the vehicle by pressing the brake 
pedal. 
It prevents the vehicle from rolling back-
ward during uphill starts. 
The parking brake engages automatically 
when you stop the vehicle and switch off 
the engine. 
You can activate or cancel the Automatic 
Hold feature by selecting the "Settings" 
menu in the Control Center. A description 
of the Control Center is provided on 
page 17. 
Automatic Hold activation/
deactivation 
1.Select "Settings" 
2.Select   and confirm 
3.Select "AUTO P". Press the controller 
to activate/deactivate the desired func-
tion 
>Automatic Hold is activated. 
The green AUTO P status message in 
the Info Display shows you that the sys-
tem is ready for operation 
>Automatic Hold is deactivated. 
The green AUTO  P status message dis-
appears from the Info Display. 
You can assign the Automatic Hold 
function to the programmable button 
in the steering wheel, refer to page 52. 
This feature then provides you with quick 
access to the Automatic Hold function, 
allowing you to control it without undue 
distraction from road and traffic condi-
tions.< 
You can also deactivate Auto-
matic Hold by pressing the but-
ton while the vehicle is station-
ary. The vehicle remains 
stationary, the indicator lamp 
changes from green to red. Press the but-
ton again to release the parking brake. 
Driving with Automatic Hold 
The parking brake engages automatically 
when the vehicle comes to a stop. The indi-
cator lamp in the Info Display lights 
up green. 
To start off again, simply press the acceler-
ator pedal. The parking brake is released 
automatically; the indicator lamp  
goes out. 
Do not drive through an automatic car 
wash with the Automatic Hold on and 
the engine running. The system would 
engage the parking brake while the vehicle 
is stationary.<
Parking with Automatic Hold 
The parking brake engages automatically 
when you stop the vehicle and switch off 
the engine. The indicator lamp  
changes from green to red.  

Driving
64 Provided that the remote control is 
inserted in the ignition lock, you can 
also release the parking brake manually 
after the engine has been switched off, 
refer to page 62. This function is useful in 
automatic car washes, etc.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.< 
When leaving the vehicle, always 
release the remote control from the 
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution 
prevents children from disengaging the 
parking brake, etc.<
For your safety 
Automatic Hold is automatically deacti-
vated when 
>the engine is switched off 
>the system detects that the driver's seat 
is not occupied while the engine is run-
ning 
>the hood is opened while the engine is 
running 
>the luggage compartment lid is opened 
with the transmission in reverse while 
the engine is running, and 
>when the parking brake is used to bring 
the vehicle to a stop. 
The indicator lamp changes from 
green to red, and the AUTO  P letters in the 
Info Display disappear. 
Before starting off again, briefly press the 
button to disengage the parking brake 
manually, refer to page 62, or reactivate 
Automatic Hold, refer to page 63. 
Before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running, always move the 
automatic transmission's selector lever to 
position P and ensure that the parking 
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start 
to roll if you fail to observe these precau-
tions. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.< 
Automatic Hold is automatically 
deactivated whenever the system 
detects any tendency for the wheels to spin 
in response to slippery road surfaces. Note the status reports in the Check Control. 
You can find additional information on the 
Check Control on page 82.< 
Malfunctions 
If a malfunction occurs, the indicator 
lamp lights up yellow in the Info Dis-
play and a status report will appear in the 
Check Control. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears on the 
Control Display. 
Releasing the parking brake 
manually 
You can respond to any interruptions in the 
supply of electrical power, for instance, if 
the battery is discharged or disconnected, 
by releasing the parking brake manually. 
Before proceeding to release the 
parking brake manually, and each 
time you park the vehicle without engaging 
the parking brake, always ensure that the 
automatic transmission's selector lever is 
in position P, refer to page 66. Note the 
range indicated in the Info Display. 
If the wheel must be changed on a surface 
with a more severe slope, take additional 
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing e.g. with a chock, refer to page 203. 
Otherwise there is a danger that the vehicle 
could start to roll if parked on a steep 
slope.< 
Should it also be necessary to release the 
automatic transmission's lockout manually, 
for instance, if the battery is discharged, 
always adhere to the following sequence: 
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing 
the parking brake 
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to 
page 68. 
Jump-starting and towing, refer to 
pages 207 and 208.  

Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Turn the controller to the left or right to 
select the preset speed 
4.Press the controller to confirm your 
entry. The speed limit function is now 
active. 
Switching on or off 
1.Select "Limit" and confirm 
2.Select "ON / OFF" and confirm. "ON / 
OFF" is highlighted when the speed 
limit function is activated. 
Applying your current speed as the 
limit 
1.Select "Limit" and confirm 
2.Select   and confirm. The system 
applies your current speed as the limit. 
Limit in Info Display 
If, for instance, the warning sector in the 
tachometer is visible, refer to page 80, the speed limit will be indicated by a warning 
sector in the speedometer, refer to arrow.
Stopwatch 
Starting and stopping
1.Select and confirm
2.Select and confirm. The stopwatch 
is reset to 0 and starts 
3.Select and confirm. This stops the 
timer. 
Confirm again to reset the stopwatch to 
zero. 
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "INTERM. TIME" and confirm. This 
intermediate time appears below the ongo-
ing primary stopwatch count. 
All of the remaining functions remain 
available at all times while the stop-
watch is running. The stopwatch continues 
operation in the background.<
Assistance window* for "Car data"
You can select any of the following com-
puter functions for display in the assistance 
window: 
>Computer >Trip computer 
>Speed limit 
>Stopwatch.  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
In case of malfunction 
If the brake system warning lamp 
lights up in red, together with the 
yellow indicator lamps for ABS and 
DSC: the stability control is no 
longer operational. 
If all three lamps light up in yellow: 
malfunction in the stability control 
systems. The electronic brake-
force distribution is active.
While you may continue, you should 
remember to proceed cautiously and drive 
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations. 
Please have the system checked at the 
nearest BMW center. 
Check Control messages, refer to page 82. 
Please take note of the additional informa-
tion on the Control Display. 
Indicator and warning lamps on 
Canadian models.
Driving stability control/ 
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 
The concept 
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations. 
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing acceleration and when starting from a 
full stop, as well as optimizing traction. 
The system recognizes any tendency for 
the vehicle to assume an unstable attitude 
such as oversteer or understeer; it then 
counteracts this tendency with a combina-
tion of graduated reductions in engine 
torque and selective braking intervention at 
individual wheels. DSC provides optimized stability within the limits defined by the 
laws of physics. 
The DSC is operational every time you start 
the engine. DSC includes the functionality 
of the DTC Dynamic Traction Control and 
DBC Dynamic Brake Control. 
Indicator lamps 
The indicator lamp in the Info Dis-
play goes out soon after you start 
the engine. 
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive and braking forces. 
The indicator lamp stays lit: 
DSC has been switched off using the Con-
trol Center. 
The indicator lamp and the brake 
warning lamp remain on continu-
ously: 
DSC, DTC and DBC have been 
deactivated or a system malfunc-
tion is present. 
When the system is off, the stability main-
tenance functions described above are no 
longer available. The vehicle will remain 
completely operational, however, without 
DSC. 
Please respond to any malfunctions by 
referring the problem to your BMW center. 
Indicator and warning lamps on 
Canadian models.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control 
In particular driving situations, in deep 
snow, for example, DTC ensures the maxi-
mum forward momentum. The gain in for-
ward momentum in these situations 
involves a reduction in vehicle stability. 
DTC is active up to 45 mph/70 km/h. 

Controls
 93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Activating DTC
You may find it useful to briefly activate 
DTC under the following special circum-
stances: 
>When rocking the vehicle and starting 
off in deep snow or on loose road sur-
faces 
>When ascending snow-covered hills, 
and when driving in deep or on hard-
packed snow 
>When driving with snow chains. 
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm. DTC is now activated. The DTC indi-
cator lamp in the Info Display lights up per-
manently. 
When DTC is active, DSC provides 
only limited system response up to a 
speed of approx. 45 mph/70 km/h. Inter-
vention for stability enhancement is 
reduced.< 
Deactivating DTC again 
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm. DTC is now deactivated. The DTC 
indicator lamp in the Info Display goes out. 
DSC is once again available without 
restriction.
Switching off DSC 
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm. DSC is deactivated. The indicator 
lamp in the Info Display remains on contin-
uously. 
Deactivating DSC automatically deacti-
vates DTC as well. The systems for 
enhancing stability and traction are deacti-
vated, and there is no active braking inter-
vention or torque control. 
A status report appears in the Check Con-
trol. Please take note of the additional 
information on the Control Display. 
To maintain optimized stability, drive 
with the system on whenever possi-
ble.< 
Reactivating DSC
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm. DSC is now activated. The indicator 
lamp in the Info Display goes out. 
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the 
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the 
additional safety margin provided by the 
system as an excuse for taking unneces-
sary risks.
When DTC is active, DSC provides only 
limited system response up to a speed of 
approx. 45 mph/70 km/h. Intervention for 
stability-enhancement is reduced.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC 
system. Never allow anyone other than 
authorized professional technicians to 
carry out service or repairs on the DSC sys-
tem.< 
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this 
system automatically produces the maxi-
mum braking force boost and thus helps to 
achieve the shortest possible braking dis-
tance during panic stops. This system 
exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS. 
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake 
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. When the brake pedal is released, the 
DBC is deactivated.