
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
 65Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
What you will need 
1Screwdriver handle 
2Emergency-release tool 
30.4 in/10 mm open-end wrench 
You will find the required tools in the 
onboard tool kit mounted on the inside of 
the luggage compartment lid, refer to 
page 200. 
Insert the emergency-release tool in the 
screwdriver handle as shown in the illustra-
tion. 
Releasing 
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover on 
the spare tire 
2.Guide the emergency-release tool with 
the screwdriver handle into the open-
ing, arrow 1 
3.Apply the open-end wrench to the 
hexagon on the emergency-release 
tool. 
Press against the resistance from the 
spring to guide the emergency-release 
tool all the way in, then hold it in place. 
Turn the emergency-release tool in the 
direction indicated by arrow 2, continu-
ing until you hear the mechanism snap 
into place and feel resistance; maintain pressure on the tool after the mecha-
nism engages 
4.Use the open-end wrench to turn the 
emergency-release tool against the 
drive unit's mechanical resistance, con-
tinuing to rotate it in arrow direction 2 
until you feel a substantial increase in 
turning effort
To prevent possible damage to the 
rear brakes, always make sure that 
the parking brake is completely released 
before driving the vehicle.< 
5.Return the tools to their places 
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor 
mat to their original locations.
Have any defects repaired at the 
nearest BMW center. The technicians 
can also return the parking brake to normal 
operational status after it has been 
released manually in response to malfunc-
tion.< 
Following manual release, the actual 
status of the parking brake may vary 
from that displayed by the indicator lamp.< 
Operation after interruptions in 
power supply 
The parking brake may only be used 
again, if it was released manually after 
an interruption in power supply, i.e. as a 
result of a discharged or disconnected bat-
tery. If this is not done, the parking brake 
may fail to operate correctly. Even with the 
parking brake engaged, there would be a 
danger of the vehicle rolling on steep 
hills.< 
Once the electrical power supply has been 
restored you can again use the parking 
brake: 
With the ignition on and the 
vehicle stationary, briefly press 
the button three times at inter-
vals of approx. 5  seconds. This 
initializes the system as follows: 
>Initializing the disengaged setting 
>Engaging: the system registers the new 
status and the brake setting is initial- 

Driving
66 ized. The indicator lamp in the 
Info Display lights up red 
>Releasing: the parking brake is ready 
for operation. The indicator 
lamp in the Info Display goes out. 
Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 
While you can drive as with any conven-
tional automatic transmission, you also 
enjoy the option of shifting manually at the 
steering wheel, refer to page 67. 
Transmission range selection 
P R N D 
Program display
S or M1 Ð M6
Buttons on the steering wheel 
Press briefly to proceed through a selec-
tion sequence consisting of the automatic 
program, the sport program, and the man-
ual mode.Steptronic: 
Upshifting and downshifting, refer to Sport 
program and manual operation.
Selecting transmission range 
The selector lever is at the center 
position. To select transmission 
ranges D, R or N, always start by pulling 
toward the steering wheel, arrow 1, then 
press up or down. Note the information 
provided in the Info Display.< 
>Range D or R: 
Press the selector lever up or down, 
continuing to apply pressure to move it 
past the resistance point
>Neutral N: 
Press the selector lever as far as the 
resistance point
>Park P: 
Press button P, arrow 2.
The selector lever immediately returns to 
the center position when released. 
With the vehicle stationary, press the 
brake pedal before shifting out of P 
or N; the shift command will not be exe-
cuted unless the brake is applied: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after 
you select a range, maintain pressure on  

Controls
 67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the brake pedal until you are ready to start. 
You can activate the Automatic Hold fea-
ture to suppress the vehicle's tendency to 
creep, refer to page 63.<
Shift commands are transmitted electroni-
cally. To help avoid malfunctions, each 
command undergoes a plausibility check 
prior to execution. 
Remember to observe the Check Control 
for status messages. 
You can find additional information on the 
Check Control on page 82. 
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and engage 
the parking brake before leaving the vehi-
cle with the engine running. Note the infor-
mation provided in the Info Display. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.< 
P Park 
Select P only when the vehicle is station-
ary. The transmission lockout prevents the 
rear wheels from turning. The lockout dis-
engages when you press the selector lever 
toward D, N or R while the engine is run-
ning. 
P is engaged automatically as soon as 
you switch off the engine unless N is 
engaged and the remote control is inserted 
in the ignition lock, refer to page 61.< 
R Reverse 
Select R only when the vehicle is station-
ary. 
N Neutral 
Select N only if your journey is interrupted 
for a long period. 
>From D press the selector lever up 
>From R press the selector lever down. 
Note the arrows indicating direction in the 
range display.
N remains engaged whenever the 
remote control unit remains in the 
ignition lock after the ignition is switched 
off. This function is useful in automatic car washes, etc. 
After approx. 30 minutes the system auto-
matically engages P. Remember to 
observe the Check Control for status mes-
sages. 
Switching off the engine, refer to 
page 61.< 
D Drive, automatic driving position 
This is the range recommended for normal 
vehicle operation. All forward gears are 
available. 
Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
position D. 
Kickdown 
The kickdown mode provides maximum 
acceleration. 
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the 
full-throttle resistance point. 
Sport program and manual operation 
When you press the S/M/D button on the 
steering wheel once, the system responds 
by activating the transmission's Sport pro-
gram, as indicated by the letter S in the 
program display of the Info Display, refer to  

Driving
68 page 66. We recommend this program for 
performance-oriented driving. 
When you press the S/M/D button a sec-
ond time the transmission switches to its 
manual mode; press again to return to the 
automatic program. 
You can also return to the standard auto-
matic program by reselecting D. 
In the manual mode the transmission 
upshifts when you briefly press the buttons 
on the rear of the steering wheel. You 
downshift by briefly pressing the buttons 
on the front of the steering wheel. The Info 
Display shows the manual ranges M1 
through M6. 
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combi-
nation of engine and vehicle speed; thus, 
for example, a downshift that would cause 
the engine to overrev will not be executed 
by the system.  The selected gear appears 
briefly in the Info Display, followed by the 
current gear.
To obtain maximum acceleration, for 
passing maneuvers, etc., during 
operation in the manual mode, use the 
kickdown or downshift manually.< 
Malfunctions 
A status report will appear in the Check 
Control to alert you to any malfunctions in 
the transmission-control system. Please 
note any supplementary information that 
appears on the Control Display. The direc-
tional arrows also start to flash in the Info 
Display. 
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. 
Some types of malfunction will make it 
impossible to engage all gears. 
The engine may respond with reduced out-
put when accelerating from a standing 
start. If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads 
and consult the nearest BMW center. 
If no status messages appear in the 
Info Display you should accelerate 
carefully to confirm that you are driving in 
the desired direction. 
Never work in the engine compartment 
with any of the forward or reverse gears 
engaged, as the vehicle could start to 
move. Engaging the parking brake, refer to 
page 62.< 
Manual release of transmission 
lockout 
You can respond to any interruptions in the 
supply of electrical power, for instance, if 
the battery is discharged or disconnected, 
by releasing the transmission lockout man-
ually. 
To prevent the drive wheels from 
locking up and sliding, the transmis-
sion lockout must always be released man-
ually before the vehicle is towed.< 
Press the brake pedal before releas-
ing the transmission lockout manu-
ally. If the brakes are not applied, the vehi-
cle could start to roll if parked on a steep 
slope. 
The transmission lockout should only be 
released for towing. Remember to engage 
the transmission lockout when you repark 
the vehicle after moving it. 
Should it also be necessary to release 
the parking brake manually, owing to a dis-
charged battery, etc., always adhere to the 
following sequence: 
1.Start by manually releasing the parking 
brake, refer to page 64 
2.Then proceed to manually release the 
transmission lockout.< 
Jump-starting and towing, refer to 
pages 207 and 208.  

Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Releasing 
1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover 
panel beneath the instrument panel by 
turning the lock counterclockwise, then 
fold down the cover
2.Pull out the release lever with the loop 1 
until it locks into place: the transmission 
lockout is unlocked.
Re-engage the transmission lockout 
after parking the vehicle at its destina-
tion. Otherwise there is a danger that the 
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a 
steep slope.< 
Locking again 
1.Disengage the release lever by pressing 
it together with the red detent lever, 
arrow 
2.Guide the release lever all the way back 
into its original position Ð the transmis-
sion lockout is again engaged 
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel again. 
Now Ð and not before Ð the key may be 
removed.
Once the transmission lockout has 
been re-engaged, the warning in the 
Check Control should disappear, and the 
symbol in the Info Display should change 
from N to P. Should this fail to happen, 
there is a danger that the vehicle could 
start to roll.< 
Information on jump-starting and towing 
begins on page 207. 
Turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher
1High beams: blue indicator lamp 
2Headlamp flasher: blue indicator lamp 
3Turn signal indicators: green indicator 
lamps, accompanied by a periodic tick-
ing from the turn signal indicator relay
Using turn signal indicators
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 signal 
indicators.  

Driving
72
One lever for all functions 
1 Maintaining and storing speed, 
accelerating 
Press the lever as far as the resistance 
point: 
The system maintains and stores the cur-
rent vehicle speed. Every time you briefly 
press the lever, the vehicle's speed 
increases by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h. 
Press the lever longer: 
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. 
The vehicle may accelerate beyond 
the preset 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 lever back to resistance point: 
The system maintains and stores the cur-
rent vehicle speed. Every time you briefly 
press the lever the vehicle's speed 
decreases by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h. 
Pull the lever longer:
The throttle aperture is automatically 
reduced, slowing the vehicle. The system 
maintains and stores your current speed as 
soon as you release the lever. 
3 Interrupting cruise control 
With the cruise control active, briefly press 
the lever up or down. In addition, cruise control is interrupted 
automatically 
>when you apply pressure to the brake 
pedal 
>when you select neutral position of the 
automatic transmission
>when the DSC Dynamic Stability Con-
trol is in active operation. 
4 Recalling stored speed 
Briefly press button 4: the vehicle acceler-
ates to and maintains the last speed stored. 
Deactivating system 
When the ignition is switched off, the sys-
tem is deactivated and the stored speed is 
deleted. 
Displays in the Info Display 
5Display of speed ready for recall 
> Ð cruise control activated 
> Ð cruise control deactivated 
6Display of stored desired speed in the 
multilevel function 
5 and 6 are displayed when the sys-
tem is activated.< 
Activating multilevel preset mode 
Push 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point.
The current driving speed is maintained, 
stored and displayed as the available 
speed 5. 
If no desired speeds are stored, you 
can increase or reduce the speed by 
5 mph/10 km/h with the multilevel preset  

Controls
 73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
mode activated each time you press or pull 
the lever beyond the resistance point.<
Changing preset level 
Push 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point. The preset speed progresses 
to the next desired speed.
The available speed changes to the 
minimum speed of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h when you pull 2 the lever beyond 
the resistance point at the lowest desired 
speed.<
Interrupting the cruise control 
With the cruise control active, briefly press 
the lever up or down. 
Hiding display for multilevel preset 
mode 
When activated, press the lever upward or 
downward for approx. 3 seconds. 
Showing display for multilevel preset 
mode again 
Press 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point. 
Deactivating the multilevel preset 
mode 
The multilevel preset mode is also deacti-
vated when you switch off the ignition. 
Storing desired speeds 
With vehicle stationary 
Switch on the ignition. Press 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point: The selectable speed level is 
displayed with 5. 
>To increase desired speed: 
Press the lever forward 
>To decrease desired speed: 
Pull back the lever 
>To store desired speed: 
Press button 4 for approx. 3 seconds. 
The stored desired speed appears in 6. 
If 6 speeds have already been stored, 
it will be necessary to delete one 
before entering a new preset speed.<
While driving 
Activate multilevel preset mode. 
Press button 4 for approx. 3 seconds. The 
respective driven speed is applied as the 
desired speed and displayed with 6. 
If all of the graduations flash at once, 
this indicates that 6 desired speeds 
have already been stored. You must then 
delete at least one.<
Deleting desired speeds 
Select the desired speed 5. 
Press button 4 for approx. 3 seconds. 
Active cruise control* 
The concept 
With active cruise control you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automati-
cally maintained when driving on open 
roadways, but also varied to maintain a 
selected distance setting as slower traffic 
is encountered. 
Active cruise control is a technological 
advance over the familiar cruise control 
and is a welcome relief from the constant 
adjustment of speed that can accompany 
driving in traffic on freeways or other high-
speed thoroughfares. Especially on longer 
trips, the system can reduce fatigue and 
tension, while increasing your enjoyment 
of driving. Please use it safely and respon-
sibly.