Adjustments
38
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head
restraints and the airbags, the seated position
has a major influence on your safety in the event
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instructions
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page46.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance
between yourself and the airbags. Always
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions,
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered
off.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the
front passenger side as a storage area. Make
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the
front airbag is triggered. Never let an occu-
pant's head rest near or on a side airbag
because the inflating airbag could cause a seri-
ous or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information
on airbags, refer to page82.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is a risk of injury should an acci-
dent occur.<
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the
safety belt as an additional safety device, but
they do not represent a substitute.
At all times, occupants should sit upright
and be properly restrained: infants and
small children in appropriate child-restraint sys-
tems; larger children and adults using the safety
belts. Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow infants or
small children to ride in a passenger's lap.
Expectant mothers should also wear the safety
belt, making sure that the strap in the pelvic
a r e a i s w e l l d o w n o n t h e h i p s a n d d o e s n o t p r e s s
against the abdominal region of the body.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or run it
across sharp edges. Be sure that the belt does
not become caught or jammed. The safety belt
should not be twisted and must be positioned
firmly over the pelvis and shoulder, as close to
the body as possible. It should not pass over
hard or fragile objects, otherwise the belt in the
pelvic area could slide over the hips in the event
of a head-on collision and injure the lower abdo-
men. Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly
pull the belt in the upper-body area taut, other-
wise its restraining effect could be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page43.
Transporting children safely
46
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, as they could otherwise endan-
ger themselves and/or other persons by open-
ing the doors, for example.<
As a general rule, the front passenger's seat
and outer rear seats are suitable for installing
universal child-restraint systems for all age
groups, provided that they have been approved
for the age group in question.
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place
for children in a vehicle is in the rear seat.
Older children should be tightly secured with a
safety belt, after they have outgrown a booster
seat that is appropriate for their age, height and
weight.
If your BMW is equipped with rear side
airbags, do not allow children to lean
towards the door trim, as serious injuries could
occur if the side airbags are deployed and chil-
dren are too close to the airbags.<
Deactivating rear seat side airbags
Labels in the rear door opening should indicate
the status of your rear seat side airbags. If you
are uncertain of their status, or wish to have the
airbags activated or deactivated, please contact
your BMW center.
Child-restraint system in the rear
Children under the age of 13 or smaller
than 5 ft/150 cm may only be transported
in suitable child-restraint systems on one of the
outer rear seats; otherwise, there is an
increased risk of injury in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Younger children should be secured in an
appropriate child-restraint system that has
been first properly secured to the vehicle.All rear seating positions in your vehicle meet
the recommendations of SAE J1819, an indus-
try-recommended practice for securing child-
restraint systems in motor vehicles.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child-
restraint system on the front passenger
seat, the front passenger airbags must be deac-
tivated. Otherwise, a child traveling on that seat
will be at considerable risk of injury if the airbags
are triggered off, even with a child-restraint sys-
tem. Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the front pas-
senger. Because the backrest on any rearward-
facing child-restraint system – of the kind
designed for infants under 1 year and 20 Ibs./
9 kg – would be within the airbag's deployment
range, you should never mount such a system
in the front passenger seat, since the impact of
the airbag against the child restraint's backrest
could lead to serious or fatal injuries.<
For more information on automatic deactivation
of the front passenger airbags refer to page83.
Seat height
Before installing a universal child-restraint sys-
tem, move the front passenger's seat up as far
as it will go to ensure that the safety belt will be
ideally positioned. Do not change the seat
height afterward.
Backrest width
The backrest width of the front passen-
ger's seat must be adjusted to its widest
setting.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit down on the
front passenger seat and close the door.
2.Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page40.
3.Install the child seat.
Controls
47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Installing child-restraint
systems
Before installing any child-restraint system or
child seat, read the following:
Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructions for installation
and use. Otherwise the degree of protection
may be reduced. After an accident, have all
parts of the child-restraint system and of the
relevant vehicle safety belt system checked and
replaced if necessary. Have this work done only
at your BMW center or at a workshop that works
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Commercially-available child-restraint systems
are designed to be secured with a lap belt or
with the lap belt portion of a combination lap/
shoulder belt. Improperly or inadequately
installed restraint systems can increase the risk
of injury to children. Always read and follow the
instructions that come with the system.
Child seat security
All of the rear belt retractors and the front pas-
senger safety belt can be locked for mounting
and securing child-restraint systems.
Information regarding this is located near the
buckle latch of each safety belt.
To lock the safety belt
Pull the entire length of the belt from the belt
retractor. Allow the reel to retract the belt
somewhat and engage the buckle, then tighten
the belt against the child-restraint system. The
retraction mechanism is now locked.
To unlock the safety belt
Release the buckle, remove the child-restraint
system and allow the belt retractor to reel the
belt completely in.
Child-restraint system with tether
strap
If you use a child-restraint system with a tether
strap, three additional tether anchorage points
have been provided, refer to the arrows in the
illustration. Depending on the location selected
for seating in the rear passenger area, attach
the tether strap to the corresponding anchor-
age point to secure the child-restraint system,
as shown in the illustration below.
Placement of the tether strap
Outer sitting positions:
Lift the head restraint and pass the tether strap
between the head restraint and the seat back. It
is recommended to readjust the head restraint
into the lowest possible position.
Center sitting position:
Push the center head restraint upward. Guide
the tether strap between the head restraint and
the rear seat back. The tether strap must be
between the anchorages of the head restraint.
Transporting children safely
48 Then push the center head restraint into the
lowest position again.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child-restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.<
LATCH child-restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
The rear outer sitting positions are provided
with anchors for a LATCH child-restraint fixing
system.
To attach a child-restraint system with
the LATCH system, follow the operating
and safety instructions of the child-restraint
system manufacturer.<
Rear seat anchorages, with through-
loading system equipment
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system are located behind the
indicated protective caps. Flip up the corre-
sponding caps.
Before attaching the LATCH child-restraint fix-
ing system, pull the belt out of the area of the
child-restraint fixing system.
Rear seat anchorages, without
through-loading system
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system are located underneath
the identifying symbols.
Before attaching the LATCH child-restraint fix-
ing system, pull the belt out of the area of the
child-restraint fixing system.
On journeys
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors:
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Press the safety switch for the power windows,
refer to page36, if children are traveling on the
rear seat.
Controls
83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on
page38 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and
front passenger by responding to frontal
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the
head and side airbags help provide protection in
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by
every collision, e.g. not by more minor acci-
dents, certain roll-over situations and rear-end
collisions.
Labels in the rear door opening should
indicate the status of your rear seat side
airbags. If you are uncertain of their status, or
wish to have the airbags activated or deacti-
vated, please contact your BMW center.<
For information on the correct sitting position,
refer to page38.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or
modify them in any other way. Do not attach
seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides
of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center or a workshop that works according to BMW
repair procedures with correspondingly trained
personnel and has the required explosives
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of
which could result in personal injury.<
Airbag warning information is also provided on
the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front
passenger airbags
Your BMW has a seat occupation detection
system. By evaluating the weight on the front
passenger seat, the system detects whether or
not the seat is occupied by a child in the child-
restraint system or an adult.
>When a child is seated in the child-restraint
system, or with an empty seat, the front and
side airbags are automatically deactivated
on the passenger side.
>When an adult is traveling in the front seat,
the front and side airbags remain active on
the passenger side.
Although not desired, it can occur in the
case of heavier children that the front
passenger airbags remain active, or in the case
of very light adults or young persons that the
front passenger airbags are deactivated. In
these cases, have the person ride in the rear
seat, refer to Passenger airbag status lamp
below. Do not load the passenger seat with any
items in addition to the person to be trans-
ported. Do not attach seat covers, seat cushion
padding, ball mats or other items to the front
passenger seat unless they are specifically rec-
ommended by BMW. Do not place any items
under the seat. Otherwise, the function of the
seat occupation detection could be impaired.<
Technology for driving comfort and safety
84
Operational readiness of airbag system
When the remote control is inserted into the
ignition lock or the car is radio-ready, refer to
page49, the warning lamp comes on briefly to
indicate that the entire airbag system and the
belt tensioners are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
>The warning lamp does not come on after
the remote control has been inserted into
the ignition switch
>Warning lamp remains permanently on
In the event of a fault in the airbag system,
have it checked without delay, as other-
wise there is the risk that the system will not
function as intended even if a sufficiently severe
accident occurs.<
Passenger airbag status lamp
The indicator lamp located above the rearview
mirror indicates whether the front passenger
airbag system is active or not active/OFF.
The indicator lamp is used only for the
front passenger airbag system. The indi-
cator lamp illuminates to show that the front
passenger airbag system is OFF/not active.<>The lamp illuminates briefly during startup,
but then goes out if the seat is empty, or an
adult or child of sufficient size is detected.
>The lamp remains illuminated when a child
in a rear-facing child-restraint system is
detected and indicates that the passenger
airbag system is off.
If the lamp is illuminated when the seat is
occupied by a very light adult or teenager,
it is recommended that the person sit in the
rear.<
Find more information about the front passen-
ger airbag system and seat occupancy detec-
tion in the section Automatic deactivation of
front passenger airbags on page83.
Everything from A - Z
208 Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery191
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car Data"66
Care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing109
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo109
– vehicle108
Caring for artificial leather,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish,
refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points191
Car key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control28
Car phone152
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest96
– refer to Portable phone152
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio138
Car wash108
– also refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system106
"Categories"142CBS Condition Based
Service185
"CD"134,145
CD changer145
– controls134
– fast forward/reverse147
– installation location147
– playing a track146
– random order147
– repeating a track146
– selecting a CD145
– selecting a track146
– switching on/off134
– tone control135
– volume135
CD player145
– controls134
– fast forward/reverse147
– playing a track
146
– random order147
– repeating a track146
– selecting a track146
– switching on/off134
– tone control135
– volume135
Center armrest96
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs190
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
Changing bulbs187
Changing the language on the
Control Display76
Changing the measurement
units on the Control
Display68
Changing wheels191
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment181
Check Control73
"Check Control
messages"75
Check Gas Cap168Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure170
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH48
Child-restraint systems46
Child-safety lock48
Child seats46
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter99
– socket99
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps54
– washer fluid55
"Climate"90
Clock64
– 12h/24h mode72
– setting time71
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Clothes hooks97
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine49
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Communication"153
"Communication
settings"160
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer145
– CD player145
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure
172,173,174,175
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock49
Compass94
Computer65
– displays on Control
Display66
– hour signal72
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Everything from A - Z
212 Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo109
Height, refer to
Dimensions200
Height adjustment
– seats39
– steering wheel44
High beams86
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs188
High water, refer to Driving
through water107
Hills107
Holders for cups98
"Home address" in
navigation123
Hood180
Horn10
Hot exhaust system106
"Hour memo"72
"House number" in
destination entry117
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control78
Hydroplaning107
I
Ice warning64
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness76
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control90
– changing language76
– confirming a selection or
entry19
– date and time, setting72
– displays, menus17
– lists19
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– selecting a menu item19
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
Ignition49
– switched off49
– switched on49Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness49
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on49
Ignition lock49
Indicator and warning
lamps13
Individual air distribution90
Individually programmable
buttons on steering
wheel45
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
Information
– on another location119
– on country119
– on current position119
– on destination location119
"Information" in
navigation119
"Information on
destination"120
"Input map"118
Installation location
– CD changer147
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions127
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting87
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote
control93
Interesting destination for
navigation119
"Interim time"76
Interior lamps87
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor35
Interior rearview mirror44
– automatic dimming
feature107
Interior rearview mirror with
digital compass94
Interlock52Intermittent mode of the
wipers54
J
Jacking points191
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting194
Jump starting194
K
Key, refer to Integrated key/
remote control28
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile29
"Keypad"156
Kick-down52
Knock control168
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams85
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs187
"Languages" in
navigation128
"Languages"on the control
display76
Lap-and-shoulder safety
belt43
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo109
Last destinations, refer to
Destination list120
"Last seat pos."42
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system48
LEDs light-emitting
diodes191
Length, refer to
Dimensions200
License plate lamp, replacing
bulbs190
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs191
Lighter99