
Voice command system
22
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. It is not neces-
sary to use the controller.
The voice command system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice command system uses a special 
microphone located in the area of the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Precondition
Via iDrive, select the language in which the 
voice command system is operating, so that the 
spoken commands can be identified. Selecting 
the language for iDrive, refer to page76.
Symbol in the Owner's Manual
Saying commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel 
or in the center console.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal indicate that the voice 
command system is ready to receive spo-
ken commands.
2.Say the command.
The text or numbers that the voice com-
mand system has registered will appear on 
the Control Display.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice 
command system. 

Opening and closing
34
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
luggage compartment lid make it easier to pull 
down.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
luggage compartment lid is clear, as oth-
erwise injuries may result.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to the information fur-
ther below
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power 
supply from the battery.
The system responds to unauthorized vehicle 
entry and attempted theft by simultaneously 
activating:
>An acoustic alarm, which lasts for a period 
of approx. 30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers, which operate 
for approx. 5 minutes
*
>The high beams, which flash on and off in 
the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming
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 correctly 
armed by switching on the hazard warning 
flashers for a single cycle and by emitting an 
acoustic signal.
Even when the alarm system is armed, you can 
open the luggage compartment lid by means of 
the   button on the remote control, refer to 
page30. When you subsequently close the lug-
gage compartment lid it is again locked and 
monitored.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control, refer 
to page30, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not properly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after approx. 10 
seconds. However, the interior motion sen-
sor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away. 

Adjustments
44 The positions of the exterior mirrors are stored 
for the remote control currently used
*, refer to 
Personal Profile, page29.
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually, if 
necessary: press the edge of the glass.
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this 
vehicle from being damaged, always fold 
them in by hand before entering an automatic 
car wash.<
Automatic heating*
At outside temperatures below a certain limit, 
both exterior mirrors are automatically heated 
while the engine is running or the ignition 
switched on.
Passenger-side mirror tilt function* – 
automatic curb monitor
Activating
1.Push the mirror selector switch to the posi-
tion for the driver's-side mirror 1.
2.Engage reverse gear or move the selector 
lever to position R.
The glass of the mirror on the passenger 
side tilts slightly down. This allows the 
driver to see the area immediately adjacent 
to the vehicle – such as a curb – when park-
ing, etc.
Deactivating
Push the mirror selector switch to the position 
for the passenger-side mirror 2.
Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob underneath the mirror to reduce 
glare from the headlamps of cars behind you 
when driving at night.
Automatically dimming mirrors, refer to 
page107.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion, or an accident 
may result from any unexpected movement.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Electric steering wheel lock
The steering wheel locks or unlocks automati-
cally when the remote control is removed or 
inserted, refer to page49. 

Driving
54
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
rain sensor
*
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
5Setting speed for intermittent wipe, or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system switches to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor* 
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is controlled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The 
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button 3. The LED in the button lights up.
Setting speed for intermittent wipe or 
sensitivity of the rain sensor
Slide switch5 up or down.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button 3 again. The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull lever 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do, your vision could be 
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be 
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid. 
Do not use the washers when the washer fluid 
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage 
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated 
automatically while the engine is running or the 
ignition switched on. 

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. 

Practical interior accessories
94 The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
You can operate the system when the engine is 
running or when the ignition is switched on.
If the system fails to function even after 
repeated programming, check whether 
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the 
instructions for the original hand-held transmit-
ter or hold down the programmed memory 
button1 of the integrated universal remote 
control. If the LED2 on the integrated universal 
remote control flashes rapidly for a short while 
and then remains lit for about two seconds, the 
original hand-held transmitter uses an alternat-
ing-code system. If it uses an alternating-code 
system, program the memory buttons1 as 
described under Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters.<
Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters
To program the integrated universal remote 
control, consult the operating instructions for 
the device to be set. You will find information 
there on the possibilities for synchronization.
When programming hand-held transmitters that employ an alternating code, please observe 
the following supplementary instructions:
Programming will be easier with the aid of 
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the 
remote-controlled device.
2.Program the integrated universal remote 
control as described above in the section 
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set, e.g. on the drive unit.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set. After step 4, you have 
approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1 of 
the integrated universal remote control 
three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
If you have any questions, please contact 
your BMW center.<
Deleting stored programs
Press both outer memory buttons1 for approx. 
20 seconds until the LED2 flashes: all stored 
programs are cleared.
It is not possible to clear individual programs.
Interior rearview mirror with digital compass*
1Adjustment button
2Display
The display shows you the main or subcardinal 
direction in which you are driving.
Setting compass zones
Depending on the vehicle's geographic loca-
tion, the relevant compass zone must be set. 
Refer to the world map with compass zones 
below. 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
To set a compass zone, press the adjustment 
button on the bottom of the interior rearview 
mirror with a pointed object, such as a pen, for 
approx. 3-4 seconds. The number of the com-
pass zone set is shown in the display.
To change the zone setting, press the adjust-
ment button repeatedly until the display shows 
the number of the compass zone in which you 
are currently driving:
The compass is operational again after approx. 
10 seconds.
For information on the automatic dimming fea-
ture, refer to Interior and exterior mirrors, auto-
matic dimming feature, page107.
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the 
following situations:
>C or CAL is displayed.
>The compass shows the wrong cardinal 
direction.
>The cardinal direction shown does not 
change although the direction of travel 
does.
>Not all cardinal directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or 
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of 
your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2.Set the currently valid compass zone.
3.Press the adjustment button to call up C or 
CAL. Then drive in one full circle at a speed 
of no more than 4 mph or 7 km/h.
If calibration is successful, the C or CAL dis-
play is replaced by the cardinal directions.
Roller sun blinds*
Rear window blind
Tap the button in the center console to raise or 
lower the roller sun blind. 

Driving tips
 107Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, 
means that the tire can actually lose contact 
completely with the road surface, so that nei-
ther the car can be steered nor the brake be 
properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page177.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is 
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only 
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the 
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with 
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise 
greater clutch wear will result.<
Also use the drive-off assistant, refer to 
page80.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most 
effective way of braking in situations in which 
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that 
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page52.
Never drive with the clutch pedal held 
down, with the gearshift lever or selector 
lever in neutral or with the engine switched off; 
engine braking action will not be present with