
At a glance
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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in both the indica-
tor area 1 and the display 2.
Some lamps are checked for proper functioning 
and thus come on briefly when the engine is 
started or the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the lower edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
You can call up more information, e.g. on the 
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond, 
via Check Control, refer to page73.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
immediately as soon as the corresponding lamp 
comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps in the indicator 
area1 signal that the associated functions are 
activated:
High beams/headlamp flasher86
Fog lamps
*87
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability79
Handbrake engaged51 

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Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page74.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. You 
can find more information starting on page73.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting 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 free-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page61.<
Braking sensation
The system's automatic brake operation results 
in a braking sensation that is slightly different 
from what you feel when you brake the vehicle 
yourself in a similar situation. Possible noises 
during automatic deceleration are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, and the maximum speed is 110 mph 
or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own  

Everything under control
70
Possible displays
1Button for selecting functions
2 Viewing service requirements
3 Checking engine oil level
*
4Exhaust emissions test*
5Roadworthiness test*
6Microfilter
7 Spark plugs
8 Brakes, front
9 Brakes, rear
10 Brake fluid
Additional information
You can have further information on the scope 
of maintenance displayed on the Control Dis-
play, refer to page 16.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the   menu.
3. Select "Service" and press the controller.
4. Select "Service requirements" and press 
the controller. 5.
Select "Status" and press the controller.
A list of selected maintena nce operations and, if 
applicable, inspections re quired by law is dis-
played.
You can request more detailed information on 
every entry. 

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Technology for driving comfort and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator
 warn you of the presence of an object 
in front of
* or behind your car. To measure the 
distance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in 
each bumper. The sensors at the front
* and at 
the two rear corners have a range of approx. 
24 in/60 cm; the rear middle sensors have 
approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, as 
otherwise physical circumstances may lead to 
the system warning being issued too late.<
Automatic mode
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated automatically after 
approx. 1 second when you engage reverse 
gear or move the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever to position R. Wait this short period 
before driving.
Manual operation*
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once 
the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/50 m or exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph or 30 km/h; 
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. For exam-
ple, the tone sounds at the rear if the system 
detects an object behind the car. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
The warning signal is canceled after approx. 
3 seconds, if you are moving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the 
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively.
Manual mode
The LED above the button flashes in addition.
PDC with optical warning
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. The contours 
of distant objects are shown on the Control Dis-
play even before the acoustic signal sounds. 
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller. 

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4.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
5.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
6.Select "Set tire pressure" and press the 
controller.
7.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
8.Start to drive.
"Status: Active" reappears in the Control 
Display. Initialization is then completed 
while the car is in motion.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red. A message appears on the 
Control Display. In addition, an 
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat 
tire or substantial loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph 
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page178, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue 
driving. Any attempt to drive on after a 
puncture can result in a severe accident.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor 
might not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 or more persons, luggage compart-
ment full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h. In the event 
of pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics. 
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at the 
earliest opportunity. Otherwise, parts of the tire 
could come loose and cause an accident. Do 
not continue driving. Contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on in yel-
low. A message appears on the Con-
trol Display. The Flat Tire Monitor has 
a malfunction or has failed. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Active steering*
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the 
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move- 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
82 ments. It also varies the steering force required 
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at 
which you are driving.
When you are driving in the low road-speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
very direct, and less effort is required to turn the 
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and 
more. This improves the handling capability of 
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing 
intervention is simultaneously deactivated 
when DSC is switched off, refer to page79.
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on. Active 
steering is no longer operational. At 
low speeds, greater steering wheel 
movements are required, whereas at 
higher speeds the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. Drive cau-
tiously and think well ahead. Have the system 
checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first 
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being 
initialized.
Initializing the system
1.Start the engine.
2.With the vehicle stationary, turn the steer-
ing wheel from the straight-ahead position 
to the left as far as it will go and then back to 
the straight-ahead position.
3.Switch off the engine.
When you start the engine again, all the func-
tions of Active steering are available once again.
Brake Force Display*
The brake lamps light up in two stages, 
depending on how sharply you apply the 
brakes.
>Normal braking: 
The brake lamps and the center brake lamp 
light up.
>Sharp braking: 
A larger part of the brake lamps' illuminating 
surface lights up.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:1Front airbags for driver and front passenger
2Head airbags in front and rear 

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. 

Refueling
168
Refueling
Always switch off the engine before refu-
eling. If you do not, fuel cannot be filled 
into the tank and a message will appear on the 
Control Display.<
Always observe all applicable precautions 
and regulations when handling fuels. 
Never carry spare fuel containers in your vehi-
cle. Whether empty or full, these containers can 
leak, cause an explosion, or lead to fire in the 
event of a collision.<
Gas cap
Opening
1.Open fuel filler door. To do so, lightly press 
the rear edge.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to 
the fuel filler door.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly 
hear a click.
Close the gas cap carefully after refueling 
until a click is heard. While closing, be 
sure not to squeeze the strap which is fastened 
to the cap. A loose or missing cap will activate 
an indicator lamp and the message Check Gas 
Cap
* on the Control Display.<
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
release the fuel filler door manually:1.Remove the cover from the side panel of the 
luggage compartment.
2.Pull the knob with the fuel pump symbol. 
The fuel filler door is released.
Observe the following when refueling
When handling fuels always observe any 
safety guidelines posted at the service 
station.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Lifting the filler nozzle 
during refueling leads to
>premature pump shutoff
>a reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor 
recovery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks 
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 15.9 gallons/60 liters, including the 
reserve capacity of 2.1 gallons/8 liters.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Fuel specifications
The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.