Controls
43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in
the belt buckle.
Safety belt memory for driver's seat
and passenger seat*
The indicator lamp lights up, a signal
sounds, and a message appears on the
display. Please check whether safety
belts are correctly placed.
The safety belt memory is operative at speeds
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed onto the passenger
seat.
Releasing
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be in
the correct position for adult seat occupants of
every build if the seat is correctly adjusted, refer
to page38.The two rear safety belt buckles integrated into
the rear seat are for passengers sitting on the
left and right. The belt buckle embossed with
the word CENTER is intended exclusively for
use by passengers riding in the center position.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or
stretched in an accident: Have the entire
belt system, including the tensioning mecha-
nisms, replaced at your BMW center or at a
workshop that works according to BMW repair
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Have the belt anchorage points
inspected for damage at the same time. Failure
to observe this precaution may prevent the
safety belts from effectively providing optimal
protection when needed.<
Heated seats*
Front
The temperature setting progresses one step
through its control sequence each time you
press the button. When the maximum tempera-
ture is selected, three LEDs light up.
To switch off: press the button longer.
Adjustments
46
Steering wheel heater*
Press the button with the ignition key in
position 2.
When the steering wheel heater is operating,
the LED in the button lights up.
Programmable buttons* on the
steering wheel
You can assign the function buttons individu-
ally.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
3.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and press
the controller.The various functions are displayed:
>"Nav. voice instructions"
Voice instructions for the navigation
system
>"Air recirculation on / off"
Permanently shutting off outside air,
refer to AUC Automatic recirculated air
control on page91
>"Mute on / off"
Mutes the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off"
Switches the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
Switching between Entertainment and
Telephone
>"Next entertainment source"
Changes audio source
4.Select the desired function.
5.Press the controller.
6.Select button if necessary.
7.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
You can operate the selected function using the
corresponding button.
Operating function
Press the corresponding button on the steering
wheel.
Voice instructions of navigation system:
>To switch voice instructions on/off: hold the
button down.
>To repeat the last voice instruction: press
button.
Transporting children safely
48 1.After the vehicle is unlocked, sit in the pas-
senger seat and close the door.
2.Open the backrest width adjustment com-
pletely, refer to page39.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page40.
4.Install child's seat.
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
r e p la c e d i f n e c e s s a ry . H a v e t h is w o r k d o n e o n ly
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 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 sitting in the rear passenger area, attach the
tether strap to the corresponding anchorage
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
Driving
52
SMG Sequential manual transmission
and automatic transmission
Your BMW is equipped with the convenience
starting feature. It is sufficient to turn the igni-
tion key into position 3 for only a short time and
then release it again. The system responds by
automatically engaging the starter for a certain
period and allowing it to run until the engine
starts, after which it then disengages automati-
cally.
SMG Sequential manual transmission
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position N.
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, shift back to
the last gear selected, refer to Instrument
cluster display, and then shift into position N.<
Automatic transmission
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position P or N.
3.Start the engine.
Switching off engine
Do not remove the ignition key while the
vehicle is rolling, as otherwise the steer-
ing wheel lock will immobilize the steering.
When leaving the vehicle, remove the ignition
key and lock the steering. When parking on a
downhill incline, apply the handbrake, as other-
wise the vehicle could roll away.<
Manual transmission
1.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
SMG Sequential manual transmission
1.Engage a driving position.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
A signal sounds if the transmission is in
Neutral when the engine is switched off.
Automatic transmission
1.Engage selector lever position P.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and an
acoustic signal also sounds when start-
ing off. The handbrake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
If it becomes necessary under special cir-
cumstances to use the handbrake while
driving, it must not be pulled too sharply. In
doing so, continuously press the button of the
handbrake lever. Strong application of the
handbrake can lead to overbraking of the rear
axle and associated 'fishtailing' of the vehicle
rear end.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
Driving
54
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N;
the shift command will not be executed unless
the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the selector
lever is pushed to the right and the brake pedal
is pressed, the Sequential mode is activated.
You can shift up and down using the shifting
paddles or the selector lever. You do not need
to remove your foot from the accelerator to do
so.
It is also possible to start off in second gear, e. g.
in slippery conditions.
D Drive mode
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted
automatically.
Shifting from Sequential mode to Drive mode:
press selector lever to the right toward D.
Kick-down:
For rapid acceleration, e. g. when passing, press
the accelerator pedal as far down as it will go.
You achieve maximum acceleration.
To switch back into the Sequential mode: press
selector lever to the right again toward D or shift
using the shifting paddles or the selector lever.
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission
region.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To upshift, pull the selector lever back.
>To downshift, push the selector lever for-
ward.
Using shift paddles on steering wheel
>To upshift, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To downshift, press.
In the following situations, the SMG in Sequen-
tial mode assists you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for
example, a downshift that would cause the
engine to overrev will not be executed by
the system.
>When the vehicle is stationary, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into first
gear.
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion downshifts automatically even without
your intervention.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible
for your BMW to react in an even more perfor-
mance-oriented manner at the push of a button:
>The engine responds more spontaneously
to accelerator pedal movements.
>Gearshifts are faster.
>The engine speed range is used optimally in
the Drive mode.
>Cruise control
*:
The stored speed is reached more quickly
when it is requested.
Controls
59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
decelerating
Pull the lever 2:
Functions are the same as1, only the vehicle
speed is reduced.
Interrupting cruise control
With the cruise control active, briefly press the
lever up or down 3.
In addition, cruise control is automatically deac-
tivated:
>When the brakes are applied
>When the clutch pedal is depressed or the
automatic transmission/SMG is shifted into
the N position
>When the DSC comes on
Resuming stored speed
Press button4:
The stored speed is resumed and maintained.
Deactivating system
When the ignition is switched off, the system is
deactivated and the stored speed is deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed display
2Digital speed display.
Appears briefly when you select your
desired speed
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.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed,
if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active
cruise control will, within the scope of given
possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed auto-
matically so that you can flow with the traffic
without having to make constant adjustments.
If, for example, while cruising at the selected
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected
distance setting between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead. There are four settings for dis-
tance, which are additionally speed-dependent.
Based on your selected distance setting, the
system automatically decreases the throttle
setting and lightly applies the brakes if neces-
sary. The vehicle brake lamps will automatically
illuminate to signal 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 transmission your vehicle is
equipped with, to maintain the distance setting
selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or
when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected by increasing the throttle setting and
shifting gears automatically or by the driver as
needed.
Driving
62
Fine adjustment of desired speed
In the activated state, the desired speed
increases by 1 mph/1 km/h each time button4
is pressed briefly.
Select distance
You can choose from four distance steps.
>Rotary switch downward:
Increase distance
>Rotary switch upward:
Decrease distance
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster. Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
This distance is always set when
the system is used for the first time
after starting the engine.
Distance 4
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance.<
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. The driver should
decide when to use the system on the basis of
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions.
Active cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow,
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths.
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within applicable
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when
the system is actively following a vehicle in front
of you.<
Controls
63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback.
It is also possible that the system may not
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every
decrease in the distance setting allows your
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of
you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your
vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear,
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving,
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission to neutral/N, or
deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the
system will no longer automatically activate the
vehicle brakes, which means the driver must intervene and resume manual braking. You
should then reactivate the system only when
you are fully aware of the prior speed and dis-
tance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off, too,
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.
In approaching a curve, it is possible that active
cruise control would react briefly to a vehicle in
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.