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.
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Transporting children safely
The right place for children
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.
A child sitting in the rear seat and not
properly restrained may place his or her
head on or near the airbag, if so equipped. For
example, a child, even though belted, may fall
asleep with his or her head against the side air-
bag. It may be difficult for a driver to ens ure that
children in the rear seat will remain properly
positioned at all times and do not place their
heads on or near the side airbag. Therefore, we
recommend that the rear seat side airbags, if
provided, be deactivated if you plan to transport
children in the rear seat.<
Deactivating rear seat side airbags
The rear seat side airbags may already have
been deactivated by a BMW center. Labels in
the rear door opening should indicate the status
of your rear seat side airbags. If you are uncer-
tain 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 13 years of age and chil-
dren less than 5 ft/150 cm tall should
always ride in the rear and the restraint systems
should be secured with the vehicle's safety
belts.<
Younger children should be secured in an
appropriate forward-facing child-restraint sys-
tem that has first been properly restrained. We
strongly urge you to carefully read and comply
with the instructions for installation and use provided by the child-restraint's manufacturer
whenever you use such a device.
All rear sitting positions in your vehicle meet the
recommendations of SAE J1819, an industry-
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 airbags on the front passenger side
must be deactivated. Otherwise, there is a con-
siderable risk of injury for the child when the air-
bags are triggered, even with a child-restraint
system. Your BMW center will be glad to advise
you.<
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger
seat of this vehicle if the passenger's airbag is
not deactivated. If you do so, the child could be
severely injured when the airbag is trig-
gered.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.<
More information on automatic deactivation of
the front passenger airbags, refer to page83.
Backrest width adjustment
The backrest width adjustment of the
passenger seat must be opened com-
pletely. After the child's seat is installed, mem-
ory positions must not be requested and the
active backrest width adjustment must be
deactivated, otherwise there is the risk of
injury.<
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between the head restraint and the seat back. It
is recommended to readjust the head restraint
into the lowest possible position.
Center sitting position:
Pull the center armrest forward somewhat to
guide the tether strap through the opening.
Then reengage the center armrest.
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 the LATCH child-restraint fix-
ing system, follow the operating and
safety instructions of the manufacturer.<
Access to anchorage points on rear
seat with through-loading system
The illustration shows the left rear seat as an
example.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 region of the
child-restraint fixing system.
Access to anchorage points on rear
seat with through-loading system
The illustration shows the right rear seat as an
example.
The anchorage points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system are located behind the
indicated protective caps.
Before attaching the child-restraint fixing sys-
tem, remove the LATCH protective caps and
pull the belt away from the region of the child-
restraint fixing system.
On journeys
If the rear is equipped with side airbags,
make s ure that children do not lean o ut of
the child's seat towards the door panels. Other-
wise severe injuries can be caused if the side
airbags are triggered.<
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Driving
Ignition lock
0 Steering locked
The key can only be inserted or removed in this
position.
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel
slightly until it locks.
Interlock on automatic transmission
>Only move the selector lever from posi-
tion P when the engine is running.
>To turn the key back to position 0 or to
remove it, first place the selector lever in
position P.
1 Steering unlocked
A slight steering wheel movement often makes
it easier to turn the key from 0 to 1.
Some vehicle systems are ready for operation.
2 Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
3 Start engine
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, as
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always
select neutral position or position N and apply
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle with
the engine running.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Special starting conditions
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down when
starting if
>the engine fails to start on the first attempt,
for instance, if it is very hot or cold
>the engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. 57/–156, at high
altitudes, over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequately burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Gearshift lever in neutral position.
3.Press the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not depressed,
the engine will not start.<
4.Start the engine.
Do not end the starting procedure too early,
however after approx. 20 seconds at the lat-
est. Release the ignition key immediately as
soon as the engine starts.
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brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the
selector lever toward the right, otherwise
an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could
damage the engine.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
When pressing the gearshift lever to the left,
overcome some resistance.
The backup lamps switch on automatically
when the ignition key is in position 2.
SMG Sequential manual
transmission*
The concept
The SMG Sequential manual transmission is an
automated manual transmission in which an
electrohydraulic system handles the clutching
and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector lever in
the center console and two shift paddles on the
steering wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>Optional manual or automatic operation:
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>You have a choice of two driving programs:
Normal or Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving
Control page54 >Automatic downshifting and prevention of
incorrect shifting even in sequential opera-
tion
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page55.
The SMG is operational when the ignition key is
in position 2.
Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position is displayed
on the center console.
>R: Reverse
>N: Neutral
>One-touch functions for Sequential mode:
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting
>D: Drive mode
The transmission automatically shifts into
N if the driver's door is opened with the
engine running and neither the pedals, the shift
paddles nor the selector lever are operated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and the
flashing display N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed, pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
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Activating system
Press the SPORT button with the ignition key in
position 2.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant enables optimized
vehicle acceleration at racing car level on road
surfaces with good adhesion when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too
often, as otherwise components will wear
prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Traction Control.
2.Press the DTC button, refer to page78, for
longer than 3 seconds.
3.Quickly press accelerator pedal all the way
down: kick-down. The ideal starting-off
engine speed is set.
To maintain driving stability, do not deac-
tivate DSC if at all possible.<
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to
page56.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is indicated, and in
the manual mode the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts
into selector lever positions R and P. To cancel
the interlock, press the button on the front of
the selector lever knob, refer to arrow.
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of P
or N; the shift command will not be executed
unless the brake is applied.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you
select a driving position, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
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4.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and
press the controller.
Triple turn signaling is activated.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance
point.
The system reverts to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The wiper operation is controlled automatically
as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sen-
sor is located on the windshield, directly in front
of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating the rain sensor
Press button. The LED in the button lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the serrated dial 5.
Deactivating the rain sensor
Press the button again. The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash. Failure to
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief
period.
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 so, your vision could be
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use
washing mechanisms when the washer fluid
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage
the washer pump.<
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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.