
Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
The key set
1Every master key with remote control con-
tains an extended-life battery as a power 
supply, which is charged automatically in 
the ignition lock as you drive. You should 
use each master key at least twice a year in 
order to maintain the charge condition. 
Depending on which master key is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different 
settings in the vehicle are requested and 
executed, refer to Key Memory below. 
2Spare key for storage in a safe place, such 
as in your wallet. 
This key does not fit in the locks of the lug-
gage compartment lid and the hotel func-
tion, refer to page32. This is an advantage 
when valet parking at a hotel, for example. 
The key is not intended for constant use.
New keys
New, additional or replacement keys are avail-
able at your BMW center.
Key Memory
How the system functions
Doubtless you have often reflected on how 
great it would be if you could configure your 
vehicle's various adjustment settings to meet 
your own personal requirements. BMW has 
designed several freely selectable options into 
the vehicle during its development. You can set 
these as desired via the Control Center.You can have up to four different basic settings 
adjusted for four different persons for the spe-
cific keys. The only requirement is that each 
person uses his or her own master key with 
remote control.
When your vehicle is unlocked with the remote 
control, the vehicle recognizes the individual 
key by means of a data exchange and makes 
adjustments accordingly.
Scope of Key Memory
>When unlocking with the remote control, 
either unlock only the driver's door or the 
entire vehicle, refer to page29.
>Locking the vehicle after a short time or 
after starting to drive, refer to page31
>Assigning the programmable function but-
tons on the steering wheel, refer to page51.
>Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page77
>Units of measure for consumption, 
route/distances, temperature and pres-
sure, refer to page77
>Language on the Control Display, refer 
to page78
>12h/24h clock mode, refer to page78
>Date format, refer to page79.
>Displaying optical warning for the PDC Park 
Distance Control
*, refer to page80.
>Selection and brightness of the display for 
the Head-Up Display
*, refer to page89.
>Air distribution, temperature and intensity 
for the automatic climate control, refer to 
page96.
>Setting the language information for the 
destination guidance of the navigation sys-
tem
*, refer to page126. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86
Initializing 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 the active steering will be available once 
again.
Brake Force Display
The Brake Force Display lights up in two stages 
depending on how strongly you brake.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the third brake lamp 
go on.
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
In addition, the illuminated area of the rear 
brake lamps is enlarged, refer to illustration.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front passenger
2Coupe: Head airbags
3Front side airbags
4Knee airbag for front passenger
5Knee airbag for driver
Protective action
 To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page44.
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 a side impact. The side airbag sup-
ports the side upper body area. The head air 
bag supports the head.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-
dents, certain rollover conditions, or rear-end 
collisions.
For information on the correct sitting position, 
refer to page44. 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
For almost all conditions, the AUTO program 
offers the optimal air distribution and air vol-
ume. Select an interior temperature you find 
pleasant.
The following section contains more detailed 
information on the available setting options.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the 
adjustment of air distribution to the 
windshield and side windows, in 
the direction of the upper body, and in the foot-
well, as well as the adjustment of the air volume. 
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with 
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such 
a way that window condensation is prevented 
as much as possible.
Temperature adjustment
By rotating, you can set a desired 
temperature for the driver's side 
and the passenger side. 
After you start to drive, this system 
ensures that the selected temperature is 
achieved as quickly as possible. It then main-
tains this temperature, regardless of the sea-
son.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
This program quickly removes ice 
and condensation from the wind-
shield and front side windows.
Air volume, manual
You can adjust the air volume by 
turning. You can reactivate the 
automatic mode for the air volume 
with the AUTO button.
Switching cooling function on and off 
manually
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before reheating it as needed 
according to the temperature setting. Depend-
ing on the weather, the windshield may fog over 
briefly when the engine is started.
The air conditioner can operate only when the 
engine is running. The AUTO program auto-
matically switches on the air conditioner.
Maximum cooling
This program quickly provides 
maximum cooling.
The system switches to the recir-
culated-air mode and the air flows 
at maximum air volume only from the vent out-
lets for the upper body area. For this reason you 
should ensure that these vent outlets are open 
before selecting this program.
AUC automatic recirculated-air 
control/recirculated air mode
You can respond to unpleasant 
odors or pollutants in the immedi-
ate environment by temporarily 
suspending the supply of outside air. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently within the 
vehicle. In AUC mode, a sensor detects pollut-
ants in the outside air and controls the shut-off 
automatically.
Press the button repeatedly to run through the 
following control sequence:
>LED off: outside air flows into the vehicle 
continuously.
>Right LED on, AUC mode: the system 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
responds by blocking the supply of outside 
air when required.
>Left LED on, recirculated-air mode: the 
supply of outside air into the vehicle is shut 
off continuously.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch  

A congenial climate
96 it off while also increasing the air volume as 
required.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over a longer period of time, as the air quality 
inside the vehicle deteriorates continuously.<
Residual heat mode
Press the button when the motor is 
switched off and warm.
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. when stopped at a school to pick 
up a child.
You can adjust the automatic climate control 
settings as of ignition key position 1.
Provided that the engine has warmed to its nor-
mal operating temperature and the battery is 
charged, you can use this function for up to 
15 minutes after switching off the ignition. The 
LED in the button lights up to confirm compli-
ance with both of these conditions.
Switching off automatic climate control
The air volume, the heater and the 
cooling function are all switched 
off.
You can restart the automatic cli-
mate control by pressing any of its buttons 
except the REST button.
Settings using Control Center
Ignition key:
>In vehicles with separate drives for audio 
CDs and navigation DVDs, ignition key in 
position 2.
>In vehicles with one drive for audio CDs, 
ignition key in position 1.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
You can set the following:
>Manual air distribution, separate for driver's 
side and passenger side
>Adapting temperature in upper body region
>Intensity of the AUTO program
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Manual air distribution
You can preset the air distribution yourself and 
also adjust the air temperature in the upper 
body area.
1.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
2.Select the desired field by moving the con-
troller and turn the controller to adjust the 
air distribution.
1Airflow directed toward the windshield and 
side windows, driver's side only
2Airflow for the upper body
3Air to footwell 

Things to remember when driving
110 Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct their 
movement.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic air condi-
tioner system during operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors from being 
damaged due to the width of the vehicle, 
always fold them in by hand before entering an 
automatic car wash.<
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result 
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, as otherwise the vehicle 
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals 
800 lbs. and there will be four 150-lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
200 lbs.:
800 lbs. minus 600 lbs. = 200 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle. 

Telephoning
150
Telephoning 
Safety notes
For your own safety 
Your car phone makes life more convenient in 
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your portable 
phone's separate Owner's Manual for a detailed 
description of safety precautions and informa-
tion, we request that you direct your particular 
attention to the following:
Adjustments
To avoid posing a danger to yourself and 
other road users, never adjust the system 
settings unless your vehicle is stationary.<
Using the phone in your vehicle
Using a portable phone while driving is 
already illegal in many states and cities. 
Always use your hands-free system, or stop 
your vehicle in an area where you will not pose a 
safety hazard to other road users.<
Vehicles and portable phones
Do not use your phone within a garage, or 
near an open hood. The air in these areas 
could contain fuel vapors, and the portable 
phone might generate sparks that could result 
in burns.
This same precaution applies to open luggage 
compartment lids on vehicles equipped for 
operation using natural gas or hydrogen, and to 
all vehicles with luggage compartment-
mounted batteries.<
Antenna
When using the phone, ensure that all 
persons in the area are at least 20 in/
50 cm from the antenna. Never use your porta-
ble phone if the antenna is damaged. Contact 
between your skin and a damaged antenna can 
result in minor burns.If the antenna is damaged, have it replaced 
immediately.<
Special environmental conditions
Always switch off your portable phone in 
areas where blasting work is being con-
ducted with explosives. The phone signals 
could potentially act as a high-frequency trans-
mitter and set off explosions.
Always switch off your portable phone in areas 
where an increased explosion danger is 
present. This category includes gas stations 
along with fuel and chemical storage depots, 
etc., and all areas in which the air can contain 
fuel, chemicals or metal particles. Under these 
conditions, your portable phone could conceiv-
ably generate sparks that could lead to a fire or 
explosion. Always observe all legal regulations 
governing the use of portable phones in the 
vicinity of gas stations, chemical factories and 
other areas where an explosion potential exists. 
Never use your portable phone in aircraft; do 
not use this portable phone in hospitals, care 
centers or at other locations where medical 
equipment may be in operation, such as acci-
dent sites, etc.
Your wireless service provider can furnish you 
with more detailed information on legal regula-
tions governing the use of your phone.<
Medical equipment
Portable phones can generate interfer-
ence capable of preventing hearing aids 
and cardiac pacemakers from operating cor-
rectly. If you or any occupant of the vehicle use 
such equipment, consult a physician or the 
manufacturer of the equipment to determine 
whether it is adequately shielded against high-
frequency energy.<
Batteries 
Never attempt to dismantle your portable 
phone or its battery. Use only approved 
battery types – the wrong battery can destroy  

Wheels and tires
172
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side-
wall.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and 
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement 
ensures that the tire retains some residual 
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving 
remains possible to a restricted degree.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted 
by a BMW center or a specialized tire 
dealer which works with personnel trained in 
accordance with BMW specifications. If this 
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger 
of damage and associated safety risks. Make 
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of 
retread tires, as otherwise driving safety 
may be reduced. Possible variations in the 
design and the age – which could be substan-
tial – of the carcasses can lead to more rapid 
wear.<
The right wheels and tires
If you switch from summer to winter tires, or 
vice versa, use run-flat tires, as in the event of a 
flat tire there is no spare tire available. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that you do not have damaged run-flat 
tires repaired; they should be replaced.
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions than the 
approved units – these differences could lead to 
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.<
You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is 
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS 
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a flat 
tire, always remember to have the specified 
wheel and tire combination remounted on the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW tests certain tire brands for each tire size, 
classifies them as road-safe and approves 
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation. Observe any country-specific regula-
tions, e.g. on making a corresponding entry in 
the vehicle documents.
The factory-mounted tires have been specially 
selected to provide optimized performance 
when installed on your vehicle; if properly cared 
for, they will provide a combination of safety and 
excellent ride comfort.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
winter tires. 

Maintenance
178
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance 
System
The BMW maintenance system supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. The 
ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer 
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining times or distances of selected main-
tenance intervals and legally mandated dead-
lines, refer to page70:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, front and rear separately
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
>Brake fluid>Spark plugs
>Vehicle check
>Legally required tests depending on local 
regulations
Your vehicle stores this information continu-
ously in the master key while the vehicle is 
being driven. After accessing the data stored in 
the master key, your BMW Service Advisor can 
suggest precisely the right array of service pro-
cedures for your own individual vehicle. You 
should therefore give your BMW Service Advi-
sor the key you last used to drive when you take 
your vehicle in for service.
Make sure the date in the Control Center 
is always set correctly, refer to page78, 
as otherwise the effectiveness of CBS Condi-
tion Based Service is not ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models 
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information regarding service 
requirements.
Have service and repair operations per-
formed at your BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance, and may also be 
required when submitting warranty claims.<