
Adjustments
50 1Adjustments
2Switching over to the respective other mir-
ror or to the automatic parking function, 
refer to Tilting down passenger's mirror, 
page47
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat, mir-
ror and steering wheel memory, page46.
Adjusting manually
You can also adjust the mirrors manually if 
necessary by pressing against the edges of 
the mirror glass.
Outside mirrors, folding in and out
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.<
Automatic functions
>Both exterior mirrors are automatically 
heated in ignition key position 2.
>When the vehicle is moving forward, the 
interior and exterior mirrors dim as a func-
tion of the incoming light
*.
There are two photocells in the interior mirror to 
control the automatic dimming of the interior mirror. One is integrated into the mirror glass, 
refer to arrow, while the other is located at a 
position slightly offset from this on the rear of 
the mirror housing.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells 
clean and do not cover the area between the 
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Also 
do not attach stickers to the windshield in front 
of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel while the 
vehicle is moving. There is a risk of acci-
dent from unexpected movement of the steer-
ing wheel.<
The steering wheel can be adjusted in four 
directions.
Storing the steering-wheel position, refer to 
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory, 
page46.
Easy entry/exit
To make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle, 
the steering wheel temporarily moves into the 
uppermost position. 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Steering wheel heater*
In ignition key position 2, press the button.
The indicator lamp in the button lights up when 
the steering wheel heater is switched on.
Programmable buttons on steering 
wheel
You can assign functions to the buttons individ-
ually:
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 different functions are displayed:
>"Nav. voice instructions" 
Voice instructions for the navigation 
system
>"Air recirculation on / off" 
Continuously shut off the supply of out-
side air, refer to AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control on page95
>"Mute on / off" 
Mute the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off" 
Switch the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list" 
Switch between Entertainment and 
Telephone
>"Next entertainment source"
Change 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: 
Maintain pressure on the button for several 
seconds.
>To repeat the last voice instruction: 
Press button. 

Driving
54
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 
position P with the engine running.
>To turn the key back to position 0 or to 
remove it, first select the selector lever 
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, above 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 terminate the starting operation too 
early, but after approx. 20 seconds at the 
latest. When the engine starts, release the 
ignition key immediately. 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 only briefly to position 3 and then 
release it right away. 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.Engage selector-lever position N.
3.Start the engine.
If the engine does not start, engage the 
last gear selected again, refer to instru-
ment cluster display, and then shift into posi-
tion N.<
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Engage selector-lever 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 otherwise 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 drive position.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
A signal sounds on stopping the engine.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
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 engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upward, press the button and lower 
the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to engage the hand-
brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it 
too strongly. 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 engaged. 

Driving
56 Vehicles with manual or SMG transmission: 
When parking on inclines, engage the hand-
brake, as even engaging the first or reverse gear 
might not under certain circumstances secure 
the vehicle against moving.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
*:
Engage selector-lever position P.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
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 automatically switch on in 
ignition key 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 the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode: 
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Options of two drive programs: Normal or 
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control 
page59
>Automatic downshifting and protection 
against incorrect shifting even in sequential 
operation
>Kick-down function in the Drive mode
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page59.
The SMG is operational in ignition key 
position 2.
Selector-lever positions
The current selector-lever position is displayed 
on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
>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.< 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode. 
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.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode: 
Briefly press the selector lever to the right 
toward D.
Kick-down:
For rapid acceleration, e.g. passing, press the 
accelerator pedal as far down as it will go: you 
achieve maximum acceleration.To switch back to 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 applying the throt-
tle, but engage 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 shift up, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down, press.
In the following situations, the SMG in the 
Sequential mode assists you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will res ult 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. 

Controls
 81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1.Press  button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "PDC" and press the controller.
5.Select "Monitor display on" and press the 
controller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are involved, 
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system is also subject to the 
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc.  
Low objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can 
also disappear from the detection area of the sensors again before a continuous tone 
sounds.
Loud noises from outside and inside your vehi-
cle may prevent you from hearing the PDC sig-
nal tone.<
Do not apply high pressure spray to the 
sensors for a prolonged period of time. 
Keep the spray at least 4 in/10 cm away from 
the sensors.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page109.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change. 
Electronic brake-force distribution
This system controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to ensure 
stable deceleration.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during panic 
stops. This system exploits all of the benefits 
provided by ABS. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
82 Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the brake application. When 
the brake pedal is released, DBC is deactivated.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
The system prevents slip at the drive wheels 
when driving off and accelerating. DSC also 
detects unstable driving conditions such as 
fishtailing or sliding of the front wheels. In these 
cases DSC helps the vehicle safely stay on 
course within the physical limits by reducing the 
engine output and through braking actions in 
the individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the 
engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin again by taking risks.<
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a variant of DSC for special road condi-
tions, e.g. uncleared snow-covered roads, that 
is optimized for forward momentum. The sys-
tem ensures maximum forward momentum, but 
with limited driving stability. Therefore, drive 
with the corresponding caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snow-covered uphill 
grades, in slushy snow or on uncleared, 
snow-covered roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or when 
starting off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button; the DTC indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster lights up.
Deactivating DTC again
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Deactivating DTC and DSC together
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, however not 
longer than approx. 10 seconds. Interventions 
promoting stability and forward momentum will 
no longer be carried out. In addition, the stability 
promoting intervention of the active steering
* 
is deactivated, refer to page85.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To support enhanced operating stability, reacti-
vate DSC again as soon as possible.
Reactivating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.