
Control Center
20
Status information 
1Display* for manual or automatic air distri-
bution on driver's side and passenger side
2Display for:
>Entertainment:
Radio, CD or 
 sound output for entertainment off.
>Portable phone:
"Car Phone", "Portable" or no network
3Display for:
> New entries are present in "Missed 
calls"
*
> Text messages/SMS* received
> Roaming active
4 Phoning
* or BMW Assist calls* are 
possible
 Reception strength for telephone, 
depending on portable phone
5Time
Other displays:
When information of the Check Control appears 
or entries are made via the voice command sys-
tem
*, the status information is temporarily hid-
den.
Assistance window* 
Additional information can be displayed in the 
assistance window:
>The computer or the trip computer
*
>The route map or the arrow view in vehicles 
with a navigation system
*
>The current position
Switching on assistance window:
Move the controller to the right to change to the 
assistance window and press the controller.
To select the display in the assistance window:
1.Move the controller to the right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select a menu item.
3.Press the controller. 

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. 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
this remote control during an extended drive; 
this will recharge the battery, refer to page28.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S
LX8766E
LX8CAS
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
>this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment.<
Using door lock
One turn of the key in the driver's door lock 
unlocks the driver's door only.
Turning the key a second time unlocks all of the 
remaining doors, the luggage compartment lid 
and the fuel filler door.
Convenience operation
You can also use the door lock to operate the 
windows and the glass sunroof
* in the Coupe 
or to operate the windows and the top in the 
convertible.>To open:
With the door closed, turn the key to the 
Unlock position and hold it there.
>To close:
With the door closed, turn the key to the 
Lock position and hold it there.
Keep a close eye on the closing process 
and also on the opening process of the 
convertible top to be sure that no one is injured. 
Releasing the key stops the operation.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
turn the key all the way to the right or left in the 
door lock to lock or unlock the driver's door.
Opening and closing: from 
inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the luggage compartment lid, but does not acti-
vate the anti-theft system. The fuel filler door 
remains unlocked.
You can also make the following settings:
>The central locking system automatically 
locks the vehicle after a short time when no 
door has been opened.
>The central locking system automatically 
locks the vehicle as soon as you start to 
drive.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the   menu.
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller. 

Opening and closing
34 If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows and the glass 
sunroof
*. 
Convertible: with closed top, close all win-
dows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic 
climate control to a high level, refer to 
page95.
Luggage compartment
There are four lashing eyes on the inner corners 
of the luggage compartment for securing lug-
gage nets
* or securing straps to fix luggage in 
position.
Also refer to Securing cargo, page111.
Convertible: increasing luggage 
compartment capacity
With the convertible top closed, you can 
enlarge the luggage compartment capacity:
To do so, unfold the handle and press it down-
ward in the direction of travel, refer to arrow. 
This folds the convertible top compartment 
floor upward.
Before opening the convertible top, execute 
this procedure in reverse order.
The convertible top cannot be opened if 
the convertible top compartment floor is 
folded up.<
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>To the opening of doors, the hood, or the 
luggage compartment lid
>To movements in the vehicle interior: inte-
rior motion sensor, see below
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
The system responds to unauthorized vehicle 
entry and attempted theft by simultaneously 
activating:
>An acoustic alarm, which lasts for a period 
of approx. 30 seconds
>The hazard warning flashers for approx. 
5minutes
>The high beams, which flash on and off in 
the same rhythm
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
The system indicates that it has been correctly 
armed by switching on the hazard warning 
flashers for a single cycle and by emitting an 
acoustic signal.
You can also open the luggage compartment lid 
with the system armed using the   button on 
the remote control, refer to page30. When the 
luggage compartment lid is closed, it is locked 
again and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page29,
>or turn the ignition key to position 1, refer to 
page54. 

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
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 one 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.
Active cruise control is not and must not 
be used as a collision avoidance/warning 
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is 
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional 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 information contained in the Things to 
know about active cruise control section in this 
manual beginning on page66.
within a normal engine speed range and also 
change gears. Continuous operation at very 
high or very low engine speeds is not possible. 
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the 
system deactivates itself.
Vehicles with SMG
Continuous operation at very high engine 
speeds is not possible in the Sequential mode. 
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the 
system deactivates itself. 
In the Drive mode the SMG acts similarly to the 
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Activate system, store and increase desired 
speed
2Activate system, store and decrease 
desired speed
3Deactivate system
4Recall the stored speed and distance or 
increase desired speed by 1 mph/1 km/h 
with each press of the button
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead. 
You can choose from four available distance 
settings. You will find more detailed infor-
mation on page65.
Adjust your desired speed to the traffic 
conditions and remain ready to brake at 
all times. Great differences in speed to the vehi-
cles driving ahead, e. g. when quickly approach-
ing a truck or when another vehicle swerves into 
your lane, cannot be compensated for by the 
system.< 

Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything under control
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly activate 
the time, outside temperature and odometer 
displays by pressing the knob3 at the lower left 
of the instrument cluster.
1 Outside temperature display, clock, 
date
The outside temperature and the time are dis-
played from ignition key position 1 onwards.
To call up the date:
Press the CHECK button on the turn signal 
lever, refer to page74.
Setting time and date, refer to page78.
You can set the measurement unit 7 or 6 on 
the Control Display, refer to Measurement units 
on page77.
Ice warning
A signal sounds when the outside temperature 
falls to roughly +37.57/+36; this is accompa-
nied by a message.
Please bear in mind that the ice warning 
does nothing to alter the fact that black 
ice may be present on roads at temperatures 
higher than +37.57/+36, e.g. on bridges and 
shaded roads.<
2 Odometer and trip odometer
To reset the trip odometer to zero:
Press button3 in the instrument cluster.
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field, 
arrow1, changes depending on the engine 
temperature. The segments disappear in 
sequence as the engine warms to its normal 
operating temperature.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as far as 
the advance warning field whenever possible.
Engine speeds in the red warning field, arrow2, 
must absolutely be avoided.
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to 
protect the engine. 

Everything under control
76 1.Move the controller to the right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select a menu item:
>"Onboard info"
>"Trip computer"
3.Press the controller.
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a 
second time if your vehicle has fallen at least 
3 mph/5 km/h below it in the meantime.
Entering, changing
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
On vehicles without navigation system: 
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.3.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
4.Select the speed and press the controller.
5.Turn the controller to set the limit. If neces-
sary, hold it against a slight resistance to 
enter a greater difference.
6.Press the controller to apply the setting.
Applying your current speed as limit
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
On vehicles without navigation system: 
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
4.Select "Select current speed" and press 
the controller. The system applies your cur-
rent speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
On vehicles without navigation system: 
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
4.Select "On" and press the controller.
 Limit is activated. 

Controls
 77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Stopwatch
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Open "Navigation".
On vehicles without navigation system: 
Open "Car Data".
2.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
3.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting and stopping
>Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it 
was running beforehand.
>Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" and press the controller. 
The interim time appears below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.
All of the remaining functions remain 
available at all times while the stopwatch 
is running. The stopwatch continues operation 
in the background.<
Settings on Control Display
Brightness of Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the base setting.Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Brightness" and press the control-
ler.
5.If necessary, move the controller to the right 
to select "Display Offset".
6.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Measurement units
You can change the measurement units for 
consumption, distances, temperature and 
pressure.
1.Open the   menu.
2.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.