
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. 

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.< 

Driving
62
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
accelerating
2Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
decelerating
3Interrupting cruise control
4Recalling stored speed
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
accelerating
Press the lever up to the resistance point1:
The system maintains and stores the current 
vehicle speed. The display 1 in the speedome-
ter indicates this regulated speed, refer to the 
section below. Every time you briefly press the 
lever, the vehicle speed increases by roughly 
1mph/1km/h.
Press the lever up to the resistance point and 
hold it: 
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system maintains 
and stores your current speed as soon as you 
release the lever.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point:
The speed increases by 5 mph/10 km/h.
The vehicle may accelerate beyond the regu-
lated speed on steep downhill stretches where 
the engine's braking effect alone may not be 
sufficient to slow the vehicle. Speed can drop 
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
decelerating
Pull the lever2:
Functions are the same as 1, only the vehicle 
speed is reduced.
Interrupting cruise control
With the cruise control active, briefly press the 
lever up or down3.
Cruise control is also interrupted automatically
>when you apply pressure to the brake pedal
>when you press down the clutch pedal or 
engage position N of the automatic trans-
mission/SMG
>when DSC comes on
Recalling stored speed
Briefly press button4: the vehicle accelerates 
to and maintains the stored speed.
Deactivating system
When the ignition is switched off, the system is 
deactivated and the stored speed is deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Display for stored speed
2Brief display of selected 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- 

Things to remember when driving
108
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one 
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues 
to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km: 
You should attempt to vary both vehicle and 
engine speeds. Until the break-in period has 
been completed, you should also refrain from 
exceeding an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a 
driving speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles/2,000 km, 
the engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
SMG Sequential manual transmission
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the 
break-in period, refer to page59.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
After component replacement
You should also comply with these break-in 
procedures should the components mentioned 
above need to be replaced at a later point.
General driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely 
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could pene-
trate to the interior of the vehicle.<
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.Adjust the automatic climate control to sup-
ply a high air volume, refer to page95.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles equipped with a catalytic 
converter, extremely high temperatures 
are generated in this vehicle. Do not remove the 
heat shields installed adjacent to various sec-
tions of the exhaust system, and never apply 
undercoating to them. When driving, standing 
at idle and while parking, take care to avoid pos-
sible contact between the hot exhaust system 
and any highly flammable materials such as hay, 
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead to a 
fire, and with it the risk of serious property dam-
age as well as personal injury.< 

Driving tips
 109Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Mobile communication devices in 
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munication devices, e.g. portable phones, 
inside the vehicle without a direct connection to 
an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle 
electronics and mobile communication device 
can influence one another. In addition, there is 
no assurance that the radiation emitted during 
transmission will be conveyed out of the vehicle 
interior.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or 
complete loss of contact between the tires and 
the road surface, ultimately undermining your 
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread 
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page171.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it 
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at 
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines.
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with 
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise 
greater clutch wear will result.<
SMG Sequential manual transmission
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.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard. In 
situations that require it, it is best to brake with 
full force. Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can still avoid possible 
obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to 
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the 
brake pedal. Even light but consistent 
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, 
briefly brake with light pedal pressure at inter-
vals of a few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced 
efficiency of the brake system, downshift 
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or 
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pedal pressure can lead to high tempera-
tures, brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.<
You can further enhance the engine's braking 
effect by selecting a lower gear in the automatic 
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as 
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches, 
refer to page58. This strategy helps you avoid 
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Never drive with the clutch pressed 
or allow the vehicle to coast with the 
transmission in Neutral – or with the engine 
switched off – there is no engine braking when 
the transmission is in Neutral, and no power 
assist for brakes and steering when the engine 
is not running. 

Mobility
 189Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will 
exert lateral forces, tending to push the 
vehicle sideways.
Secure the tow bar to the tow fitting only. 
Otherwise to other vehicle parts could 
result.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Secure the tow rope to the tow fitting only. Oth-
erwise damage to other vehicle parts could 
result.<
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar or on a load bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body 
and chassis parts, as otherwise damage 
may result.<
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission.
Jump starting, refer to page186.<
Only tow-start vehicles with a catalytic con-
verter with the engine cold. It is better to jump 
start the engine, refer to page186.
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers, 
comply with country-specific regulations.
2.Turn the ignition key to position 2.
3.Shift into 3rd gear, vehicles with SMG, see 
below.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
pedal completely depressed and slowly 
release the clutch. After the engine starts, 
immediately depress the clutch pedal com-
pletely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with SMG Sequential manual trans-
mission:
1.Tow-start in selector lever position N.
2.Select sequential mode. The correct gear 
will be selected and engaged automatically. 

Everything from A to Z
200 Audio132
– controls132
– switching on/off132
– tone control133
– volume133
Automatic
– air distribution95
– air volume95
– cruise control61,62
– headlamp control91
– service notification160
– steering wheel adjustment, 
refer to Easy entry/exit50
– storing stations138
Automatic car washes110
– also refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control94
– automatic air distribution95
– convertible program97
– settings using Control 
Center96
– switching off96
Automatic curb monitor47
"Automatic programs"97
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC95
Automatic station search137
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– convenience start55
– Dynamic Driving Control59
– interlock54
– kick-down58
– selector lever interlock58
– shiftlock58
– starting engine55
– towing188
– tow-starting189
"Automatic ventilation"98
AUTO program with 
automatic climate control95
"Autostore" on the 
radio136,138
Average fuel consumption74
– setting units77
Average speed74"Avoid ferries" for 
navigation123
Avoid freeways for 
navigation122
"Avoid highways" for 
navigation122
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" for 
navigation123
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights192
"A - Z"153
B
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backup lamps, refer to 
Reverse gear56
Balance, refer to Tone 
control134
Balance adjustment in audio 
mode, right/left134
Bandages, refer to First-aid 
kit186
"Bass", refer to Tone 
control134
Bass, refer to Tone 
control133
Battery
– jump starting186
– refer to Vehicle battery183
Being towed188
Belts, refer to Safety belts48
Beverage holder, refer to Cup 
holders103
Black ice, refer to Ice 
warning69
Blower, refer to Air volume95
BMW Assist159
– enabling159
– services offered160
BMW maintenance 
system178
"BMW Service"161
"BMW Service settings"159
Bottle holder, refer to Cup 
holders103Brake Assistant, refer to DBC 
Dynamic Brake Control81
Brake fluid177
– warning lamp177
Brake Force Display86
Brake hydraulic system177
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display86
– replacing bulbs182
Brake pads177
– breaking-in108
Brake rotors110
Brakes109
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System81
– brake fluid177
– Brake Force Display86
– brake pads108,177
– breaking-in108
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control81
– handbrake55
Brake system108
– brake fluid level177
– brake pads108,177
– brake rotors110
– breaking-in108
– warning lamp13,83,177
Brake wear warning
– brake pads177
Braking
– electronic brake-force 
distribution81
– refer to Braking safely109
Breakdown assistance161
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance186
Breaking-in108
– clutch108
– differential108
Break wear warning
– warning lamp177
"Brightness"77
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections128