
At a glance
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Mobility
7Buttons on steering wheel8Instrument cluster12
10Ignition lock54
11Horn: the entire surface
14Releasing the hood174
15Opening the luggage compartment lid32
16Head-Up Display
*88  Portable phone
*151
>Press: accept call or terminate 
call
as well as dial if an entry has 
been selected from "A - Z", 
"Top 8", "Redial", "Received 
calls" or "Missed calls"
>Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activate/deactivate voice 
command system
* 22
Forward/reverse132
>Radio 
Press: change radio station 
Press longer: manual tuning 
or automatic station-search 
function scan
>CD 
Press: select track
Press longer: fast forward/
reverse
>Portable phone 
Press: select entry in "A - Z", 
"Top 8", "Redial", "Received 
calls" or "Missed calls"
Individually programmable
*51 
Individually programmable51 
9
Windshield wipers60
Rain sensor61
12
Steering wheel heater
*51
Steering wheel adjustment50
13
Cruise control61
Active cruise control
*62
17
Parking lamps91
Low beams91
Automatic headlamp control91
Adaptive Head Light
*92
18
Instrument lighting93
Front fog lamps92 

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster 
1Indicator lamps for turn signals13
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Display for active cruise control
*64
5Tachometer69
 and Engine oil thermometer70
6Display for
>Time/date69
>Outside temperature69
>Indicator and warning lamps71
>Speed for cruise control62
>Desired speed for active cruise 
control
*647Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer69
>Computer74
>Date and remaining distance to be 
driven for service requirement70
>Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic
*58
>SMG Sequential manual 
transmission
*57
>Dynamic Driving Control59
> Check Control message present71
8Fuel gage70
9Resetting the trip odometer to zero69 

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 59Reference
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recommended for a performance-oriented driv-
ing style. It is engaged automatically when the 
Dynamic Driving Control is activated, see 
below.
When the selector lever is briefly moved for-
ward or back, the manual mode is activated and 
the Steptronic shifts gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system.  The 
selected gear appears briefly in the instrument 
cluster, followed by the current gear.
To use the automatic function again, move the 
selector lever to the right into position D.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible 
for your BMW to react in an even more perfor-
mance-oriented manner at the push of a button:
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to accelerator pedal movements.
>Cruise control:
The stored speed is reached more quickly 
when it is requested.
Additionally with SMG:
>Gearshifts are faster.
>The engine speed range is used optimally in 
the Drive mode.
With automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.
Activating system
In ignition key position 2, press the SPORT but-
ton.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is 
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again or
>engage reverse gear or
>switch off the engine.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant with SMG
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 Driving Control.
2.Press the DTC button, refer to page82, for 
longer than three seconds.
3.Press the accelerator pedal down fully:
Kick-down. The ideal starting-off engine 
speed is set.
To maintain driving stability, do not deac-
tivate DSC if at all possible.< 

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The system reverts to operation at normal 
speed whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
Wiper operation is controlled automatically as a 
function of the rain intensity. The rain sensor is 
located on the windshield, directly in front of the 
interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press button. The LED in the button lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the serrated dial 5.
Deactivating 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 also 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 washers when the washer fluid res-
ervoir is empty, as otherwise the washer pump 
will be damaged.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated in ignition key position 2.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Always keep it well away from sparks and 
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always 
observe the instructions for use provided on the 
containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Capacity approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order maintain the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling.<
Cruise control
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds 
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The 
vehicle maintains and stores the speed that you 
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g.when driving on winding roads, 
in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions such 
as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.< 

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- 

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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.< 

Driving
64
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed display
2Detected vehicle display. 
Lights up when vehicle driving ahead is 
detected
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead
4Digital speed display. 
Appears briefly when you select your 
desired speed
The system is activated. 
The display3 appears as soon as 
you activate the system and no 
vehicle is detected driving ahead.
Vehicle detected. 
The display2 lights up yellow 
when a vehicle is detected driving 
ahead.
The system requests that you 
intervene by braking or with an 
evasive maneuver. 
The display2 flashes red and a sig-
nal sounds. The active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically restore the distance to 
the vehicle driving ahead. You will find more 
detailed information on page67.
Automatic intervention by ABS or 
DSC, or you actuate the parking 
brake while driving. 
The display2 flashes yellow. The 
active cruise control now only 
intervenes by braking.
Desired speed store and increase
Press the lever forward1 at a driving speed of 
more than approx. 20 mph/30 km/h: 
The system adopts and stores your current 
speed as a desired speed. This speed is indi-
cated on the speedometer and displayed briefly 
in the instrument cluster. 
Subsequently pressing forward increases the 
desired speed to the next multiple of 5 mph/
10 km/h. 
Each time the lever is pressed forward again, 
the desired speed is increased by another 
5 mph/10 km/h until a maximum of 110 mph/
180 km/h is reached. The speed then displayed 
is stored and achieved, provided that the road is 
clear.
If the display ACC --- mph/km/h briefly 
appears in the instrument cluster, it might 
be that conditions necessary for operation are 
not currently being met. 
To call up Check Control messages, refer to 
page71.<
Desired speed store and decrease
Pull back the lever2: 
The current driving speed is rounded off to the 
next multiple of 5 mph/10 km/h, displayed and 
stored. 
Each time the lever is pulled back again, the 
desired speed is decreased by another 5 mph/
10 km/h until the minimum speed of 20 mph/
30 km/h is reached. The speed then displayed 
is stored and achieved, provided that the road is 
clear. 

Driving
66
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead 
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or when 
approaching a parked vehicle. Also, the system 
does not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians 
or other types of potential traffic such as a rider 
on horseback. It is also possible that the system 
may not detect smaller moving objects such as 
motorcycles or bicycles. Be especially alert 
when encountering any of these situations as 
the system will neither automatically brake, nor 
provide a warning to you. Also, be aware that every decrease in the distance setting allows 
your vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front 
of you and requires a heightened amount of 
alertness.<
If your vehicle is actively following a vehicle in 
front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds up or 
the lane ahead becomes clear, then your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle 
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving, 
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your 
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle 
brakes, shifts the transmission to neutral/N, or 
deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the 
system will no longer automatically activate the 
vehicle brakes, which means the driver must 
intervene and resume manual braking. You 
should then reactivate the system only when 
you are fully aware of the prior speed and dis-
tance settings.<