Controls
45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
On the front passenger side as well, do not tilt
the backrest too far toward the rear. Failure to
observe this precaution can prevent the belt
from providing effective protection against
injury, as the passenger could slide under the
belt in an accident.
Make sure that the footwell behind the driver's
and front passenger's seat is empty and unob-
structed. If you fail to do so, any persons or
objects behind the seat could be injured or
damaged by a rearward movement of the
seat.<
Also observe the instructions regarding dam-
age to the safety belt on page49.
Convertible: with the wind deflector fitted,
do not incline the front seat backrests too
far backward if the seat is to be moved back to
the end position, as otherwise the wind deflec-
tor will be damaged.<
Seat adjustment
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
please observe the adjustment instructions
above.<
1Inclination
2Longitudinal direction
3Height
4Backrest
5Convertible: head restraints, refer to
page47With the sports seat
*, you can also adjust the
thigh support manually:
Pull the lever and move the thigh support in a
longitudinal direction.
Lumbar support* adjustment
You can also adjust the contours of the backrest
to obtain additional support in the lumbar
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature:
Press front or rear of switch.
>Move curvature up or down:
Press top or bottom of switch.
Replacing components
180
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
Wiper blade replacement
1.Fold the wiper arm out and grasp it firmly.
2.Press the locking tabs together while slid-
ing the wiper blade toward the front to dis-
engage it.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to driving safety. Therefore, exercise suffi-
cient care when handling them. If you are not
familiar with the specified procedures, have the
corresponding work carried out at your BMW
center.Never touch the glass on new bulbs
with your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean cloth, napkin etc., or hold the bulb by its
metal socket.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your BMW center.
When working on the lighting system
you should always switch off the lights
affected to prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer.<
When performing maintenance on the head-
lamps, comply with the instructions in the sep-
arate Caring for your vehicle brochure.
In the case of bulbs where the replace-
ment is not described, please consult
your BMW center.<
Xenon lamps
The service life of these lamps is very long and
the probability of a failure is very low, provided
that they are not switched on and off an unusual
number of times. In the unlikely event that one
of these lamps should fail, you can continue
driving under poor visibility conditions by
switching on your fog lamps and proceeding
carefully, where allowed by law.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal inju-
ries: owing to the extremely high voltages
at which these units operate, service work on
the xenon lighting system should only be car-
ried out by a BMW center.<
Giving and receiving assistance
188
Towing and tow-starting
Always observe all applicable towing laws
and regulations.<
Never allow passengers to ride in a towed
vehicle for any reason.<
Use tow fitting
The threaded tow fitting is stored in the tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage compart-
ment under the floor mat, refer to page180, and
should always remain in the vehicle. It can be
screwed in at the front or rear of the BMW.
To avoid damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle, observe the following: only use
the tow fitting that comes with the vehicle and
screw it in as far as possible. Use the tow fitting
for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral strains on
the tow fitting, e.g. do not the lift vehicle by the
tow fitting.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover in bumper:
Press the arrow symbol of the cover.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, as otherwise the steering wheel
could lock and it would be impossible to steer
the vehicle. There is no power assist with the
engine stopped. This then requires increased
effort for braking and steering. Active steering is
deactivated and larger steering wheel move-
ments are required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Vehicles with manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position
Vehicles with automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, as otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Vehicles with SMG Sequential manual
transmission
With the ignition switched on, engage selector-
lever position N, then switch off the ignition.
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed, as otherwise
it will not be possible to control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited during cornering.
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
210
S
Safety belts48
– damage49
– indicator lamp49
– sitting safely44
Safety belt tensioners, refer to
Safety belts48
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake
System81
– airbags86
– DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82
– rollover protection system,
Convertible87
– safety belts48
Satellite radio140
– enabling channels140
– selecting channel141
– storing channel141
"SAT" on the radio133,140
"Save current
destination"122
Scan
– CD changer145
– CD player145
– radio137
"Scan", playing stations137
"Scan", playing tracks145
Screen, refer to Control
Center16
Screw thread for tow
fitting188
Seats44
– adjusting45
– heating49
– lumbar support45
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory46
– sitting safely44
– sports seat45
– storing the setting46
– thigh support45
Securing cargo111
– ski bag104"Select as destination"119
"Select current speed"76
Selecting audio sources, refer
to Operation using Control
Center132
Selecting distance for the
active cruise control65
Selecting frequency
manually137
Selecting menu19
Selecting new scale for
navigation system
display127
Selecting route122
Selection options with
navigation system122
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– manual transmission56
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission56
Selector lever interlock, refer
to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission57
Sequential manual trans-
mission, SMG56
"Service"70,160
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance186
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US
models178
Service interval display, refer
to Service requirements70
"Service notification"161
"Service Request"162
"Service
requirements"70,160
Service requirements70
– also refer to CBS Condition
Based Service178
"Service Status"160
"Set date"79"Set" in audio mode133
"Set service date"71
"Set time"78
Setting road-speed limit76
Settings
– changing on Control
Display77
– configuring, refer to Key
Memory28
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time98
"Set tire pressure"84
Shifting
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission57
Shifting paddles57
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
– SMG Sequential manual
transmission57
Short commands of the voice
command system196
Shortest route for
navigation122
"Short route" for
navigation122
"Show current position"118
"Show destination
position"118
Side airbags86
Side marker lamps, replacing
bulbs182
Side turn signals, replacing
bulbs182
Sill panel lighting93
Sitting safely44
– with airbags44
– with safety belts44
Ski bag104
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to
Glass sunroof, electric with
raise function37