
Adjustments
46
Adjustments
Sitting safely 
The ideal sitting position can make a vital 
contribution to relaxed driving that is as 
fatigue-free as possible. The sitting posi-
tion plays an important role together with 
the safety belts and airbags in an accident. 
To ensure that the safety systems operate 
with optimized efficiency, we strongly urge 
you to observe the instructions contained 
in the following section.
For additional information on transporting 
children safely, refer to page58. 
Sitting safely with airbags 
Always maintain an adequate dis-
tance between yourself and the air-
bags. Always hold the steering wheel by its 
rim with hands at the 9 o'clock and 
3 o'clock positions, to minimize the risk of 
injuries to your hands and arms in the event 
of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on 
the front passenger side as a storage area. 
Make sure that the front passenger is cor-
rectly seated and does not rest feet or legs 
on the instrument panel, otherwise leg inju-
ries can occur if the knee and front airbag 
are triggered. 
Never let an occupant's head rest near or 
on a side airbag because the inflating air-
bag could cause a serious or fatal injury.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, 
injuries resulting from contact with airbags 
cannot be fully excluded, depending on the 
circumstances. The ignition and inflation 
noise may provoke a mild – usually tempo-
rary – hearing loss in extremely sensitive 
individuals.
For airbag locations and additional infor-
mation on airbags, refer to page98.
Sitting safely with safety belts 
Even though there is an airbag, wear a 
safety belt every time you get in the vehicle. 
Although airbags enhance safety by pro-
viding added protection, they are not a 
substitute for safety belts.
Your vehicle has five seats that are all 
equipped with a safety belt.
At all times, occupants should sit 
upright and be properly restrained, 
infants and small children in appropriate 
child-restraint systems; larger children and 
adults using the safety belts.
Expectant mothers should always wear 
their safety belts, taking care to position the 
lap belt against the lower hips, where it will 
not exert pressure against the abdominal 
area.
Never allow more than one person to wear 
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or 
small children to ride in a passenger's lap. 
Do not route the belt across your neck, or 
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that the 
belt does not become caught or jammed. 
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it firmly 
across the hips and shoulder. Do not allow 
the belt to rest against hard or fragile 
objects. Otherwise, in the event of a frontal 
impact, a loose lap belt could slide over 
your hips, leading to abdominal injury. 
Avoid wearing clothing that prevents the 
belt from fitting properly and pull the lap 
belt periodically to readjust the tension 
across your shoulder in order to avoid a 
reduction in the retention effect of the 
safety belt.<
For instructions on operating safety belts, 
refer to page51.  

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Rear
The operating concept is the same as for 
the front seat ventilation. 
Active seat for driver* 
Active adjustment of the seat cushion's 
contours reduces muscular tension and 
fatigue to help prevent lower back pain. 
To activate: press the button, the indicator 
lamp comes on. 
Mirrors 
Adjusting exterior mirrors 
14-way adjustment 
2Selecting mirror for adjustment To prevent the exterior mirrors on this 
vehicle from being damaged, always 
fold them in by hand before entering an 
automatic car wash.< 
You can also adjust the mirrors manually by 
pressing against the outer edges of their 
lenses. 
Storing the mirror positions, refer to Seat, 
mirror and steering wheel memory on 
page55. 
The mirror on the passenger's side 
features a lens with a more convex 
surface than the mirror installed on the 
driver's side. When estimating the distance 
between yourself and other traffic, bear in 
mind that the objects reflected in the mirror 
are closer than they appear. This means 
that estimations of the distance to following 
traffic should not be regarded as precise.< 
Self-defrosting mirrors 
The mirrors are automatically heated when-
ever the ignition is switched on. 
Interior and exterior mirrors, 
automatic dimming feature* 
These mirrors dim steplessly during for-
ward driving when struck by light. There are 
two photocells located in the interior rear-
view mirror for this purpose. One is inte-
grated within the mirror's lens, refer to 
arrow, while the other is located at an offset 
position on the rear of the mirror housing. 
For trouble-free operation, keep the photo-
cells clean and do not cover the area 
between the interior rearview mirror and 
the windshield. Do not attach any kind of 
stickers on the windshield in front of the 
mirror, either. 

Adjustments
54 The mirrors automatically revert to their 
clear, undimmed mode whenever you 
engage transmission position R. 
Illuminated vanity mirror in rear 
1.Press button1. The vanity mirror folds 
down 
2.Pull the mirror slightly downwards 
before you swivel it
3.Press the vanity mirror back up before 
folding it back in. 
Steering wheel adjustment 
The steering wheel can be adjusted in any 
of four directions by pressing the appropri-
ate end of the button. 
Do not adjust the steering wheel while 
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk 
of accident from unexpected movement.< 
Storing steering wheel positions, refer to 
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory on 
page55. 
Automatic steering wheel 
adjustment 
The steering wheel automatically moves as 
high up and far forward as possible to ease driver entry and exit before then returning 
to the standard position or stored memory 
setting. 
This automatic feature is governed by the 
driver's door and the ignition switch. 
Steering wheel heater* 
The steering wheel heater operates when 
the ignition is on. 
Press the button to activate or deactivate 
this system. 
The indicator lamp within the button lights 
up when the steering wheel heater is in 
operation.
Programming button function 
You can assign specific individual 
functions to the programmable but-
ton. This feature then provides you 
with quick access to this function, allowing 
you to control it without undue distraction 
from road and traffic conditions. 
1.Select "Settings" 
2.Confirm  
3.Select "  button". Continue to press 
the controller until the desired function 
appears: 
>"Recirc. air" 
In this mode the supply of outside air 
remains blocked, refer to AUC Auto-
matic recirculated-air control on 
page105 
>"Navi info." 
To repeat the most recent message 
from the navigation system, refer to 
page141 
>"AUTO P" 
To activate/deactivate Automatic  

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Hold refer to Automatic Hold on 
page65. 
You can select the displayed function using 
the button on the steering wheel. 
If you have activated the Automatic 
Hold feature, refer to page65, you 
can use the button on the steering wheel to 
deactivate the system for parking maneu-
vers etc.<
Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory 
You can store and select two different 
adjustment settings for the driver's seat, 
exterior mirrors and steering wheel.
If your vehicle is equipped with comfort 
seats, you can also store and set two sitting 
positions for each additional seat with the 
memory. 
The adjustment of the lumbar support is not 
stored in the memory. 
Storing 
1.Radio mode, or switch on ignition 
2.Set desired sitting position; for driver's 
seat also the exterior mirror and steer-
ing wheel position 3.Press 
MEMORY button: 
The indicator lamp within the button 
comes on 
4.Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: 
The indicator lamp goes out. 
Selecting a stored setting 
Convenience mode
1.Driver's door open after unlocking or 
ignition lock in radio mode 
2.Briefly press the desired memory but-
ton 1 or2.
The system immediately cancels the 
adjustment procedure when you press one 
of the seat adjustment buttons or use one 
of the memory buttons. 
Safety feature
1.Driver's door closed and ignition 
switched either on or off
2.Press memory button 1 or2 and main-
tain pressure until the adjustment pro-
cess has been completed. 
If you press the 
MEMORY button acciden-
tally: 
Press the button again; the indicator lamp 
goes out. 
Do not call up a position from the 
memory while the vehicle is moving. 
There is a risk of accident from unexpected 
movement of the seat or steering wheel.< 
You can have your vehicle pro-
grammed to automatically dial in your 
own individual adjustment settings for the 
seat, mirrors and steering wheel whenever 
you use your personal remote control to 
unlock the vehicle.< 
When using the Key Memory feature 
always make sure that the footwell 
behind the driver'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.<  

Driving
62
Driving
Ignition lock 
Insert the remote control all the way into 
the ignition lock. This also activates the 
radio mode. 
When the remote control is in the igni-
tion lock you can start the engine 
without first switching on the ignition.<
Comfort Access* 
Carry the remote control on your person 
if you want to use the Comfort Access.
With Comfort Access, you do not need to 
insert the remote control in the ignition 
lock. You can switch the ignition on and off, 
see below, or start the engine, page 63, 
when a remote control is detected in the 
vehicle interior.
When you switch off the engine, the 
transmission moves automatically to 
position P: interlock.<
Switching ignition on and off 
Continue to briefly press the start/stop but-
ton to switch the radio mode on and off or 
switch the ignition on and off. Do not press the brake pedal until you 
are ready to start the engine. If you 
briefly press the start/stop button while the 
brake pedal is pressed the engine will start 
immediately.<
Radio mode 
Several systems, such as the Control Cen-
ter, independent ventilation, etc., are avail-
able for use. The time and outside temper-
ature appear in the Info Display. 
The radio mode is automatically 
deactivated: 
>After approx. 16 minutes, when a door 
is closed and the system does not reg-
ister the presence of any individuals in 
the vehicle 
>Immediately if the remote control is 
removed from the ignition lock
>With Comfort Access, by pressing the 
door handle.<
Ignition switched on 
All vehicle systems are ready for operation. 
Ignition off 
The indicator lamps in the Info Display go 
out. Only the automatic transmission's 
range display remains visible for a brief 
period. 
Removing remote control from 
ignition lock 
Press the remote control in briefly; it is 
ejected and now protrudes slightly from the 
lock. This procedure will also switch off the 
ignition if it is on. 
Switch off the engine before removing 
the remote control from the ignition 
lock. 
The transmission automatically shifts to 
position P: interlock.<
If the remote control is still in the ignition 
lock when the driver's door is opened, a  

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
gong will sound and a message will appear 
in the Info Display.
Starting engine 
Do not run the engine in closed 
rooms, as otherwise the inhaling of 
toxic exhaust gases can cause uncon-
sciousness 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 repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
select position P on the selector lever and 
engage the parking brake 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 immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed. 
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. After pressing the 
brake pedal, all you need to do is briefly 
press the start/stop button. The system 
responds by automatically engaging the 
starter and allowing it to run until the engine 
starts, after which it then disengages auto-
matically. 
If the engine fails to start on the first 
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or cold:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down 
while engaging the starter.During a cold start at very low tempera-
tures, below + 57/– 156, at high altitudes 
over 3,281 ft/1,000 m:
>Engage the starter for approx. 
10 seconds the first time
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway 
down while engaging the starter.
Refrain from starting the vehicle 
repeatedly at brief intervals, and avoid 
an excessive number of starting attempts if 
the vehicle fails to start; repeated activation 
of the starter over an extended period 
would allow unburned or only partially 
combusted fuel to enter the catalytic con-
verter, where it can cause overheating and 
damage to the unit.<
If you have accidentally switched off 
the engine while driving, it can be 
restarted from a speed of approx. 3 mph/
5 km/h by pressing the button. It is not nec-
essary to press the brake pedal.< 
Switching off engine 
With the vehicle stationary, briefly press the 
start/stop button. This also activates the 
radio mode. 
The transmission automatically shifts to 
position P: interlock.
Transmission position N remains 
engaged if you keep to the following 
order:
1.With Comfort Access: insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock
2.With the engine running, engage trans-
mission position N
3.Switch off the engine
4.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
This function is useful in automatic car 
washes, etc.
Position P is engaged automatically after 
approx. 30 minutes or when you remove 
the remote control from the ignition lock. 
Remember to observe the Check Control 
for status messages.<  

Driving
64 Should exceptional circumstances 
render it necessary for you to switch 
off the engine while the vehicle is moving, 
press the start/stop button for approxi-
mately 1 second. 
If you maintain pressure on the start/stop 
button for longer than two seconds while 
switching off the ignition, the remote con-
trol will be ejected.< 
Before leaving the vehicle, remove 
the remote control from the ignition 
lock; with Comfort Access, always take the 
remote control with you.< 
Parking brake 
The concept 
Your BMW is equipped with an electrome-
chanical parking brake. 
The parking brake is primarily intended to 
prevent the vehicle from rolling while 
parked. 
You can operate or use the parking brake in 
two different ways: 
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, through activation of the 
Automatic Hold mode, refer to page65. 
An electrohydraulic mechanism then 
engages the parking brake to prevent the 
rear wheels from turning whenever you 
switch off the engine. 
When the engine is running, parking brake 
engagement is controlled by the brake sys-
tem's hydraulic circuits, which act on the 
disc brakes at the front and rear wheels. 
Brake pedal feel 
Because this function is activated using 
the brake system's hydraulic circuits, the 
response of the brake pedal may change 
slightly. Engagement may also be accom-
panied by activation noise – this is normal. 
Manual engagement 
Briefly press the button, the 
word PARK appears briefly in 
the Info Display. With the park-
ing brake engaged, the indica-
tor lamp lights up red in 
the Info Display, refer to page12. 
With the ignition off, the indicator 
lamp goes out after a brief 
period.< 
Manual release 
With the ignition on, briefly 
press the button: the indicator 
lamp in the Info Display goes 
out.
Provided that the remote control is 
inserted in the ignition lock, you can 
also release the parking brake after the 
engine has been switched off. This function 
is intended for use in automatic car 
washes, etc.< 
When leaving the vehicle, always 
release the remote control from the 
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution 
prevents children from disengaging the 
parking brake, etc. 
The parking brake can still be engaged at 
any time when the remote control is 
released from the detent. It is only possible 
to disengage the parking brake with the 
ignition on.<
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to engage the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion, 
maintain pressure on the button. 
The indicator lamp appears in red in the 
Info Display. A gong sounds at the same  

Driving
66 Provided that the remote control is 
inserted in the ignition lock, you can 
also release the parking brake manually 
after the engine has been switched off, 
refer to page64. This function is useful in 
automatic car washes, etc. 
Automatic Hold is deactivated.< 
When leaving the vehicle, always 
release the remote control from the 
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution 
prevents children from disengaging the 
parking brake, etc.<
For your safety 
Automatic Hold is automatically deacti-
vated when 
>the engine is switched off 
>the system detects that the driver's seat 
is not occupied while the engine is run-
ning 
>the hood is opened while the engine is 
running 
>the luggage compartment is opened 
with the transmission in position R while 
the engine is running, and 
>when the parking brake is used to bring 
the vehicle to a stop. 
The indicator lamp changes from 
green to red, and the AUTO P letters in the 
Info Display disappear. 
Before starting off again, briefly press the 
button to disengage the parking brake 
manually, refer to page64, or reactivate 
Automatic Hold, refer to page65. 
Before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running, always move the 
automatic transmission's selector lever to 
position P and ensure that the parking 
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start to 
roll if you fail to observe these precautions. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.< 
Automatic Hold is automatically deac-
tivated whenever the system detects 
any tendency for the wheels to spin in 
response to slippery road surfaces. Note the status reports in the Check Control. 
You can find additional information on the 
Check Control on page83.< 
Malfunction 
If a malfunction occurs, the indicator 
lamp lights up yellow in the Info Dis-
play and a status report will appear in the 
Check Control. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears on the 
Control Display. 
Releasing parking brake manually 
You can respond to any interruptions in the 
supply of electrical power, for instance, if 
the battery is discharged or disconnected, 
by releasing the parking brake manually. 
Before proceeding to release the 
parking brake manually, and each 
time you park the vehicle without engaging 
the parking brake, always ensure that the 
automatic transmission's selector lever is in 
position P, refer to page68. Note the range 
indicated in the Info Display. 
If the wheel must be changed on a surface 
with a more severe slope, take additional 
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing e.g. with a chock, refer to page204 
Otherwise there is a danger that the vehicle 
could start to roll if parked on a steep 
slope.< 
Should it also be necessary to release the 
automatic transmission's lockout manually, 
for instance, if the battery is discharged, 
always adhere to the following sequence: 
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing 
the parking brake 
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to 
page70. 
Jump-starting and towing, refer to 
pages209 and210.