
Transporting children safely
58
Transporting children safely 
The right place for children
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest 
place for children in a vehicle is in the rear 
seat.
Older children should be tightly secured 
with a safety belt, after they have outgrown 
a booster seat that is appropriate for their 
age, height and weight.
A child sitting in the rear seat and not 
properly restrained may place his or 
her head on or near the airbag, if so 
equipped. For example, a child, even 
though belted, may fall asleep with his or 
her head against the side airbag. It may be 
difficult for a driver to ensure that children 
in the rear seat will remain properly posi-
tioned at all times and do not place their 
heads on or near the side airbags. There-
fore, we recommend that the rear side air-
bags, if provided, be deactivated if you plan 
to transport children in the rear seat.<
Child-restraint system in the rear
Children under 13 years of age and 
children less than 5 ft/150 cm tall 
should always ride in the rear and the 
restraint systems should be secured with 
the vehicle's safety belts.<
Younger children should be secured in an 
appropriate forward-facing child-restraint 
system that has first been properly 
restrained. We strongly urge you to care-
fully read and comply with the instructions 
for installation and use provided by the 
child restraint‘s manufacturer whenever 
you use such a device. 
All rear sitting positions in your vehicle 
meet the recommendations of SAE J1819, 
an industry-recommended practice for 
securing child-restraint systems in motor 
vehicles. 
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it become necessary to use 
a child-restraint system on the front 
passenger seat, the airbags on the passen-
ger‘s side must be deactivated. The pas-
senger airbag indicator lamp above the 
interior rearview mirror must light up con-
tinuously. Otherwise, the front passenger 
airbags remain active and there is consid-
erable risk of injury to children if the airbags 
are triggered, even with a child-restraint 
system. In this case, children should be 
seated in the rear and the system should be 
checked at your BMW center.<
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passen-
ger seat of this vehicle if the passenger air-
bag is not deactivated. If you do so, the 
child could be severely injured when the 
airbag is triggered. 
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag 
supplemental restraint system for the front 
passenger. Because the backrest on any 
rearward-facing child-restraint system, of 
the kind designed for infants under 1 year 
and 20 Ibs./9 kg, would be within the air-
bag‘s deployment range, you should never 
mount such a system in the front passenger 
seat, since the impact of the airbag against 
the child restraint‘s backrest could lead to 
serious or fatal injuries.< 
More information on Automatic deactiva-
tion of the front passenger airbags, refer to 
page98.
Installing child-restraint 
systems 
Before installing any child-restraint system 
or child seat, read the following:
Observe the child-restraint system 
manufacturer's instructions for instal-
lation and use. Otherwise the degree of 
protection can be reduced.
Following an accident, have all parts of the  

Driving
72 defective; if a trailer is attached, this could 
also indicate that one of its turn signal 
bulbs is defective. 
Wiper system 
1Standard wiper speed: briefly press 
once. 
Fast wipe: briefly press twice 
2To switch off wipers or for brief wipe 
3To activate/deactivate rain sensor 
4To clean windshield and headlamps 
5To adjust rain sensor sensitivity level 
The lever automatically returns to its 
initial position when released.< 
1 Standard wiper speed 
The system automatically reverts to opera-
tion in the intermittent mode whenever the 
vehicle is stationary. 
Fast wiper speed 
You can also select this position by press-
ing the lever upward beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system automatically reverts to opera-
tion in the standard wipe mode whenever 
the vehicle is stationary. 
4 Cleaning windshield 
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a 
brief period. 
Headlamp washers 
Each fifth time you press into position 4 to 
clean the windshield while the headlamps 
are on. 
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 page73.
Avoid activating the washer when the res-
ervoir is empty, as damage to the pump 
could result.< 
Windshield washer nozzles 
The windshield washer nozzles and the 
windshield itself in the area around the wip-
ers are heated automatically when the igni-
tion is switched on. 
Rain sensor 
The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror. 
Activating rain sensor 
Briefly press the button as of ignition in 
radio mode. The indicator lamp comes on. 
The wipers will always respond by com-
pleting at least one sweep of the wind-
shield. 
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level 
Turn the serrated dial 5. 
Deactivating rain sensor 
Briefly press the button again. The indicator 
lamp goes out.  

Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
whether or not the seat is occupied by a 
child in the child-restraint system or an 
adult.
>When a child is seated in the child-
restraint system or with an empty seat, 
the front and side airbags are automat-
ically deactivated on the passenger's 
side
>When an adult is traveling in the front 
seat, the front and side airbags remain 
active on the passenger side.
Although not desired, it can occur in 
the case of heavier children that the 
front passenger airbags remain active or in 
the case of very light adults or young per-
sons that the front passenger airbags are 
deactivated.
The state of the front passenger airbags is 
shown with the indicator lamp, refer to Indi-
cator lamps in the following. In this case 
transport the corresponding persons on the 
rear seat.
Except when persons to be transported, do 
not increase the load on the front passen-
ger seat with additional items. Do not fit 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball 
mats or other items to the front passenger 
seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place any items 
under the seat. Otherwise, the function of 
the seat occupation detection could be 
impaired.<
Indicator lamps
Airbag system ready for use 
The warning lamp indicates the operational 
readiness of the entire airbag system and 
the safety belt tensioners from the radio position: the warning lamp goes out after 
afew seconds.
The indicator lamp above the interior rear-
view mirror indicates whether the front-pas-
senger airbag system is activated or deacti-
vated as of ignition key radio position.
The indicator lamp refers exclusively 
to the front-passenger airbag sys-
tem.<
>The indicator lamp goes out after a few 
seconds.
The front passenger airbags are active, 
e.g. when transporting an adult
>The indicator lamp lights up continu-
ously. The front passenger airbags are 
deactivated, e.g. when transporting a 
child in the child-restraint system or 
when the seat is unoccupied.
For more information on the operating prin-
ciple of the front passenger airbag system 
and seat occupation detection, refer to 
Automatic deactivation of the front passen-
ger airbags.
Airbag system malfunction
Have the airbag system checked 
immediately if a malfunction occurs, 
as otherwise there is a danger of the sys-
tem failing to respond in the expected man-
ner to an impact occurring within its normal 
response range.< 
A fault has occurred in the airbag 
system:
>The warning lamp fails to come on as of 
ignition radio mode
>Warning lamp lights up continuously
>Warning lamp lights during driving. 

Things to remember when driving
122
Things to remember when driving
Break-in procedures 
To ensure that your vehicle continues to 
furnish optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we 
request that you devote careful attention 
to the following information.
Engine and differential 
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km: 
During this initial period you should attempt 
to avoid constant, steady-state operation 
and vary both vehicle and engine speeds 
as often as possible. Until the break-in 
period has been completed you should 
also refrain from exceeding the following: 
>4,500 rpm or 105 mph/170 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 or vehicle speeds can 
be gradually increased. 
Tires 
Due to technical factors associated with 
their manufacture, tires do not achieve their 
full traction 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 opti-
mized contact and wear patterns between 
brake pads and rotors.
Following component replacements
Observe the break-in instructions again if 
previously addressed components must be 
replaced again during driving later. 
General driving notes 
Hot exhaust system 
Extreme temperatures occur at the 
catalytic converter on this and every 
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not remove 
the heat shields installed adjacent to vari-
ous sections of the exhaust system, and 
never apply undercoating to them. When 
driving, standing at idle and while parking 
take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any 
highly flammable materials such as hay, 
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead 
to a fire, accompanied by the risk of serious 
property damage as well as personal 
injury.< 
Air conditioning 
Condensation forms in the air conditioner 
system during operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed 
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into a car wash 
1.Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to 
page53, as otherwise they could be 
damaged due to the width of the vehicle 
2.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock, as otherwise the P position of the 
automatic transmission will automati-
cally be selected when the remote con-
trol is removed. Refer to page63 
and69.
With Comfort Access, be sure to 
observe the instructions on page63
3.Release the parking brake, especially 
when you have activated Automatic 
Hold. Refer to page64 and65. 

CD changer
160
CD changer  
Location 
The BMW CD changer with a storage 
capacity of 6 CDs is installed above the 
glove compartment.
Removing CD magazine
To insert or remove CDs from the storage 
magazine you must first remove it from the 
CD changer:
1.Press button 1; the lid 2 opens
2.The CD magazine is ejected and can be 
removed.
Inserting/removing CDs from 
CD magazine
When inserting or removing CDs always 
remember to grasp them on the edge, tak-
ing care to avoid touching the data side 
with its mirror finish.
>To insert:
Insert the CD in its slot with the label 
side on top
>To remove:
Pull out the desired drawer and remove the corresponding CD, as shown in the 
illustration.
Inserting CD magazine
1.Press button 1; the lid opens
2.Ensure that the arrow symbol is point-
ing toward the CD player and slide the 
magazine 2 all the way in. The lid closes 
automatically.
The CD changer automatically reads 
in the loaded CDs and is then ready 
for operation.<
Listening to CDs 
1.Insert the CD magazine
2.Select and confirm your selec-
tion.
After a few seconds, play will resume at the 
point where the DVD stopped earlier.
* 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 165Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
DVD changer  
Location 
The BMW DVD changer for 6 DVDs or 
audio CDs is mounted behind the left side 
trim panel in the luggage compartment.
Removing DVD magazine
To insert or remove DVDs or CDs from the 
storage magazine, you must first remove it 
from the DVD changer:
1.Push the door to the right, refer to 
arrow1
2.Press the button, refer to arrow2.
The magazine is ejected and can be 
removed.
Inserting/removing CDs/DVDs from 
DVD magazine
When inserting or removing DVDs/CDs, 
always remember to grasp them on the 
edge, taking care to avoid touching the 
data side with its mirror finish.
>To insert:
Insert the DVD or CD in its slot with the 
label side on top
>To remove:
Pull out the desired drawer and remove 
the corresponding DVD or CD, as 
shown in the illustration.
Dual-sided DVDs available from retail 
suppliers are coated on both sides 
and bear no markings. This means both 
sides are information carriers. To play back 
the information on the other side, remove 
the magazine and turn over the DVD.
If you play self-recorded audio CD-Rs, 
faults, e.g. drop-outs, can occur.<
Inserting DVD magazine
1.Push the door to the right
2.Ensure that the arrow symbol is point-
ing toward the DVD changer and slide 
the magazine all the way in
* 

Mobility
 207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Battery 
Battery care 
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, i.e., 
the electrolyte will last for the life of the bat-
tery when the vehicle is operated in a tem-
perate climate. Your BMW center will be 
happy to advise you on all questions con-
cerning the battery.
Charging battery 
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via 
the terminals in the engine compartment 
with the engine off. Connections, refer to 
Jump-starting on page210. 
Battery switch 
Before storing the vehicle for an extended 
period of several weeks or more, slide the 
battery switch located behind the trim 
panel on the right side of the luggage com-
partment to OFF. This reduces the current 
flow from the battery for the period during 
which the vehicle remains parked. A mes-
sage appears in the Check Control. Please 
take note of the supplementary information 
provided on the Control Display. 
Disposal 
Have old batteries disposed of follow-
ing replacement at your BMW center 
or bring them to a collection point. Maintain 
the battery in an upright position for trans-
port and storage. Always secure the battery 
to prevent it from tipping over during trans-
port.<
Power failure 
Following a temporary power failure, e.g. in 
the case of a flat battery, some equipment 
is subject to restricted use and must be 
reinitialized. Individual settings are also lost 
and must be updated again:
>Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
The positions must be stored again, 
refer to page55
>Time and date
Must be updated again, refer to 
page90
>Radio
Stations must be stored again, refer to 
page 154
>Navigation system
The operability must be waited for, refer 
to page130.
Fuses 
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse, 
and do not replace a defective fuse 
with a substitute of another color or amper-
age rating, as this could lead to a circuit 
overload, ultimately resulting in a fire in the 
vehicle.< 
Spare fuses are located on the fuse strip in 
the glove compartment; plastic tweezers 
can be found at the fuse holder in the lug-
gage compartment.
In glove compartment 
Press the tab on the cover to the front, then 
fold up the cover. 

Everything from A to Z
222 Defrosting windows105
– automatic climate 
control105
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation, 
automatic climate 
control105
Defrosting windshield, 
refer to Defrosting 
windows105
"DELETE" for 
navigation136,137
Destination address
– deleting137
– entering134
Destination for 
navigation132
– selecting using voice142
– selecting via 
information135
Destination guidance139
– changing route 
specifications137
– continuing142
– displaying driving 
route131
– distance and arrival86
– interrupting142
– interrupting voice 
instructions141
– selecting new route140
– starting139
– terminating142
– volume of voice 
instructions141
Destinations recently 
driven to137
"Dest. input" for 
navigation132
"Detour" for navigation141
Dialed numbers for 
telephone180
Differential, break-in122
Digital clock81
Dimensions215
Dimmed interior mirror53
Dipstick, engine oil195
Directional indicators, 
refer to Turn signals71Direction instruction, refer 
to Voice instructions141
Directory, refer to
– Address book142
– Phone book179
Disc brakes123
Displacement, refer to 
Engine specifications214
Display, refer to Control 
Display18
Display direction, 
altering140
Display elements12
Display illumination101
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting101
Display of faults83
Displays, refer to Info 
Display12
Disposal
– battery of remote 
control37
– vehicle battery207
Distance86
– unit of measure89
Distance control, refer to 
Active cruise control75
Distance to destination86
Distance warning91
Door entry lighting102
Door keys34
Door lock38
DOT Quality Grades190
Draft-free ventilation106
Driving lamps, refer to 
Parking lamps/
low beams100
Driving notes122
Driving stability control92
Driving through water, 
flooding123
Driving time87
Dry air, refer to 
A/C operation105
"DSC", vehicle94
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control93
– indicator lamp13
"DTC", vehicle93DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control93
– indicator lamp13
"DVD"
– in audio mode148
– in DVD mode166
DVD changer165
– adjusting picture168
– adjusting tone149
– controls148
– country codes166
– DVD controller166
– fast forward167
– fast reverse167
– freezing frame168
– searching for chapter168
– selecting a track167
– selecting DVD167
– selecting language168
– selecting picture 
format168
– selecting subtitles168
– specific menu169
– starting166
– volume149
DVD multimedia changer, 
refer to DVD changer165
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC94
– indicator lamp13
Dynamic destination 
guidance, traffic 
information during 
destination guidance140
Dynamic Drive95
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC93
– indicator lamp13
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC93
– indicator lamp13
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution93
EDC Electronic Damping 
Control95
Editorial notice5