At a glance
25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Headphones
1Headphone jack
2Adjusting volume
3Station scan/track search
>Station scan
>Music track search for CD, search
chapter for DVD changer
>Select TV channels
Headphones are only intended for passen-
gers in the rear seats. Please check with
local regulations regarding use of head-
phones.
Voice command
26
Voice command
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to
control operation of various vehicle sys-
tems without ever removing your hands
from the steering wheel. The system oper-
ates on the basis of voice commands that
you will learn easily after using them a few
times. In many cases, the voice command
system supports you with announcements
or questions while you are making your
entries.
The voice command system transforms
your oral commands and dialog answers
into control signals for the selected sys-
tems.
Please take the time to acquaint your-
self with how a particular system
operates before proceeding to control it
using the voice command system.<
Symbols used
{...} Verbal instructions to use with the
voice command system.
{{...}} Identifies the answers generated by
the voice command system.
Systems available for use with voice
command
>{Telephone}, refer to page174
>{Navigation}, refer to page130
>{Radio}, refer to page152
>{CD}, refer to page158
>{CD changer}, refer to page160
>{Notepad}, refer to page28
>{TV}, refer to page163
>{DVD}, refer to page165. Either the system that you are now operat-
ing or any current error messages will
a ppe ar in th e I n fo Di spla y, re fer to page27.
Voice commands
Voice command system activation
Briefly press the button on the steer-
ing wheel.
A signal tone and "SVS active" in the Info
Display, refer to page27, indicate that the
system is ready for use. You are automati-
cally in the main menu.
From here, you can call up all the equip-
ment that can be operated.
Canceling voice command
Briefly press the button on the steer-
ing wheel
or
In dialogs in which any text can be spoken,
e.g. names, notes, canceling is only possi-
ble using the button.
The system automatically switches
over to its telephone mode if you
receive a call during voice command.
"SVS off" appears in the Info Display, refer
to page27.<
Voice commands
The voice command system operates on
the basis of specific, predefined com-
mands; these commands should be spo-
ken precisely as indicated. You can have
the possible commands read back at any
stage. To do so, say the command
{Options}.
In addition to the commands described,
there are often other commands that run
the same function. Instead of {Options},
you can, for example, also say {What now}.
*
These sections contain information on
using the voice command system.
{Cancel}.
At a glance
27Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
More detailed commands such as
{Change scale} instead of {Scale} are also
often possible.
Short commands
With the {Main menu} level, you can run
certain functions directly with brief com-
mands, refer to page29, without having to
open an equipment level.
For example, if you want to dial a phone
number, you do not have to say
rather you can say directly
Special commands
Special commands are available for spe-
cific systems. In this Owner's Manual you will find these commands in the sections
describing the individual systems.
Displays in Info Display
The Info Display shows you what the voice
command system has understood in line 2,
while also indicating which voice command
or question is currently active in line1.
In addition, any error messages are also
displayed.
Selecting navigation scale – an example
Start the dialog:
Briefly press in the steering wheel.
Volume adjustment
You can adjust the volume for the instruc-
tions from the voice command system:Turn the button during an instruction/
announcement to select the desired vol-
ume.
Instructions/announcements from the
voice command system will continue at this
volume level, even if the other audio
sources are set to minimum volume.
The system automatically selects your
individual volume setting each time
you unlock the vehicle using your personal
remote control.< {Telephone}
1. {Dial number}
2.Enter the phone number.
Operation with the voice command sys-
tem is always indicated with this picto-
graph.
You sayThe voice command system repliesInfo Display screen contents
"SVS active"
{Change scale}{{Please enter the desired scale}}"scale ?
change scale"
{Scale
500 feet}"ok
500 ft"
Voice command
28
Notes
Do not use the voice command sys-
tem to make emergency calls. Your
voice and habitual tone could be affected
by stressful situations, as a result of which
the process of establishing the telephone
connection could be unnecessarily
delayed. Instead, use the emergency call
button near the interior rearview mirror,
refer to page177.<
Environmental conditions
The voice command system uses a special
hands-free microphone located in the front
of your vehicle's headliner. Although the
system is designed to filter out ambient
noise, you can help ensure that your com-
mands will be understood by observing the
following instructions:
>Speak smoothly and clearly, at a normal
volume. Do not place any unusual
stress on individual syllables, and avoid
pauses
>Do not speak while the voice command
system is talking
>Keep the doors, windows and glass
roof closed to prevent interference from
ambient noise
>Avoid other sources of noise in the vehi-
cle while speaking, and ask other vehi-
cle occupants to refrain from talking
while you are using the system
>The hands-free microphone is aimed
toward the driver. This means that the
system might not be able to register the
voices of other vehicle occupants prop-
erly.
The notepad
Recording a note
You can store approx. ten minutes of spo-
ken text, either as a single entry or as mul-
tiple entries of any desired length.
To terminate recording:
Press button for a long period.
When recording notes, the voice
command system does not respond
to the {Cancel} command. The text check-
ing function for command words is deacti-
v a t e d i n t h i s c a s e s o t h a t y o u c a n s p e a k a n y
desired text for your notes. This feature
saves you from having to concentrate on
avoiding any command words.<
Listening to a notebook entry
To listen to recorded notebook entries:
Deleting notes
Clearing notebook
To delete all contents from the notebook:
{Record note}.
1.{Read out}.
Approximately the first 3 seconds
of the first note are read aloud
2.Following the inquiry {{Note and
next?}} select the desired function
>To listen to the entire note:
{Read out}
>To hear the next notebook entry:
{Next}
>To hear the entry again:
{Back} or
{Repeat}.
1.{Edit}
2.{Delete}.
1.{Notepad}
2.{Delete}.
Voice command
30
Entertainment
Telephone
FunctionCommand
To switch on radio{Radio on}
To switch off audio sources and TV{Audio off}
To select FM waveband{FM}
To select AM waveband{AM}
To select radio stations{Frequency selection}
To select a stored radio station{Station}
To start CD{CD on}
To select a CD{CD 1 ..6}
To start TV{TV on}
To start DVD{DVD on}
To select a DVD{DVD 1 ..6}
FunctionCommand
To dial telephone number{Dial number}
To redial{Redial}
To select from the phone book{Dial name}
To make a new entry in the phone book{Save name}
To have the entries of the phone book read
out{Read out telephone book}
Opening and closing
44 For information on using the convenience
operation at the door lock or with the
remote control, refer to page36 or38.
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the force rises beyond a predefined
threshold during closing, the system will
stop moving the window prior to lowering it
slightly.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism
you should inspect the window's
travel path prior to closing it, as the safety
system might fail to detect certain kinds of
obstructions, such as very thin objects, and
the window would continue closing.
The protection provided by the anti-trap-
ping mechanism is limited when the switch
is pulled beyond the resistance point and
held. Under these conditions the window
will respond to forces beyond a defined
threshold by only opening several millime-
ters.
If you again pull the switch beyond the
resistance point and hold it in position
within a period of roughly 4 seconds, this
anti-trapping mechanism will be deacti-
vated.<
When you close the windows they will
slow down as they approach the end
of their travel; this is to allow the anti-trap-
ping mechanism to respond more precisely
to any obstructions encountered in this crit-
ical range.<
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the
rear windows from being opened or closed
via the switches in the rear passenger area,
by children, for example. The same applies
to adjusting the electric rear seats, refer to page48 and the electric rear head
restraints, refer to page50, as well as to
the operation of the roller sun blinds from
the rear, refer to page113. The indicator
lamp lights up when this safety feature is
activated.
Press the safety switch when children
ride in the rear, as otherwise
unchecked closing of the windows could
lead to injuries.<
So that you can deactivate the func-
tion again, the remote control must be
i n s e r t e d i n t h e i g n i t i o n l o c k o r , w i t h C o m f o r t
Access, the radio mode must be switched
on.<
After installing accessories
After installing any accessory – such as a
clamp-on antenna for a portable phone –
within the window's travel range, you will
need to have the system reinitialized for
use under the new conditions. BMW rec-
ommends having this work carried out by
your BMW center.
Glass roof, electric*
Raising, opening, closing
From radio mode on, press the switch, or
slide it in the desired direction up to the
resistance point.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof:
>In the radio mode for a longer time
>For approx. 1 minute in position 0 or
with the remote control disengaged.
Controls
115Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Select "Rear refr. box" a second time and
confirm to switch the unit off.
Glove compartment
Opening
Press button. The glove compartment
opens automatically and the lamps come
on.
Closing
Fold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an
accident, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
The flashlight is located on the left side of
the glove compartment.
It features integral overload protection, so it
can be left in its holder continuously.
Be sure that the flashlight is switched
off when it is inserted into its holder.
Failure to comply with this precaution could
lead to overcharging and damage.<
Front center armrest
A storage compartment is located in the
armrest between the front seats.
1Open the right cover
2Open the left cover
A removable coin holder is provided in the
front of the compartment. Briefly press to
open.
The mat within the compartment can be
removed for cleaning.
Depending upon your model specification,
any of the following may be located in the
storage compartment:
>Removable CD holder
*
>Fold-out and removable storage com-
partment
*, e.g. for glasses or portable
phone
>Fold-out and removable litter con-
tainer
*.
Locking storage compartment in
front armrest
You can use the key to lock the storage
compartment in the armrest.
You can lock the luggage compart-
ment lid and the armrest storage
compartment separately, refer to page40,
Driving tips
123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized by
a partial or complete loss of contact
between tires and road surface, ultimately
undermining your ability to steer and brake
the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maxi-
mum depth of 1 ft/30 cm, and then
only at walking speed at the most. Other-
wise, the vehicle's engine, the electrical
systems and the transmission may be dam-
aged.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as stan-
dard equipment. The best way to brake is
to apply maximum pressure to the brake
pedal during emergency: full brake applica-
tion. Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless
avoid possible obstacles with a minimum
of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indi-
cate to the driver that ABS is in its active
mode.
Driving in wet conditions
While driving in wet conditions and in heavy
rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure
to the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor
traffic conditions to ensure that this maneu-
ver 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 reduced
efficiency of the brake system, drive
long or steep downhill gradients in the gear
in which the least braking is required. Otherwise, even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.<
You can further enhance the engine's brak-
ing 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
page70. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake sys-
tem.
Never allow the vehicle to coast with
the transmission in Neutral – or with
the engine switched off – as there is no
engine braking when the transmission is in
Neutral, and no power-assist for brakes
and steering when the engine is not run-
ning.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
accelerator and brake pedals and obstruct
their movement.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion to form on rotors, while
contaminants accumulate on the brake
pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure which must be exerted by the
pads during brake applications to clean the
rotors is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors,
the brakes will tend to respond with a pul-
sating effect that even extended applica-
tion will fail to cure.
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW does not recommend using
mobile communications devices, e.g.
portable phones, in the interior of the vehi-
cle without a direct connection to an out-
side antenna. Otherwise the vehicle elec-
tronics and mobile communications device
can affect each other. In addition, it is not