
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
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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. 

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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
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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