
Cockpit
10
Cockpit 
Controls 
1Parking lamps/low beams53
2>Turn signals38
>Roadside parking lamps54
>High beams54
>Headlamp flasher38
>Computer
*44
3Fog lamps
*54
4Horn
5Washer/wiper system/rain sensor
*38
6Hazard warning flashers7Central locking system16
8Unlocking the hood88 

Cockpit
12
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different colors and combinations.
The following section explains the significance 
of the individual colors as well as how you 
should respond when they appear.
>red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>yellow:
Have the system inspected as soon as 
possible
or
For your information
>green:
For your information
>blue:
For your information
Buttons on steering wheel* 
The buttons integrated into the steering wheel 
are provided so that you can operate a number 
of accessories quickly and without being dis-
tracted from traffic conditions. You may oper-
ate: 
>Selected audio source functions
>Recirculated-air mode/steering wheel 
heater Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models
Driving stability control systems/
ABS Antilock Brake System 
+49
ABS Antilock Brake System/chassis 
control system for Canadian models
Brake pads
 +92
DSC Dynamic Stability Control/
xDrive
+ 47, 49
Flat Tire Monitor 
+49
Automatic transmission 
+36
Engine oil 
+90
Service Engine Soon 
+94
Service Engine Soon warning lamp for 
Canadian models
Check Gas Cap
* +80
Engine electronics 
+34
Battery charge current 
+101
Topping off coolant91
Topping off washer fluid90
Lamp defective53
Turn signals38
Front fog lamps54
Headlamp flasher38
High beams54
Cruise control40
Indicates from ignition key in posi-
tion 2 when a door or the tailgate is 
opened. 

Opening and closing
22
Manual operation 
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
operate the panorama glass sunroof manually.
1.Pull off the cover firmly downward.
2.Insert the Allen wrench from the compart-
ment beneath the cargo area floor, refer to 
page99, into the proper opening and turn 
the panorama glass sunroof in the desired 
direction. Direction of rotation for closing, 
refer to arrow. 
Alarm system* 
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood, or the tailgate is 
opened. 
>To movements inside the vehicle: interior 
motion sensor, refer to Tilt alarm sensor 
and interior motion sensor.
>To changes in the vehicle tilt angle such as 
occur during attempts to steal the wheels or 
tow the vehicle. 
>To interruptions in battery voltage.The system responds to unauthorized vehicle 
entry and attempted theft by simultaneously 
activating:
>The acoustic alarm for approx. 30 seconds. 
>The hazard warning flashers for approx. 
5minutes.
>The high beams, which flash on and off in 
the same rhythm.
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
If the alarm system has been properly armed, 
the hazard warning flashers light up once.
You can have different acknowledgment 
signals set to confirm arming and disarm-
ing.<
You can also open the tailgate with the system 
armed using the   button on the remote con-
trol, refer to page17. When you close the tail-
gate, the system is rearmed. 
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page17.
or
>Turn the ignition key to position 1.
Indicator lamp displays 
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.  

Adjustments
30
Vehicle Memory, Key Memory 
How the system functions 
You have probably frequently wished that you 
could configure individual functions of your 
vehicle to reflect your own personal require-
ments. In developing your vehicle, BMW has 
incorporated a number of options for personal 
adjustment. You can have these programmed 
at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center. 
There are vehicle-related and person-related 
adjustments: Vehicle Memory and Key Mem-
ory. You can configure up to four different basic 
adjustments for four different persons. The only 
requirement is that each person uses his or her 
own master key with remote control. 
When your vehicle is unlocked with the remote 
control, the vehicle recognizes the individual 
user by means of a data exchange with the key, 
and makes adjustments accordingly. 
In order for you to distinguish between the mas-
ter keys with remote control, color-coded 
decals are supplied together with the keys. 
What the system can do 
Your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle Center can 
provide you with details on the capabilities of 
the Vehicle Memory and Key Memory systems.
You will see this symbol throughout the 
Owner's Manual. It is to remind you at 
appropriate places of the settings that are avail-
able to you.< 
Following configuration of memory func-
tions, vehicle operation may differ from 
the description in the Owner's Manual. Should 
you want to sell your BMW some day, please 
remember to have the memory functions reset 
to the factory default settings.<
Examples of Vehicle Memory functions
>Different acknowledgment signals to con-
firm locking/unlocking of the vehicle, refer 
to page16.
>Activating/deactivating function for path-
way lighting, refer to page53.
>Activating/deactivating daytime driving 
lamps, refer to page53.
>Setting measurement units for displays in 
the instrument cluster for time, outside 
temperature, distance driven and fuel con-
sumption, refer to page44.
>Active PDC Park Distance Control is indi-
cated by an acoustic sound signal when 
reverse gear or selector lever position R is 
engaged, refer to page46.
>The rear window defroster switches on 
automatically, refer to page57.
>Different acknowledgment signals to con-
firm arming/disarming the alarm system, 
refer to page22.
>After an ice warning has been issued, the 
computer display returns to the previous 
adjustment, refer to page44.
>Acoustic warning if the ignition key remains 
in the ignition lock after the driver's door has 
been opened, refer to page19.
Examples of Key Memory functions
>When unlocking, first unlock the driver's 
door, then the entire vehicle, refer to 
page17.
>Locking the vehicle after moving off, refer to 
page18.
>Automatic adjustment of the driver's seat 
and exterior mirror position for each person 
when unlocking the vehicle, refer to 
page27.
>Angle of downward tilt of mirror on passen-
ger side, refer to page29. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 35
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
The warning lamp lights up. Malfunc-
tion in the engine electronics. You can 
continue to drive with reduced engine 
output or speed. Have the system checked 
immediately.
Starting engine 
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal. 
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the vehicle. 
A locking mechanism prevents the engine from 
starting if the clutch is not depressed.
Do not end the starting procedure too early, but 
do not prolong it for more than 20 seconds. 
Release the ignition key immediately as soon as 
the engine starts.
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 temperatures, 
below approx. +57/–156, at high altitudes 
over 3,300 ft/1,000 m:
>Engage the starter for approx. 10 seconds 
the first time.
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway down 
while engaging the starter.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned or inadequately burned and there is 
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Shift into neutral.
3.Press the clutch pedal.
If the clutch pedal is not pressed, the engine 
cannot be started.
4.Start the engine.Before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running, place the gearshift lever in neu-
tral position and engage the handbrake.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard.<
Automatic transmission
1.Press the brake pedal.
2.Engage selector-lever position P or N.
3.Start the engine.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and engage the 
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running. Never leave an unattended 
vehicle with the engine running, as such a vehi-
cle represents a potential safety hazard.<
Switching off engine 
Do not remove the ignition key when the 
vehicle is moving, as otherwise the steer-
ing could lock.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
ignition key and lock the steering.
When parking on downward inclines, engage 
the handbrake.<
Manual transmission
Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Automatic transmission
Engage selector-lever position P, turn ignition 
key to position 1 or 0.
Handbrake 
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels. 
Indicator lamp 
The indicator lamp lights up red. An 
acoustic signal also sounds when you 
begin to drive. The handbrake is 
engaged. 

Driving
38 To use the automatic function again, move the 
selector lever to the right into position D.
Malfunction 
The warning lamp lights up. A malfunc-
tion has occurred in the transmission 
system. Avoid heavy loads.
While it will still remain possible to move the 
selector lever to any desired position, the trans-
mission will revert to its default mode with only 
a limited number of forward gears. 
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Information on towing and jump starting, refer 
to page105. 
Turn signals/headlamp 
flasher 
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb has 
gone out. After the ignition is switched off, 
make sure that the roadside parking lamps have 
not been left on.< 
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as 
long as you wish to signal.
Washer/wiper system/
rain sensor* 
0Wipers retracted 
1Intermittent or rain sensor operation
2Normal wiper speed
3Fast wipe
4Brief wipe
5Select interval time or set sensitivity of rain 
sensor
Fold-out position
The right wiper is partially concealed by the 
hood. 
To move the wipers into a vertical position:
1.Switch on wipers in lever position 1.
2.When the wipers are approximately vertical, 
move the ignition key to position 0.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to page95.
Fold the wipers back down onto the wind-
shield before you turn the ignition key to 
p o s i t i o n  1  o r  2  a g a i n .  I f  y o u  d o  n o t ,  t h e y  c o u l d  b e  
damaged.<
Intermittent mode
Not on vehicles with rain sensor.
You can set the wipe interval to four stages with 
the serrated dial 5. 
In addition, the wipe interval is varied automati-
cally depending on road speed.  

Everything under control
44
Computer* 
Mode selection 
As of ignition key position 1, you can call up 
information from the computer using the com-
puter button in the turn signal lever. 
A new function appears each time you briefly 
press the computer button.
The displays appear in the following order:
Time, outside temperature, average fuel con-
sumption, cruising range, average speed.
As of ignition key position 1, the last active set-
ting is displayed.
If you desire, you can display the following 
functions in a different unit of measure.<
Outside temperature 
Changing unit of measure 7/6 
During the display, hold down the button in the 
turn signal lever until the display changes.
Ice warning 
If the outside temperature falls below approx. 
+37.57/+36, the computer switches auto-
matically to the outside temperature display. In 
addition, an acoustic signal sounds and the dis-
play flashes for a short time.After an ice warning has been issued, the 
display returns to the previous setting. 
You can have this activated/deactivated.<
Please bear in mind that the ice warning 
does nothing to alter the fact that black 
ice may be present on roads at temperatures 
higher than +37.57/+36, for instance, on 
bridges and shaded roads.<
Clock 
12 or 24 hour mode 
If your vehicle is equipped with a computer, you 
can have the time displayed in the 12 or 24 hour 
mode.
During the display, hold down the computer 
button in the turn signal lever until the display 
changes.
Average fuel consumption 
The average fuel consumption is calculated for 
the time during which the engine is running.
Reset average consumption: press the com-
puter button in the turn indicator lever for 
approx. 2 seconds. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 53
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams 
Parking lamps 
The front, rear and side vehicle lighting 
is switched on. You can use the parking 
lamps for parking. For lighting on one 
side for parking as an additional feature, refer to 
page54. 
Low beams 
When you switch off the ignition with 
the headlamps on, the headlamps go 
out and only the parking lamps remain 
on.
Lamp defective 
The indicator lamp lights up.
At least one bulb of the exterior lighting 
on the vehicle is defective.
Replacing bulbs, refer to page95.
Pathway lighting 
When you activate the headlamp flasher after 
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps, 
the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You may also have this function deacti-
vated if you wish.< 
Lights on warning 
If you turn the ignition key to position 0, an 
acoustic signal sounds when you open the 
driver's door for a few seconds to remind you 
that the lights have not yet been switched off
. 
Daytime driving lamps* 
You can leave the light switch in the second 
position: all external lamps go out when you 
switch off the ignition.
Always observe all applicable laws governing 
the use of daytime driving lamps.
You can switch on the parking lamps when 
needed using the standard procedure 
described under Parking lamps.
You can have the daytime driving lamps 
activated on your vehicle.< 
Automatic headlamp control* 
When you set the switch to this posi-
tion, the system activates and switches 
on and off the low beams in response to 
changes in ambient light conditions, for 
instance, in tunnels, at dawn and dusk, and in 
rain and snow.
The low beams remain switched on 
regardless of the ambient light when you 
switch on the front fog lamps.< 
Automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for the driver's judg-
ment in determining when the vehicle lamps 
should be switched on. For example, the sys-
tem cannot detect fog. To avoid safety risks, 
you should always switch on the lamps manu-
ally under these conditions.<
You can have the sensitivity of the head-
lamp control adjusted.< 
Adaptive Head Light* 
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other assumptions, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.