
At a glance
This overview of buttons, switches and displays
is intended to familiarize you with your
vehicle's operating environment.
The section will also assist you in becoming
acquainted with the control concepts
and options available for operating
the various systems.
At a glance 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 11
Instrument cluster 
1Speedometer 
2Indicator and warning lamps11 
3Tachometer42
Indicator and warning lamps11
4Coolant temperature gage42
5Fuel gage42
6Button for
>Displaying the time43
>Service Interval Display43
7Selector lever and program display for 
automatic transmission36
8Button for
>Resetting trip odometer42
>Setting the time43
9Display for
>Trip odometer/odometer42
>Time43
>Service Interval43
>Computer44 Indicator and warning lamps 
Technology that monitors itself 
The indicator and warning lamps identified by 
the Χ are subjected to an operation check each 
time you switch on the engine. They each light 
up once for different periods of time. 
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored sys-
tem, the corresponding lamp will either fail to go 
o u t  w h e n  t h e  e n g i n e  i s  s t a r t e d ,  o r  i t  w i l l  c o m e  o n  
again during normal driving. Detailed informa-
tion is provided on the specified pages.
Please fasten safety belt +27
Airbags 
+51
Brake system
+ 
With handbrake released49, 92
With handbrake engaged 35
With other warning lamps49 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 13
>Cruise control 
>Selected telephone functions
>Voice command system
In order to operate a system, the corre-
sponding system must be switched on.< 
Telephone*/voice command system*
Press briefly:
Accept incoming call, start dialing, terminate 
call.
Extended pressure:
Activate/deactivate voice command system
Telephone*/audio sources*
Display/hide phonebook. Display the entries 
consecutively with the buttons for fast forward/
reverse
Fast forward/reverse
>Radio
Press briefly: next station
>CD
Press briefly: skip track
Extended pressure: fast forward/reverse
>Phone
Browse through list of names
Volume
On the sports steering-wheel* the buttons +/– 
for volume are located on the left-hand side of 
the steering wheel.
Cruise control* 
Cruise control: resumeCruise control: storing and accelerating 
+ as 
well as braking and storing 
–
On the sports steering-wheel* the buttons +/– 
for the cruise control are located on the right-
hand side of the steering wheel.
Cruise control: activating/interrupting/deacti-
vating
Recirculated-air mode/steering wheel 
heater*
Depending on the equipment, there is a 
button for the recirculated-air mode or 
steering wheel heater.< 
Switching recirculated-air mode on and off
Steering wheel heater: switching on/off, refer to 
page28. 

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. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 37
Possible displays 
P R N D SD M1 M2 M3 M4 M5
The selector lever position is indicated, and in 
the manual mode the gear currently engaged.
Range selection 
An interlock prevents inadvertent gearshifts 
into selector-lever positions R and P. To cancel 
the interlock, press the button on the front of 
the selector-lever knob, refer to arrow.
Shiftlock 
With the vehicle stationary, press the brake 
pedal before shifting out of P or N; the shift 
command will not be executed unless the brake 
is applied.
To prevent the vehicle from 'creeping' after you 
select a gear, maintain pressure on the brake 
pedal until you are ready to start.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and engage the 
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running.<
P Park 
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The 
transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels 
from turning. 
R Reverse 
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
N Neutral
For example, engage in automatic car washes. 
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic shift program
This position is designed for driving under all 
normal operating conditions. All forward gears 
are available. 
Kick-down 
The kick-down mode provides maximum accel-
eration. 
Press the accelerator pedal past the increased 
resistance point at the full-throttle position. 
M/S Manual mode and Sport Program 
Move the selector lever from position D to the 
left into shifting slot M/S: 
The sport program is activated and SD appears 
in the instrument cluster. This position is 
recommended for a performance-oriented 
driving style. 
When the selector lever is moved briefly 
towards + or –, manual operation is activated 
and the Steptronic shifts gears. The instrument 
cluster shows M1 through M5.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; as a result, for 
example, a downshift that would cause the 
engine to overrev will not be executed by the 
system. The gear selected will appear briefly in 
the instrument cluster followed by the current 
gear. 

Everything under control
42
Everything under control
Odometer 
1Odometer
2Trip odometer
Odometer 
You can activate the displays shown in the illus-
tration in ignition key position 0 or with the igni-
tion key removed by pressing the button in the 
instrument cluster. 
Trip odometer 
To reset to zero:
1.Ignition key in position 1.
2.Press and hold the button until the trip 
odometer is reset to zero.
Tachometer 
Engine speeds in the red warning field must 
absolutely be avoided. 
In this range, the fuel supply is interrupted to 
protect the engine.
Fuel gage 
If the indicator lamp 1 starts to light up continu-
ously, there are approx. 2 gallons /8 liters of fuel 
in the tank.
Fuel tank capacity: 
Approx. 17.7 gallons/67 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are driv-
ing in mountainous areas, for example, the indi-
cator may fluctuate slightly. 
Refuel well before the tank is empty, as 
otherwise engine functions will not be 
ensured and damage can occur if you drive 
down to the last drop.< 
When you switch on the ignition, the indicator 
lamp comes on briefly to confirm that the sys-
tem is operational.
Coolant temperature gage 
Blue
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate 
engine and vehicle speeds.