Page 108 of 236

Controls
107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Storage compartments in the
cargo area
The following storage spaces can be found in
the cargo area:
>Umbrella holder on the bottom of the cargo
area net casing
>Rubber strap on the left and right trim panel
for securing small objects such as a folding
umbrella
>Hooks for hanging up shopping bags or tote
bags, for example, on the left and right-hand
sides of the cargo area
>Net for small objects on the right trim panel
of the cargo area
>Storage compartment under the floor panel
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
following additional storage spaces can be
found in the cargo area:
>Net
* for securing smaller objects, to be
attached to the fixtures on the floor panel
>Net
* on the left side trim of the cargo area
instead of the rubber strap
>Reversible cargo area floor panel with inte-
grated plastic cover
* for cargo area or
bumper
>Folding, removable box
* under the floor
panel, e.g. for wet or dirty items
>Insertable dividers
* and removable storage
tray for the storage compartment under the
floor panel
Folding up the cargo area floor panel
Fold up the cargo area floor panel and take it out
or lean it forward.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
load of 55 lbs/25 kg for the storage com-
partment under the floor panel, otherwise dam-
age could result.<
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyes in the cargo area for
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning
straps, refer to page115.
Ski bag*
Designed for safe, clean transport of up to
4 pairs of standard skis or up to 2 snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length
of up to 6ft 10in/2.10m. When skis of 6ft 10in/
2.10 m length are loaded, the overall capacity of
the ski bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest.
2.Press the button, reach into the recess and
fold down the cover.
Page 110 of 236
Controls
109Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Page 114 of 236

Driving tips
113Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not
cover the area between the interior rearview
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield
directly in front of the mirror.
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 sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page187.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
Also use the drive-off assistant, refer to
page85.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver 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 the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page56.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle or with the
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking
action will not be present or there will be no
Page 116 of 236

Driving tips
115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>For the safety of the passengers, install the
cargo area net, refer to page106.
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backs.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
>Smaller and relatively light items can be
retained with tensioning straps or draw
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW Center. Four lashing eyes are
provided for attaching the cargo straps.
Two are located on the side walls of the
cargo area, arrows 1, and two others are on
the inside rear wall of the cargo area, arrows
2.
Comply with the information provided with
the cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page212, as excessive loads can pose a
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Comply with the precautions
included with the installation instructions.
Page 118 of 236
Driving tips
117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Page 120 of 236
Navigation
This chapter describes how you can
enter destinations and specify your route
so that your navigation system guides you
reliably to your destination.
Navigation
Page 121 of 236

Starting the navigation system
120
Starting the navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle
and guide you reliably to any destination you
enter.
Navigation DVD
The navigation system requires a special navi-
gation DVD. You can obtain the latest version at
your BMW Center.
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD with the labeled
side up.
2.Wait for several seconds to allow the con-
tents of the DVD to be read in.
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected from the drive, it is pos-
sible that it is blocked. A message appears on
the Control Display.
Display in the assistance
window
You can display the route or the current position
in the assistance window. This display remains
visible even if you change to another applica-
tion.1.Move the controller to the right to enter the
assistance window.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select the desired route view or "Current
position".
4.Press the controller.
The contents of the assistance window are con-
tinually updated as you drive.
*
Page 122 of 236

Navigation
Driving tips
121Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
Destination entry
In entering your destination you can select from
the following options:
>Entering a destination manually, see below
>Entering a destination by voice com-
mands*, refer to page124
>Selecting destination using information,
refer to page126
>Selecting destination from a list, refer to
Destination list, page127
>Selecting destination from address book,
refer to page128
>Selecting home address, refer to page130
After selecting your destination you can pro-
ceed to start the destination guidance, refer to
page132.
Operating navigation system
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, and always give priority to the
applicable traffic regulations in the event of any
contradiction between traffic and road condi-
tions and the instructions issued by the naviga-
tion system. If you do not observe this precau-
tion, you may be in violation of the law, and can
endanger vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to call up
"Navigation".3.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
Entering a destination
manually
The system's word-matching principle makes it
easier for you to enter the names of streets or
towns, refer to page131. This allows you to
enter different spellings and completes your
entry automatically so that stored names can be
called up quickly.
1.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "Navigation" is selected and press the
controller.
"New destination" is selected.
2.Press the controller.