
Controls
61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met.
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to
page78.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when
the system has failed. A message
appears on the Control Display. You
can find more information starting on page77.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a
desired speed which is not only automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways, but
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome
relief from the constant adjustment of speed
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce
fatigue and tension, while increasing your
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and
responsibly.Within the limits of its capability, the system
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition,
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to
the speed you have selected by increasing the
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to
read all of the pages relating to this system
before use. Pay special attention to the System
limitations section beginning on page65.
Braking sensation
The system's automatic brake operation results
in a braking sensation that is slightly different
from what you feel when you brake the vehicle
yourself in a similar situation. Possible noises
during automatic deceleration are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you
should shift gears when you drive for an
extended period at very high or very low engine
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or
30 km/h, and the maximum desired speed is
110 mph or 180 km/h.

Controls
97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
>Up to 15 minutes after the engine has been
switched off
>While the engine is at operating tempera-
ture
>As long as battery voltage is sufficient
>At an outside temperature below 777/
256
The LED is lit when the function is on.
As of radio readiness, you can set the interior
temperature, the air flow rate and the air distri-
bution.
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and
front side windows.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and
dehumidifies the incoming air
before also reheating it as
required, according to the temperature setting.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is automatically switched
on along with the AUTO program. The passen-
ger compartment can only be cooled while the
engine is running.
Rear window defroster
The defroster switches off auto-
matically after a certain time.
Ventilation
1Use the knurled wheels to smoothly open
and close the air vents
2Use the lever to change the direction of the
airflow
3Knurled wheel for more or less cool air from
the vents for the upper body area
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool
air in your direction, for instance if it has become
too hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past
you and not straight at you.
Ventilation in the rear
1Use the knurled wheel to smoothly open
and close the air vents
2Use the knurled wheel to adjust the temper-
ature:
>Turn toward blue: colder
>Turn toward red: warmer
3Use the lever to change the direction of the
airflow

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

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.
*

On/off and settings
140
On/off and settings
The following audio sources have shared con-
trols and setting options:
>Radio
>CD player
>CD changer
*
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons near the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons
on the steering wheel, refer to
page11
Buttons near the CD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on, the last set radio
station or CD track is played.
>Turn: adjust volume.
2Drive for audio CDs
3 Eject CD
4 Station scan/track search
>Change radio station.
>Select track for CD player and CD
changer.
5Drive for navigation DVD
Operation via iDrive
iDrive concept, refer to page16.1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up
"Entertainment".
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
>"WB": Weather Band station
>"SAT": satellite radio
>"CD": CD player or changer
>"Audio Aux": external audio device
>"Set": depending on the audio source,
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with
the radio: update station with strongest
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations.
From another menu, you can switch
directly to the screen last displayed, refer
to Convenient call-up of menu items on
page18.<
The selected audio source is stored for the
remote control currently in use.
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button1 on the CD player.
This symbol on the Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
149Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Displaying additional information
With digital stations, additional information on
the current track can be displayed, e.g. the
name of the artist.
1.Select the station and press the controller.
2.Select "Details" and press the controller.
The information is displayed.
If another digital station is received after chang-
ing the station, the additional information will be
shown again after a short pause.
Satellite radio*
You can receive over 100 different channels
with high sound quality.
The channels are offered to you in predefined
packages. To receive the channels of your
choice, you must have this package enabled.
With this new technology, signal losses
can occur from time to time and result in
audio interruptions.<
Enabling or disabling channels
iDrive concept, refer to page22.1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up
"Entertainment".
3.Select "SAT".
4.Press the controller.
The channels are displayed.
These channels are enabled.
Enabling
1.Select a channel that has not yet been
enabled and press the controller.
A telephone number and the electronic
serial number, ESN, are displayed.
The electronic serial number is
required to enable or disable.<
2.To enable the channel:
Dial the phone number.

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
151Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
6.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
7.Select "Play" and press the controller.
Additional information
The name of the channel and additional infor-
mation on the current track are displayed, e.g.
the name of the artist.
1Artist
2Track
Storing a channel
1.Select the desired channel.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Store" and press the controller.
"Presets" is displayed.4.Turn the controller to select a memory loca-
tion and press the controller.
The channel is stored. The channels of the last
selection criterion are displayed once again
after a short time.
Changing channels with buttons on CD
player
Press the button for the corre-
sponding direction.
The system switches to the next enabled chan-
nel.
Notes
If no signal can be received for more than four
seconds, a message will appear on the Control
Display.
Under some circumstances, e.g. depend-
ing on environmental influences or topo-
graphic conditions, it may not be possible to
receive any signal. The satellite radio cannot
influence this.
A signal may not be available in tunnels or
underground garages, next to high-rise build-
ings, in the vicinity of trees, mountains or other
strong sources of radio interference.
Reception usually resumes as soon as the sig-
nal becomes available again.<

Reference 221
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Checking the air pressure,
refer to Tire inflation
pressure184
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH51
Child-restraint systems50
Child-safety lock52
Child seats50
Chrome parts, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Cigarette lighter104
– socket105
Cleaning, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps58
– washer fluid59
"Climate"95
Clock67
– 12h/24h mode76
– setting time75
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Clothes hooks104
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine54
Combined instrument, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Comfort Access, refer to
Convenient access35
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
"Communication"166
"Communication
settings"175
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer152
– CD player152
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock53
Compass101
Computer68
– displays on Control
Display69
– hour signal76
Computer, refer to iDrive16"Concert hall" tone
settings142
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked114
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile29
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking of the
vehicle31
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances105
Consumption display
– average consumption69
Consumption indicator
– Energy Control68
"Continue guidance to
destination?"
133
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display
– settings71
– switching on/off21
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenience operation
– windows30
Convenience start, refer to
Starting the engine54
Convenient access35
– replacing the battery37
– what to observe before
entering a car wash36
Convenient operation
– windows with convenient
access36
– with convenient access36
Coolant193
– adding193
– checking level193
Coolant temperature67
Cooling, maximum95
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant193
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive Head Light92Country of destination for
navigation122
Courtesy lamps93
Cross-hairs in navigation125
Cruise control59
– active61
– malfunction61
Cruising range68
Cup holders104
Curb weight, refer to
Weights212
Current consumption, refer to
Energy Control68
"Current position"136
Current position
– displaying136
– entering128
– storing128
"Customer
Relations"176,178
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting93
Data210
– capacities213
– dimensions211
– engine210
– weights212
"Date"77
Date
– setting76
– setting format77
"Date format"77
Daytime driving lamps91
"Daytime running light"92
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control82
DCC, refer to Cruise
control59
"Deactivated"45
Deactivating front passenger
airbags88