
At a glance
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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in both the indica-
tor area 1 and the display 2.
Some lamps are checked for proper functioning 
and thus come on briefly when the engine is 
started or the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the lower edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
You can call up more information, e.g. on the 
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond, 
via Check Control, refer to page79.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
immediately as soon as the corresponding lamp 
comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps in the indicator 
area1 signal that the associated functions are 
activated:
High beams/headlamp flasher95
Fog lamps
*95
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability85
Handbrake engaged54 

Opening and closing
36
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger's door completely, arrow 1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the  button.
If a remote control is detected inside the car 
after the vehicle is unlocked, the electric steer-
ing wheel lock is released, refer to page52.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow 2, with your finger for 
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the 
surface, arrow 2.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accidentally left inside the 
locked vehicle's luggage compartment after the 
luggage compartment lid is closed, the luggage 
compartment lid will reopen slightly. The hazard 
warning flashers flash and an acoustic signal
* 
sounds.<
Unlocking just the luggage 
compartment lid
Press the button on the outside of the luggage 
compartment lid. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the 
start/stop button, refer to page52.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch, 
otherwise the engine will start immedi-
ately.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle. 
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into 
the ignition switch, refer to page52.
Switching off the engine in vehicles 
with automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, refer to page54.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition switch.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic 
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert remote control into ignition switch.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this happens, open or close 
the vehicle via the buttons on the remote con-
trol or using the integrated key. To start the 
engine afterward, insert the remote control into 
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds. 

Driving
52
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
>Radio readiness switches on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
>The electric steering wheel lock disen-
gages audibly.
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock before you move the vehicle, other-
wise the electric steering wheel lock will not dis-
engage and you will not be able to steer the 
car.<
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Press the remote control in briefly; it is ejected 
part of the way.
At the same time:
>The ignition switches off if it was on before-
hand.
>The electric steering wheel lock engages 
audibly.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the remote control unless 
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Each time the start/stop button is pressed, 
radio readiness or the ignition is switched on or 
off.
Briefly pressing the start/stop button 
while the brake or clutch is depressed 
starts the engine.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>Immediately when the remote control is 
removed from the ignition lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, by touch-
ing the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page36
Ignition on
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the 
indicator area1 of the instrument cluster, refer 
to page13, light up and remain on for different 
lengths of time.
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out. 

Driving
54 handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll 
away.<
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.With the car at a standstill, briefly press the 
start/stop button.
3.Shift into first gear or reverse.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2.Briefly press the start/stop button.
3.Apply the handbrake.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Engage a drive position.
3.Briefly press the start/stop button.
If the engine is switched off while N is engaged, 
this will be signaled visually and acoustically.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in 
addition. The handbrake is still applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the handbrake has 
to be used to slow or stop the car, do not 
pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, continu-
ously press the button of the handbrake lever. 
Otherwise, too violent an application of the 
handbrake can overbrake the rear axle and 
cause the rear of the car to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.< 

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Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG*
The concept
The sequential manual gearbox SMG is an 
automated transmission in which operation of 
the clutch and gearshifts are performed by an 
electro-hydraulic system.
SMG is operated via the selector lever in the 
center console and two shift paddles on the 
steering wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic operation: 
sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two driving programs: Normal or 
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control, 
page56
>Automatic downshifting and prevention of 
misshifting in sequential mode as well
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page57
Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position can be seen 
on the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle
>One-touch functions for sequential mode: 
+: manual upshifting 
–: manual downshifting>D: Drive mode or sequential mode
N is automatically selected when the 
driver's door is opened while the engine is 
running, as long as the pedals, shift paddles and 
selector lever are not operated. 
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and a 
flashing N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear indicator
R N 1 to 6
The gear currently engaged is displayed, pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
This indicator is the only way you can 
confirm whether or not the desired selec-
tor lever position is engaged.<
Shiftlock
Before moving the lever away from N with the 
vehicle stationary, first depress the brake; oth-
erwise the desired gearshift will not be carried 
out.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Gear-change mode
The gears can be changed in two different 
ways.
>Sequential mode
Gears are shifted by means of the shift pad-
dles or the selector lever.
>D Drive mode
All forward gears are shifted automatically.
You can switch from one mode to the other by 
pressing the selector lever towards the right in 
the direction of D. 

Driving
56
Sequential mode
After every engine start, sequential mode is 
activated when you press the selector lever 
towards the right while the brake is depressed.
You can shift up or down using the shift paddles 
or the selector lever. You do not need to lift your 
foot from the accelerator pedal while doing so.
It is also possible to start off in second gear, e.g. 
on slippery surfaces.
SMG assists you in the following situations:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; for exam-
ple, a downshift that would cause the 
engine to overrev cannot be executed by 
the system.
>The system shifts down into first gear auto-
matically when the vehicle comes to a stop.
>The system shifts down automatically just 
before the engine speed falls below the 
minimum speed required for a certain gear; 
the driver does not need to intervene.
Shifting gears via selector lever
>Pull the selector lever backwards to shift up.
>Push it forward to shift down.
Shifting gears via the shift paddles on 
the steering wheel
>Pull one of the shift paddles to shift up.
>Press it to shift down.
D Drive mode
In Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted 
automatically.To switch from sequential mode to Drive mode: 
press the selector lever towards the right in the 
direction of D.
Kick-down: to accelerate rapidly, e.g. when 
passing another vehicle, depress the accelera-
tor pedal all the way. You will achieve maximum 
acceleration.
To switch back to sequential mode: press the 
selector lever again towards the right in the 
direction of D or shift gears via the shift paddles 
or the selector lever.
On uphill slopes, drive off without delay. 
Do not hold the vehicle in place by 
depressing the accelerator pedal; engage the 
handbrake instead. Otherwise, the transmis-
sion could overheat.<
Dynamic Driving Control
Dynamic Driving Control enables you to drive 
your BMW in an even more performance-ori-
ented manner at the touch of a button:
>Gears are shifted more quickly.
>In Drive mode, the engine speed range is 
utilized optimally.
Activating the system
Press the SPORT button while the ignition is 
switched on. The LED in the button lights up.
Deactivating the system
>Press the SPORT button again or
>engage reverse gear or
>switch off the engine.
The LED in the button goes out. 

Driving
60
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button 3. The LED in the button lights up.
Setting speed for intermittent wipe or 
sensitivity of the rain sensor
Slide switch5 up or down.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button 3 again. The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull lever 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do, your vision could be 
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be 
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid. 
Do not use the washers when the washer fluid 
reservoir is empty, otherwise you will damage 
the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated 
automatically while the engine is running or the 
ignition switched on.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Always keep it well away from sparks and 
open flames, and store it in the tightly closed 
original container, well out of the reach of chil-
dren. Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3USquarts/6liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores 
and maintains the speed that you specify using 
the lever on the steering column. In order to 
maintain the specified speed, the system 
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving 
conditions are unfavorable for driving at a 
constant speed. Otherwise you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident as a 
result. Unfavorable driving conditions include, 
for example, winding roads, heavy traffic or a  

Controls
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poor road surface, e.g. snow, rain, ice or loose 
material.<
Manual transmission/SMG
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.
In Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an 
automatic transmission in position D.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed in the speedometer and 
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to 
maintain the set speed if current engine power 
output is insufficient. If the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired 
speed is reached.>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1, 
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and 
maintains the speed.
Decreasing desired speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance point 
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
reduced by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h until the 
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is 
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
If the speed is to be reduced significantly, 
depress the brake; otherwise, decelera-
tion may be insufficient and dangerous situa-
tions could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow3. 
The displays in the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle