
Controls
 37Reference
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Mobility
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page28.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW Center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car, otherwise children could operate 
the electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press the switch to the resistance point.
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point. 
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
There are separate switches in the rear seat 
armrests.
After switching off the ignition
When the remote control is removed or the igni-
tion is switched off, you can still operate the 
windows for approx. 1 minute as long as no 
door is opened.
For information on convenient operation via the 
remote control or the door lock, refer to page30 
or32. For information on closing with conve-
nient access, refer to Locking on page30.
Take the remote control with you when 
you leave the car, otherwise children 
could operate the electric windows and possi-
bly injure themselves.<
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the closing force exceeds a specific value as 
an electric window closes, the closing action is 
interrupted immediately and the window 
reopens slightly.
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism 
check and clear the window's travel path 
prior to closing it, otherwise the safety system 
might fail to detect certain kinds of obstruc- 

Adjustments
40
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page49.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the instrument 
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
front airbag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their 
heads against the side or head airbags, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the side air-
bags suddenly deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page90.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page42.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap.
Expectant mothers should also wear the safety 
belt, making sure that the strap in the pelvic 
area is well down on the hips and does not press 
against the abdominal region of the body. 
Do not route the belt across your neck, or run it 
across sharp edges. Be sure that the belt does 
not become caught or jammed. The safety belt 
should not be twisted and must be positioned 
firmly over the pelvis and shoulder, as close to 
the body as possible. It should not pass over 
hard or fragile objects, otherwise the belt in the 
pelvic area could slide over the hips in the event 
of a head-on collision and injure the lower abdo-
men. Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly 
pull the belt in the upper-body area taut, other-
wise its restraining effect could be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page45.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
the vehicle is moving. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement, and the  

Controls
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Mobility
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
The rear center seat is not suitable for installing 
universal child-restraint systems for all age 
groups, approved for the age group in question.
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest 
place for children is on the rear seats.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller 
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only 
in the rear in suitable child-restraint systems 
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child-restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
All rear seats in your vehicle meet the recom-
mendations of the SAE J1819 standard for 
safely mounting child-restraint systems in 
motor vehicles.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child-
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags must be deacti-
vated. Otherwise, a child traveling on that seat 
will be at an increased risk of injury if the airbags 
are triggered off, even with a child-restraint sys-
tem. Your BMW Center will be glad to advise 
you.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags refer to page91.
Installing child-restraint 
systems
Observe the child-restraint system man-
ufacturer's instructions for selecting, 
installing and using child-restraint systems. 
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished.<
Standard child-restraint systems are designed 
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt 
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly 
or improperly installed child-restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always follow the installation instructions for 
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger's seat
Before installing a child-restraint system 
on the front passenger's seat, make sure 
that the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are deactivated, otherwise there is an 
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat height
Before installing a universal child-restraint sys-
tem, move the front passenger's seat up as far 
as it will go to ensure that the safety belt will be 
ideally positioned. Do not change the seat 
height afterward.
Backrest width
The backrest width of the front passenger 
seat must be adjusted to its widest set-
ting, otherwise the stability of the child seat on 
the front passenger seat is limited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest set-
ting, refer to page42.
2.Install the child seat. 

Transporting children safely
50
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the front passenger's 
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled 
out in order to fasten child-restraint systems.
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child-restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.
3.Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut 
against the child-restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle
2.Remove the child-restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the 
way.
Child-restraint system with tether 
strap
There are three additional anchors for child-
restraint systems with tether straps, see 
arrows.
Placement of the tether strap
Fold the anchors upward before using them.
1.Push the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap through the mount-
ing for the head restraint.
3.Push the head restraint into its lowermost 
position.
LATCH child-restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
When installing a LATCH child seat, com-
ply with the system manufacturer's oper-
ating and safety instructions.<
Rear seats with through-loading 
system
The anchor points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system are located behind the 
indicated protective caps. Flip up the corre-
sponding caps. 

Controls
 51Reference
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Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
Rear seats without through-loading 
system
The anchor points for the LATCH child-
restraint fixing system can be found at the loca-
tions marked by the arrows. They are not visible 
from the outside.
On journeys
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors:
The door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Press the safety switch for the power windows, 
refer to page38, if children are traveling on the 
rear seat. 

Controls
 91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of 
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag 
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or 
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument 
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides 
of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or 
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW Cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page49.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the 
passenger should change his or her sitting 
position so that the front passenger airbags are 
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by 
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the front passenger seat unless 
they are specifically recommended by BMW. 
Do not place any items under the seat which 
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not 
ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front 
passenger's front and side airbags in accor-
dance with whether and how the front passen-
ger seat is occupied. The indicator lamp shows 
whether the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp comes on as intended 
when a child in a specially designated child-
restraint system is detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated. 

Everything from A - Z
228 "Brightness"on the control 
display82
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs205
Burned fuel
– refer to Average 
consumption71
Button for starting engine52
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6
"Call"172
Call
– accepting170
– displaying accepted172
– ending171
– in absence172
– starting171
Calling
– from phone book171
– from Top 8 list172
– redialing172
Can holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Capacities221
Capacity of luggage 
compartment220
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery209
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"71
Care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing119
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo119
– vehicle118
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochureCaring for leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points209
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Car phone166
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest106
– refer to Mobile phone166
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio148
Car wash118
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system116
"Categories"154
CBS Condition Based 
Service203
"CD"144,156
CD changer156
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse
160
– installation location160
– playing a track158
– random order159
– repeating a track159
– selecting a CD156
– selecting a track157
– switching on/off144
– tone control145
– volume145CD player156
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse160
– playing a track158
– random order159
– repeating a track159
– selecting a track157
– switching on/off144
– tone control145
– volume145
Center armrest106
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulbs208
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access35
Changing bulbs205
Changing the language on the 
Control Display82
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display73
Changing wheels209
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment199
Check Control79
"Check Control 
messages"80
Check Gas Cap186
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure188
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH50
Child-restraint systems49
Child-safety lock51
Child seats49
Chrome parts, care, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter108
– socket108 

Reference 233
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Individual air distribution98
Individually programmable 
buttons on steering 
wheel47
Individual settings, refer to 
Personal Profile29
Information
– on another location130
– on country130
– on current position130
– on destination location130
"Information" in 
navigation131
"Information on 
destination"132
Initializing
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating105
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM88
– glass sunroof39
"Input map"130
Installation location
– CD changer160
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions139
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting96
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote 
control103
Interesting destination for 
navigation130
"Interim time"82
Interior lamps96
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor35
Interior rearview mirror46
– automatic dimming 
feature117
Interior rearview mirror with 
digital compass104
Interlock57
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers59J
Jacking points209
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump 
starting212
Jump starting212
K
Key, refer to Integrated key/
remote control28
Keyless Go, refer to
Convenient access35
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Convenient 
access35
Key Memory, refer to Personal 
Profile29
"Keypad"173
Kick-down58
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG56
Knock control186
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams93
Lamps and bulbs, replacing 
bulbs205
"Languages" in 
navigation139
"Languages"on the control 
display82
Lap-and-shoulder safety 
belt45
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing cargo119
Last destinations, refer to 
Destination list131
"Last seat pos."44
LATCH child-restraint fixing 
system50
LEDs light-emitting 
diodes205Length, refer to 
Dimensions219
License plate lamp, replacing 
bulbs208
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs205
Lighter108
"Lighting"94
Lighting
– instruments96
– lamps and bulbs205
– of the vehicle, refer to 
Lamps93
Light switch93
"Limit"81
Limit, refer to Speed limit81
Loading
– securing cargo119
Load securing equipment, 
refer to Securing cargo119
Location
– drive for navigation DVD and 
audio CD124
Lock buttons in the doors, 
refer to Locking33
Locking
– adjusting confirmation 
signal31
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access35
Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside32
– from outside30
"LOGIC7", refer to Tone 
control146
Low beams93
– automatic93
– replacing bulbs206
Lower back support, refer to 
Lumbar support41