
Controls
 41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an 
accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not 
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the 
vehicle is being driven, otherwise there is a dan-
ger in the event of an accident of sliding under 
the safety belt, eliminating the protection nor-
mally provided by the belt.<
Comply with the instructions on head restraint 
height on page42, and on damaged safety 
belts on page45.
Seat adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page40 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Longitudinal direction
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat to the desired 
position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat gently 
forward or back to make sure it engages prop-
erly.
Height
Pull lever 2 and apply your weight to the seat or 
lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply your weight to the back-
rest or lift it off, as necessary.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: push 
switch forward or back.
>Shift curvature up or down: push switch up 
or down.
Electric seat adjustment*
Comply with the adjusting instructions 
mentioned above to ensure the best pos-
sible personal protection.< 

Adjustments
42 1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle
4Backrest
The head restraints are adjusted manually, refer 
to Head restraints below.
Sports seat*
On this seat, you can manually adjust the thigh 
support, the tilt angle and the width of the back-
rest.
Thigh support
Pull the lever and move the thigh support for-
ward or back.
Angle
Pull the lever and apply your weight to the seat 
or lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest width
You can change the width of the backrest to suit 
your individual preferences by adjusting the lat-
eral-support pads.
Push switch forward or back.
Backrest width decreases or increases accord-
ingly.
Head restraints
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.< 

Controls
 43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Front seats
Height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
slide the head restraint down.
Removing
1.Pull up all the way.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
Rear seats
Height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
slide the head restraint down.
The center head restraint is not height-adjust-
able.
Removing
1.Pull up all the way.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out. 
With through-loading system: Fold the rear-seat backrest slightly forward before pulling 
out a head restraint.
Folding the center head restraint down 
and up
Folding down: 
Press the button, arrow1.
Folding up:
Pull the head restraint.
Depending on the equipment version, it may be 
possible to fold the outer rear head restraints 
down and up as well.
Note that it is an offense to drive with the 
rear seats occupied and the rear head 
restraints folded down. Fold up the head 
restraints before allowing passengers to 
occupy the rear seats.<
Heated seats*
Press once for each temperature level. 
Three lamps indicate the highest temperature.
To switch off:
Press button longer.
If you continue driving within the next 15 min-
utes, the seat heating is automatically activated 
at the previously set temperature. 

Controls
 47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion, or an accident 
may result from any unexpected movement.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up, otherwise the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
Electric steering wheel lock
The steering wheel locks or unlocks automati-
cally when the remote control is removed or 
inserted, refer to page52.
Programmable buttons on the steering 
wheel
You can program the buttons to suit your per-
sonal preferences:
These settings are stored for the remote con-
trol currently in use.iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.
4.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Steering wheel buttons" is selected 
and press the controller.
A list showing various functions is dis-
played:
>"Navigation voice instructions" 
Voice messages from the navigation 
system
>"Air recirculation on / off" 
Permanent shut-off of outside air, refer 
to Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC on page99
>"Mute on / off" 
To mute the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off" 
To switch Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list" 
To show/hide phone book or last dis-
played list of stored phone numbers
>"Next entertainment source"
To change the audio source
5.Select the desired function and press the 
controller. 

Controls
 49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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. 

Controls
 67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react 
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types 
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback. 
It is also possible that the system may not 
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when 
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide 
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every 
decrease in the distance setting allows your 
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of 
you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
Active cruise control is not and must not 
be used as a collision avoidance/warning 
system.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds 
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your 
vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle 
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
While active cruise control is capable of 
braking your vehicle automatically when 
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is 
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e.g. 
when you reduce your desired speed sharply. 
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses 
only a portion of braking system capacity and 
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle 
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot 
decrease your speed for large differences in 
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle 
ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle 
traveling at a much lower speed than your own 
speed such as approaching a toll booth or when a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at 
close range.<
Active cruise control can only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane 
into your lane, active cruise control will not rec-
ognize this vehicle until it is fully in your lane 
ahead of your vehicle.
When a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves 
into your lane, the system may not be able 
to maintain the selected distance automatically. 
This also applies to great differences in speed 
between you and vehicles ahead, e.g. when 
quickly approaching a truck. There is a risk of 
collision. Once the system has established that 
a vehicle is indeed in front of you, it will indicate 
that you must brake and/or maneuver the vehi-
cle yourself. Take action yourself, otherwise 
there is a risk of an accident.<
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is 
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to  

Under the hood
198
Under the hood
Do not work on the car unless you pos-
sess the necessary technical knowledge. 
If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide-
lines, have any work on the vehicle performed 
only by a BMW Center or by a workshop that 
work according to BMW repair procedures with 
correspondingly trained personnel. If this work 
is not carried out properly, there is a danger of 
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.<
Hood
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Opening
In order to avoid damage, make sure that 
the wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the hood.<
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood from a height of approx. 16 in/
40 cm with momentum. It must be clearly heard 
to engage.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
hood is clear, otherwise injuries may 
result. 
If you see any signs while driving your vehicle 
that the hood is not completely closed, stop at 
once and close it securely.< 

Everything from A - Z
232
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control103
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel186
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge70
Gasoline engine, checking oil 
level199
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– manual transmission54
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55
Gearshifts
– with automatic 
transmission57
– with manual transmission54
– with the sequential manual 
gearbox SMG55
General driving notes116
Glass sunroof, electric38
– anti-trapping mechanism39
– closing after electrical 
malfunction39
– convenient operation30,32
– opening, closing38
– operation with convenient 
access36
– raising38
– remote control30
Glove compartment106
– rechargeable flashlight106
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system124
Grills97
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights220
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs206
Handbrake54
– indicator lamp54
Hand lamp, refer to 
Rechargeable flashlight106
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD, refer to High Definition 
Radio151
Head airbags90
Headlamp control, 
automatic93
Headlamp cover206
Headlamp flasher58
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs206
Head restraints42
– sitting safely40
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window100
– seats43
Heating
– mirrors46
– rear window100
– seats43
Heating while at a standstill, 
refer to Using residual 
heat99
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo119
Height, refer to 
Dimensions219
Height adjustment
– seats41
– steering wheel47
High beams95
– headlamp flasher95
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs206
High Definition Radio151
High water, refer to Driving 
through water117Highways, refer to Route 
criteria135
Hills117
Holders for cups107
"Home address" in 
navigation134
Homepage4
Hood198
Horn10
Hot exhaust system116
"Hour memo"78
"House number" in 
destination entry128
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control84
Hydroplaning117
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio151
Ice warning69
ID3 tag, refer to Information 
about the track158
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness82
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control98
– changing language82
– date and time, setting77
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
Ignition52
– switched off52
– switched on52
Ignition key, refer to 
Integrated key/remote 
control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness52
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on52
Ignition lock52