
Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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
58
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral, idle
You can select this in a car wash, for example. 
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in posi-
tion D.
Kick-down
Kick-down enables you to achieve maximum 
performance. 
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Manual operation and Sport program 
M/S
Move selector lever from position D toward the 
left into the M/S shifting slot:
The sport program is activated and DS appears 
in the instrument cluster. This position is rec-
ommended for a performance-oriented driving 
style. 
When you press the selector lever forwards or 
backwards, the manual mode is activated and 
Steptronic changes gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system. The gear selected appears briefly in the instrument 
cluster, followed by the gear actually in use.
To use the automatic function again, move the 
selector lever to the right into position D.
Overriding selector lever lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of 
position P although the button on the selector 
lever is pressed, the selector lever lock can be 
overridden:
1.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2.Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever 
until the sleeve is inside out.
3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard 
tool kit, refer to page205, press the red 
lever while moving the selector lever to the 
desired position.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals 

Everything from A - Z
238 Sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55
– acceleration assistant57
– breaking in116
– Dynamic Driving Control56
– gear indicator55
– kick-down56
– shiftlock55
– tow-starting215
"Service"80,179,200
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance211
Service car, refer to Roadside 
Assistance211
Service data in the remote 
control203
Service Interval Display, refer 
to Condition Based Service 
CBS203
"Service notification"179
"Service Request"180,182
Service requirement display, 
refer to Condition Based 
Service CBS203
"Service 
requirements"75,179,200
Service requirements74
"Service Status"179
"Set date"79
"Set" for audio mode144
"Set time"78
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode78
– date format79
Setting times, refer to 
Preselecting switch-on 
times101
"Set tire pressure"88
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, 
refer to Changing selector 
lever positions57
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55Shift paddles56
Short commands of voice 
command system222
Shortest route in navigation, 
refer to Selecting route134
"Short route" in 
navigation135
"Show current position"130
"Show destination 
position"130
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer159
– CD player159
Side airbags90
Side-mounted turn signals
– replacing bulbs207
Side window blind, refer to 
Roller sun blinds106
Side windows, refer to 
Windows37
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely40
– airbags40
– safety belt40
– with head restraint40
Ski bag111
Ski sack, refer to Ski bag111
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to 
Glass sunroof, electric38
Slot for remote control52
SMG, refer to Sequential 
manual gearbox55
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray108
Snap-in adapter, refer to 
Center armrest storage 
compartment106
Socket, refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances108
Socket for On-Board 
Diagnosis OBD204
Song search, refer to Playing a 
track158
Sound output for 
entertainment on/off144
Spare fuses209
Spare fuses, refer to 
Fuses209Spare key28
– adapter28
Spark plugs, refer to Service 
requirements74
Speaking, refer to Voice 
instructions for navigation 
system139
Speed
– with winter tires197
Speed-dependent
volume145
Speed limit81
– setting81
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit81
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone 
control146
Sport program
– refer to Dynamic Driving 
Control56
Sports seat42
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems84
Start/stop button52
– starting the engine53
– switching off the engine53
"Start guid-
ance"128,132,133,136
Starting
– difficulties, temperature53
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine53
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting212
Starting the engine
– start/stop button52
Start menu17
"State / Province" in 
destination entry126
Station, refer to Radio148
"Status"75
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5