
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.< 

Adjustments
44
Seat and mirror memory*
You can store and call up two different combi-
nations of driver's-seat and exterior-mirror 
positions.
Settings for the seat back width and lumbar 
support are not stored in memory.
Storing
1.Switch on radio readiness or the ignition, 
refer to page52.
2.Adjust the seat and exterior mirrors to the 
desired positions.
3.Press the   button.
The LED in the button lights up.
4.Press the desired memory key 1 or 2.
The LED goes out.
The driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions are stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Automatic call-up
You can select at what occasion the stored 
positions of the driver's seat and exterior mir-
rors are to be called up.
>Call-up when the vehicle is unlocked
>Call-up when the driver's door is opened.
When this Personal Profile function is 
used, first ensure that the footwell behind 
the driver's seat is free of obstacles. Failure to 
do so could cause injury to persons or damage 
to objects as a result of a rearward movement of 
the seat.<
The adjusting procedure is immediately halted 
when you press a seat adjustment switch or one 
of the MEMORY buttons.
Selecting automatic call-up
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
7.Select "After unlocking" or "After door 
opened".
8.Press the controller.
Switching off automatic call-up
Select "Deactivated" and press the controller.
Manual call-up
Do not call up memory while you are driv-
ing, otherwise unexpected seat move-
ment could result in an accident.< 

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. 

Wheels and tires
194
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transport.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 0705 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 7 of 2005.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as 
well on the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code 
for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0705 

Reference 227
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio device, 
external107,162
"Audio" tone settings145
"Auto. headlamps"94
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– cruise control60,62
– headlamp control93
– service notification179
– storing of stations149
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
– settings via iDrive98
Automatic curb monitor46
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate control99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC99
Automatic station search149
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– interlock57
– overriding selector lever 
lock58
– shiftlock57
– sport program58
"Automatic ventilation"101
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control98
"Autostore"
– on the radio150
AUX-IN162
– port107
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed70
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation135
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation135
Avoid highways in 
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation135
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights220"A - Z"172
B
Backrests, refer to Seats40
Backrest width adjustment42
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs208
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps207
Balance, tone control145
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch212
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, 
towing away214
Bass, tone control145
Bass sounds, refer to Tone 
control145
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass145
Battery209
– charging209
– disposal37,209
– jump starting212
– temporary power failure209
Battery renewal
– remote control37
Being towed213
Belts, refer to Safety belts45
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts45
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders107
Black ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning69
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate99
BMW Assist178
– enabling178
– services offered179
"BMW Contact"182
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"182
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System203
"BMW Service"180"BMW Service settings"179
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control84
Brake fluid202
– level too low202
– warning lamp202
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements74
Brake Force Display90
Brake hydraulics, refer to 
Brakes202
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display90
– replacing bulbs208
Brake pads, breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS84
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– handbrake54
– service requirements74
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely117
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance211
Breaking in
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG116
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the 
differential116
Break-in period116 

Everything from A - Z
240 Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away213
Towing213
– methods214
Towing away
– car with automatic 
transmission213
"Town / City" in destination 
entry126
Tow rope214
Tow-starting213
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG215
Tracks
– random play sequence159
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions219
Traction-assist feature, refer 
to DSC84
Traction control, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control84
Trailer towing
– towing loads and gross 
weight220
Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– manual transmission54
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic58
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55
Transporting children 
safely49
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing cargo119
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tire tread195
Treble, refer to Tone 
control145
Treble, refer to Treble and 
bass145
Treble, tone control145
"Trip computer"72
Trip computer71
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer69"Triple turn signal 
activation"59
Triple turn signal activation59
Trip odometer69
Trunk
– lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid33
Trunk lamp, refer to Luggage 
compartment lamp96
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid33
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions219
Turn signals58
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs207
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading119
U
Underbody protection, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR194
"Units"74
Units
– average consumption73
– temperature73
Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control103
Universal remote control103
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking35
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside32
– from outside30
– luggage compartment lid36
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access35
"Update services"181
V
Vehicle
– battery209
– breaking in116
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading118
– dimensions219
– Identification Number, refer 
to Engine compartment199
– parking53
– washing, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– weight220
Vehicle jack209
Vehicle position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position140
"Vehicle settings"88
Ventilation100
– draft-free100
– in the rear100
Ventilation while at a 
standstill101
Vents, refer to Ventilation100
"Vent settings"98
Voice commands
– overview22
– short commands222
Voice instructions for 
navigation system139
– muting48,139
– repeating48,139
– switching on/off139
– volume139
Voice phone book175
Volume144
– audio sources144
– mobile phone170
– speed-dependent 
adjustment145
– voice instructions139
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps13 

Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control79
Warning triangle212
Washer fluid60
– content of the reservoir60
Washer fluid reservoir60
Washing the car, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Waste tray, refer to 
Ashtray107
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water117
Waveband with the radio148
"WB"144,151
Wear indicators in tires, refer 
to Minimum tread depth195
Weather Band151
Webpage4
Weights220
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions219
Wheels, new196
Wheels and tires188
Width, refer to 
Dimensions219
Windows37
– anti-trapping mechanism37
– convenience operation30
– opening, closing37
– operation with convenient 
access36
– safety switch38
Windows, indicator on Control 
Display16
Window washer fluid 
reservoir, refer to Washer 
fluid60
Window washer system59
– washer fluid60
– washer nozzles60
Windshield
– cleaning60
– defrosting and removing 
condensation100
Windshield wiper blades, 
changing205
Windshield wipers, refer to 
Wiper system59Winter tires197
– setting speed limit81
– storage197
Wiper blade replacement205
Wiper system59
"With highways" for 
navigation135
Word-matching principle for 
navigation135
Work in the engine 
compartment198
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to 
Onboard tool kit205
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulbs206