
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Instrument cluster12
10Ignition lock52
11Buttons
* on the steering wheel12Horn: the entire surface
13Steering wheel adjustment47
15Releasing the hood198
16Opening the luggage compartment lid
*
6
Turn signals58
High beams, headlamp flasher95
Roadside parking lamps
*95
Computer70
Settings and information about the 
vehicle73
Instrument lighting96
8
Windshield wipers59
Rain sensor
*59
9Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine52
Telephone
*:
>Press: accepting and ending a 
call, starting dialing
* for a 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
>Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice com-
mand system
*22
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and 
lists with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable47 
Individually programmable47 
14
Cruise control
*60
Active cruise control
*62 

Controls
 59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the 
resistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal indicator 
has failed. 
After switching off the ignition, make sure that 
the roadside parking lamps are not switched 
on.<
Indicating a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
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 "Lighting" and press the controller.
5.Select "Triple turn signal activation" and 
press the controller.
 Triple turn signaling is activated.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
rain sensor
*
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
5Setting speed for intermittent wipe, or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system switches to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is controlled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The 
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror. 

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  

Giving and receiving assistance
214 headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the 
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering 
wheel lock cannot be disengaged and the car is 
not steerable. Jump starting, refer to page212. 
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page57.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph 
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.<
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
With the ignition switched on, engage selector 
lever position N, and then switch the ignition 
back off.
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.<
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
Towing with a tow truck
323i*, 325i, 330i
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
325xi, 330xi
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just 
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the 
wheels could lock up and the transfer case 
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface 
only. 

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 

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