
At a glance
 17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation
>Navigation system
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying the 
average fuel consumption.
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>External audio device
Climate
>Air distribution
>Automatic program
>Parked car ventilation
 menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates 
for statutory emissions and vehicle inspec-
tions
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
As of radio readiness, the following message 
appears on the Control Display:
Confirm the message by pressing the control-
ler.
This opens the start menu.
Start menu
All iDrive functions can be called up via five 
menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
To open the start menu from the   menu:
Press the   button twice. 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant provides for optimal, 
racing-style acceleration when starting off on a 
non-slippery surface.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too 
frequently, otherwise components could 
wear prematurely.<
1.Activate Dynamic Driving Control.
2.Deactivate DSC, refer to page85.
3.Quickly depress the accelerator pedal all 
the way: kick-down. The optimal engine 
speed for pulling away is achieved.
To maintain driving stability, reactivate 
DSC afterward.<
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page58.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and apply the 
handbrake before leaving the vehicle with the 
engine running.<
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must first move the selector 
lever to position P and switch off the engine: 
interlock.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the 
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine 
running, the selector lever can be moved 
out of position P: interlock.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
depress the brake until you are ready to 
start.<
A lock prevents you from inadvertently engag-
ing selector lever positions R and P. To cancel 
the lock, press the button on the front of the 
selector lever, refer to arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The 
rear wheels are locked. 

Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for driving comfort and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces.  Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator
 warn you of the presence of an object 
in front of
* or behind your car. To measure the 
distance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in 
each bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not 
sound until an object is approx. 2 ft/60 cm from 
the front sensors
* or both rear corner sensors, 
or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from the rear center sen-
sors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an objec t  a t  h i g h s p e e d ,  o t h -
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.<
Automatic mode
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated automatically after 
approx. 1 second when you engage reverse 
gear or move the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever to position R. Wait this short period 
before driving.
Switching on manually
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Switching off manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once 
the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/50 m or 
exceeds a speed of approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h; 
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. For exam-
ple, the tone sounds at the rear if the system 
detects an object behind the car. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
The warning signal is canceled after approx. 
3 seconds, if you are moving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the 
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
Manual mode
The LED above the button flashes in addition.
PDC with optical warning
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. The contours 
of distant objects are shown on the Control Dis-
play even before the acoustic signal sounds.
iDrive concept, refer to page16. 

Things to remember when driving
116
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Attempt to vary both engine and vehicle 
speeds, but refrain from exceeding an engine 
speed of 4,500 rpm or a driving speed of 
100 mph or 160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode.
After 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the 
break-in period, page57.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of 
the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the luggage compartment 
lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air flow rate of the automatic 
climate control considerably, refer to 
page99.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them. 
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the 
risk of serious personal injuries and property 
damage.<
Mobile phone in the vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile 
communications devices, e.g. mobile 
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con- 

Things to remember when driving
118 You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page58.
Never drive with the clutch held down, 
with the transmission in idle or with the 
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking 
action will not be present or there will be no 
power assistance to the brakes or steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be 
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
For general information about taking care of 
your BMW, refer to the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure.
With convenient access and automatic 
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page36.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result 
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lbs. 
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of 
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs.: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available  

Giving and receiving assistance
212
First aid pouch*
The first aid pouch is located on the right-hand 
side of the luggage compartment in a storage 
area.
Some of the articles contained in the first aid 
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore, 
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand 
side of the luggage compartment. Press the tab 
to take it out.
Jump starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's 
engine can be started by connecting two 
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts 
when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-
ing sequence, both to prevent damage to one or 
both vehicles, and to guard against possible 
personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct 
order, so that no sparks which could 
cause injury occur at the battery.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in 
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine 
compartment overview on page199. The cap is 
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+ 
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the 
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal  

Everything from A - Z
230 Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation
– automatic climate 
control100
Defrosting windshield, refer to 
Defrosting windows100
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows100
"Delete address book" in 
navigation134
"Delete all numbers" on the 
mobile phone173
"Delete data" in 
navigation134
"Delete" for mobile 
phone173
Destination address
– deleting133
– entering125,128
Destination for navigation
– entry125
– navigation list131
– selecting from address 
book133
– selecting using 
information130
– storing132
Destination guidance136
– bypassing route 
sections140
– canceling voice 
instructions48
– changing specified 
route134
– displaying route137
– displaying routes137
– distance and arrival136
– interrupting136
– starting136
– terminating/continuing136
– voice instructions139
– volume of voice 
instructions139
Destination list for navigation 
system131
Destinations recently driven 
to131
"Dial" for mobile phone171
"Dial number"171Digital clock69
Digital compass104
Digital radio151
Dimensions219
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals58
Direction instructions, refer to 
Voice instructions139
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book132
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data
218
Display, refer to iDrive 
controls16
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting96
"Display off"21
Displays
– instrument cluster12
– on the Control Display16
Displays and controls10
"Display settings"77
Disposal
– coolant201
– remote control battery37
– vehicle battery209
Distance control, refer to 
Active cruise control62
Distance remaining to service, 
refer to Service 
requirements74
"Distance to dest."71
Distance warning, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control83
Door key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, confirmation 
signals31
"Door locks"30
Doors, emergency 
operation32
DOT Quality Grades194
Draft-free ventilation100
Drinks holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Drive mode56
Drive-off assistant87Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams93
Driving notes116
Driving route, refer to 
Displaying route137
Driving stability control
systems84
Driving through water117
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function100
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control84
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control85
– indicator lamps85
DVD for navigation124
Dynamic Driving Control56
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC
– indicator lamps85
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution84
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD player144
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– fuel filler door186
– glass sunroof39
– panorama glass roof39
Electric seat adjustment41
Electronic brake-force 
distribution84
Electronic oil level check199
Emergency call211
Emergency operation, refer to 
Closing manually
– glass sunroof39
– panorama glass roof39
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler door186
– transmission lock, automatic 
transmission58 

Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Navigation system124
– address book132
– destination entry125
– destination guidance in 
assistance window124
– destination list131
– displaying current 
position140
– entering a destination 
manually125,128
– last destinations131
– opening125
– route display137
– route list139
– searching for a special 
destination130
– selecting destination using 
information130
– selecting destination via 
map129
– selecting route criteria134
– starting destination 
guidance136
– switching off, refer to 
Terminating/continuing 
destination guidance136
– terminating/continuing 
destination guidance136
– voice instructions139
– volume adjustment139
"Navigation voice 
instructions" via buttons on 
the steering wheel47
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints42
Nets, refer to Storage 
compartments107
"New address" in 
navigation132
"New destination"125,129
"New route"140
New tires196
"Next entertainment 
source"47
North-facing map138
Nose weight220
Nozzles97
Nozzles, refer to Windshield 
washer nozzles60Number of cylinders, refer to 
Engine data218
O
OBD socket204
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for On-Board Diagnosis204
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications186
Odometer69
Oil
– capacity221
Oil, refer to Engine oil199
Oil consumption199
Oil level199
Old batteries, refer to 
Disposal209
"On a new destination" in 
navigation131
"Onboard info"71
Onboard tool kit205
"On destination"131
"On location"131
Opening and closing
– convenient access35
– from inside32
– from outside30
– using the door lock32
– via the remote control30
Opening and unlocking
– from the inside32
Operation by voice for mobile 
phone174
– adjusting volume175
– canceling174
– correcting phone 
number175
– dialing phone number175
– placing a call175
– redialing176
– voice commands174
– voice phone book175
Orientation menu, refer to 
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation100
Output, refer to Engine 
data218Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control99
Outside-temperature 
display69
– changing units of 
measure73
– in computer73
Overheated engine, refer to 
Coolant temperature69
Overriding selector lever 
lock58
P
Panorama glass roof
– closing after electrical 
malfunction39
– convenient operation30
– remote control30
"Parked car operation"101
"Parked car ventilation"101
Parked car ventilation101
Parked car ventilation/heating
– activating switch-on 
times102
– preselecting switch-on 
times101
– switching on and off 
directly101
Parking
– vehicle53
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park 
Distance Control83
Parking brake, refer to 
Handbrake54
Parking lamps/low beams93
– replacing bulbs207
Parts and accessories, refer to 
The individual vehicle5
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function46
"Pathway lighting"94
Pathway lighting94
"PDC"84
PDC Park Distance Control83
Personal Profile29
"Perspective"138
Phone book170