Controls
101Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime run-
ning lamps
*, Adaptive Head Light* and
high-beam assistant
*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking. For lighting on one
side for parking as an additional feature, refer to
page102.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, as otherwise it may no longer be
possible to start the engine.<
Low beams
The low beams light up in switch position2 only
with the engine running. Otherwise the parking
lamps are lit.
Automatic headlamp control*
In the switch position3, the system activates
the low beams and switches them on or off in
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol is
illuminated when the low beams are on.When driving into a tunnel with bright overhead
lighting, switching on of the lights may be
delayed.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.<
If desired, the light switch can be left in the
position3. The exterior lighting is automatically
switched off after switching off the vehicle.
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
lamps manually under these conditions.<
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps,
the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You can set the duration or deactivate the func-
tion via iDrive.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, 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.
Controls
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High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off again. A sensor on the front of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant ensures that the high beams are
switched on whenever the traffic situation
allows. This reduces the strain on you while at
the same time providing you with the best pos-
sible visibility. Of course, you can intervene at
any time and switch the high beams on and off
in the accustomed manner.
Activating high-beam assistant
1.Turn the light switch to switch position3,
refer to page101.
2.Press the turn signal lever in the high beam
direction with the low beams switched on.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
assistant is activated. The assistant
automatically switches between high and low
beams, whereby the system reacts to oncom-
ing traffic and traffic ahead, as well as to suffi-
cient lighting, e.g. towns/cities.
Manually switching between high and
low beams
You can intervene at any time if you wish or the
situation requires.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the high beams, however you nevertheless
want to use the low beams, simply switch to
the low beams with the turn signal lever.
The high-beam assistant is deactivated in
the process. To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever in the high beam direction
again.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on
the low beams, however you nevertheless
want to use the high beams, switch to the
high beams in the accustomed manner. The
system is deactivated in the process and
you must switch to the low beams manually.
To reactivate the system, briefly press the
turn signal lever in the high beam direction
again.
>You use the headlamp flasher as usual with
low beams.
System limits
The high-beam assistant cannot replace
personal decisions on the benefits of
using the high beams. In situations which
require this, you should therefore switch to the
low beams manually to avoid a safety risk.<
In the following example situations, the system
does not operate or only with limitations and a
personal reaction may be required:
>Under extremely unfavorable weather con-
ditions, such as fog or heavy precipitation
>For perceiving road users with poor lighting
of their own, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, peo-
ple on horseback, horse-drawn vehicles,
with train or ship traffic close to the road and
wild animals crossing the road
>In tight curves, on steep crowns or depres-
sions, with cross traffic or partially con-
cealed oncoming traffic on the freeway
>In poorly lit places and with highly reflective
signs
>In the low speed range
>When the windshield is fogged up, dirty or
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the
area of the inside rearview mirror
>When the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth moistened with a small
amount of glass cleaner
Controls
109Reference
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Mobility
Rear ventilation
1Knurled wheel to smoothly open and close
air vents
2Knurled wheel to adjust the temperature:
>Turn toward blue: colder
>Turn toward red: warmer
3Levers to change the air vent direction
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW
center replaces this combined filter as a stan-
dard part of your scheduled maintenance.
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page77.
Parked car ventilation*
The concept
The parked car ventilation blows air into the
passenger compartment to lower interior tem-
peratures.
It is ready to use in the parked-car mode at any
outside temperature.
You can set two different times for the system
to start. The parked car ventilation can also be
switched on and off directly. It remains
switched on for 30 minutes.
Since the system uses a substantial amount of
electrical current, you should refrain from acti-
vating it twice in succession without allowing
the battery to be recharged in normal operation
between use.The air emerges through the upper body region
vent outlets in the instrument panel. These vent
outlets must be open for the system to operate.
The parked car ventilation is operated via iDrive.
Switching on and off directly
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Parked car operation" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Automatic ventilation" and press
the controller.
5.Select "Parked car ventilation" and press
the controller.
The parked-car ventilation is switched on.
The symbol on the display of the automatic
climate control flashes.
Preselecting activation times
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Parked car operation" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Activation time" and press the con-
troller.
Driving tips
125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile
communications devices, e. g. mobile
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communication
device can influence one another. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation which
results from transmission will be dissipated
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
This feature is controlled by two photocells in
the inside rearview mirror. One is integrated into
the glass of the mirror, while the other is located
at an offset position on the rear of the mirror
housing.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells
clean and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do
not attach stickers of any kind to the windshield
in front of the mirror, either.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page201.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise
greater clutch wear will result.<
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission
region.<
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is
not required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Release the footbrake and immediately
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slightly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no
longer holds the vehicle after approx. 2 seconds
and it begins to roll back.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Navigation
This chapter describes how you can
enter destinations and specify your route
so that your navigation system guides you
reliably to your destination.
Navigation
Starting navigation system
132
Starting navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle
and guide you reliably to any destination you
enter.
Navigation DVD
The navigation system requires a special navi-
gation DVD. The latest version is available at
your BMW center.
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD with the labeled
side up. The DVD is automatically pulled in.
2.Allow several seconds for the system to
scan the data from the DVD.
Removing navigation DVD
1.Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected from the drive, it is pos-
sible that it is blocked. A message appears on
the Control Display.
Display in assistance window
You can display the route or the current position
in the assistance window. This display remains
visible even if you change to another applica-
tion.
1.Move the controller to the right to enter the
assistance window.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select the desired route view or "Current
position".
4.Press the controller.
*
Navigation
Driving tips
133Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
Destination entry
In entering your destination you can select from
among the following options:
>Entering a destination manually, see below
>Entering destination via voice*, refer to
page136
>Selecting destination using information,
refer to page138
>Selecting destination from a list, refer to
Destination list, page139
>Selecting destination from address book,
refer to page140
>Selecting home address, refer to page142
After selecting your destination you can pro-
ceed to start the destination guidance, refer to
page144.
Operating navigation system
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, and always give priority to the
applicable traffic regulations in the event of any
contradiction between traffic and road condi-
tions and the instructions issued by the naviga-
tion system. If you do not observe this precau-
tion, you may be in violation of the law, and can
endanger vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to open
"Navigation".3.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
Entering a destination
manually
The system's word matching principle makes it
easier for you to enter the names of streets or
towns, refer to page143. This allows you to
enter different spellings and completes your
entry automatically so that stored names can be
called up quickly.
1.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "Navigation" is selected and
press the controller.
"New destination" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Destination entry
136 1.Change to upper field.
The arrow is selected.
2.Turn the controller to the right until the
request for the entry of a street in the coun-
try appears and press the controller.
3.Change to the second field from the top and
enter the street.
Entering house number
All house numbers stored for the street on the
navigation DVD can be entered.
1.Select "House number" and press the con-
troller.
2.Enter the house number:
Select the desired digits and press the con-
troller.
3.Change into the third field from the top.
Turn the controller until the house number
is selected and press the controller.
Starting destination guidance with
manual destination entry
>Select "Start guidance" and press the con-
troller.
Destination guidance starts immediately.
>If the destination guidance does not need to
be started immediately:
Select "Add to destination list" and press
the controller.
The destination is saved in the destination
list, refer to page139.
Entering destination via
voice*
In conjunction with the Professional navigation
system, you can enter the desired destination
via the voice input system. When entering the
destination, it is possible to change between
speech input and iDrive at any time. Reactivate
the speech input function for this purpose if
necessary.
With {Options} you can have the possible
commands read aloud.<
1.Press the button on the steering wheel
or in the center console.
2.{Enter address}