
Things to remember when driving
124
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds, 
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be 
increased.
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the 
break-in period, refer to page63.
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 reservedly 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 in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could 
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid/tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or 
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to 
page107.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle and while 
parking 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, and with it 
the risk of serious property damage as well as 
personal injury.< 

Things to remember when driving
126 Do not drive with your foot resting on the 
brake pedal. Even light but consistent 
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent pressure on the brake pedal 
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and 
possibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further 
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the 
way down into first gear. This strategy helps 
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake 
system. For information on downshifting in the 
manual mode of the automatic transmission, 
refer to page64.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in 
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise there will be no engine braking action or 
support of the braking force and steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area of movement 
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
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 vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the 
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the 
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle 
from being damaged, always fold them in by 
hand before entering an automatic car wash.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure.
Rear window wiper*
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car 
washes. Take appropriate protective measures; 
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
With comfort access and automatic 
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in the selector 
lever position N. Also refer to page40.
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.< 

Everything from A to Z
238 BMW Assist187
– enabling187
– services offered188
"BMW Contact"182
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"182
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance 
system209
BMW Night Vision98
– activating99
– cleaning camera100
– cleaning camera, refer to 
Wiper system66
– deactivating99
– making settings99
"BMW Service"189
"BMW Service settings"188
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup 
holders114
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC 
Dynamic Brake Control86
Brake fluid207
– warning lamp207
Brake force display94
Brake lamps
– brake force display94
– replacing bulbs213
Brake pads208
– breaking-in124
Brake rotors126
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System86
– brake fluid207
– brake force display94
– brake pads208
– breaking-in124
– handbrake60
– warning lamps13
Brake system124,207
– brake fluid level207
– brake pads124,208
– breaking-in124
– disk brakes126
– warning lamp207Braking
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control86
– DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control86
– electronic brake-force 
distribution86
– refer to Braking safely125
Braking safely125
Breakdown assistance189
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance220
Breaking-in the clutch124
Breaking-in the 
differential124
Break-in period124
"Brightness"83
– with BMW Night Vision100
Brightness of Control 
Display83
Button for starting engine58
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
"Call"180
Call
– accepting179
– displaying accepted180
– ending179
– in absence180
– starting179
Calling
– from phone book179
– from Top 8 list180
– redialing180
– refer to telephone operating 
instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders114
Capacities230
Capacity
– of cargo area229
– of luggage 
compartment229
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery217Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"76
Care210
– refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Loading126
– securing128
– securing with ski bag120
Cargo area
– capacity229
– emergency operation, refer 
to Opening manually36
– increasing117
– opening/closing, refer to 
Tailgate35
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside35
– opening with remote 
control31
Cargo area cover, refer to Roll-
up cover
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control28
Car phone174
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest113
– refer to Mobile phone174
– refer to separate operating 
instructions