
Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Malfunction
If the HDC display goes out in the HDC mode or 
is not shown:
HDC is temporarily not available, as the brake 
temperature is too high.
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and 
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on 
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying 
from performance-oriented during cornering to 
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle 
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle 
operation, the system continuously runs 
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only 
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each 
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and 
a message is shown on the Control Dis-
play. There is a malfunction in the sys-
tem. Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
If a malfunction occurs, please remember 
to adapt your speed accordingly, espe-
cially in curves. 
The suspension will be noticeably softer and 
the vehicle will display a greater tendency to tilt 
during cornering and in crosswinds. 
If a message stating that you should stop is 
shown on the Control Display, stop at a suitable 
location and switch off the engine as soon as 
possible. In this case the oil level in the reservoir 
may have dropped below the minimum, possi-
bly owing to a leak in the hydraulic system. 
Do not continue driving, but instead contact 
your BMW center.<
Sports Wagon: 
Self-leveling suspension
xDrive: the vehicle is raised somewhat at 
the rear after locking. This is normal and is 
linked to minor noises.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message 
is shown on the Control Display. A mal-
function has occurred in the self-leveling sus-
pension. Stop and check the vehicle. If it is con-
siderably lower at the rear than at the front, and 
possibly also on one side – rear left compared to 
rear right –, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Drive with appropriate caution in the 
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance and driving comfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if the position of the vehicle 
is normal, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the tires as you drive. The sys-
tem provides an alert whenever the inflation 
pressure drops significantly in relation to the 
pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius 
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels 
change. This change is detected and is 
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure. 

Wheels and tires
202
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend that you use 
retreaded tires, as driving safety may be 
impaired. The causes for this include the possi-
bly different tire casing structures and the often 
wide variations in their age, which can result in a 
limited service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions than the 
approved units – these differences could lead to 
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct wheel/tire combination also affects 
various systems whose function would other-
wise be impaired, e.g. ABS, DSC or xDrive.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. Following 
tire damage, have the original wheel and tire 
combination remounted on the vehicle as soon 
as possible.
Wheels with electronics for 
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use 
wheels with TPM electronics, as otherwise the 
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire, 
refer to page91. Your BMW center will be 
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
Certain tire makes are recommended by BMW 
depending on the tire size. You can recognize 
these from the clearly visible BMW marking on 
the tire sidewall.
When used properly, these tires comply with 
the most demanding standards for safety and 
vehicle response.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires, or changing from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-flat 
tires for your own safety. In addition, no spare 
tire is available in case of a flat tire. Your BMW 
center will be glad to advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that you do not have damaged run-flat 
tires repaired; they should be replaced.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise 
t i re  d a m a g e  m a y o c cu r ,  w h ic h  c a n  re s u l t  i n  a c c i-
dents.<
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
place with as little exposure to light as possible. 
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,  

Everything from A to Z
246 "Missed calls"180
Missed calls180
Mobile communications 
devices in vehicle125
Mobile phone
– accepted calls180
– adjusting volume178
– calling179
– ending call179
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest113
– missed calls180
– operation via iDrive178
– redialing180
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
– Top 8180
– touch tone dialing, refer to 
Tone dialing method182
Mobile phones, use in the 
interior, refer to Mobile 
communications 
devices125
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring pressure of tires, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor89
"Monitor on / off"53
Most recent numbers
 for mobile phone180
MP3, refer to Compressed 
audio files165
Multi-function steering wheel, 
refer to Buttons on steering 
wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher64
– refer to Wiper/washer 
system65
Music track, finding167
"Mute on / off"53
MW, waveband156
N
"Navigation"76,133
Navigation destination
– home address142
– manual entry133
– selecting via map137
Navigation drive, installation 
location132
Navigation DVD132
Navigation instructions, refer 
to Switching voice instruc-
tions on/off147
Navigation system132
– address book140
– bypassing route 
sections148
– destination entry133
– destination guidance in 
assistance window132
– destination list139
– displaying current 
position148
– entering a destination 
manually133
– entering destination via 
voice136
– last destinations139
– opening133
– route display145
– route list146
– searching for a special 
destination138
– selecting destination using 
information138
– selecting destination via 
map137
– selecting route criteria142
– starting destination 
guidance144
– switching off, refer to Termi-
nating/continuing desti-
nation guidance144
– terminating/continuing 
destination guidance144
– voice instructions147
– volume adjustment147
"Navigation voice 
instructions"53"Navigation voice instructions 
on"147
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints48
"New address" for navigation 
system140
"New destination"133,137
New remote control28
"New route"148
New wheels and tires201
"Next entertainment 
source"53
Night Vision, refer to 
BMW Night Vision98
Night vision device, refer to 
BMW Night Vision98
"Night Vision on / off"53
"Normal", active backrest 
width adjustment47
Nozzles, refer to Windshield 
washer nozzles66
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing221
O
OBD socket210
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications195
Odometer74
Oil
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils206
– approved engine oils206
– capacity230
– consumption, refer to 
Checking engine oil 
level205
– level205
– refilling, refer to Adding 
engine oil206
Oil change intervals, refer to 
Service requirements77
"On a new destination" for 
navigation system139
Onboard computer, refer to 
iDrive16
"Onboard info"76
Onboard toolkit211 

Everything from A to Z
250 Settings
– BMW Night Vision99
– changing on Control 
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode83
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit81
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time109
"Set tire pressure"90
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission62
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission61
Shift paddles62
Short commands of voice 
command system231
"Short route" for 
navigation143
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route142
Shoulder support46
"Show current position"138
"Show destination 
position"138
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Side airbags94
Side marker lamps, replacing 
bulbs213
Side turn signals, replacing 
bulbs213
Side window blinds, refer to 
Sun blinds112
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely45
– with airbags45
– with head restraint45
– with safety belts45
Ski bag120Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof, 
electric41
– refer to Panorama glass 
sunroof43
Slope assistant, refer to 
Starting assistant125
SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission61
– acceleration assistant63
– breaking-in124
– Dynamic Driving Control62
– gear display61
– kick-down62
– shiftlock61
– towing222
– tow-starting223
Snow chains203
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface210
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock58
Sockets, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices115
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing33
Song search with CD, refer to 
Playing a track167
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency call219
Spare fuses218
Spare key28
– adapter28
Spare remote control28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing 
wheels215
– refer to Compact wheel216
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils206
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils206
Speed
– with compact wheel217
– with winter tires202
Speed-dependent 
volume154
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit81Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone 
control154
"Sport", active backrest width 
adjustment47
Sport program, refer to 
Dynamic Driving Control62
Sports Wagon
– automatic roll-up cover117
– automatic tailgate 
operation36
– compartments in cargo 
area118
– increasing cargo area117
– opening rear window34
– opening tailgate35
– panorama glass sunroof43
– rear window wiper66
– rear window wiper, changing 
wiper blade211
– releasing fuel filler door in 
event of electrical 
malfunction194
– roll-up cover117
– roll-up cover for cargo 
area117
– self-leveling suspension89
– separation net118
– socket in cargo area116
– storage area package119
– tail lamps, replacing 
bulbs214
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems86
"Star button"53
Star button53
Start/Stop button58
"Start" for stopwatch82
"Start guidance"136,144
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine59
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting220
Starting assistant125
Starting difficulties
– jump starting220
– refer to Special starting 
conditions59 

Refueling
So that you will have important specifications 
available when you stop to refuel, we recom-
mend that you supplement the following tables 
with data which apply to your vehicle. Consult 
the index for individual specifications.Fuel
Engine oil
Tire inflation pressure
Designation
Please enter your preferred fuel here. 
Quality
Summer tires
FrontRearWinter tires
FrontRear
Up to 4 persons
5 persons or 4 plus luggage