
Things to remember when driving
114
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one 
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues 
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 Gearbox
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the 
break-in period, refer to page64.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full 
traction potential until after an initial break-in 
period. It is therefore important to drive reserv-
edly 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
Only drive with the luggage compartment 
lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust 
can penetrate into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows and the glass 
sunroof.
Convertible: with closed top, close all win-
dows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic 
climate control to a high level, refer to 
page102.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated in 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.< 

Driving tips
 115Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
Mobile communications devices in 
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munications devices, e.g. mobile phones, 
inside the vehicle without a direct connection 
to an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle 
electronics and mobile communications device 
can interfere with one another. In addition, there 
is no assurance that the radiation emitted dur-
ing transmission will be conveyed out of the 
vehicle interior.<
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, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page187.
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 
vehicle's engine, electrical systems and trans-
mission 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 Gearbox
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold 
the vehicle on a hill by applying the throt-
tle, but engage 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 at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to 
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
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 driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is 
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake 
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions 
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger 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 thus reduced 
efficiency of the brake system, downshift 
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or  

Wheels and tires
188
Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire.
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires and 
special rims. The sidewall reinforcement 
ensures that the tire retains some residual 
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving 
remains possible to a restricted degree.
For continued driving with damaged tires, refer 
to Indication of a flat tire, page89.
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted 
by a BMW center or a repair shop that 
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and 
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this 
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger 
of damage and associated safety risks. Make 
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of 
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety 
may be reduced. Potentially substantial varia-
tions in the design and the age of the carcasses 
can result in a reduced 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 find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is 
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS 
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a tire is 
damaged, always remember to have the original 
wheel and tire combination remounted on the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for 
each tire size. You can recognize these from the 
clearly visible BMW marking on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest 
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Run-flat tires
When installing new tires or when changing 
from summer tires to winter tires, for your own 
safety, use run-flat tires. No spare wheel is pro-
vided in the event of a flat. 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.< 

Mobility
 197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is located in the luggage 
compartment under the floor mat.
Wiper blade replacement
1.Fold the wiper arm out and grasp it firmly.
2.Press the locking tabs together while slid-
ing the wiper blade toward the front to dis-
engage it.
3.Insert the new wiper blade and slide it in 
until it audibly clicks into place.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to driving safety. You must be duly diligent 
in replacing them. If you are not familiar with the 
specified procedures, have the corresponding 
work carried out at your BMW center.Never touch the glass on new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean cloth, napkin, etc., or hold the bulb by its 
metal socket.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW center.
Whenever you perform any work on the 
electrical system, turn off the electrical 
devices involved to prevent short circuits from 
occurring.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage 
when replacing bulbs, follow any instructions 
provided by the bulb manufacturer.<
When performing maintenance on the head-
lamps, follow the instructions in the separate 
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
In the case of bulbs whose replacement 
is not described, please consult your 
BMW center.<
Xenon lamps
The service life of these lamps is very long and 
the probability of a failure is very low, provided 
that they are not switched on and off an unusual 
number of times. In the unlikely event that one 
of these lamps should fail, you can continue 
driving under poor visibility conditions by 
switching on your fog lamps and proceeding 
carefully, where allowed by law.
Have work on the xenon lighting system, 
including bulb changes, carried out only 
by a BMW center. Due to the high voltage 
involved, there is a danger to life and limb when 
work is carried out improperly.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp 
aim, please contact your BMW center.< 

Mobility
 203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
First-aid kit*
The first-aid kit is located in the filler element of 
the rear seat backrest.
1.Press the button downward and pull the 
filler element forward.
2.Take out first-aid kit.
To refit the filler element, insert the two 
bottom tabs into the strip and press the 
filler element back into place. Make sure that 
you do not damage the rear seat upholstery.<
Some of the articles contained in the first-aid kit 
have a limited service life. For this reason, check 
the expiration dates of each of the items regu-
larly and replace any whose expiration dates 
have passed.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group 
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, including on weekends 
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
BMW Contact directory.In the case of vehicles with BMW Assist or 
TeleService, you can contact the Roadside 
Assistance of the BMW Group for assistance in 
the event of a breakdown directly via iDrive, 
refer to page176.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use 
two jumper cables to start your BMW with 
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You 
can also use the same method to help start 
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with 
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury, 
always avoid all contact with electrical 
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to 
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to 
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparing
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 vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Switch off all electrical accessories in both 
vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise, 
there is a danger of short circuiting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, 
follow this sequence when connecting 
jumper cables.<
In your BMW, the so-called auxiliary terminal 
for jump starting in the engine compartment 
serves as a positive terminal for the battery, also 
refer to engine compartment overview on 
page191. The cover is marked with a +. 

 217Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display 
texts used to select 
individual functions, and 
indicates where to find them 
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control67
Acceleration assistant with 
SMG64
Accessories6
Activated-charcoal filter104
Activating hour signal83
"Activation time" for parked 
car ventilation104
Active cruise control67
– Indicator lamp70
– radar sensor71
– selecting distance69
– warning lamps71
Active steering90
– warning lamp90
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to 
Brake force display90
Adaptive Head Light97
"Add digits" for mobile 
phone168
"Address book" for 
navigation128
Address for navigation
– deleting129
– entering121,124
– selecting129
– storing128
– storing current position128
"Add to address book"128"Add to destination 
list"124,125
Adjusting confirmation signals 
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the thigh support48
Adjusting tone in audio mode, 
refer to Tone control141
"After opening door"50
"After unlocking"50
Airbags90
– deactivating, refer to 
Exception for front 
passenger's seat56
– sitting safely47
– warning lamp92
Air distribution
– automatic101
– manual102
Airing, refer to Ventilation103
Air recirculation, refer to AUC 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control103
"Air recirculation on / off"54
Air vents, refer to 
Ventilation103
Air volume102
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications183
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion 
sensor36
– tilt alarm sensor36
All around the center 
console14
All around the steering 
wheel10
"All channels"150"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires189
"All stations" on the radio, 
selecting144,147
Alterations, technical, refer to 
For your own safety6
"AM", reception 
range140,144
Antenna for mobile phone162
Antifreeze
– coolant193
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System 
ABS86
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system, refer to 
Central locking system29
Anti-trapping mechanism
– glass sunroof40
– power windows39
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights210
Approved engine oils192
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights210
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest108
Arrival time
– refer to Computer76
– refer to Starting destination 
guidance132
"Arrow display" during 
Navigation133
Ashtray109
Assist, refer to 
BMW Assist174
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems86
Assistance window20 

Reference 219
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Brake pads194
– breaking-in114
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System86
– brake fluid193
– brake force display90
– brake pads194
– breaking-in114
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control86
– handbrake60
Brake system114
– brake fluid level193
– brake pads114,194
– brake rotors116
– breaking-in114
– warning lamp13,193
Brake wear warning
– brake pads194
– warning lamp194
Braking
– electronic brake-force 
distribution86
– refer to Braking safely115
Braking safely115
Breakdown assistance176
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance203
Breaking-in114
Breaking-in the clutch114
Breaking-in the 
differential114
"Brightness"83,94
Brightness of Control 
Display83
Button for starting engine58
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections136
C
California law
– Event Data Recorders196
California Proposition 
65 Warning6
"Call"168Call
– accepting166
– displaying accepted168
– ending167
– in absence168
– starting167
Calling
– from phone book167
– from Top 8 list168
– redialing168
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders109
Capacity of luggage 
compartment210
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery200
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car data"76
Care196
– refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo loading
– securing cargo117
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle116
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochureCar key, refer to Keys/remote 
control28
Car phone162
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest108
– refer to Mobile phone162
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio144
Car wash116
– refer to Before driving into a 
car wash116
– refer to the Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access37
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system114
"Categories"151
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control86
CBS Condition Based 
Service195
"CD"140,153
CD changer153
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse157
– installation location157
– playing a track155
– random play sequence156
– repeating a track156
– selecting a CD153
– selecting a track154
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
CD player153
– controls140
– fast forward/reverse157
– playing a track155
– random play sequence156
– repeating a track156
– selecting a track154
– switching on/off140
– tone control141
– volume141
Center armrest, adjusting 
height108 

Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Rotary fuel controller, refer to 
iDrive16
Route130
– bypassing sections136
– changing130,136
– display133
– displaying arrow display133
– displaying map133
– displaying towns/cities and 
streets134
– list134
– selecting130
– selecting criteria130
Route map, refer to Map 
view133
"Route preference", 
changing130
Route selection130
Run-flat tires188
– continuing driving with a 
damaged tire89
– flat tire89
– tire inflation pressure184
– tire replacement188
– winter tires188
S
Safety belts51
– damage52
– indicator lamp52
– sitting safely47
Safety belt tensioners, refer to 
Safety belts51
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System86
– airbags90
– DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control86
– rollover protection system, 
Convertible92
– safety belts51
Satellite radio149
– enabling channels150
– selecting channel150
– storing channel150
"SAT" on the radio140,150"Save current 
destination"130
"Scan"
– playing a music track155
– playing stations145
Scan
– CD changer155
– CD player155
– radio145
"Scan all" in audio mode155
"Scan directory" in audio 
mode155
Screw thread for tow 
fitting205
SDARS, refer to Satellite 
radio149
Seats48
– adjusting48
– heating52
– lumbar support48
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror 
and steering wheel 
memory49
– sitting safely47
– sports seat48
– storing the setting49
– thigh support48
Securing cargo117
– ski bag111
Securing load, refer to 
Securing cargo117
– ski bag111
"Select as destination"127
"Select current speed"81
Selecting audio sources, refer 
to Operating via iDrive140
Selecting distance for active 
cruise control69
Selecting frequency 
manually145
Selecting menu items19
Selecting new scale for 
navigation system 
display134
Selecting route130
Selection options with 
navigation system130Selector lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– manual transmission60
– SMG Sequential Manual 
Gearbox61
Selector lever interlock, refer 
to Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– SMG Sequential Manual 
Gearbox61
Sequential Manual Gearbox 
SMG61
"Service"77,175,191
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance203
Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US 
models195
Service interval display, refer 
to Service requirements77
"Service notification"175
"Service Request"176,178
"Service 
requirements"78,175,192
Service requirements77
– also refer to CBS Condition 
Based Service195
"Service Status"175
"Set date"83
"Set" in audio mode140
"Set" in trip computer77
"Set service date"78
"Set time"82
Settings
– changing on Control 
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode83
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit81
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time104
"Set tire pressure"89