
 7Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication 
thoroughly.
Your BMW is covered by the following warran-
ties:
>New Vehicle Limited Warranty
>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
>Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty
>Federal Emissions Performance Warranty
>California Emission Control System Limited 
Warranty
Detailed information about these warranties is 
listed in the Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Reporting safety defects
For U.S. customers
The following applies only to vehicles owned 
and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect 
which could cause a crash or could cause injury 
or death, you should immediately inform the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
(NHTSA) in addition to notifying BMW of North 
America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, Westwood, New 
Jersey 07675-1227, Telephone (800) 831-
1117.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may 
open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety 
defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order 
a recall and remedy campaign. However, 
NHTSA cannot become involved in individual 
problems between you and your dealer or BMW 
of North America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle 
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-327-4236 
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to 
http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Adminis-
trator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain 
other information about motor vehicle safety 
from http://www.safercar.gov
For Canadian customers
Canadian customers who wish to report a 
safety-related defect to Transport Canada, 
Defect Investigations and Recalls, may tele-
phone the toll free hotline 1-800-333-0510, 
or contact Transport Canada by mail at: Trans-
port Canada, ASFAD, Place de Ville Tower C, 
330 Sparks Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0N5. 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Convertible: the windows and the convert-
ible top are opened.
Watch the convertible top during the 
opening process to be sure that no 
one is injured. Releasing the button stops 
the operation.<
Locking doors
Press the   button.
Switching on interior lamps
If the vehicle is locked, press the   button.
You can also use this function to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Panic mode*
You can also trigger the alarm system in case of 
danger:
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off alarm: press any button.
Opening luggage compartment lid
Press the   button for approx. 1 second.
The luggage compartment lid opens, regard-
less of whether it was previously locked or 
unlocked.
A previously locked luggage compart-
ment lid is also locked again after closing.
Coupe: during opening, the luggage compart-
ment lid pivots back and up. Make sure there is 
sufficient clearance.<
Setting confirmation signals
You can set confirmation signals to acknowl-
edge the locking and unlocking of the vehicle.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Door locks" and press the control-
ler.5.Select "Confirmation" and press the con-
troller.
6.Select the desired signal.
7.Press the controller.
 The signals are switched on.
Malfunctions
Local radio waves can disrupt the function of 
the remote control.
Should the remote control fail to operate owing 
to interference of this kind, unlock and lock the 
vehicle via the door lock using the key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle 
using the remote control, then the battery is 
discharged. Use this remote control during an 
extended drive; this will recharge the battery, 
refer to page28.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
LX8CAS2
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and 

Controls
 39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Together
1.Briefly press button1:
The LEDs in the button1 and the switch2 
light up for approx. 10 seconds.
2.Press switch 2:
>Down to the resistance point:
All windows, including the rear window, 
continue to open as long as you press 
the switch.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
All windows open automatically. Press-
ing the switch again stops the opening 
movement.
Briefly press button 1 again to deactivate the 
function. The LEDs go out.
Rear window
1.Briefly press button1:
The LEDs in the button1 and the switch2 
light up for approx. 10 seconds.
2.Press switch 2:
>Down to the resistance point:
The rear window continues to open for 
as long as you hold down the switch.You can close the rear window in the 
same manner by pulling the switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The rear window opens automatically. 
Pressing the switch again stops the 
opening movement.
Briefly press button 1 again to deactivate the 
function. The LEDs go out.
The rear window opens and closes auto-
matically when you open or close the con-
vertible top.<
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the 
remote control removed or the ignition 
switched off for approx. 1 minute, but in the 
Convertible, this is only true as long as no door 
has been opened.
For information on using the convenience oper-
ation mode at the door lock or with the remote 
control, refer to page30 or32.
For information on comfort closing with comfort 
access, refer to Locking doors on page37.
Anti-trapping mechanism
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined 
threshold during closing, the system will imme-
diately stop moving the window prior to lower-
ing it slightly.
Convertible: the rear side windows and 
rear window are not equipped with an 
anti-trapping mechanism.<
Despite the anti-trapping mechanism, 
you should inspect the travel path of the 
front side window prior to closing it, as the 
safety feature could fail to detect certain kinds 
of obstructions, such as very thin objects, and 
the window would continue closing.
Pulling the switch beyond the resistance point 
and holding it limits the response of the anti-
trapping mechanism. In this case, the window 
will respond to forces beyond a defined thresh-
old by opening only slightly.
If you pull the switch past the resistance point 
again within approx. 4 seconds and hold it there,  

Driving
60
Manual transmission
1.Briefly press the Start/Stop button with the 
vehicle stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Apply the handbrake.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Move selector lever into a drive position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
If the transmission is in N when the engine is 
switched off, you will be given an optical and 
acoustic reminder.
Automatic transmission*
1.Move the selector lever into position P with 
the vehicle stopped.
2.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The 
handbrake is engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upward, press the button and lower 
the lever.
If it becomes necessary under special cir-
cumstances to use the handbrake while 
driving, it must not be pulled too sharply. In 
doing so, continuously press the button of the 
handbrake lever. Otherwise strong application 
of the handbrake can lead to overbraking of the 
rear axle and associated 'fishtailing' of the vehi-
cle rear end.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if traffic conditions permit.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is engaged.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the 
selector-lever toward the right, otherwise 
an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could 
lead to engine damage.< 

Driving
62 It is also possible to start off in second gear, e. g. 
in slippery conditions.
In the following situations, SMG does the think-
ing for you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for 
example, the system will not execute a 
downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev.
>When the vehicle is stationary, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into first 
gear.
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion downshifts automatically even without 
your intervention.
D Drive mode
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted 
automatically.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode: 
Briefly press the selector-lever to the right 
toward D.
Kick-down: for rapid acceleration, e.g. passing, 
press the accelerator pedal as far down as it will 
go. You achieve maximum acceleration.
To switch back to the Sequential mode: press 
selector-lever to the right again toward D or 
shift using the shifting paddles or the selector-
lever.
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 region of the 
transmission.<
Gear changes
Using selector-lever
>To upshift, pull the selector-lever back.
>To downshift, push the selector-lever for-
ward.
Using shift paddles on steering wheel
>To shift up, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down, press.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can 
also shift manually with Steptronic, refer to 
page63.
Selector-lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector-lever position is indicated, and in 
manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector-lever positions
>Only move the selector-lever from 
position P with the engine running: inter-
lock.
>With the vehicle stopped, press the brake 
before shifting out of P or N; otherwise, the 
selector lever is blocked: shiftlock. 

Driving
68 fares. Especially on longer trips, the system can 
reduce fatigue and tension, while increasing 
your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely 
and responsibly.
In addition to maintaining a steady cruising 
speed, active cruise control will, within the 
scope of given possibilities, adjust your vehi-
cle's speed automatically if you encounter 
slower vehicles ahead, thus allowing you to flow 
with the traffic without having to make frequent 
interventions. For example, if, while cruising at 
the selected speed, you begin to approach a 
slower vehicle ahead of you in the same lane, 
the system will reduce your vehicle's speed to 
the same as that of the vehicle ahead to main-
tain your selected distance setting between 
your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. You can 
vary the distance, which is also speed-depen-
dent. Based on your selected distance setting, 
the system automatically decreases the throttle 
setting and lightly applies the brakes if neces-
sary. The vehicle brake lamps will automatically 
illuminate to signal a following driver to take 
action. In addition, it may be necessary for the 
vehicle or the driver to downshift, depending on 
the kind of transmission your vehicle is 
equipped with, to maintain the distance setting 
selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or 
when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected by increasing the throttle setting and 
shifting gears automatically or with the aid of 
the driver as needed. Your selected speed will 
be maintained when driving downhill, too.
Active cruise control is not and must not 
be used as a collision avoidance/warning 
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is 
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems 
which you may be accustomed to, you are 
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating 
to this system before use. Pay special attention 
to the information contained in the Things to 
know about active cruise control section begin-
ning on page71.<
Professional* navigation system
If there is a navigation DVD in the player, refer to 
page120, then the system adapts the acceler-
ation and deceleration behavior of the vehicle to 
the road on which you are currently driving.
The influence exerted by the navigation system 
is canceled when the vehicle position is 
unknown, e.g. when it has left the mapped 
region.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears with the cruise control acti-
vated. If you drive for extended periods at very 
high or very low engine speeds, then a shifting 
command is issued or the system is deacti-
vated.
SMG
If you drive for extended periods at very high 
engine speeds in Sequential mode, then a shift-
ing command is issued or the system is deacti-
vated.
In the Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to an 
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page70
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page70
5Select following distance to vehicle ahead, 
refer to page69 

Climate
104
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air in your direction, for instance, if the interior 
has become too warm, etc.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and is not directed straight at you.
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 have more detailed information shown 
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 uses.
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 system is operated 
via iDrive.
Switching on and off directly
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open 
"Climate".
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 principle details, refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open 
"Climate".
3.Select "Parked car operation" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Activation time" and press the con-
troller. 

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.<