
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Display for active cruise control
*70
5Tachometer74
6Engine oil thermometer75
7Display for
>Time/date74
>Outside temperature74
>Indicator and warning lamps79
>Speed for cruise control67
>Desired speed for active cruise 
control
*708Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer74
>Computer75
>Date and remaining distance to be 
driven for service requirements77
>Automatic transmission 
with Steptronic
*62
>SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox
*61
>Dynamic Driving Control64
>High-beam assistant
*97
> Check Control message present79
9Fuel gauge75
10Resetting trip odometer74 

Controls
 59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms; 
otherwise, the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause unconsciousness and death. 
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, 
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
engage the handbrake and move the selector-
lever into position P or shift into neutral before 
leaving the vehicle with the engine running.<
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Manual transmission
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and select the 
idling position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine 
starts.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-ically disengaging it as soon as the engine 
starts.
SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox*
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Move the selector lever into position N and 
make sure that this position is also indi-
cated in the instrument cluster.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine 
starts.
If the engine fails to start, depress the 
brake pedal and press the selector lever 
to the right and then back into position N. 
Watch the display in the instrument cluster 
while doing so.<
Special starting conditions
Depress the accelerator pedal halfway when 
starting the engine in the following situations:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt, 
e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low tempera-
tures below approx. + 57/– 156 and at 
high altitudes over approx. 3,300 ft/
1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned at all or is burned inadequately and 
there is a danger of overheating and damage to 
the catalytic converter.<
Switching engine off
Do not remove the remote control from 
the ignition lock while the vehicle is roll-
ing; otherwise, the steering wheel lock would 
engage while steering.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you.
When parking on a downhill slope, apply the 
handbrake; otherwise, the vehicle could roll.< 

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.< 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
Press the gearshift lever to the left, overcoming 
a slight resistance.
The backup lamps switch on automatically with 
the ignition switched on.
SMG Sequential Manual 
Gearbox*
The concept
The SMG Sequential Manual Gearbox is an 
automated manual transmission in which an 
electrohydraulic system handles the clutching 
and gear changes.
You operate the SMG using the selector-lever 
in the center console and two shift paddles on 
the steering wheel.
It offers the following functions:
>Choice of manual or automatic mode: 
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Choice of two drive programs: Normal or 
Sport, refer to Dynamic Driving Control 
page64
>Automatic downshifting and protection 
against incorrect shifting even in sequential 
operation
>Acceleration assistant, refer to page64.
Selector-lever positions
The current selector-lever position is displayed 
in the center console.
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral, idle>One-touch functions for Sequential mode:
+: manual upshifting
–: manual downshifting
>D: activate/deactivate the Drive mode
The transmission automatically shifts 
into N if the driver's door is opened with 
the engine running and neither the pedals, the 
shift paddles nor the selector-lever are oper-
ated.
This is indicated by an acoustic signal and the 
flashing display N in the instrument cluster.<
Gear display
R N 1 to 6
The currently engaged gear is displayed pre-
ceded by a D in Drive mode.
This display is your only way to be sure 
the desired selector lever position is actu-
ally engaged.<
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N; 
the shift command will not be executed unless 
the brake is applied.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
Sequential mode
After every engine start, as soon as the selector 
lever is pushed to the right and the brake pedal 
is pressed, the Sequential mode is activated.
You can shift up and down using the shifting 
paddles or the selector-lever. You do not need 
to remove your foot from the accelerator to 
do so. 

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 

Practical interior accessories
106
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote 
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control 
replaces up to three different hand-held trans-
mitters for various items of radio-controlled 
equipment such as door openers and house 
alarm systems. The integrated universal remote 
control registers and stores signals from the 
original hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter 
can be programmed on one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. Then with the ignition switched 
on, this programmed memory button 1 can be 
used to operate the respective feature. The 
LED2 flashes to confirm transmission of the 
signal.
If you sell your vehicle one day, delete the saved 
programs beforehand for your own security, 
refer to page107.
To prevent possible damage or injury, 
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always inspect 
the immediate area to make certain that no peo-
ple, animals or objects are within the travel 
range of the device. Also, comply with the 
safety precautions of the original hand-held 
transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging 
or in the manual supplied with the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter, it is safe to 
assume that it is compatible with the integrated 
universal remote control.
If you have additional questions, please 
contact your BMW center or call: 
1-800-355-3515.
Information is also provided on the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com.HomeLink is a registered trademark of Johnson 
Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory buttons
2LED
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1.Switch on ignition, refer to page58.
2.When using for the first time: Press both 
outer memory buttons1 for approx. 20 sec-
onds until the LED2 flashes. all stored pro-
grams are deleted.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a 
distance of approx. 2 in/5 cm to 8 in/20 cm 
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the particular 
system of the original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit key on 
the original hand-held transmitter and the 
desired memory button 1 on the integrated 
universal remote control. The LED 2 flashes 
slowly at first. As soon as the LED2 flashes 
rapidly, release both buttons. If the LED2 
does not flash rapidly after approx. 15 sec-
onds, alter the distance.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4. 

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.<