
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
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 tips
 115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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  

Everything from A to Z
222 Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC86
Dynamic Drive88
Dynamic Driving Control64
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC86
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC87
E
Easy entry, refer to Getting in 
back51
Easy entry/exit53
EBV, refer to Electronic brake-
force distribution86
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on CD player140
Electrical malfunction
– convertible top43
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door182
– glass sunroof41
– luggage compartment lid34
– storage compartment, hotel 
function33
Electric steering wheel 
adjustment53
Electronic brake-force 
distribution86
Electronic oil level check191
Emergency assistance, refer 
to Roadside Assistance203
Emergency call202
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– convertible top43
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door182
– glass sunroof41
– hotel function33
– luggage compartment lid34
– selector lever interlock, 
automatic transmission63Emergency release for 
luggage compartment lid in 
luggage compartment34
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance203
"Emission inspect."78
"Enable services"175
"End call"167
Engine
– breaking-in114
– data210
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature74
– speed210
– starting59
– starting, comfort access36
– starting difficulties59
– switching off59
– switching off when equipped 
with Automatic transmission 
with comfort access37
Engine compartment191
Engine coolant193
Engine oil
– additives192
– approved oils192
– electronic oil level check191
– recommended oils192
– temperature75
– temperature gauge75
– topping off192
"Engine oil level"192
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data210
Engine overheating, refer to 
Coolant temperature74
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
specifications210
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine59
"Enter address"122,128
Entering address121,124
Entering destination via town/
city name122
Entering intersection123
Entering town/city for 
navigation122Entering zip code for 
navigation123
"Entertainment"140
"Entertainment 
settings"141,148
Entertainment sound output 
on/off141
Entry map for destination125
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control143
"Equalizer", tone control143
"ESN"150
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control86
Event Data Recorders196
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system114
Exterior mirrors52
– automatic dimming 
feature53
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out52
– tilting down passenger-side 
mirror53
Eye for tow-starting and 
towing, refer to Tow 
fitting204
Eyes for lashing, refer to 
Securing cargo117
F
"Fader", refer to Tone 
control142
Fader, refer to Tone 
control142
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control79
False alarms, refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms36
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts51
Fastest route for 
navigation130