
Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating DTC
Select "DTC" again and press the controller. 
The LED on the Control Display and the DTC 
indicator lamp on the Info Display go out.
Dynamic Drive
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and 
evasive maneuvers.
Active stabilizers at the front and rear axles form 
the basis for Dynamic Drive. Suspension com-
pliance adapts to suit driving conditions, vary-
ing from performance-oriented during corner-
ing to smooth and comfort-oriented when the 
vehicle is traveling in a straight line. During vehi-
cle 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 Info Display. 
A malfunction has occurred in the 
Dynamic Drive system. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
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 Check Control message stating that you 
should stop is displayed, stop at a suitable loca-
tion and switch off the engine as soon as possi-
ble. In this case, the oil level in the reservoir may 
have dropped below the minimum, possibly 
owing to a leak in the hydraulic system. 
Do not continue driving, but instead contact 
your BMW center.<
Self-leveling suspension*
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message 
is shown on the Info Display. 
A malfunction has occurred in the level control 
system. 
Stop driving and check the vehicle:
>The vehicle is considerably lower at the rear 
than at the front, possibly also on one side, 
at the rear left compared to the rear right.
>The ground clearance is reduced or the 
driving comfort is noticeably reduced.
>The position of the vehicle is normal, but a 
malfunction is indicated.
Drive to the nearest BMW center or a workshop 
that works in accordance with BMW guidelines 
and uses appropriately trained personnel. Drive 
with appropriate caution in the meantime.
EDC Electronic Damping 
Control*
If the influencing variables such as road surface 
quality or operating conditions such as steer-
ing, braking etc. change, the damping automat-
ically adjusts to the new conditions.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "EDC" and press the controller. 

Lamps
100
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables dynamic illumina-
tion of the road surface. Depending on the 
steering angle and other parameters, the light 
from the headlamp follows the course of the 
road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In switch position3, the Adaptive Head Light is 
activated and Automatic headlamp control is 
switched on.
In order not to blind oncoming traffic, the Adap-
tive Head Light is not active when driving in 
reverse and only points toward the passenger 
side when the vehicle is stationary.
Malfunction
The LED above the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is 
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left and right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking:After parking the vehicle, press the lever in the 
desired direction3, past the resistance point.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time; otherwise, it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off again. A sensor on the front of 
the inside rearview mirror controls this process. 
The assistant ensures that the high beams are 
switched on whenever the traffic situation 
allows. This reduces the strain on you while at 
the same time providing you with the best pos-
sible visibility. Of course, you can intervene at 
any time and switch the high beams on and off 
in the accustomed manner.
Activating high-beam assistant
1.Turn the light switch to switch position3, 
refer to page99.
2.Press the turn signal lever in the high beam 
direction with the low beams switched on.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the high-beam 
assistant is activated. The assistant 
automatically switches between high and low 
beams, whereby the system reacts to oncom-
ing traffic and traffic ahead, as well as to suffi-
cient lighting, e.g. towns/cities. 

Controls
 111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote 
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control can 
replace as many as three hand-held transmit-
ters for various remote-controlled accessories, 
such as door openers and house alarm sys-
tems. 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 into one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. Then the respective devices can 
be actuated using the programmed memory 
buttons. The LED2 flashes to confirm trans-
mission of the signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to 
delete the stored programs beforehand for your 
security, refer to page112.
To prevent possible damage or injury, 
during programming or before each use 
of the programmed device by the integrated 
universal remote control, always inspect the 
immediate area to make certain that no people, 
animals or objects are within the swiveling and 
movement 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 the ignition.
2.When using for the first time: press both 
outer buttons1 for approx. 20 seconds, 
maintaining pressure until the LED2 starts 
to flash. The three memory buttons1 are 
cleared.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a 
distance of approx. 2in/5cm to 8in/20cm 
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and memory 
buttons1 depends on the relevant system 
of the original hand-held transmitter used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit button 
on the original hand-held transmitter and 
the desired memory button1 of the inte-
grated universal remote control. The LED2 
flashes slowly at first. As soon as the LED2 
flashes rapidly, release both buttons. If the 
LED2 does not flash rapidly after approx. 
15 seconds, alter the distance.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding memory button1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
You can operate the system when the engine is 
running or when the ignition is switched on. 

Under the hood
202
Engine compartment
1Brake fluid reservoir, located beneath the 
microfilter cover204
2Reservoir for windshield and headlamp 
washer system663Engine oil filler neck, refer to Adding engine 
oil
4Body ground, negative terminal213
5Coolant expansion tank204
6Jump starting terminal214
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption depends on driving 
style and driving conditions.
Checking oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level control.
To obtain the most accurate possible oil level 
reading, the measurement should be taken 
when the engine is at operating temperature, 
i.e. following an uninterrupted drive of at least 
6 miles/10 km. You can display the oil level 
while driving or when stopped on a level surface 
with the engine running.
The current oil level can be viewed on the Con-
trol Display.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".
3.Select   and press the controller.
The oil level is displayed.
Turn the controller to exit the list. 

Mobility
 203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Possible displays
>"Update of engine oil level in process".
>"Engine oil level O.K.".
>"Oil level at minimum! Add 1 quart engine 
oil": Add a maximum of 1 quart/1 liter of 
engine oil at the earliest opportunity, refer 
to Adding engine oil.
>"Oil level under min.! Add 1 quart engine 
oil": Add a maximum of 1 quart/1 liter of 
engine oil at the earliest opportunity, refer 
to Adding engine oil.
>"Engine oil level too high".
Have vehicle checked immediately; 
otherwise, overfilled oil can lead to 
engine damage.<
>"No measurement possible at this time".
Adding engine oil
Do not add oil until a Check Control message 
appears.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km; 
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oil, grease, etc. out of reach of chil-
dren and heed warnings on the contain-
ers to avoid health risks.<
Oil changing
Only have an oil change carried out by a BMW 
center or a repair shop that works in accordance 
with BMW guidelines and uses appropriately 
trained personnel.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical 
significance for the operation and service life of an engine. BMW continuously approves spe-
cific engine oils after confirming their suitability 
for use in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Use only approved BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil.
If BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is 
unavailable, you can add small quantities of 
other synthetic oils between oil changes. Use 
only oils of the specification API SH or higher.
Your BMW center will be happy to answer 
detailed questions on BMW High Perfor-
mance Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic 
oils.<
You can also call BMW of North America at 
1-800-831-1117 or visit the website at 
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Never use oil additives as they can dam-
age your engine under some circum-
stances.<
Viscosity grades
The viscosity is a measure of the thickness of 
the oil and is specified in SAE grades.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on 
the climatic conditions in the region in which 
you normally drive your BMW.
Approved oils belong to the SAE grades 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside 
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not open the cooling system when the 
engine is hot. Escaping coolant can cause 
burns.<
Coolant consists of water and supplemental 
antifreeze and anticorrosion agents. Not all 
commercially available additives are suitable for 
your BMW. Ask your BMW center for suitable 
additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, 
engine damage may result. The additives 
present a health hazard; observe the instruc-
tions on the containers.< 

Under the hood
204 Always observe all applicable environ-
mental laws and regulations when dis-
posing of used coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.The engine must be at ambient tempera-
ture.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank counter-
clockwise to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning to 
open.
3.The coolant level is correct when the cool-
ant extends to between the MIN and MAX 
marks on the filler neck, refer to the diagram 
adjacent to the filler neck.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level – do not overfill.
5.Twist closed the cap and tighten firmly.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible.
Brake system
Malfunction
Brake fluid
The warning lamp lights up and a mes-
sage is shown on the Info Display: stop 
immediately.
The brake fluid in the reservoir has fallen to 
below the minimum level. At the same time, a 
considerably longer brake pedal travel may be 
noticeable. Have the system checked immedi-
ately.Warning lamp on Canadian models
During continued driving increased brake 
pedal travel may be necessary, and con-
siderably longer braking distances may result. 
Please adapt your driving style accordingly.<
Brake pads
For messages and indicator lamps on the Info 
Display, refer to page80.
For your own safety: use only brake pads 
that BMW has approved for your particu-
lar vehicle model. As BMW cannot assess the 
suitability of other brake pads for use on your 
vehicle, we are unable to assume continued 
responsibility for the vehicle's operating safety 
if non-approved pads are installed.< 

Mobility
 205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
The BMW Maintenance 
System
The BMW Maintenance System serves to 
retain the operating and road safety of your 
BMW. The service schedule also includes oper-
ations related to the vehicle's comfort and con-
venience features, such as replacement of the 
filters for the inside air. The aim is to optimize 
maintenance procedures with a view to reduc-
ing the cost of running the vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer 
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. As a result, Condition Based Service 
determines the current and future maintenance 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system forms 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can have the remaining times or distances 
to selected maintenance requirements as well 
as legally required deadlines displayed on the 
Control Display, refer to page78:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, separate for front and rear
>Microfilter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally prescribed inspections depending 
on national regulations
Your vehicle stores this information continu-
ously in the ignition key while the vehicle is 
being driven. After accessing the data stored in 
the vehicle key, your BMW Service Advisor can 
suggest precisely the right array of service pro-
cedures for your own individual vehicle. This is 
why it is important when you take your vehicle in 
for service to give the BMW Service Advisor the 
last remote control you used for driving.
Storage periods with the battery discon-
nected are not taken into account by the 
CBS maintenance system. Have the time-
dependent service and maintenance opera-
tions, such as brake fluid and coolant, and if 
necessary engine oil and the micro/activated 
charcoal filter, updated by a BMW center.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Maintenance
206
Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's 
side, on the underside of the instrument panel 
under a cover.
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. The emis-
sions values are deteriorating. Have the 
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
Under certain circumstances, the warning lamp 
will flash. This is a sign of excessive misfiring of 
the engine. In this case you should reduce 
speed and drive to the nearest BMW center as 
soon as possible. Serious engine misfiring, 
even for only a short period of time, can seri-
ously damage emission control components, 
especially the catalytic converter.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the 
vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light up. If 
the cap is then tightened, the display must go 
out within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with a 
device for recording or transmitting certain 
vehicle data or information. If you have also 
signed a contract of participation for BMW 
Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted 
or recorded to enable corresponding services.
Care
You can find useful information on caring for 
your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.