Driving tips
123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior and exterior mirrors,
automatic dimming feature*
Two photocells in the interior rearview mirror
control this function. One is integrated into the
mirror's lens, the other is located offset from
this on the rear of the mirror housing.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells
clean and do not cover the area between the
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do
not attach any kind of stickers to the windshield
in front of the mirror either.
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 tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maximum
depth of 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at walk-
ing speed at the most. Otherwise, you run the
risk of damaging the vehicle's engine, electrical
systems, and transmission.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. In situations that require it, it is best
to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless 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.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving in wet conditions and 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 endanger other road users. The heat gener-
ated 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 reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or
steep downhill grades in the gear that requires
the least amount of braking. Otherwise, even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can further enhance the engine's braking
action by selecting a lower gear in the automatic
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches,
refer to page63. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off; otherwise, there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure that must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the rotors is not
reached.
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
157Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
5.Turn the controller until you reach the
desired frequency.
6.Press the controller to save setting.
Using the voice command system:
Updating selection of stations in
receiving range
In the course of longer trips, when you travel
outside the transmission range of the originally
selected stations, you can update the selection
of stations in receiving range.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Choose the selection criterion and press
the controller.
3.Select "MANUAL" and press the controller.
4.Select "AUTOSTORE" and press the con-
troller.
The selection of stations in receiving range is
updated, the frequencies of the stations are dis-
played.
Station scan
You can tune in to stations that are received in
addition to those on the display.
The frequency of the station is displayed in the
bottom status line and also on the Control Dis-
play.
Using buttons in center console
Start station search:
Maintain pressure on the button for sev-
eral seconds.
The station search begins with the currently
selected frequency.
The station search stops as soon as a station is
found.
Using iDrive
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Choose the selection criterion and press
the controller.
3.Select "MANUAL" and press the controller.
4. Select the desired direction and
press the controller.
The station search begins with the currently
selected frequency.
The station search stops as soon as a station is
found. The frequency is shown on the Control
Display. 1.{Radio}.
2.{Frequency 88...107 (Point 1...9)}.
Telephone overview
176
Telephone overview
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a mobile phone
preparation package. After a suitable mobile
phone has been logged onto the vehicle once,
you can operate the mobile phone via iDrive,
via the buttons on the steering wheel, via the
phone keypad and by voice.
A mobile phone that has been logged on once is
automatically detected again with the engine
running or the ignition switched on as soon as
it is in the vehicle interior. The logon data of up
to four mobile phones can be stored simulta-
neously. If several mobile phones are detected
simultaneously, the mobile phone logged on
most recently can be operated via the vehicle.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a mobile phone
cradle, enables the battery to be charged and
the mobile phone to be connected to the exter-
nal antenna of your vehicle. This assures better
network reception and uniform sound quality.
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones
snap-in adapters are offered for.
BMW discourages the use of mobile
phones or other mobile communications
devices inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the
vehicle electronics and mobile communications
device can affect each other. In addition, there
is no assurance that the radiation generated
during transmission will be discharged from the
vehicle interior.<
Avoid operating a mobile phone detected by
the vehicle with the keypad of the mobile
phone; otherwise, malfunctions can occur.The mobile phone can be operated by means
of:
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page11
>Retracting telephone keypad, refer to
page177
>iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
>Voice command system
*, refer to page23,
except for incoming calls
For information on operating your mobile
phone, please consult the separate operating
instructions.
For your safety
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving;
use the hands-free system instead. If you do
not observe this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones
with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the
mobile phone preparation package or which
mobile phones snap-in adapters are available
for. These mobile phones support the functions
described in this Owner's Manual with a certain
software version. Malfunctions can occur with
other mobile phones.
*
BMW Assist
186
BMW Assist
To avoid posing an unnecessary hazard,
both to your own vehicle's occupants and
to other road users, only make entries while the
vehicle is stationary.<
The contract of participation with BMW Assist
and the registration must be completed before
you can use BMW Assist.
Requirements
>Make sure that the vehicle can determine its
current position. Reception is best when
you have an unobstructed view to the sky.
>Leave radio ready state switched on while
connecting to the system.
The position of the vehicle can influence
the mobile communications/GPS recep-
tion. As a rule, mobile communications/GPS
reception is only possible when your vehicle is
out in the open.
When vehicle data is exchanged with the BMW
center, a corresponding message appears on
the Control Display.<
Initializing BMW Assist
To be able to use the services of BMW Assist,
you must first initialize the system.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "BMW Assist".
3.Select "Status" and press the controller.4.Select" BMW Assist" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "INITIALIZE" and press the control-
ler.
The system goes through four phases to estab-
lish the contact with the BMW center and set up
the services you have selected.
The initialization lasts up to 9 minutes. The cur-
rent status appears on the Control Display. If
you bring up another system, the initialization
continues to run in the background.
During initialization, please do not turn off
the system, i.e. leave the ignition
switched on.
The services of BMW Assist can only be dialed
up after initialization.
In order to assure the transmission of data, the
initialization must be carried out while the vehi-
cle is stationary.<
Following initialization, the system changes to
the service overview.
*
Mobility
215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Selector lever in position N. Releasing
shiftlock manually, refer to page64. To
avoid damaging the automatic transmission, do
not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/70 km/h
and a towing distance of 95 miles/150 km.<
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes in public traffic is not permitted.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle to be towed; otherwise,
it will no longer be possible to control vehicle
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be strictly limited in corners.
>When mounted at an angle, the tow bar will
exert lateral forces, tending to push the
vehicle sideways.
Only secure the tow bar on the tow fitting;
otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured on other parts of the vehicle.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the towrope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fitting; oth-
erwise, damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle.<
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result.<
Tow-starting
It is not possible to start the motor by tow start-
ing.
Starting assistance, refer to page213.
Have the cause of the starting difficulties reme-
died.
Reference 225
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off153
– tone control153
– volume153
"AUDIO", DVD changer171
Audio mode152
Automatic
– air distribution104
– air volume104
– cruise control67,69
– headlamp control99
– service notification187
– station storage157
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Assistance getting in
and out52
– tailgate operation33,36
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant100
Automatic car wash, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Automatic climate control
– adjusting temperature105
– AUTO program104
– defrosting windows and
removing condensation106
– maximum cooling106
– rear air conditioner108
– rear refrigerator117
– residual heat106
– settings on Control
Display104
– switching cooling function
on and off manually107
– switching off105
Automatic closing of doors
and trunk lid, refer to
Automatic Soft Close35,36
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic garage door
opener111
Automatic Hold59
– activation/deactivation59
– parking60Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control99
– refer to Daytime running
lamps99
– refer to High-beam
assistant100
– refer to Interior lamps102
– refer to Pathway lighting99
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC105
Automatic soft closing
– doors
35
– luggage compartment lid36
Automatic station search156
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
– buttons on steering
wheel63
– interlock62
– manually releasing trans-
mission lock64
– shiftlock62
– towing214
– tow-starting215
Automatic windshield washer
system65
"AUTO P"
– Automatic Hold activation/
deactivation59
– programmable buttons52
AUTO program, automatic
climate control104
– adjusting intensity104
"Autostore list", radio155
Average fuel consumption77
– setting units84
Average speed77
– setting units84
"Avoid ferries",
navigation142
"Avoid highway",
navigation142
Avoiding tolls142
Avoiding unintentional
alarms38
"Avoid route", navigation146
"Avoid sect.", navigation146
"Avoid tolls", navigation142Axle loads, refer to
Weights220
"A-Z", telephone183
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support
adjustment45
Backrests, refer to Seats,
adjusting44
Backrest width adjustment,
refer to Front comfort seat
adjustment44
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs209
"Balance", balance and
fader154
Bar, refer to Tow bar215
"Bass", Treble and bass153
Battery211
– jump starting213
– switch211
Battery change, remote
control in Comfort
Access39
"BC", computer77
Belts, refer to Safety belts48
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders115
Blower
– refer to Air volume106
– refer to Manually adjusting
air volume108
"BLUETOOTH"181
Bluetooth link, activating/
deactivating180
BMW Assist186
– "BMW Assist"186
– "BMW center"187
– "Customer Relations"188
– "Roadside Assistance"187
BMW Maintenance
System205
BMW Night Vision96
– cleaning camera98
– deactivating97
– making settings97
Reference 229
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DVD changer168
– adjusting picture170
– adjusting volume153
– controls152
– country codes168
– DVD controller169
– fast forward169
– freeze frame170
– opening specific menu171
– playing DVD168
– reverse169
– searching for chapter170
– selecting language171
– selecting picture format170
– selecting subtitles171
– starting168
– tone control153
DVD multimedia changer,
refer to DVD changer168
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC87
Dynamic Drive89
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC87
– indicator lamp13
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC88
– indicator lamp13
E
"EDC"89
EDC Electronic Damping
Control89
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on CD player152
Electrical malfunction
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door192
– glass sunroof, electric42
– luggage compartment lid36
– parking brake60
Electric steering wheel
adjustment52
Electronic brake-force
distribution87Electronic Damping Control
EDC89
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to DSC Dynamic
Stability Control87
Electronic toll collection
device, refer to Entry/pass
tags126
Emergency actuation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door192
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid36
– parking brake60
– transmission lock for
automatic transmission with
Steptronic64
Emergency call178
Emergency release of luggage
compartment lid from inside
the luggage
compartment37
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance187
"Emissions inspection"79
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control/
current fuel consumption77
Energy Control77
Engine
– breaking-in122
– data218
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature76
– speed218
– starting57
– starting difficulties58
– switching off58
Engine compartment202
Engine coolant203Engine oil
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils203
– approved oils203
– checking oil level202
– electronic oil level check202
– filling capacity221
– possible displays203
"Engine oil level O.K."203
"Engine oil level too high"203
Engine output, refer to Engine
specifications218
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature76
Engine speed218
"Enter", navigation134
Entering activation time of
parked car ventilation109
– "Time 1"110
– "Time 2"110
Entering destination
address133
Entering destination town/
city132
Entering house number or
intersection, navigation133
Entering intersection133
Entering name132
Entering street133
"Entertainment", tone
adjustment153
Entertainment sound output
on/off153
Entry/pass tags126
Entry for current position and
destination, refer to Entering
destination manually131
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control77
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control87
Event Data Recorders206
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system122
Everything from A to Z
230 Exterior mirrors50
– adjusting50
– automatic dimming
feature123
– automatic heating51
– folding in and out51
– tilting down passenger-side
mirror51
"Extra"
– rear air conditioning108
– rear refrigerator117
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing cargo125
F
Fader154
"Fader", tone control154
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control80
Failure of an electrical device,
refer to Fuses212
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms38
Fastening safety belts48
"Fastest route",
navigation142
Fast forward
– CD changer166
– CD player163
– DVD changer169
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter107
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit213
First-aid kit213
Fittings for towing and tow
starting214
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight113
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– refer to Changing
wheels209
– refer to Tire condition198
– run-flat tires91,93,199
– spare tire210
– Tire Pressure Monitor91Flat Tire Monitor90
– initializing system90
– limits of system90
– show chains200
– warning lamp91
Flooding, refer to Driving
through water123
Floor coverings, carpet, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Floor mat, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
"FM", radio155
FM waveband155
– High Definition Radio161
Fog lamps101
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely123
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps102
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils203
Fresh air nozzles, refer to
Ventilation107
Front airbags94
Front fog lamps, indicator
lamp11,13
"FTM", Flat Tire Monitor90
Fuel193
– average fuel
consumption77
– gauge76
– quality193
– refer to Average fuel
consumption77
– tank capacity221
Fuel filler door192
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction192
Fuel level, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy Control77
"Full", rear seat screen22
"FULL MENU", DVD
changer171
"Full screen", BMW Night
Vision98
Fuses212
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control111
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
specifications193
Gear changes, refer to
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic62
Gear display, refer to Displays
on Info Display62
"General destination",
navigation135
General driving notes122
Glasses compartment115
Glass sunroof, electric41
– convenience
operation32,34
– moving manually42
Glove compartment113
Grilles, refer to Ventilation107
Gross weight, refer to
Weights220
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake58
– Automatic Hold59
– manual operation59
Hands-free microphone, refer
to Hands-free system177
Hands-free system177
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD", High Definition
Radio161
Head airbags94
Headlamp control,
automatic99
Headlamp cover, care, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Headlamp flasher65
– indicator lamp13
Headlamps99
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure