
Driving
58
Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the gas pedal 
halfway down when starting:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt, 
for instance if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is being started at extremely low 
temperatures below + 57/– 156, or at 
high altitudes above 3,281 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starts in rapid succession 
or repeated starting attempts in which the 
engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
either left unspent or is insufficiently burned 
and there is a risk of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter.<
Switching off engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you.<
With the vehicle stationary, briefly press the 
Start/Stop button. Radio ready state is switched 
on.
The transmission automatically shifts to 
position P: interlock.
Before driving into a car wash
The transmission remains in position N and the 
vehicle can roll when you perform the following 
sequence:
1.With Comfort Access: insert remote control 
into ignition lock.
2.With the engine running, shift transmission 
into position N.
3.Switch engine off.
4.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
The transmission will shift into position P:
>automatically after approx. 30 minutes
>if you remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Observe the messages on the Info Display.
Removing remote control from ignition 
lock
Press in the remote control briefly; it pops part-
way out. This procedure will also switch off the 
ignition if it is on.
Comfort function
To switch off the engine when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, press the Start/Stop button for longer 
than approx. 2 seconds. The remote control 
pops partway out.
Parking brake
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with an electromechan-
ical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked.
You can use the parking brake in two ways:
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, by activating the Automatic 
Hold mode, refer to page59.
An electrohydraulic mechanism then engages 
the parking brake to prevent the rear wheels 
from turning whenever you switch off the 
engine. 
When the engine is running, parking brake 
engagement is controlled by the brake sys-
tem's hydraulic circuits, which act on the disc 
brakes in the front and rear wheels.
Brake pedal feel
The hydraulic brake system can produce a 
slightly different braking feel. Engagement may 
also be accompanied by activation noise – this 
is normal. 

Controls
 61Reference
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1.If necessary, start by releasing the parking 
brake manually.
2.Then release the automatic transmission's 
transmission lock manually, refer to 
page64.
Jump starting and tow starting, refer to 
pages213 and214.
What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Unlocking tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the onboard 
tool kit mounted on the inside of the luggage 
compartment lid, refer to page207.
Insert the release tool into the screwdriver han-
dle as shown in the illustration.
Releasing
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover above 
the spare tire.
2.With the attached screwdriver handle, 
insert the release tool into the opening, 
arrow1.
3.Fit the open-end wrench onto the hexago-
nal section of the release tool. 
Insert the release tool counter to the spring force until the stop is reached, press and 
rotate in the arrow direction2 until it notice-
ably engages and meets a perceptible 
resistance.
4.Without releasing, continue to turn counter 
to the mechanical resistance of the drive 
unit in the arrow direction 2 until you can 
feel a significant increase in the force of the 
resistance.
To prevent possible damage to the 
rear brakes, always make sure that 
the parking brake is completely released 
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places.
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor mat 
to their original locations.
Have a malfunction corrected only by a 
BMW center or a repair shop that works in 
accordance with BMW guidelines and uses 
appropriately trained personnel. Only techni-
cians can return the parking brake to normal 
operational status after it has been released 
manually in response to a malfunction.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from 
that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in power 
supply
The parking brake can only be used again 
if it was manually released due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise, the function of the parking brake is not 
guaranteed and there is a danger of the vehicle 
rolling despite the parking brake being 
engaged.<
Once the electrical power supply has been 
restored, you can again use the parking brake:
With the ignition on and the vehicle 
stationary, briefly press the button 
three times at intervals of approx. 
5 seconds. This executes the fol-
lowing initialization sequence:
>Initializing the disengaged setting.
>Engaging: the system registers the new 
status and the brake setting is initialized.  

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Deactivating system
>Press the lever up or down, arrow3 for 
approx. 3 seconds
>or switch off the ignition.
The stored speed5 is deleted, however the 
stored marks6 are retained.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control represents a technological 
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a 
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of 
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on 
highways or other high-speed thoroughfares. 
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 holding a steady cruising speed, 
if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active 
cruise control will, within the scope of given 
possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed auto-
matically so that you can flow with the traffic 
without having to make constant adjustments. 
If, for example, 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 maintain your selected 
distance setting between your vehicle and the 
vehicle ahead. You can vary the distance, which 
is additionally speed-dependent. Based on 
your selected distance setting, the system 
automatically decreases the throttle setting and 
lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehi-
cle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to 
signal a following driver to take action. In addi-
tion, it may be necessary for the vehicle to 
downshift 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 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 
to which you may be accustomed, 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 page73.<
Brake pedal feel
>When the system brakes and you also 
depress the brake pedal, a somewhat differ-
ent braking feeling results.
>Any noises produced during automatic 
braking are normal.
Applications
As with conventional cruise control systems, 
active cruise control in no way diminishes or 
substitutes for the driver's own personal 
responsibility, alertness and awareness in 
adjusting speed, braking or otherwise control-
ling the vehicle. The driver should decide when 
to use the system on the basis of road, traffic, 
visibility, and weather conditions. Active cruise 
control is intended for use on highway-type 
roadways where traffic is moving relatively 
smoothly. Do not use this system in city driving; 
heavy traffic such as during rush hour; on curvy, 
winding roads, slippery roads or roads with 
sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; during 
inclement weather such as snow, strong rain or 
fog; or when entering interchanges, service/
parking areas or toll booths. It is also important 
to regulate your vehicle's speed and distance 
setting within applicable legal limits. Always be 
ready to take action or apply the brakes if nec-
essary, especially when the system is actively  

Controls
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Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead 
of you, for example when approaching a traffic 
light or a parked vehicle. Also, the system does 
not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or 
other types of potential traffic such as a rider on 
horseback. It is also possible that the system 
may not detect smaller moving objects such as 
motorcycles or bicycles. Be especially alert 
when encountering any of these situations as 
the system will neither automatically brake, nor 
provide a warning to you. Also, be aware that every decrease in the distance setting allows 
your vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front 
of you and requires a heightened amount of 
alertness.<
When your vehicle is actively following a vehicle 
in front of you, if the vehicle ahead speeds up or 
the lane ahead becomes clear, then your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane may also result in accelera-
tion of your vehicle.
Be certain to deactivate the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving, 
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your 
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle 
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to 
neutral/N, or deactivates DSC. After any deacti-
vation, the system will no longer automatically 
activate the vehicle brakes, which means the 
driver must intervene and resume manual brak-
ing. You should then reactivate the system only 
when you are fully aware of the prior speed and 
distance settings.< 

Driving
74 Active cruise control may brake when you 
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the 
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition, 
active cruise control is fully switched off, too, 
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane 
into your lane, active cruise control will not 
detect this vehicle until it is fully in your lane 
ahead of your vehicle.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is 
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to 
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in 
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.In approaching a curve, it is possible that active 
cruise control might react briefly to a vehicle in 
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can 
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not 
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either 
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.
Driver interventions
Anytime the driver presses down on the 
accelerator pedal, any automatic braking 
action by the system is interrupted until the 
pedal is fully released. After doing this, release 
the accelerator and the system again controls 
your cruising speed and distance setting. While 
driving with the system activated, resting your 
foot on the accelerator pedal will cause the sys-
tem not to brake even if necessary. Be certain 
that floormats or other objects on the vehicle 
floor do not interfere with movement of the 
accelerator pedal.<
While active cruise control is capable of 
braking your vehicle automatically when 
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is 
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e. g. 
when you reduce your desired speed sharply. 
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses 
only a portion of braking system capacity and 
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle 
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot 
decrease your speed for large differences in 
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle 
ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle 
traveling at a much lower speed than your own 
speed such as approaching a toll booth or when 
a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at 
close range.< 

Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
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 "PDC pic." and press the controller. 
This activates the PDC display.
The display appears as soon as PDC is acti-
vated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
To exit the menu: 
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any objects always remains with the 
driver. Even when sensors are involved, there is 
a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system's detection of objects is 
also subject to the physical limits that apply to 
all forms of ultrasonic measurement, such as 
those encountered with tow bars and trailer 
couplings, as well as thin and wedge-shaped 
objects, etc. It is also possible that low objects 
already displayed, such as curb edges, may come into the blind spot of the sensors before a 
continuous signal sounds or that the system will 
fail to detect higher, projecting obstacles such 
as ledges. Loud noises from outside and inside 
the vehicle may also prevent you from hearing 
the PDC's signal tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page123.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
88 detects unstable driving conditions such as 
fishtailing or sliding of the vehicle's front 
wheels. In these cases, DSC helps the vehicle 
safely stay on course within the physical limits 
by reducing the engine output and by applying 
the brakes in the individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Do not reduce the additional safety mar-
gin by taking unnecessary risks.<
Deactivating DSC
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "DTC" again and press the controller 
for at least 3 seconds.
The LED for "DTC" and the DSC indicator lamp 
on the Info Display light up. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC Dynamic Stability Control 
are deactivated together. Interventions promot-
ing stability and forward momentum will no 
longer be carried out.
To promote enhanced operating stability, reac-
tivate DSC again as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Select "DTC" again and press the controller. 
The LED on the Control Display and the DSC 
indicator lamp on the Info Display go out.
For control purposes
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces. The indicator lamp comes on: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC that is optimized for 
forward momentum in special road conditions. 
The system ensures maximum forward 
momentum, but with limited driving stability. 
Therefore, drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snow-covered uphill 
grades, in slushy snow or on uncleared, 
snow-covered roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or when 
starting off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "DTC" and press the controller.
The LED for "DTC" and the DTC indicator lamp 
on the Info Display light up.
For control purposes
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp comes on: 
DTC is activated. 

Things to remember when driving
122
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one 
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues 
to furnish optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing information.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive with changing engine and vehicle speeds, 
but do not exceed:
4500 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.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly 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.
Following component replacements
Follow the break-in sequence again if compo-
nents addressed above must be replaced again 
during subsequent driving.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely 
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could pene-
trate into the passenger compartment.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Adjust the automatic climate control's 
blower to supply a high rate of airflow, refer 
to page106.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on exhaust system. 
Do not remove the heat shields installed adja-
cent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle, and park-
ing, 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, accompa-
nied by the risk of serious property damage and 
personal injury.<
Mobile communications devices in 
vehicle
BMW does not recommend using mobile 
communications devices, e.g. mobile 
phones, 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 which results 
during transmission will be discharged from the 
vehicle interior.<