
iDrive
18 5Help
>Brief help text displays20
>Menu name for menu change19
6Entertainment
>Radio155
>CD player
*162
>CD changer
*164
>DVD changer
*168
It is only possible to play a DVD on the 
rear seat screen, refer to Rear seat 
screen
* on page21.<
7Settings
>Parking brake58
>PDC Park Distance Control86
>EDC Electronic Damping Control89
>Programmable buttons52
>FTM Flat Tire Monitor
*90
>TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
*91
>Time and date84
>Language84
>Units of measure and display format84
>Brightness85
>Rear seat screen
*21
8Climate
>Intensity of AUTO program104
>Air volume106
>Heated seats
*49
>Parked car ventilation109
>Extra, e.g. rear air conditioner108
Basic operation
Once the radio ready position is reached, the 
following message appears on the Control Dis-
play:
To clear the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
The message automatically disappears after 
approx. 25 seconds.
Start menu
You can access all functions of iDrive via eight 
menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
Opening the start menu from a menu:
>Move the controller toward the currently 
active menu.
>Move the controller twice in one direction. 

At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering 
wheel. The system operates on the basis of 
voice commands that you will learn easily after 
using them a few times. In many cases, the 
voice command system assists you with 
announcements or questions while you are 
making your entries.
The voice command system transforms your 
oral commands and dialog answers into control 
signals for the selected systems.
Please take the time to acquaint yourself 
with how a particular system operates 
before proceeding to control it using the voice 
command system.<
Note
Use iDrive to set the language that will be used 
for the voice command system in order to be 
able to identify the commands to be spoken. 
Setting the language of iDrive, refer to page84.
Symbols used
{...} Verbal instructions to use with the voice 
command system.
{{...}} Identifies the answers generated by the 
voice command system.
Systems available for use with voice 
command
>{Navigation}, refer to page130
>{Radio}, refer to page155
>{Telephone}, refer to page182
>{CD}, refer to page162
>{CD changer}, refer to page164
>{Notepad}, refer to page25
>{DVD}, refer to page168The Info Display, refer to page24, will display 
either the equipment that you are now operat-
ing or any current error messages.
Voice commands
Voice command system activation
Briefly press the  button on the steering 
wheel.
An acoustic signal and the display "SVS active" 
on the Info Display, refer to page24, indicate 
that the system is ready for operation. The sys-
tem automatically starts in the main menu.
From here, you can call up all the equipment 
that can be operated.
Canceling voice command
Briefly press the  button on the steering 
wheel
or
In dialogs in which any text can be spoken, e.g. 
names, notes, canceling is only possible using 
the  button.
The system automatically switches over 
to its telephone mode if you receive a call 
during voice input. "SVS active" appears on the 
Info Display, refer to page24.<
Voice commands
The voice command system operates on the 
basis of specific, predefined commands; these 
commands should be spoken precisely as indi-
cated. You can have the possible commands 
read back at any stage. To do so, say the com-
mand {Options}.
In addition to the commands described, there 
are often other commands that run the same 
function. Instead of {Options}, you can, for 
example, also say {What now}. In addition, 
*
These sections contain information on 
using the voice command system.
{Cancel}. 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adapter for spare key
You will need the adapter to activate the ignition 
and to start the vehicle with the spare key.
Take the adapter from the onboard tool kit, refer 
to page207. 
Press lock button1, slide the cover open and 
insert the spare key2 into the adapter. Close 
the cover and insert the adapter in the ignition 
lock.
Key Memory
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Key 
Memory ensures that most of these settings are 
stored for the remote control currently in use 
without you having to do anything. When the 
vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding remote 
control is detected and the settings stored for it 
are called up and carried out.
This means that your BMW will return to your 
personal settings even if it has in the meantime 
been driven by another person with his/her own 
remote control and settings. The individual set-
tings are stored for a maximum of four remote 
controls.
Key Memory
>Personal settings for driver's seat, outside 
rearview mirrors, and steering wheel posi-
tion, refer to page46.
>Personal temperature distribution for seat 
heating
*, refer to page49.
>Personal setting for the programmable but-
ton on the steering wheel, refer to page52.
>Personal setting of PDC Park Distance 
Control
*, refer to page86.
>Air distribution, temperature, and intensity 
of the Automatic climate control, refer to 
page105.
>Settings for the displays on the Control Dis-
play:
>Units of measure for fuel consumption, 
distance traveled, distances to go, tem-
perature, and pressure, refer to page84.
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page84.
>Display format of date and time, refer to 
page84.
>Brightness of Control Display, refer to 
page85.
>Personal settings for volume and tone of 
the Entertainment sound output, refer to 
page153.
>Personal settings for the stored stations of 
the radio, refer to page158.
>Personal setting for the volume of the 
hands-free telephone operation, refer to 
page177. 

Everything under control
84
Settings on Control Display
Setting units of measure and display 
format
You can change the units of measure used in 
the displays of fuel consumption, distances and 
temperatures as well as the display format for 
the time and date.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Units" and press the controller.
4.Select the menu item that you wish to 
adjust. Press repeatedly to view a listing of 
your selection options.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting language
You can select a different language for the text 
displays.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".3.Select "Language" and press the controller.
4.Select and activate the desired language.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time and date
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Clock" and press the controller.
Setting time
1.Select "Time" and press the controller. 
The first time setting is activated.
2.Turn to adjust the setting.
3.Press the controller to adopt the setting. 
The next setting is selected.
4.Adjust the remaining settings. After the last 
adjustment, the time is stored. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 169Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
3.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
4.Move the controller toward "Entertain-
ment".
5.Select "DVD" and press the controller.
After a few seconds, play will resume at the 
point where playback was previously inter-
rupted. 
The DVD magazine's load status is indicated on 
the Control Display.
If the display fails to detect a DVD that you 
have loaded into the magazine, check to 
ensure that the DVD has been inserted cor-
rectly and inspect it for signs of defects.
If there are audio CDs in the DVD magazine, 
these will not be displayed in the DVD menu, 
but instead in the CD changer menu.<
Using the voice command system:
DVD control
With the DVD controller, you can select the 
track and chapter, open the DVD-specific menu 
and operate functions such as Language, Fast 
forward and Reverse or Freeze frame.
A DVD can briefly deactivate functions of the 
DVD control, under certain circumstances even 
during playback of the entire DVD. It is not pos-
sible to operate the DVD control under these 
circumstances. In this case, try to make the 
selection using the DVD-specific menu.
During playback:
Press the controller to display the DVD control.The DVD controller disappears again after a 
short time if you have not selected a function.
Fast forward/reverse
Forward/reverse with DVD control
1.During playback, press the controller to dis-
play the DVD control.
2.Select   and press the controller.
3.To increase the fast forward/reverse speed, 
press the controller several times. 
The DVD playback will be distorted.
To cancel fast forward/reverse:
Select   and press the controller. 
The DVD will start play at the point selected.
Forward/reverse with controller
1.During playback, turn the controller.
Fast forward/reverse is interrupted. 1.{DVD on}.
2.{DVD 1...6}.
SoftkeyFunction
Start playback
Stop playback
Close DVD controller
Activate and deactivate freeze 
frame
 Skip chapter
 Fast forward/reverse
DVD-specific menu:
Select functions
DVD-specific menu:
Return to previous menu 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 171Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
5.Select "Pict.format" and press the control-
ler.
6.Select the desired picture format and press 
the controller.
Color settings can be adjusted separately 
for the Control Display and the rear seat 
screen.<
Selecting language, subtitles 
and viewing angle
Many DVDs offer dialogue and subtitles in vari-
ous languages or scene descriptions for the 
hearing impaired. In addition, with some DVDs, 
the film can be viewed from different camera 
angles. These functions are stored on the DVD.
1.During playback, press the controller to dis-
play the DVD control.
2.Select "FULL MENU" and press the con-
troller.
3.Make the desired selection and press the 
controller:
>"TITLE" 
Displaying DVD title.
>"AUDIO" 
Selecting different languages.>"SUBTITLE" 
Selecting language of subtitles.
>"ANGLE" 
Selecting camera viewing angle. 
Notes or symbols that appear during the 
playback of a film generally point out dif-
ferent camera angles. They usually only 
appear briefly.
With some DVDs, it is only possible to 
select language, subtitles, camera angle, 
or track by using the DVD-specific menu.
Refer to the information on your DVD for possi-
ble selections.<
Opening DVD-specific menu
Additional functions may be available on DVDs. 
For example, the viewer can select from several 
possible plots or display information on the film.
1.During playback, press the controller to dis-
play the DVD control.
2.Select "MENU" or "TOP" and press the 
controller.
Selecting "MENU" generally takes you to 
the DVD-specific main menu. On some 
DVDs, "TOP" takes you to another menu in 
which you can select music scenes, for 
example.
To make a selection:
3.Select .
4.Select "OK" and press the controller.
To return to a previous menu:
Select   or the   arrow and press the con-
troller.
You can also select language, subtitles, 
camera angle, or track in the DVD-spe-
cific menu.
Refer to the information on your DVD for possi-
ble selections.< 

DVD changer
172
Notes
The DVD changer can play the following for-
mats:
>Video DVD
>CD-DA (audio CD)
The DVD Audio format is not supported by the 
DVD changer. However, many audio DVDs 
available in stores also contain a video track in 
the DVD Video format in addition to the audio 
track. These DVDs can be played back by the 
DVD changer. Please refer to the information on 
your DVD to determine whether your audio DVD 
contains an additional video track.
DVDs are usually divided into tracks and chap-
ters and can contain different subtitles, camera 
angles or sound tracks, languages and sound 
formats. Depending on the version of the DVD, 
these functions can be selected either directly 
with the DVD control system or only via the 
DVD-specific menu. Refer to the information on 
your DVD for possible selections.
Dual-sided DVDs available from retail suppliers 
are coated on both sides and bear no markings. 
This means both sides are information carriers. 
To play back the information on the other side, 
remove the magazine and turn the DVD over.
Safety note
The BMW DVD changer is a Class 1 laser 
product. Do not operate with a damaged 
cover panel as this can lead to severe eye injury.
Never play CDs/DVDs with stick-on labels. 
They can come loose during playback due to 
the heat buildup and cause irreparable damage 
to the system.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard 
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play CDs/
DVDs with an adapter, e.g. CD singles; other-
wise, the CD/DVD or the adapter can jam and 
may no longer eject properly.
Do not use combined CD/DVDs, e.g. DVD
Plus; 
otherwise, the CD/DVD can jam, preventing it 
from being ejected properly.<
General malfunctions
The BMW DVD changer is optimized for opera-
tion in the vehicle. It may react more sensitively 
to defective CDs/DVDs than devices intended 
for stationary use.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played back, first check 
to make sure it has been correctly inserted.
Humidity
High humidity can fog the CD/DVD or the focus-
ing lens for the laser beam, temporarily prevent-
ing playback.
Malfunctions with particular CDs/DVDs
If malfunctions occur only with particular CDs/
DVDs, this can be due to one of the following 
causes.
Home-recorded CDs/DVDs
Malfunction sources in home-recorded CDs/
DVDs include, for example, inconsistent data 
origination and recording processes as well as 
low quality or pronounced aging of the blanks 
used.
Only write on CDs/DVDs with a marker espe-
cially designed for this purpose.
Damaged CDs/DVDs
Avoid finger prints, dust, scratches, and mois-
ture. 
Store CDs/DVDs in a sleeve.
Do not expose CDs/DVDs to temperatures 
above 1227/506, high humidity or direct 
sunlight.
CDs/DVDs with copy protection
Manufacturers often provide CDs/DVDs with 
copy protection. This can prevent or limit the 
playback of these CDs/DVDs.
Care instructions
You can find everything you need to know about 
this topic by consulting the separate Caring for 
your vehicle brochure. 

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