
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. 

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. 

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