
At a glance
 15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Glass sunroof, electric*41
2Memory buttons for integrated universal 
remote control
*111
3Reading lamps102
4Interior lamps102
5Passenger airbag status lamp95
6Initiating an emergency call178
7Control Display16
8Temperature, left side of passenger 
compartment: turn, 
maximum cooling: press106
9Air volume, left side of passenger compart-
ment: turn106 
Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation: press106
10Hazard warning flashers
11Air volume, right side of passenger 
compartment106
12Temperature, right side of passenger 
compartment: rotate,
residual heat: press106
13Rear window defroster
14Air conditioner mode107
15Opening the glove compartment
16Automatic air distribution and airflow as 
well as intensity of the AUTO program, 
right side of passenger compartment104
17Starting scan
>for stations152
>for tracks152
18Central locking system34
19Selecting AM or FM waveband
20Selecting radio, CD player, and CD changer
21Controller16
22 button and programmable 
button16
23Snap-in adapter17924Seat adjustment44
25Glasses compartment115
26Storage compartments115
27Switching audio sources on/off and 
adjusting volume153
28Retracting telephone keypad177
29Automatic air distribution and airflow as 
well as intensity of the AUTO program, 
left side of passenger compartment104
30Outside air/AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control/recirculated air105
31Switching off automatic climate 
control105
Heated seats*49
Active seat ventilation
*50
Active seat for driver
*50
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory46 

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
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
5Telephone status
>Green, yellow and red flashing: 
Linking of a mobile phone.
>Green: 
Incoming or outgoing call.
>Red: 
No network available.
>Yellow: 
The network of another provider is being 
used, partner network.
>Flashing yellow: 
The network of another provider is being 
used, external network.
Roaming in a partner or external net-
work incurs higher call charges than 
in your home network.<
6Display of Check Control81
>You can use the "Car Data" menu to dis-
play the message on the Control Dis-
play.
Status service requirement display78
>Red: 
At least one service interval has been 
exceeded.
7Display of temperature selection and inten-
sity of the AUTO program, right side of pas-
senger compartment
8Air volume, right side of passenger com-
partment
9Entertainment 
Display for radio, CD, and DVD
With compressed audio files, the informa-
tion about the track is displayed166
10Air volume, left side of passenger compart-
ment
11Display of temperature selection and inten-
sity of the AUTO program, left side of pas-
senger compartment
Assistance window*
The status lines in the assistance window show 
the following:
>Outside temperature
>Navigation system destination>Time
>Date
Rear seat screen*
Some of the functions of iDrive can also be 
operated via the rear seat screen. Certain func-
tions are only available via iDrive. These func-
tions can only be operated to a limited degree 
on the rear screen, e.g. the speed limit can only 
be displayed. The settings are made via iDrive.
Deploying rear seat screen
1.Swing pivoting arm upward until it engages.
2.Fold rear seat screen upward.
The rear seat screen is ready for operation.
Stowing rear seat screen
1.Align rear seat screen so that it is straight.
2.Fold rear seat screen downward until pivot-
ing arm unlocks. 
Pivoting arm swings downward.
The rear seat screen is switched off.
Pivot the rear seat screen completely 
downward when the ski bag is being 
used; otherwise, it could be damaged.
Do not pivot the rear seat screen up or down 
with the cup holders open; otherwise, it could 
be damaged.<
Switching off rear seat screen
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Press the controller. 

At a glance
 25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Volume adjustment
You can adjust the volume for the instructions 
from the voice command system:
Turn the knob during an instruction/announce-
ment to select the desired volume.
Instructions/announcements from the voice 
command system will continue at this volume 
level, even if the other audio sources are set to 
minimum volume.
The volume setting is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
Notes
Do not use the voice command system to 
make emergency calls. Your voice and 
habitual tone could be affected by stressful sit-
uations, as a result of which the process of 
establishing the telephone connection could be 
unnecessarily delayed. Instead, use the emer-
gency call button near the interior rearview mir-
ror, refer to page178.<
Environmental conditions
The voice command system uses a special 
hands-free microphone located in the front of 
your vehicle's headliner. Although the system is 
designed to filter out ambient noise, you can 
help ensure that your commands will be under-
stood by observing the following instructions:
>Speak smoothly and clearly, at a normal vol-
ume. Avoid excessive emphasis and 
pauses.
>Do not speak while the voice command sys-
tem is itself speaking.>Keep the doors, windows and glass sunroof 
closed to prevent interference from ambi-
ent noise.
>Avoid other sources of noise in the vehicle 
while speaking, and ask other vehicle occu-
pants to refrain from talking while you are 
using the system.
>The hands-free microphone is aimed 
toward the driver. This means that the sys-
tem might not be able to register the voices 
of other vehicle occupants properly.
The notepad
Recording a note
You can store roughly ten minutes of spoken 
text, either as a single entry or as multiple 
entries of any desired length.
To stop recording:
Maintain pressure on the   button for several 
seconds.
When recording a note, the voice com-
mand system does not hear the com-
mand {Cancel} or {Exit}. The text checking 
function for command words is deactivated in 
this case so that you can speak any desired text 
for your notes. This feature saves you from hav-
ing to concentrate on avoiding any command 
words.<
Listening to a notepad entry
To listen to recorded notepad entries:
{Record note}.
1.{Read out}. 
Approximately the first 3 seconds of 
the first note are read aloud.
2.After the request {{Record note, read 
out note, delete note.}} select the 
desired function.
>To listen to the entire note:
{Read out}.
>To listen to the next note: {Next}.
>To listen to the note again:
{Back} or {Repeat}. 

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. 

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Manual operation
In the case of an electrical malfunction, you can 
unlock the luggage compartment lid with the 
key, refer to page35, and slowly open and close 
it without sudden movements.
Emergency release
Pull lever in luggage compartment. This 
unlocks the luggage compartment lid.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds to:
>opening of a door, the hood or the luggage 
compartment lid
>movement in the vehicle interior: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page38
>changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>interruptions in battery voltage
The alarm system briefly indicates unautho-
rized tampering:
>with an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
When the alarm system is armed, you can also 
open the luggage compartment lid with the button on the remote control, refer to 
page33. When the luggage compartment lid is 
closed, it is relocked and monitored again.
Unlocking via the door lock will trigger the 
alarm on some national-market versions.
Pressing the 'Panic mode' button for a longer 
period also triggers the alarm, refer to 
page33.<
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page32.
>Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after the vehicle 
is locked: the doors or luggage compart-
ment lid are not properly closed. Even if you 
do not close the door involved, the system 
begins to monitor the remaining areas, and 
the indicator lamp flashes continuously 
after 10 seconds. However, the interior 
motion sensor is not activated.
>After the vehicle is unlocked, the indicator 
lamp goes out: no manipulation or 
attempted intrusions have been detected in 
the period since the system was armed.
>After the vehicle is unlocked, the indicator 
lamp flashes until the remote control is 
inserted into the ignition lock, but for no 
more than roughly 5 minutes: an attempted 
entry has been detected in the period since 
the system was armed. 

Controls
 45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
front passenger's seat, by the safety belt 
buckle.
Lumbar support adjustment
5Lumbar support
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature
>Shift curvature up or down
Shoulder support adjustment
6Adjustment of the tilt angle of the shoulder 
support: 
You can use the adjustable upper backrest for 
supplementary support in the shoulder region. 
This provides a relaxed driving position and 
helps relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
Rear comfort seat* adjustment
You can use the control knob to adjust the set-
tings after selecting the desired function with 
the buttons.
1Forward and back:  
Tilt:  
Backrest:  
This button is basically always active.
2Lumbar support, refer to Lumbar support 
adjustment
3Shoulder support:  
Height of head restraint:  
Backrest:It is not possible to adjust the comfort 
seats if the safety switch for the power 
windows has been pressed, refer to page40.<
Adjusting passenger seat from rear
The front passenger's seat can be adjusted 
from the rear sitting positions, for instance, 
when a rear passenger desires more legroom. 
Press the button to activate this function, refer 
to arrow.
You can use the control knob to adjust the set-
tings after selecting the desired function with 
the buttons.
1Forward and back:  
Height:  
Tilt:
2Height of head restraint:
Backrest:
Press the button again, refer to arrow, to deac-
tivate this function.
Resetting to standard adjustment 
position
You can use the button to return the rear seats 
to their standard or default positions. Maintain 
pressure on the button until the system com-
pletes the adjustment. 

Controls
 47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Tilt angle adjustment
Tilt the head restraint.
With the comfort seat, adjust the distance 
to the back of the head via the shoulder 
support, refer to page45.<
Side extensions adjustment
You can fold the side extensions on the head 
restraint forward for increased lateral support in 
the resting position.
Front head restraints, active*
The comfort seats are equipped with an active 
head restraint.
In the event of a rear-end collision of corre-
sponding severity, the active head restraint 
reduces the distance from the head.
Do not use seat or head restraint covers 
and do not hang objects, e.g. clothes 
hangers, on the head restraints or attach any 
accessories to the seat or head restraint. Other-
wise, the protective function of the active head 
restraint will be impaired and personal safety 
endangered.<
Rear seats
Adjusting mechanically
>To raise: pull.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
slide the head restraint downward.
Removing
1.Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
Center head restraint adjustment
Pull out the lowered head restraint until it 
engages before the center rear seat is 
occupied. Otherwise, the level of occupant pro-
tection can be reduced.<
Adjusting electrically*
If necessary, adjust the head restraint's height 
to ensure that it is centered at roughly the 
height of the passenger's ears.
With the safety switch pressed, refer to 
page40, the height adjustment of the 
head restraints is deactivated.<