
Cockpit
12
Info Display
1Resetting trip odometer to zero75
2Speedometer with display for
>Programmable cruise control67
>Active cruise control
*69
>Speed limit82
3Indicator and warning lamps12
4Tachometer75
Route guidance of navigation 
system
*143
5High-beam assistant
*
6Display for
>Flat Tire Monitor
*91
>Tire Pressure Monitor
*93
7Display for
>Voice command system
*23
>Odometer and trip odometer75
>Remaining driving distance for service 
requirements78
>Text messages in Check Control80
>Computer76
8Transmission range selection629Automatic transmission program 
display62
10Display for
>Outside temperature75
>Clock75
>Indicator and warning lamps80
11Computer with fuel gauge76
12Fog lamps101
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in dif-
ferent combinations and in different colors in 
the display area1 and in the display2. 

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
 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}. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 There are two programs.
With each press of the controller, you can 
switch back and forth between "Comfort" and 
"Sport".
Comfort program
The Comfort program is suitable for use 
throughout the vehicle's entire speed range and 
regardless of load.
Sport program
You should select the Sport program for consis-
tently performance-oriented response from 
shock absorbers and steering.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you 
drive. The system triggers an alert whenever 
the inflation pressure drops significantly in rela-
tion to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling 
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed 
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirements
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the 
system must be initialized at the correct tire 
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after 
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate 
sudden severe tire damage caused by 
outside factors and does not detect a natural, 
even pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>When the system has not been initialized.>When driving on snow-covered or slippery 
road surfaces.
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration.
>When driving with snow chains
*.
Initializing system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time. 
The initialization automatically continues when 
driving resumes. Do not initialize the system 
when driving with snow chains
*.<
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Select "Settings".
2.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
3.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
The initialization menu appears.
4.Start the engine, but do not begin to drive.
5.Select "SET" and press the controller.
During the initialization, "Initialization is run-
ning and will be completed after driving for a 
while!  Status: FTM is being initialized" 
appears on the Control Display.
6.Start driving. 
It takes at least 10 minutes before the Flat 
Tire Monitor can detect and report a flat tire.
The initialization is completed during driving. 
Then the message "Only set after tire pressure 
is correctly adjusted (vehicle must be stopped 
and ignition on)  Status: active" appears on the 
Control Display again.
To exit the menu: 
Select the   arrow and press the controller. 

Controls
 91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red and a 
message is shown on the Info Display. 
In addition, a signal sounds. A flat tire or 
a major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Identify the damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged tire, refer to Chang-
ing wheels on page209.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden brak-
ing and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed 
a vehicle speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page199, do not 
continue to drive. Continued driving after a 
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the 
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of a total loss of inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/kPa, or obvious tire damage, you 
can estimate the possible distance for con-
tinued driving on the basis of the following 
guide values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km.
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km.
>With full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of 
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distances, and altered natural 
steering characteristics. 
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible; 
otherwise, pieces of the tire could come off and 
cause an accident. Do not continue driving, 
contact your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and 
a message is shown on the Info Display. 
The Flat Tire Monitor has failed. Have 
the system checked as soon as possible.
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system indicates if the 
tire inflation pressure has dropped considerably 
in one or several tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must have been reset with the 
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics; oth-
erwise, fault-free operation of the system is not 
ensured.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden serious 
tire damage caused by external influ-
ences.<
The system does not function properly if it has 
not been reset, e.g. a flat tire is reported despite 
correct tire inflation pressures. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92 The system is inactive and cannot display a flat 
tire if a wheel has been mounted without TPM 
electronics or if TPM experiences temporary 
interference from other systems or devices that 
use the same radio frequency.
Status display on Control Display
The tire and system status is indicated by the 
color of the tires.
TPM takes the fact that the tire pressure 
changes during driving into account. A correc-
tion is only required if the color of the TPM dis-
play indicates that it is necessary.
Green
The tire pressure matches the learned set state.
"Status: TPM active" is displayed on the Con-
trol Display.
A wheel is yellow
There is a flat tire or a major drop in inflation 
pressure in the indicated tire. A message 
appears on the Control Display.
All wheels are yellow
There is a flat tire or a major drop in inflation 
pressure in several tires. A message appears on 
the Control Display.
Gray
The system cannot detect a flat tire.
Reasons for this can include:
>TPM is being reset
>Temporary interference due to systems or 
devices that use the same radio frequency
>Malfunction
Resetting system
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<
Resetting finishes during driving and which can 
be interrupted at any time. When driving 
resumes, resetting is continued automatically.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 "TPM" and press the controller.
5.Start the engine, but do not begin to drive.
6.Select "RESET" and press the controller.
7.Select "YES" and press the controller.
8.Start to drive.
The tires are shown in gray and "Status: 
Resetting TPM..." is displayed.
After a few minutes of driving, the set tire infla-
tion pressures in the tires are applied as the set 
values to be monitored. Resetting finishes dur-
ing driving. The tires are shown in gray on the 
Control Display and "Status: TPM active" is dis-
played again.
If a flat tire is detected during resetting 
and applying the tire inflation pressures, 
all tires are shown in yellow on the Control Dis-
play. The message "Status: Tire low!" is dis-
played.< 

Controls
 93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, a signal sounds. A flat 
tire or a major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped 
with standard tires or run-flat tires.
You will recognize run-flat tires by a 
circular symbol containing the letters 
RSC on the side of the tire, refer to 
page199.<
Standard tires
1.If all four wheels are shown in yellow, iden-
tify the damaged tire on the vehicle.
2.Replace the damaged wheel or wheels, 
refer to Changing wheels on page209.
The spare wheel is equipped with the neces-
sary TPM electronics and when mounted, will 
also be monitored once the system has been 
reset.
Have the tire replaced by a BMW center or a 
workshop that is familiar with handling TPM and 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page199, do not 
continue to drive. Continued driving after a 
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or 
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of 
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This 
includes reduced tracking stability in braking, 
extended braking distance and altered natural 
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle is 
being driven, this can indicate final failure of the 
damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon 
as possible; otherwise, pieces of the tire could 
come loose and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW 
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning light flashes and 
then lights up continuously. The tires 
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can 
be detected. Have system checked.
A message like this is displayed in the following 
situations:
>When a malfunction is occurring. 
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted.
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by 
other systems or devices which use the 
same radio frequency. 

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.