
72
Shifting gears with shift paddles on 
steering wheel:
>To upshift, briefly pull the right pad-
dle +
>To downshift, briefly pull the left pad-
dle –.
Shift paddles with various widths 
matched to the shape of your 
hand are available from your BMW cen-
ter.<
Shifting gears with selector lever:
>To upshift, pull the selector lever 
backward in the + direction
>To downshift, push the selector lever 
in the – direction.
No automatic upshifting is carried out in 
the sequential mode.
You accelerate from higher gears, e.g. 
during passing, by manually downshift-
ing.
In the following situations the 
SMG Drivelogic anticipates your 
actions in the sequential mode:
>Upshifts and downshifts are only exe-
cuted at appropriate combinations of 
engine rpm and vehicle speed. For 
instance, downshifts that would 
result in excessive engine speed are 
not executed
>During a stop the gearbox is auto-
matically downshifted into the first 
gear so that, e.g. before a traffic light, 
it is only necessary to accelerate to 
continue driving
>As speed diminishes, the gearbox 
downshifts automatically, without you 
taking any action, just before the 
vehicle slows to below each gear's 
minimum speed.D - Automated modeEach time the engine is started, the 
automated mode is activated as soon 
as you move the selector lever into the 
forward driving position.
In the automated mode all forward 
gears are shifted automatically.To switch from sequential to automated 
mode: tap the selector lever to the right 
toward D. Watch the display in the 
instrument cluster, refer to page 71.
For rapid acceleration, e.g. during 
passing, depress the accelerator pedal 
completely – kickdown. The gearbox 
now downshifts depending on the 
selected driving program.
Even in the automated mode, you can 
help specify the shifting point: if a gear-
dependent minimum speed is 
exceeded, you can upshift by slowly 
reducing pressure on the accelerator 
pedal. In the process, the respective 
driving situation is detected by sensors 
and taken into account.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic* 

73
DrivelogicDrivelogic makes various driving pro-
grams available to you.
Press the Drivelogic repeatedly until the 
desired driving program is shown in the 
SMG display of the instrument cluster, 
refer to page 71.
In the automated mode you can select 
from five driving programs ranging from 
convenience mode/winter operation to 
sporty and highly dynamic.
In the first automated driving program, 
starting off takes place in second gear, 
which is advisable under winter road 
conditions with ice and snow.
In the sequential mode you can choose 
from six driving programs ranging from 
balanced, dynamic driving – 1 – to 
sporty, puristic driving – 6. The sporty, 
puristic driving program can only be 
activated when Dynamic Stability Con-
trol DSC is switched off, refer to 
page 86.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC acti-
vated on whenever possible.<
Following each change between the 
sequential and the automated mode, 
the last driving program selected in the 
respective mode is active. Exception: if 
program 6 had been the last selected 
sequential driving program, program 5 
is activated instead.
Your vehicle is set so that when 
the engine is started, the last 
selected driving program saved in your 
key is activated for each shifting 
mode.<
Gradient assistanceThe gradient assistance enables start-
ing off on grades with virtually no roll-
back. It can be activated in the sequen-
tial and automated mode with the vehi-
cle stopped and can be used for both 
forward and reverse driving.
The vehicle may roll slightly before 
it is held by the gradient assis-
tance after releasing the footbrake.
Two seconds after the footbrake is 
released, the vehicle begins to roll, as it 
is no longer held with the gradient 
assistance.<
1. Depress footbrake with vehicle 
stopped
2. Activate the gradient assistance by 
pulling the left paddle for at least 
0.5 seconds. An increase in the 
engine speed indicates that the gra-
dient assistance is activated
Briefly pulling the left paddle again 
deactivates the gradient assis-
tance again.<
3. Release the footbrake and start off 
within two seconds.
The gradient assistance must be reacti-
vated before each use.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

74
Indicator lamp
The gearbox indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster goes out 
after the engine is started.
>If it does not go out, or if it lights up 
during driving, a malfunction has 
occurred. The available functions 
may be limited under certain circum-
stances.
Drive carefully and with the Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) activated. 
Have the system checked by the 
nearest BMW center
>If the indicator lamp flashes while 
driving, the system is overloaded. 
Avoid high loads until the indicator 
lamp goes out again permanently.
Shift lightsTo achieve the best possible vehicle 
acceleration with a sporty driving style 
in the sequential mode, shift lights in 
the instrument cluster indicate the opti-
mum shifting point shortly before the 
maximum engine speed is reached.
1. When the maximum engine speed is 
approached, yellow indicator fields – 
shift lights – in the tachometer light 
up consecutively to indicate the 
approaching upshift time
2. Shift at the latest when the last indi-
cator field lights up red.
Tire replacement, snow chainsFollowing a tire or wheel change and 
after mounting or removing snow 
chains, the slip recognition of the 
SMG Drivelogic must become familiar 
with the changed condition.
Reinitialize the system afterwards:
1. Move the selector lever into 
position N on a straight stretch of 
road at a speed of over 20 mph / 
30 km/h
2. Pull both shift paddles for approx. 
two seconds.
If you do not carry out the initialization, 
the system automatically learns the 
changed condition gradually during 
driving. This can become apparent due 
to brief opening and closing of the 
clutch.
Sequential M gearbox with Drivelogic* 

77
0Wipers retracted
1Clean windshield and headlampsClean windshield and headlamps*The system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period. 
When the vehicle's lighting system is 
switched on, the headlamps will also be 
cleaned at reasonable intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield, as your vision 
could be obscured. Always use a wind-
shield washer antifreeze in cold 
weather. Refer to page 126.
Do not use the washers if the fluid res-
ervoir is empty, as the washer pump 
will otherwise be damaged.<
Windshield washer nozzlesThe windshield washer jets are warmed 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Cruise controlYou can store and automatically main-
tain any desired vehicle speed above 
approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h.
The cruise control is available whenever 
the engine is running and the system 
has been activated.To activate the systemIn ignition key position 2:
Press the button in the steering wheel. 
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on, refer to page 21. You 
can now use the cruise control.
Do not use cruise control on twist-
ing roads, when high traffic den-
sity prevents driving at a constant 
speed, or when the road surface is slick 
– snow, rain, ice – or loose – rocks or 
gravel, sand.
ment cluster goes out.
Cruise control is also deactivated when 
the ignition key is in position 0.
Washer/wiper system/Rain sensor*
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

78
The speed stored in memory is deleted.To store and maintain speed or to 
acceleratePress button + briefly:
The system maintains and stores the 
current vehicle speed. Every time you 
tap the button, the speed increases by 
approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h.
Press and hold button +:
The vehicle accelerates without pres-
sure on the accelerator pedal. When 
you release the button, the system 
maintains and stores the current speed.
If on a downhill gradient the 
engine braking effect is not suffi-
cient, the controlled speed can be 
exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill 
grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.<
To deceleratePress button – briefly:
If you are already driving with activated 
cruise control, the speed is decreased 
by approx. 0.6 mph / 1 km/h every time 
you tap the button.
Press and hold button –:
With the cruise control active, the sys-
tem automatically reduces the throttle 
opening to slow the vehicle. When you 
release the button, the system main-
tains and stores the current speed.To interrupt the cruise controlWhen the system is activated, press the 
button. The indicator lamp stays on. 
You can use the cruise control again 
whenever you want by calling up the 
speed that was stored last.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted 
automatically:
>When the brakes are applied
>When pressing down the clutch pedal
>If you exceed or fall below the pro-
grammed speed for an extended 
period – by depressing the accelera-
tor, for example
>Sequential M gearbox with Drivel-
ogic, refer to page 70: when shifting 
in the sequential mode.To recall the stored settingPress the button:
The vehicle accelerates to and main-
tains the last speed stored.
Cruise control 

79 Everything under control
Odometer1Odometer
2Trip odometerOdometerYou can activate the displays shown in 
the illustration with the ignition key in 
position 0 by pressing the left button in 
the instrument cluster.Trip odometerTo reset the trip odometer to zero, 
press the left button with the ignition 
key in position 1 or higher.
TachometerVariable pre-warning zoneThe yellow pre-warning zone displays 
current permissible engine speeds, 
depending on the engine temperature. 
As the engine temperature climbs, 
some of the sectors for this pre-warning 
zones will go out one after the other.
Avoid engine speeds in the early warn-
ing zone if possible.
Never allow the engine to operate with 
the needle in the red overspeed zone of 
the gauge.
To protect the engine, the fuel supply is 
interrupted when you approach this 
sector.
Engine oil temperatureThe general operating temperature lies 
between 1757/806 and 2507/ 
1206. During high-performance driv-
ing, do not exceed a maximum value of 
3007/1506.
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80
Fuel gaugeOnce the indicator lamp stays on con-
tinuously, there are still approx. 
2 gallons/8 liters of fuel in the fuel tank.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.6 gal./ 
63 liters.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies – when 
you are driving in mountainous areas, 
for example – the needle may fluctuate 
slightly.
Fill the fuel tank before it is com-
pletely empty. Driving to the last 
drop of fuel can prevent the engine 
from operating properly and result in 
damage.<
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp lights up briefly as an 
operation check.
Engine coolant temperature gaugeBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at moder-
ate engine and vehicle speeds.Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle 
may rise as far as the edge of the red 
sector during normal operation.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly as an 
operation check.
If the lamp comes on while operating 
the vehicle: the engine has overheated. 
Switch off the engine immediately and 
allow it to cool down.
To check the coolant level, refer to 
page 128. 

81
Service interval displayRemaining distance to next 
serviceThe displays shown in the illustration 
appear for a few seconds when the 
ignition key is in position 1 or higher or 
after the engine is started.
The next service due appears with the 
message OIL SERVICE or 
INSPECTION, together with the dis-
tance remaining in miles – in kilometers 
in Canada – before the next scheduled 
service.
The computer bases its calculations of 
the remaining distance on the preced-
ing driving style.
A flashing message and a '–' in front of 
the number mean that the service inter-
val has already been exceeded by the 
distance shown on the display. Please 
contact your BMW center for an 
appointment.
Check ControlDisplayWhen the ignition key is in position 2, 
the following information and/or condi-
tions are indicated using symbols until 
the conditions have been corrected.
1Inspect the low-beam and high-beam 
headlamps, as well as the parking 
lamps
2Door open
3Luggage compartment lid open
4Check brake and tail lamps
When you open the driver's door after 
having turned the ignition key to posi-
tion 0, you will hear an acoustic signal 
for a few seconds to remind you that 
the lamps have not been switched off.
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex