
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: controls and displays
1Sun blind* for rear window94
2Rear window safety switch38
3Opening and closing windows37
4Folding exterior mirrors in and out
*46
5Adjusting exterior mirrors45
Automatic parking function46
6
Turn signal59
High beams, headlamp flasher84
High-beam assistant
*84
Roadside parking lamps84
Check Control67
Computer63

At a glance
11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Shift paddles57
8Buttons on steering wheel
9Instrument cluster12
12Ignition lock53
13Horn: entire surface16Releasing hood181
17Opening luggage compartment lid33
Mobile phone
*154:
>Press: accepting and ending
call, starting dialing
* for
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number is
selected
>Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice
command system
* 22
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling in phone book and in lists
with stored phone numbers
MDrive, call up individual
settings48
Individually programmable47
10
Windshield wipers59
Rain sensor60
11Starting/stopping engine and
switching ignition on/off 53
14
Steering wheel adjustment47
15
Cruise control61
18
Head-Up Display*80
19
Parking lamps83
Low beams83
Automatic headlamp control83
Adaptive Head Light*84
High-beam assistant
*84
20
Instrument lighting86

At a glance
17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying
the average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>External audio device
Climate
>Air distribution
>Seat air conditioning
*
>Automatic program
>Parked car ventilation
menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for MDrive, or
for the central locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates
for statutory emission and vehicle inspec-
tions
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
From radio readiness, refer to page53, the fol-
lowing message is shown on the Control Dis-
play:
To clear the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
On vehicles with a single drive, the message
automatically disappears after approx. 10 sec-
onds.
Start menu
You can call up all the functions of iDrive using
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the button.
To open the start menu from the menu:
Press the button twice.

Controls
73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for comfort, convenience and
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert
you to the approach of an object from behind
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper.
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m.
However, an acoustic warning first sound for
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise the physical circumstances would mean
that the system warning was too late.<
Automatic activation
The system starts to operate automatically
approx. 1 second after you move the selector
lever into the R position with the engine running
or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short period before driving.
Manual activation
Press button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is
switched off and the LED goes out. You can
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus,
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ers for long periods and maintain a distance of
at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
Exhaust gases near the rear sensors can cause
a signal tone to sound.
PDC with visual warning*
You can also have the system show distances
to objects on the Control Display. Objects that
are farther away are already shown there before

Controls
83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control, daytime run-
ning lamps
*, Adaptive Head Light* and
high-beam assistant
*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking. For lighting on one
side for parking as an additional feature, refer to
page84.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, as otherwise it may no longer be
possible to start the engine.<
Low beams
The low beams light up in switch position2 only
with the engine running. Otherwise the parking
lamps are lit.
Automatic headlamp control
In the switch position3, the system activates
the low beams and switches them on or off in
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol is
illuminated when the low beams are on.When driving into a tunnel with bright overhead
lighting, switching on of the lights may be
delayed.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
If desired, the light switch can be left in the
position3. The exterior lighting is automatically
switched off after switching off the vehicle.
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
lamps manually under these conditions.<
Pathway lighting
When you activate the headlamp flasher after
parking the vehicle and switching off the lamps,
the low beams will come on for a brief period.
You can set the duration or deactivate the func-
tion via iDrive.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "Lighting" and press the controller.
5.Select "Pathway lighting" and press the
controller.

Lamps
84 6.Turn the controller to select the desired
duration.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
Daytime running lamps*
If desired, the light switch can remain in posi-
tion 0, 1 or 3.
In position0 and 3 the exterior lighting is auto-
matically switched off after the vehicle is
switched off. In position1 the parking lamps
light up after the ignition is switched off.
Switch on the parking lamps if required as
described under Parking lamps.
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other parameters, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In switch position3, the Adaptive Head Light is
active and the automatic headlamp control
is
switched on, refer to page83.
To avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, the Adap-
tive Head Light is not active when driving in
reverse and points toward the passenger side
when the vehicle is stopped.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking. When using
this function, comply with national regulations:
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever in the
desired direction3, past the resistance point.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for
long periods of time, as otherwise it may no
longer be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direc-
tion3 up to the resistance point.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off again. A sensor on the front of
the inside rearview mirror controls the process.
The assistant ensures that the high beams are
switched on whenever the traffic situation
allows. This reduces the strain on you while at
the same time providing you with the best pos-
sible visibility. Of course, you can intervene at

Mobility
197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
The first-aid kit is located in the luggage com-
partment lid.
Loosen the wing nut to open.
Roadside Assistance*
The Roadside Assistance of the BMW Group
offers you assistance in the event of a break-
down around the clock, including on weekends
and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the
Contact brochure.
With BMW Assist or TeleService, you can con-
tact the Roadside Assistance of the BMW
Group for assistance in the event of a break-
down directly via iDrive, refer to page169.
Jump starting
When your battery is discharged, you can use
two jumper cables to start your BMW with
power from the battery in a second vehicle. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Use only jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical
components while the engine is running. Care-
fully adhere to the following sequence, both to
prevent damage to one or both vehicles, and to
guard against possible personal injuries.<
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 Volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any electrical systems and com-
ponents in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
To avoid personal injury from sparks, fol-
low this sequence when connecting
jumper cables.<
In your BMW M5, the so-called auxiliary termi-
nal for jump starting in the engine compartment
serves as a positive terminal for the battery, also
refer to engine compartment overview on
page182. The cover cap is marked with a +.
1.Fold open the cover of the BMW starting-
aid terminal. To do so, pull the tab.
2.Attach one end of the jumper cable plus/+
to the positive terminal of the battery or a
starting-aid terminal of the vehicle provid-
ing assistance.
3.Attach the second end of the cable to the
positive terminal of the battery or to a start-
ing-aid terminal of the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one end of the jumper cable minus/–
to the negative terminal of the battery or to
an engine or body ground of the assisting
vehicle.

Everything from A to Z
210
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions, and
indicates where to find them
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System74
Accessories6
Acoustic signal, refer to Check
Control67
Activated-charcoal filter91
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation91
Active head restraints,
front43
"Active seat backrest"48
Active seat ventilation45
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to
Brake force display78
Adaptive Head Light84
"Add digits" for mobile
phone160
"Address book" for navigation
system120
Address for navigation
– deleting121
– entering113,116
– selecting121
– storing120
– storing current position120
"Add to address book"120
"Add to destination list"116
Adjusting active backrest
width41
Adjusting confirmation signals
for locking and unlocking31
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control133Adjusting thigh support41
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear134
– right/left balance134
"After door opened"43
"After unlocking"43
Airbags78
– sitting safely40
– warning lamp80
Air circulation, refer to Air
recirculation90
Air distribution
– automatic88
– manual89
Airing, refer to Ventilation90
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic recircu-
lated-air control90
– recirculated-air mode90
"Air recirculation on / off"47
Air vents87
– refer to Ventilation90
Air volume89
AKI, refer to Fuel quality
175
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off alarm35
– switching off tilt alarm
sensor and interior motion
sensor35
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels"143
"All doors"30
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires180
"All stations", calling up with
radio136,139
Alterations, technical, refer to
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road128"AM", reception
range132,136
Antenna for mobile phone154
Antifreeze
– coolant184
– washer fluid60
Antilock Brake System
ABS74
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system, refer to
Central locking system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights204
Approved engine oils184
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights204
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear98
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer64
– refer to Starting destination
guidance124
"Arrow display" for navigation
system125
Ashtray
– front97
– rear97
Assist, refer to
BMW Assist167
Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems74
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control90