
At a glance
 15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for handsfree mode for 
telephone
*
and for voice command system*22
2Reading lamps86
3Initiating
 an emergency call196
4Glass sunroof
*, electric38
5Interior lamps86
6Passenger airbag status lamp79
7Control Display16
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system32
10Automatic climate control87
11Changing
>radio station132
>track132
12Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*132
>audio CD13213Drive for navigation system DVD with 
Professional navigation system
*112
14Drive for audio CDs132
15Switching Entertainment sound output on/
off and adjusting volume132
17Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally in four 
directions
18Activating voice command system
*22
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Drivelogic of Sequential Manual 
Transmission57
21EDC Electronic Damping Control76
22DSC Dynamic Stability Control75
23M Engine Dynamic Control POWER58 Temperature setting, left/right88 
Automatic air distribution and 
volume88 
Cooling function89
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control90
Recirculated-air mode90
Maximum cooling89 
Residual heat mode90 
Switching off automatic climate 
control90 
Air volume89 
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation89 
Rear window defroster87 
16
Heated seats45
Active seat ventilation
*45
Adjusting active backrest 
width
*41
Flat Tire Monitor76
PDC Park Distance Control
*73 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. 
The handbrake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to engage the hand-
brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it 
too strongly. In doing so, continuously press the 
button of the handbrake lever. Otherwise 
excessive pressure can lead to the rear wheels 
locking up and loss of traction – fishtailing – at 
the rear axle.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable. 
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Sequential Manual 
Transmission with Drivelogic
The concept
The SMG Sequential Manual Transmission 
with Drivelogic is an automated manual trans-
mission in which an electrohydraulic system 
handles the clutching and gear changes.
The Sequential Manual Transmission is oper-
ated with the selector lever and two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>Optional manual or automatic operation: 
Sequential mode or Drive mode
>Selection option between different driving 
programs, Drivelogic, refer to page57
>Upshift display, shift lights, refer to page58
>Automatic downshifting and prevention of 
incorrect shifting even in Sequential opera-
tion
>Automatic double clutching
Selector lever positions
>R: Reverse gear
>N: Neutral
>Β: Drive position:
>+: manual upshifting
>–: manual downshifting
>D/S: switch between Drive mode and 
Sequential mode
Shiftlock
Press the brake pedal before shifting out of N; 
the shift command will not be executed unless 
the brake is applied. 

Driving
56
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Idle
Always engage before starting engine.
If the driving situation requires, e.g. when down-
shifting on a slippery road surface, the Sequen-
tial Manual Transmission automatically 
clutches and then declutches again, i.e. it is not 
necessary to engage idling manually.
N is automatically engaged after just a 
few seconds when you open the driver's 
door or the hood with the engine running and do 
not operate either pedals, shift paddles or the 
selector lever. In these cases, to start off after 
closing the driver's door or the hood, first move 
the selector lever into the position N and then 
into the drive position.<
S Sequential mode
You can shift up and down using the shifting 
paddles or the selector lever. You do not need 
to remove your foot from the accelerator to do 
so.
After every engine start, as soon as the selector 
lever is pushed to the right into the drive posi-
tion Β and the brake pedal is pressed, the 
Sequential mode is activated.
Starting off is also possible on a level road sur-
face in second gear, e.g. in case of ice.
In the following situations, the Sequential Man-
ual Transmission thinks for you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for 
example, a downshift that would cause the 
engine to overrev will not be executed by 
the system.
>When the vehicle is stationary, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into first 
gear.
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion downshifts automatically even without 
your intervention.
D Drive mode
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted 
automatically.
Shifting from Sequential mode to Drive mode: 
press selector lever to the right toward D/S.
To switch back into the Sequential mode: press 
selector lever to the right again toward D/S or 
shift using the shift paddles or the selector 
lever.
Kick-down: for rapid acceleration, e. g. when 
passing, press the accelerator pedal as far 
down as it will go. You achieve maximum accel-
eration.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Gear 1 to 7, R, N engaged
2Selected driving program, 
matches the number of illuminated fields, 
refer to Drivelogic on page57
3The currently engaged gear is displayed, 
followed by a D in the Drive mode
A flashing gear display indicates to you 
that the driver's door is open with the 
engine running.
N is automatically engaged after just a few sec-
onds when you open the driver's door or the 
hood with the engine running and the vehicle 
stopped, and do not operate either pedals, shift 
paddles or the selector lever.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To upshift, pull the selector lever back.
>To downshift, push the selector lever for-
ward. 

Things to remember when driving
104
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Do not use the driving programs 5 and 6, refer 
to Drivelogic on page57, during break-in.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds, 
however do not exceed 5,500 rpm or 105 mph/
170 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to 
3,000 miles/5,000 km
The engine and driving speed can gradually be 
increased up to a continuous vehicle speed of 
135 mph/220 km/h. Only drive at top speed 
briefly, e.g. when passing.
Transmission
The function of the transmission is only at its 
optimized level after driving a distance of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed 
engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. 
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely 
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter 
the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to 
page89.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle and while 
parking take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it  

Driving tips
 105Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the risk of serious property damage as well as 
personal injury.<
Mobile communications devices in 
vehicle
BMW discourages the use of mobile 
communications devices, e. g. mobile 
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the 
vehicle electronics and mobile communication 
device can influence one another. In addition, 
there is no assurance that the radiation which 
results from transmission will be dissipated 
from the vehicle interior.<
Interior and exterior mirrors, 
automatic dimming feature*
This feature is controlled by two photocells in 
the inside rearview mirror. One is integrated into 
the glass of the mirror, while the other is located 
at an offset position 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 stickers of any kind 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 the tires and 
the road surface, ultimately undermining your 
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.
mum tire tread on page178.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it 
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at 
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Starting off
On slopes
The starting assistant enables starting off on 
slopes virtually without rolling back.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Make sure that the handbrake is released.
3.Release the footbrake and immediately 
drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle 
for approx. 1 second after releasing the 
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle 
m a y  a l s o  ro l l b a ck  s li g h t ly  d u ri n g  t h is  t im e .  A f t er  
releasing the footbrake, immediately start 
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no 
longer holds the vehicle after approx. 1 second 
and it begins to roll back.<
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold 
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the footbrake or handbrake 
instead. Otherwise overheating and heavy wear 
can result in the area of the Sequential Manual 
Transmission.<
To protect the clutch of the Sequential Manual 
Transmission from overheating, the starting-off 
behavior is changed under heavy loading, e.g. a 
rapid succession of starts on slopes. This can 
be noticed from shaking during starting off.
On a slippery surface
1.Select program "P 400" of M Engine 
Dynamic Control, refer to page58.
2.Gently press accelerator pedal to prevent 
wheels from spinning when starting off. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 137Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Changing selection criteria
1.Change into the second field from the top.
2.Turn the controller until the desired selec-
tion criterion is selected and press the con-
troller.
Buttons next to CD player
Press the   button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system switches to the next displayed sta-
tion.
You can also change stations with buttons on 
the steering wheel, refer to page11.
Sampling stations, scan
The system automatically plays a brief sample 
from each of the stations on the current wave-
band.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
"Set" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
The stations are sampled.To end sampling:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
This cancels sampling of the stations, and the 
radio remains on the current station.
Buttons next to CD player
 To sample the stations, press and hold 
the button for the corresponding direction.
To stop scanning, press the button again.
Selecting frequency manually
With "Manual" you can select stations that are 
received in addition to those displayed.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Change into the second field from the top.
3.Select "Manual" and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller to set a certain fre-
quency.
Updating stations with best reception
For Professional radio with "AM" and with Busi-
ness radio:
If you are on a longer journey and leave the 
transmission range of the stations originally set, 
you can update the list of stations with the best 
reception.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Change into the second field from the top. 

Telephoning
154
Telephoning
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full mobile phone 
preparation package. After logging on a suitable 
mobile phone on the vehicle once, you can 
operate the mobile phone via iDrive, with the 
buttons on the steering wheel and by voice.
A mobile phone that has been logged on once is 
automatically detected again with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on as soon as 
it is in the vehicle interior. The logon data of up 
to four mobile phones can be stored simulta-
neously. If several mobile phones are detected 
simultaneously, the respective last mobile 
phone logged on can be operated via the vehi-
cle.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a mobile phone 
cradle, enables the battery to be charged and 
the mobile phone to be connected to the exter-
nal antenna of your vehicle. This ensures 
improved network reception and a consistent 
voice reproduction quality. Ask your BMW cen-
ter which mobile phones snap-in adapters are 
offered for.
BMW discourages the use of mobile 
phones or other mobile communications 
devices inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the 
vehicle electronics and mobile communication 
device can influence one another. In addition, 
there is no assurance that the radiation which 
results from transmission will be dissipated 
from the vehicle interior.<
Avoid operating a mobile phone detected by 
the vehicle with the keypad of the mobile 
phone, otherwise malfunctions can occur.
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in 
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your mobile 
phone's separate operating instructions for a 
detailed description of safety precautions and 
information, we request that you direct your 
particular attention to the following:
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the 
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving; 
use the hands-free system instead. If you do 
not observe this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and 
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones 
with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the 
mobile phone preparation package or which 
mobile phones snap-in adapters are available 
for. These mobile phones support the functions 
described in this Owner's Manual with a certain 
software version. Malfunctions can occur with 
other mobile phones.
Care instructions
You can find what you need to know about car-
ing for your mobile phone in the separate Caring 
for your vehicle brochure and in the mobile 
phone operating instructions.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone* using:
>The steering wheel, refer to page11
>iDrive, refer to page16
>Voice commands, refer to page163
* 

 167
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
TeleService , BMW Assist
TeleService
TeleService supports you when communicat-
ing with a BMW center. The built-in car phone 
can be used to transmit data regarding the ser-
vice status of your vehicle or regarding legally 
mandated inspections directly to your BMW 
center. This is the same data that is also stored 
for CBS Condition Based Service in the remove 
control. Your BMW center can then contact 
you, and you can make an appointment that 
suits you while you are still on the road. Your 
advantage here is that your BMW center can 
prepare in advance for the required mainte-
nance work. The TeleService functions are 
country-specific: the data regarding the service 
status of your vehicle or regarding legally man-
dated inspections is transmitted on a country-
specific basis either automatically before they 
fall due or during your calls to the BMW center. 
Your BMW center will be glad to provide more 
detailed information.
BMW Assist
BMW Assist provides you with other services in 
addition to TeleService. For example, the posi-
tion data of your vehicle can be transferred to 
the BMW Assist response center if an emer-
gency call
* has been initiated.
Many functions of BMW Assist depend on the 
individually agreed contract. Data transmission, 
e. g. of the CBS Condition Based Service, dif-
fers from country to country.
The contract of participation with BMW Assist 
and the activation must be completed before 
you can use BMW Assist.
When the contract expires, the car phone can 
be deactivated by a BMW center without having 
to visit a BMW center. Following deactivation of 
the car phone, no emergency calls can be 
made. The car phone can be reactivated after 
signing a new contract with a BMW center.You can also use the services of BMW Assist via 
the Internet. The range of services is continually 
being expanded.
Requirements
You can use TeleService or BMW Assist when 
the following requirements are met:
>The installed car phone is logged on to a 
cellular telephone network. This network 
must be capable of transmitting the ser-
vices.
>To transmit position data, the vehicle must 
be able to determine the current position. 
This can be displayed on the Control Dis-
play.
>For TeleService or BMW Assist to be acti-
vated and updated, the GPS signal must be 
available.
>For BMW Assist: you have applied to your 
BMW center or BMW Customer Support for 
BMW Assist.
Enabling TeleService or BMW Assist
For you to be able to use the services of 
TeleService or BMW Assist, these must be 
enabled.
Requirements
>Make sure that the vehicle can determine its 
current position. Reception is best when 
you have an unobstructed view to the sky.
>Leave radio readiness switched on while 
connecting to the system.
Enabling
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.
**