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Rear ventilation
1Knurled wheel to smoothly open and close 
air vents
2Knurled wheel to adjust the temperature:
>Turn toward blue: colder
>Turn toward red: warmer
3Levers to change the air vent direction
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter removes dust and pollen from 
the incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter 
provides additional protection by filtering gas-
eous pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW 
center replaces this combined filter as a stan-
dard part of your scheduled maintenance. 
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the Control Display, refer to page66.
Parked car ventilation*
The concept
The parked car ventilation blows air into the 
passenger compartment to lower interior tem-
peratures.
It is ready to use in the parked-car mode at any 
outside temperature.
You can set two different times for the system 
to start. The parked car ventilation can also be 
switched on and off directly. It remains 
switched on for 30 minutes.
Since the system uses a substantial amount of 
electrical current, you should refrain from acti-
vating it twice in succession without allowing 
the battery to be recharged in normal operation 
between use.The air emerges through the upper body region 
vent outlets in the instrument panel. These vent 
outlets must be open for the system to operate.
The parked car ventilation is operated via iDrive.
Switching on and off directly
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Parked car operation" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Automatic ventilation" and press 
the controller.
5.Select "Parked car ventilation" and press 
the controller.
 The parked-car ventilation is switched on.
 The symbol on the display of the automatic 
climate control flashes.
Preselecting activation times
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Parked car operation" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Activation time" and press the con-
troller. 

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Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote 
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control can 
replace as many as three hand-held transmit-
ters for various remote-controlled accessories, 
such as door openers and house alarm sys-
tems. The integrated universal remote control 
registers and stores signals from the original 
hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter 
can be programmed on one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. Then with the ignition switched 
on, this programmed memory button1 can be 
used to operate the respective feature. The 
LED2 flashes to confirm transmission of the 
signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to 
delete the stored programs beforehand for your 
safety, refer to page94.
To prevent possible damage or injury, 
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always inspect 
the immediate area to make certain that no peo-
ple, animals or objects are within the travel 
range of the device. Also, comply with the 
safety precautions of the original hand-held 
transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging 
or in the manual supplied with the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter, it is safe to 
assume that it is compatible with the integrated 
universal remote control.
If you have additional questions, please 
contact your BMW center or call: 
1-800-355-3515.
Information is also provided on the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com.HomeLink is a registered trademark of Johnson 
Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory buttons
2LED
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1.Switch on ignition, refer to page53.
2.When starting operation for the first time: 
Press both outer memory buttons1 for 
approx. 20 seconds until the LED2 flashes. 
All stored programs are deleted.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a 
distance of approx. 2in/5cm to 8in/20cm 
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the relevant sys-
tem of the original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit key on 
the original hand-held transmitter and the 
desired memory button 1 on the integrated 
universal remote control. The LED 2 flashes 
slowly at first. As soon as the LED2 flashes 
rapidly, release both buttons. If the LED2 
does not flash rapidly after approx. 15 sec-
onds, alter the distance.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4. 

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Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle. The light in the glove compart-
ment switches on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Closing
Fold the cover up.
Locking
Lock with a key.
If you only hand over the remote control 
without the integrated key, e.g. for valet 
parking, refer to page28, the glove compart-
ment cannot be unlocked.<
Rechargeable flashlight
The flashlight is located on the left side of the 
glove compartment. 
The flashlight can remain plugged in continu-
ously. Pull the flashlight out of the socket when 
needed.To avoid possibly damaging the lamp, 
always ensure that it is switched off 
before inserting it in the socket.<
Front center armrest
The compartment is the center armrest is 
divided into two sections.
Opening cover
Press the button. The cover opens somewhat 
and can be folded upwards.
Depending on vehicle equipment, the upper 
section contains a compartment with a mat that 
can be removed for cleaning or a telephone 
cradle
*.
Opening upper compartment
Press button and fold cover upward. 

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Ashtray, front
Opening
Slide back the cover.
Emptying
Push the ashtray toward the front: the ashtray 
lifts and can be removed.
Cigarette lighter, front
Press in the lighter with the engine running or 
the ignition switched on.
The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops 
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, use the lighter and burn themselves.<
Ashtray, rear
Emptying
Press the entire cover down. The ashtray rises 
and can be removed.
Cigarette lighter, rear
Refer to Cigarette lighter, front.
Connecting electrical devices
Sockets
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the cigarette lighter socket can be used as a 
power outlet for hand flashlights, car vacuum 
cleaners, etc., with power ratings of up to 
approx. 200 W at 12 V. Avoid damaging the 
socket due to inserting plugs of different 
shapes or sizes. The same is true for all power 
outlets in the vehicle. 

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3.To unlock the rear seat back, pull the corre-
sponding lever in the luggage compart-
ment.
4.The unlocked rear seat back moves forward 
slightly. Fold the seat back forward by the 
head restraint.
Closing
1.Fold the rear seat back into the seating 
position and engage.
When you return the seat to its upright 
position, make sure that the retainer 
engages properly. If it is not properly engaged, 
transported cargo could enter the vehicle dur-
ing braking or evasive maneuvers and endanger 
the vehicle occupants.<
2.Release the latch plate from the bracket on 
the rear window shelf and insert it into the 
buckle of the center safety belt. The latch 
plate must audibly engage.
The lashing eyes in the luggage compartment 
provide you with a way to attach luggage com-
partment nets
* or flexible straps for securing 
suitcases and luggage, refer to page108.
Ski bag*
Designed for safe, clean transport of up to 
4 pairs of standard skis or up to 2 snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length 
o f  u p  t o  6 . 9 f t / 2 . 1 0  m .  W h e n  s k i s  o f  6 . 9 f t / 2 . 1 0  m  
in length are loaded, the ski bag will tend to con-
tract, reducing its overall capacity.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest, press the 
button and open the cover.
2.Press the button again; the cover in the lug-
gage compartment opens. If you press the 
button firmly the first time, this also opens 
the cover in the luggage compartment.
3.Extend the ski bag between the front seats 
and fill it. The zipper facilitates access to the 
stowed items and drying of the ski bag.
4.Insert the latch plate of the ski bag retaining 
strap into the center safety belt buckle that 
is marked CENTER.
Only stow clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp 
edges to prevent damage. 

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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. 

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Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, this could 
damage the vehicle and produce unstable 
vehicle operating conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the XXX amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs.: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage 
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low 
as possible, placing it directly behind the 
seat back.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge 
of the backrest.