Page 17 of 227

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for handsfree mode for
telephone
*
and for voice command system*22
2Reading lamps83
3Initiating
an emergency call191
4Interior lamps83
5Indicator lamp
for front passenger
airbags76
6Control Display16
7Hazard warning flashers
8Central locking system32
9Automatic climate control84
10Changing
>radio station126
>track126
11Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*106
>audio CD126
12Player for navigation DVD in Professional
*
navigation system10613Drive for audio CDs126
14Entertainment sound output on/off
and adjusting volume126
16Bracket for cup holder93
17Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally in four
directions
18Activating voice command system
*22
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
20Drivelogic of Sequential Manual
Transmission54
21EDC Electronic Damping Control73
22DSC Dynamic Stability Control71
23M Engine Dynamic Control POWER55 Temperature setting, left/right84
Automatic air distribution and
volume85
Cooling function86
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control87
Recirculated-air mode87
Maximum cooling86
Residual heat mode87
Switching off automatic climate
control87
Air volume86
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation86
Rear window defroster84
15
Heated seats43
PDC Park Distance Control
*70
Flat Tire Monitor73
Page 18 of 227
iDrive
16
iDrive
iDrive combines the functions of a multitude of
switches. This allows these functions to be
operated from a central position. The following
section provides an introduction to basic menu navigation. The control of individual functions is
described in connection with the relevant
equipment.
Controls
1Control Display
2 button
Opening the start menu
3Controller
You can use the controller to select menu
items and change settings by:
>moving in four directions, arrows4
>turning, arrow5
>pressing, arrow6To avoid becoming distracted and unnec-
essarily endangering both your own vehi-
cle's occupants and other road users, never
attempt to use the controls or make entries
unless traffic and road conditions allow.<
Page 19 of 227

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 info, e.g. for displaying of the
average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
Climate
>Air distribution
>Automatic program
>Parked car ventilation
menu
>Switching off the Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for MDrive, or
settings for the central locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates
for statutory emission and vehicle inspec-
tions
>Settings for the telephone
Basic operation
From radio readiness, refer to page50, 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.
Page 20 of 227

iDrive
18
Opening menu items of start menu
From the start menu, you can call up the four
menu items Communication, Navigation, Enter-
tainment, and Climate by moving the controller
left, right, forward, or back.
You can open the menu by pressing the con-
troller.
Comfort opening of menu items
Convenience opening offers you the option of:
>Opening a menu item of the start menu in
the view last selected
>Direct switching between Communication,
Navigation, Entertainment and Climate
without pressing the button
To do so, move the controller in the corre-
sponding direction and hold it for longer than
approx. 2 seconds.
Displays in menu
1Each menu is divided into fields. The cur-
rently selected field appears brighter.
2A symbol indicates the last selected menu
item of the start menu:
1Menu items are usually grouped in horizon-
tal or vertical lists.
2Arrows indicate the possibility of accessing
other menu items that are not currently vis-
ible.
3Settings are displayed graphically or
numerically.
Communication
Navigation or onboard info
Entertainment
Climate
menu
Page 21 of 227
At a glance
19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Operating principle at a glance
Basic operation via iDrive is described in this
view.You can view the individual steps under Set-
tings on Control Display, Setting time, refer to
page68.
1Selecting menu item:
>Turn controller; marking moves
>Menu items shown in white can be
selected by marking
2Activating a menu item:
>Press controller
>New menu items are displayed or
function is carried out
3Selecting a menu item: refer to 14Changing between fields:
>Briefly move controller left, right, forward
or back
>Release controller
>Active field appears lighter
5Adjusting settings:
>Turn controller
>Graphic display, numerical value or text
displays can be changed
>Confirmation by changing field
Page 22 of 227

iDrive
20
Status information
1Display for:
>Entertainment:
Radio, CD
>Telephone
* in "Communication":
Name of linked mobile phone, network
search or no network
>"BMW Assist"
*:
Existing voice connection with a service
from BMW Assist
2Entertainment sound output off
3Display for:
> New entries present in "Missed calls"
*
> Roaming active
4 Telephoning
* possible if the mobile
phone is logged-on in the vehicle
Mobile phone network reception
strength, display dependent on mobile
phone
5Time
Other displays:
When Check Control information appears or
entries are made via the voice command sys-
tem
*, the status information is temporarily hid-
den.
Assistance window*
Additional information can be displayed in the
assistance window:
>the computer or the trip computer
>the arrow or map view with a navigation
system
*
>the current position
Selecting displays
1.Move the controller to the right to switch to
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select a menu item.
3.Press the controller.
Page 23 of 227
At a glance
21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching assistance window on/off
1.Move the controller to the right to switch to
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Assist. window off" and press the
controller.
To switch on, change to the assistance window
and press the controller.
Switching Control Display on/
off
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Display off" and press the control-
ler.
To switch on, press the controller.
Page 24 of 227

Voice command system
22
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of
having to use the controller.
The voice command system transforms your
spoken commands into control signals for the
selected systems and provides support in the
form of instructions or questions.
The voice command system includes a special
microphone.
The microphone is located near the interior
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Prerequisite
In order to enable identification of the com-
mands to be spoken, use iDrive to set the lan-
guage for the voice command system. Setting
iDrive language, refer to page69.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the button.
This symbol on the Control Display and
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice
command system can respond to com-
mands.
2.Say the command.
The command is displayed on the Control
Display.
This symbol is shown on the Control Display
when you can input additional commands.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for
word.
{{...}} Indicates the responses of the voice
command system.