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Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, 
otherwise the inhaling of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause unconsciousness and death. 
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, 
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, move the selector lever into the N position 
and set the handbrake, otherwise the vehicle 
can begin to roll.<
When starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
Do not press the brake pedal as long as 
you do not want to start the engine. The 
engine starts immediately when you briefly 
press the Start/Stop button with the brake 
pedal depressed.<
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position N.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine 
starts.
If the engine does not start, shift back to 
the last selector lever position selected, 
refer to the instrument cluster display or the 
selector lever. Then select the position N.
You cannot start off with the hood open.When the engine is cold, the exhaust system 
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned at all or is burned inade-
quately and there is a danger of overheating and 
damage to the catalytic converter.<
Special starting conditions
Depress the accelerator pedal halfway when 
starting the engine in the following situations:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt, 
e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/– 156, at high 
altitudes, over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Switching engine off
Do not remove the remote control from 
the ignition lock while the vehicle is roll-
ing, otherwise the steering wheel lock would 
engage while steering.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply the 
handbrake, as otherwise the vehicle could roll 
away.<
1.Apply handbrake.
2.Move selector lever into a drive position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
A signal sounds when the position N is 
engaged and the handbrake is not set when 
switching off the engine.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels. 

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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, the system will not execute a 
downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev.
>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. passing, 
press the accelerator pedal as far down as it will 
go. You achieve maximum acceleration.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Gear 1 to 7, R, N engaged
2Selected driving program, 
matches the number of illuminated fields, 
refer to Drivelogic on page54
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. 

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The system reverts to operation at normal 
speed whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
Wiper operation is controlled automatically as a 
function of the rain intensity. The rain sensor is 
located on the windshield, directly in front of the 
interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes 
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing 
through an automatic car wash. Failure to 
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps
Pull the lever, arrow4:
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
When the vehicle lighting is switched on, the 
headlamps are simultaneously washed at 
appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do so, your vision could be 
obscured. To avoid freezing, use a washer fluid 
antifreeze, refer to Washer fluid. Do not use washers when the washer fluid reservoir is 
empty, as this will damage the washer pump.<
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Always keep it well away from sparks and 
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always 
follow the instructions for use provided on the 
containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir
All washer jets are supplied from one reservoir.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix the 
washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Capacity approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds 
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The 
vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you 
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn. 

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Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for 
the time during which the engine is running.
You can use the Control Display to view your 
fuel consumption rate over two different dis-
tances, refer to Displays on Control Display or 
Trip computer.
To reset the average fuel consumption: press 
the BC button in the turn signal lever for approx. 
2seconds.
Displays on Control Display
You can also call up the computer via iDrive, for 
explanation of principle, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to open 
"Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.4.Select "Onboard info" and press the con-
troller.
>Estimated time of arrival at destination:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
>Entering a destination in the navigation 
system
*, refer to page107.
>Cruising range
>Distance to destination:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
>Entering a destination in the navigation 
system
*, refer to page107.
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine 
switched off are not included in the calculations 
of average speed.
Resetting values
You can reset the values for average speed and 
average fuel consumption:
1.Select the desired menu item and press the 
controller.
2.Press the controller again to confirm. 

Everything under control
62
Entering a distance manually
1.Select "Distance to dest." and press the 
controller.
2.Turn the controller to select the distance 
to your destination. If necessary, hold it 
against a slight resistance to enter a greater 
difference.
3.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The distance is automatically predetermined 
during the destination guidance of the naviga-
tion system
*.
Trip computer
The trip computer is suitable for a vacation trip, 
for example.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Trip computer" and press the con-
troller.
>Departure time
>Driving time
>Distance traveled>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Switching trip computer on/off and resetting 
all values:
1.Select "Set" and press the controller.
2.Select the desired menu item and press the 
controller.
Display options
You can display the computer or the trip com-
puter in the assistance window.
1.Move the controller to the right to switch to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select a menu item:
>"Onboard info"
>"Trip computer".
3.Press the controller. 

Everything under control
66 4.Select "Check Control messages" and 
press the controller.
5.Select a message and press the controller.
To exit from the menu immediately:
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
Displaying the urgency of malfunctions
Depending on the equipment, the stored Check 
Control messages are also displayed with the 
following symbols:
No malfunctions detected in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions detected in the monitored 
systems. Depending on the malfunction, 
supplementary information is shown on 
the Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page63.
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip 
are shown consecutively when you switch off 
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display 
the messages once again. Press the CHECK 
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can press the CHECK 
button repeatedly.
The display:
>turns off automatically after a brief period
>can be turned off at any time by pressing 
the CHECK button again for approx. 2 sec-
onds
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached 
this speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a 
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Limit" and press the controller. 

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5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit. If neces-
sary, hold it against a slight resistance to 
enter a greater difference.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is automatically switched on.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system applies your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
 The limit is automatically switched on.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting, stopping, or resetting
>Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it 
was running beforehand.>Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" and press the controller. 
The interim time appears below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.
All of the remaining functions remain 
available at all times while the stopwatch 
is running. The stopwatch continues to operate 
in the background.<
Settings on Control Display
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button once or twice until 
the start menu appears.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu. 

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are already shown there before a signal tone 
sounds. The setting is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "PDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles always remains with 
the driver. Even when sensors are involved, 
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. This applies especially in those cases 
where the system approaches the physical con-
straints of ultrasonic measurement, as occurs 
with tow bars and trailer couplings, and in the 
vicinity of thin or wedge-shaped objects. Low 
objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can dis-
appear from the detection area of the sensors 
again before a continuous tone sounds. Higher, 
protruding objects, e.g. ledges, cannot be 
detected. Loud noises from outside and inside 
the vehicle may prevent you from hearing the 
PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page99.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution
This system controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to ensure 
stable deceleration.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC optimizes the vehicle stability and traction. 
It also detects unstable driving states such as 
understeering and oversteering, and helps 
keep the vehicle on course within the physical 
limits by reducing the engine output and by 
braking at the wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the 
engine.