
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
Around the steering wheel: controls and displays
3Folding exterior mirrors in and out*50
4Adjusting exterior mirrors, automatic curb 
monitor
*50
1Safety switch for electric rear 
windows39 
2
Opening and closing windows38 5
Parking lamps97
Low beams97
Automatic headlamp control
*97
Adaptive Head Light
*99
6
Fog lamps
*99
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At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in the indicator 
area 1 or2.
Some lamps are checked for proper functioning 
and thus come on briefly when the engine is 
started or the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the lower edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
You can call up more information, e.g. on the 
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond, 
via Check Control, refer to page82.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps in the indicator 
area1 signal that the associated functions are 
activated:
High beams/headlamp flasher99
Fog lamps
*99
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability88
Parking brake applied59
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Driving
66
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page69.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, pedal sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
>Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, the maximum desired speed is 
110mph or 180km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you. Otherwise driving situations could result 
that pose the risk of accidents.<
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Controls
 97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lamps off and daytime running lamps
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control
*, daytime run-
ning lamps and Adaptive Head Light
*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine. It is preferable to switch on the left-
hand or right-hand roadside parking lamps, 
refer to page99.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
If the light switch remains in position 2, the 
exterior lamps are switched off automatically 
when the driver's door is opened while the igni-
tion is off.
If necessary, switch on the parking lamps as 
described in the section about parking lamps.
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in position3, the low beams 
are switched on and off automatically depend-ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel, 
in twilight, or if there is precipitation. The LED 
next to the symbol is illuminated when the low 
beams are on.
When driving into tunnels with bright overhead 
lights, there may be a delay before the head-
lamps come on.
The headlamps may also come on when the 
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps
*.<
If desired, the light switch can remain in position 
3. The exterior lamps are automatically 
switched off after the vehicle is parked.
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 system 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low-beam headlamps manually under these 
conditions.<
Adjusting sensitivity
You can program how sensitively the system 
reacts to ambient light.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
ProCarManuals.com 

Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
 The daytime running lamps are 
switched on.
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
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to the automatic headlamp control posi-
tion, refer to page97. 
To avoid dazzling the drivers of oncoming vehi-
cles, Adaptive Head Light is not active when the 
car is driven in reverse, and directs the light to 
the front passenger's side when the vehicle is at 
a standstill.
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*
There is an additional option of switching on the 
lamps on the side of the car facing the road 
when parked.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the pressure point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
to the pressure point, arrow 3.
Fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must 
be switched on for the fog lamps to 
operate. The green indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up whenever the 
fog lamps are on.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment ver-
sion, the fog lamps are switched off when you 
activate the headlamp flasher or switch on the 
high beams
*.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
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Destination guidance
150
Driving around a traffic congestion
Select "Detour" and press the controller.
The navigation system calculates a new route 
to avoid the traffic incident.
Traffic information iconsDisplaying current position
You can have your current position displayed 
even when the destination guidance is 
switched off.
1.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
2.Move the highlight marker to the fourth field 
from the top. Turn the controller until "Cur-
rent position" is selected and press the 
controller.
The current position of your BMW is displayed. Traffic light failure
Roadworks
General traffic obstruction
Transport of hazardous load
Danger
Low clearance
No parking
Fog
Heavy rain
Slippery road
Cross winds
Smog
Road closed
Slow traffic
Traffic backup
Stopped traffic
Icy roads
Uneven surface
Accident
Lane closure
Delay
Police checkpoint
ProCarManuals.com 

Replacing components
222
Sports Wagon: changing rear wiper 
blade
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Pull off the wiper blade, see arrow.
3.Insert the new wiper blade and press it on 
until it audibly engages.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you 
do not feel competent to perform yourself or 
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW center.
Only change bulbs while they are cool to 
the touch, otherwise you could suffer 
burns.<
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
For care and maintenance of the headlamps, 
please follow the instructions in the separate 
Caring for your vehicle brochure.If the routine for changing a particular 
bulb is not described here, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a 
concept similar to that applied in conventional 
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours at a time, otherwise this could 
cause irritation to the retina.<
Xenon lamps
The service life of these bulbs is very long and 
the probability of a failure is very low, provided 
that they are not switched on and off an unusual 
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog lamps and continue the 
journey with great care, provided that local leg-
islation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, 
including bulb replacements, performed 
o nl y  b y  a  BM W  c e n t er  o r a  w o r k s h o p  t h a t  w o rk s  
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if 
such work is carried out improperly, the high 
voltage in the system presents the danger of 
fatal injuries.<
Parking lamps, roadside parking lamps
In the event of a malfunction, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Halogen lamps
H7 bulb, 55 watts
Always wear gloves and eye protection; 
the atmosphere within the H7 bulb is 
ProCarManuals.com 

Everything from A - Z
250 Courtesy lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps100
Cross-hairs in navigation136
Cruise control64
– active66
– malfunction65
Cruising range74
Cup holders111
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights239
Current fuel consumption, 
refer to Energy Control73
"Current position"150
Current position
– displaying150
– entering139
– storing139
"Customer 
Relations"184,193
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting100
Data, technical236
– dimensions237
– engine236
– weights239
"Date"82
Date
– setting81
– setting format82
"Date format"82
"Daytime running lamps"98
Daytime running lamps98
DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control87
DCC, refer to Cruise 
control64
"Deactivated"49
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags95
Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking30Decommissioning the vehicle
– refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Defect
– door lock31
– fuel filler door200
– glass sunroof40
– panorama glass roof42
Defogging windows104
Defrost, windows104
Defrosting windows104
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation
– automatic climate 
control104
Defrosting windshield, refer to 
Defrosting windows104
Defrost position, refer to 
Defrosting windows104
"Delete address book" in 
navigation140
"Delete all numbers" on the 
mobile phone184
"Delete data" in 
navigation140
"Delete" for mobile 
phone183
Destination address
– deleting140
– entering131,134
Destination for navigation
– entry131
– navigation list138
– selecting from address 
book139
– selecting using 
information137
– storing139Destination guidance143
– canceling voice 
instructions52
– changing specified 
route141
– displaying route144
– displaying routes144
– distance and arrival143
– starting143
– terminating/continuing143
– voice instructions146
– volume of voice 
instructions147
Destination list for navigation 
system138
Destinations recently driven 
to138
Detour, refer to Driving around 
a traffic jam150
Detour during navigation150
"Detour" in navigation150
"Dial" for mobile phone181
"Dial number"182
Digital clock72
Digital compass108
Dimensions237
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals61
Direction instructions, refer to 
Voice instructions146
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book138
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data236
Display, refer to iDrive 
controls16
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting100
"Display off"21
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant217
– remote control battery38
– vehicle battery227
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