
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 removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. It is not neces-
sary to use the controller.
The voice command system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice command system uses a special 
microphone located in the area of the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Precondition
Via iDrive, select the language in which the 
voice command system is operating, so that the 
spoken commands can be identified. Selecting 
the language for iDrive, refer to page85.
Symbols in the Owner's Manual
Saying commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the  button on the steering wheel 
or in the center console.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal indicate that the voice 
command system is ready to receive spo-
ken commands.
2.Say the command.
The command appears on the Control Dis-
play.
 This symbol appears on the Control Display 
when you can enter additional commands. 
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice 
command system.
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Voice command system
24 5.Press the   button on the steering wheel 
or in the center console.
Notes
For information on voice control of the 
telephone, refer also to the separate 
Owner's Manual.<
For voice commands, bear in mind the follow-
ing:
>Pronounce the commands and digits 
smoothly and at normal volume, avoiding 
excessive emphases and pauses. The same 
applies to spelling when entering a destina-
tion for navigation.
>Always speak the commands in the lan-
guage of the voice command system.
>When selecting a radio station, use the 
standard pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice command system and no abbrevia-
tions
>Keep the doors, windows and glass roof/
panorama glass roof closed to prevent 
interference from outside noise.
>Avoid ambient noise in the vehicle while 
speaking.6.Select a track, e.g.:
{Track 1}
The system says: 
{{Track 1}}
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Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Date format, refer to page82
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer to 
page85
>Language on the Control Display, refer to 
page85
>Units of measure for fuel consumption, dis-
tance covered/remaining distances, and 
temperature, refer to page77
>Show visual warning for Park Distance Con-
trol PDC
*, refer to page86
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program, 
activating/deactivating cooling function and 
automatic recirculated-air control, setting 
temperature, air flow rate and distribution, 
refer to page102 ff
>Audio volume, refer to page157
>Tone control, refer to page157
>Speed-dependent volume control, refer to 
page157
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid/tailgate
>Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, via the 
handles on the driver's and front passen-
ger's doors
The anti-theft system is also operated at the 
same time. It prevents the doors from being 
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. In addition, if the remote control is used, 
the interior lamps and the door's courtesy 
lamps
* are also switched on or off. The alarm system
* is also armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system,
 refer to 
page35.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer 
to page32.
In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the 
central locking system unlocks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing: from 
outside
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with 
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.<
Unlocking
Press the   button.
The interior lamps and the courtesy lamps
* 
come on. You can also set the way in which the 
car is unlocked. The setting is stored for the 
remote control currently in use.
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.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
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Controls
 77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
2Button for:
>Confirming selected display or set val-
ues
>Calling up computer information74
3When the lights are on: instrument lighting 
brightness1004Calling up Check Control82
5Checking oil level215
6Setting the time80
7Setting the date81
8Viewing service requirement display77
Exiting displays
The outside-temperature reading and the time 
reappear when you press button2 or if you 
make no entries within approx. 15 seconds. If 
required, complete the current setting first.
Units of measure
You can set units of measure. The settings are 
stored for the remote control currently in use, 
refer also to Personal Profile on page28.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Language / Units" and press the 
controller.
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Units" is selected and press the con-
troller.
6.Select the desired menu item and press the 
controller.
7.Select the desired measurement unit and 
press the controller.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of 
the next scheduled service are displayed briefly 
immediately after you start the engine or switch 
on the ignition.
The extent of service work required can 
be read out from the remote control by 
your BMW Service Advisor.<
For certain maintenance operations, you can 
view the respective distance remaining or due 
date individually in the instrument cluster.
1.Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up 
or down repeatedly until the appropriate 
symbol appears in the display, accompa-
nied by the words "SERVICE-INFO".
2.Press button 2.
3.Use button 1 to scroll through the individual 
service items.
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Controls
 85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 restarts if it was 
running beforehand.
>Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an interim 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 operation 
in the background.<
Altering settings
Language on the Control Display
The language of the Control Display can be set. 
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller until "Languages" is selected and press the 
controller.
5.Select "Text language" and press the con-
troller. You can switch to another language 
for the display texts and navigation mes-
sages.
6.Select and activate the desired language by 
pressing the controller.
Brightness of the Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. Note, however, 
that you can change the basic setting while the 
low beams are switched on. The setting is 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "Brightness" is selected and press the 
controller.
5.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is reached.
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Practical interior accessories
108 The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
You can operate the device while the ignition is 
switched off.
If the device fails to function even after 
repeated programming, check whether 
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the 
instructions for the original hand-held transmit-
ter or hold down the programmed memory 
button1 of the integrated universal remote 
control. If the LED2 on the integrated universal 
remote control flashes rapidly for a short while 
and then remains lit for about two seconds, the 
original hand-held transmitter uses an alternat-
ing-code system. If it uses an alternating-code 
system, program the memory buttons1 as 
described under Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters.<
Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters
To program the integrated universal remote 
control, consult the operating instructions for 
the device to be set. You will find information 
there on the possibilities for synchronization.
When programming hand-held transmitters 
that employ an alternating code, please observe 
the following supplementary instructions:Programming will be easier with the aid of 
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the 
remote-controlled device.
2.Program the integrated universal remote 
control as described above in the section 
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set, e.g. on the drive unit.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set. After step 4, you have 
approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1 of 
the integrated universal remote control 
three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
If you have any questions, please contact 
your BMW center.
20 seconds until the LED2 flashes: all memory 
buttons are cleared.
It is not possible to clear individual memory but-
tons.
Digital compass*
1Adjustment button
2Display
The display shows you the main or secondary 
compass direction in which you are driving.
Operating principle
You can call up various functions by pressing 
the adjustment button with a pointed object 
such as a pen or similar item. The following 
adjustment options are displayed one after the 
other, depending on how long you keep the 
adjustment button pressed:
>Press briefly: switch display on/off
>3 to 6 seconds: set the compass zone
>6 to 9 seconds: calibrate the compass
>9 to 12 seconds: set left-hand/right-hand 
steering
>12 to 15 seconds: set the language
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Controls
 109Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Setting compass zones
Set the compass zone corresponding to your 
vehicle's geographic location so that the com-pass can function correctly; refer to the world 
map with compass zones below.
To set the compass zone, press the adjustment 
button for approx. 3-4 seconds. The number of 
the compass zone set is shown in the display.
To change the zone setting, briefly press the 
adjustment button repeatedly until the display 
shows the number of the compass zone corre-
sponding to your current location.
The compass is operational again after approx. 
10 seconds.
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the 
following situations:
>An incorrect compass direction is shown.
>The compass direction shown does not 
change although the direction of travel 
does.
>Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or 
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2.Set the currently valid compass zone.
3.Press the adjustment button for approx. 
6-7 seconds to call up C. Then drive in at 
least one full circle at a speed of no more 
than 4 mph or 7 km/h.
If calibration is successful, the display 
changes from C to a compass direction.
Setting right-hand/left-hand steering
Your digital compass is factory-set to right-
hand or left-hand steering, in accordance with 
your vehicle.
Setting the language
You can set the language of the display:
Press the adjustment button for approx. 
12-13 seconds. Briefly press the adjustment 
button again to switch between English, "E", 
and German, "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx. 
10 seconds.
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Navigation
Driving tips
 135Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
Selecting country
1.Wait for the system to ask for the country of 
destination.
Say the name of the destination country in the 
language of the voice command system.
Entering destination
The destination can be spelled or entered as an 
entire word.
Spelling the destination
To enter a destination, spell it in the way it is 
commonly spelled in the destination country. 
Pronounce the letters smoothly and at normal 
volume, avoiding excessive emphases and 
pauses.
The system can suggest up to 20 destina-
tions that meet your entries. Up to 6 entries 
at a time appear on the Control Display.The town/city can also be selected from the list 
via iDrive:
Turn the controller until the destination is 
selected and press the controller.
Entering the destination as an entire 
word*
Towns/cities and streets located in the region 
where the language of the voice command sys-
tem is spoken can be entered as an entire word.
Example: to enter a U.S. destination as an entire 
word, the system language must be English.
A prerequisite is the use of a suitable navigation 
DVD.
Speak smoothly and at normal volume, and 
avoid excessive emphases and pauses.
1.Wait for the system to ask for the town/city 
of destination.
The system can suggest up to 6 destina-
tions that meet your entries.
The town/city can also be selected from the list 
via iDrive:
Turn the controller until the destination is 
selected and press the controller. 2.Say the name of the destination coun-
try.
1.To spell the name of a town/city:
Say at least the first three letters of the 
town/city. The more letters you say, the 
more accurately the system will recog-
nize the town/city.
The system suggests a location.
2.Selecting location:
>To select highlighted town/city: 
{Yes}
>To select other town/city: {No}
>To select an entry, e.g. {Entry 3}
>To show other entries in the list: 
{Next page}
>To respell the town/city: {Repeat}
2.Say the name of the destination town/
city.
The system suggests a location.
3.Selecting location:
>To select highlighted town/city: 
{Yes}
>To select other town/city: {No}
>To select an entry, e.g. {Entry 3}
>To reenter the town/city: {Repeat}
>To enter the town/city by spelling: 
{Spell}
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