
At a glance
 17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation
>Navigation system
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying the 
average fuel consumption.
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>External audio device
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Parked car operation
 menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates 
for statutory emissions and vehicle inspec-
tions
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
As of radio readiness, the following message 
appears on the Control Display:
To hide the message: 
Press the controller.
The start menu is displayed.
The message is automatically hidden after 
approx. 10 seconds.
Start menu
All iDrive functions can be called up via five 
menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
To open the start menu from the   menu:
Press the   button twice.
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
86
Technology for driving comfort and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator
 warn you of the presence of an object 
behind your vehicle. To measure the distance, 
there are four ultrasonic sensors in either 
bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not 
sound until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm 
from the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m 
from the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated automatically after 
approx. 1 second when you engage reverse 
gear or move the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever to position R. Wait this short period 
before driving.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds
>if you remain in front of an object that has 
been detected by only one of the corner 
sensors
>if you are driving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the 
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
PDC with visual warning
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. The contours 
of distant objects are shown on the Control Dis-
play even before the acoustic signal sounds. 
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.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
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically 
reduced to slightly more than double walking 
speed and maintained.
Increasing or decreasing speed
By accelerating or braking you can change the 
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph, 
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range using the cruise control lever.
1To increase speed
2To decrease speed
Activating HDC
Press the button; the indicator lamp lights up.
The indicator lamp flashes when the vehicle is 
being braked automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes 
out.
HDC is automatically deactivated in the follow-
ing situations:
>at speeds above approx. 40 mph or 
60  km/h
>after switching off the ignition.
Using HDC
In cars with manual transmission:
Use HDC in lower gears and in reverse gear.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in any drive position.
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction
The HDC display disappears during HDC oper-
ation, or does not appear:
HDC is temporarily unavailable due to exces-
sive brake temperature, or DSC has failed.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off 
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary 
to use the parking brake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the 
brake.
2.Release the brake and drive off without 
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in 
place for approx. 2 seconds after the 
brake is released. Depending on vehicle load, 
the car may roll backwards a little during this 
time span. Drive off without delay after releas-
ing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant 
will no longer hold the car in place after approx. 
2 seconds and the car will start to roll back-
wards.<
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Driving tips
 123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.<
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 situation, known as hydroplaning, 
means that the tire can completely lose contact 
with the road surface, so that neither the car can 
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page211.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is 
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only 
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the 
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with 
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise greater clutch wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page89.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most 
effective way of braking in situations in which 
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that 
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page60.
Never drive with the clutch held down, 
with the transmission in idle or with the 
engine switched off; otherwise, engine braking 
action will not be present or there will be no 
power assistance to the brakes or steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be 
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
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Mobility
 231Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct 
order, so that no sparks which could 
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in 
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine 
compartment overview on page215. The cap is 
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+ 
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the 
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal 
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of 
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/– 
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the 
battery or to an engine or body ground of 
the assisting vehicle. 
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground 
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the 
cargo bay, refer to page221.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard tool kit 
underneath the cover on the left-hand side of 
the cargo bay, refer to page221.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
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Everything from A - Z
248 Brakes
– ABS87
– BMW Maintenance 
System219
– breaking in122
– parking brake59
– service requirements77
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely123
Brake system122
– BMW Maintenance 
System219
– breaking in122
– disc brakes123
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance229
Breaking in the clutch122
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential122
Break-in period122
Brightness of the Control 
Display85
"Brightness"on the control 
display85
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs222
Burned fuel
– refer to Average 
consumption74
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button57
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6
"Call"183,194
Call
– accepting181
– displaying accepted183
– ending182
– in absence183
– starting181Calling
– from phone book182
– from Top 8 list183
– redialing183
Can holders, refer to Cup 
holders111
Capacities241
Capacity of the cargo bay239
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery227
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"74
Care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing125
Cargo bay114
– capacity239
– convenient access37
– folding up the floor 
panel117
– lamp, refer to Interior 
lamps100
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– partition net115
– roll-up cover114
Cargo bay lid, refer to 
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate32
Cargo bay net, refer to 
Partition net115
Cargo loading
– securing cargo125
– stowing cargo125
– vehicle124
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochureCaring for the carpet, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points227
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Car phone176
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest110
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio160
Car wash124
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– with convenient access38
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system122
"Categories" for satellite 
radio164
CBS Condition Based 
Service219
"CD"156,166
CD changer166
– compressed audio files166
– controls156
– fast forward/reverse170
– installation location170
– playing a track168
– random order169
– repeating a track169
– selecting a CD166
– selecting a track167
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
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Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Distance control, refer to 
Active cruise control66
Distance remaining to service, 
refer to Service 
requirements77
"Distance to dest."75
Distance warning, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control86
Door key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key28
Door lock31
"Door locks"29,31,32,78
Doors, emergency 
operation31
DOT Quality Grades210
Draft-free ventilation104
Drinks holders, refer to Cup 
holders111
Drive-off assistance, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC87
Drive-off assistant89
Driving around a traffic 
jam150
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams97
Driving notes122
Driving off on hills, refer to 
Drive-off assistant89
Driving route, refer to 
Displaying route144
Driving stability control 
systems87
Driving through water123
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes122
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function104
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control87
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control88
– indicator/warning lamp88
DVD for navigation130
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC87"Dynamic route" in 
navigation142
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp88
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp88
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution87
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD player156
Electric
– seat adjustment45
Electrical malfunction
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door200
– glass sunroof40
– luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33
– panorama glass roof42
Electric seat adjustment45
Electric steering wheel 
lock57
– with convenient access37
Electronic brake-force 
distribution EBV87
Electronic oil level check215
Emergency actuation, 
automatic transmission, 
refer to Overriding selector 
lever lock61
Emergency call229
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual 
release200
Emergency operation, refer to 
Closing manually
– glass sunroof40
– panorama glass roof42
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock31Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid 
from inside34
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance229
Emissions test, refer to 
Service requirements77
"Enable services"196
"End call"182
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control73
Energy Control73
Engine
– breaking in122
– data236
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature73
– speed236
– starting58
– starting, convenient 
access36
– switching off58
Engine compartment215
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant217
Engine oil
– adding217
– BMW Maintenance 
System219
– capacity
241
– checking level215
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements77
"Engine oil level"216
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data236
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data236
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine58
"Enter address"132
Entering a destination 
country132
Entering a house number or 
intersection133
Entering a street133
Entering destination132
Entering the address134
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Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
General driving notes122
Glass sunroof, electric39
– closing after electrical 
malfunction40
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing40
– opening, closing40
– operation with convenient 
access37
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment110
– rechargeable flashlight110
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system130
Grills101
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights239
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs222
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake59
Hand lamp, refer to 
Rechargeable flashlight110
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control88
Head airbags95
Headlamp control, 
automatic97
Headlamp cover222
Headlamp flasher61
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs222
Head restraints46
– front, removing47
– rear, removing47
– sitting safely44Heated
– mirrors50
– rear window104
– seats48
Heating
– mirrors50
– rear window104
– residual heat104
– seats48
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate101
Heating while at a standstill, 
refer to Using residual 
heat104
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo125
Height, refer to 
Dimensions237
Height adjustment
– seats45
– steering wheel51
High beams99
– headlamp flasher99
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs222
High water, refer to Driving 
through water123
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria141
Hill Descent Control HDC88
Hills123
Holders for cups111
Home address140
"Home address" in 
navigation141
Homepage BMW4
Hood214
Hooks for shopping bags116
Horn10,11
Hotel function34
Hot exhaust system122
"Hour memo"81
"House number" in 
destination entry134
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC87
Hydroplaning123
I
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature
warning72
ID3 tag, refer to Information 
about the track168
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires212
– tire coding210
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness85
– assistance window20
– automatic climate 
control102
– changing language85
– changing units of measure 
and display format77
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time80
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition57
– switched off57
– switched on57
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness57
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on57
Ignition lock57
i menu18
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM93
Individual air distribution102
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