
Driving
64
Washer fluid reservoir
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
All washer nozzles are supplied with washer 
fluid by the same reservoir.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3USquarts/6liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores 
and maintains the speed that you specify using 
the lever on the steering column. In order to 
maintain the specified speed, the system 
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at 
constant speed is prevented by adverse 
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or 
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice 
or loose surfaces. Otherwise you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a 
result.<
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.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3Deactivating cruise control
4Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed in the speedometer and 
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to 
maintain the set speed if current engine power 
output is insufficient. If the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired 
speed is reached.
>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
ProCarManuals.com 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
94 an added safety feature, your vehicle has been 
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure 
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the 
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should 
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, 
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving 
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the 
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. 
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and 
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the 
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to 
maintain correct tire pressure, even if underin-
flation has not reached the level at which the 
TPMS low tire pressure telltale illuminates.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain 
continuously lit. This sequence will continue 
upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as 
the malfunction exists. When the malfunction 
indicator is illuminated, the system may not be 
able to detect or signal low tire pressure as 
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a 
variety of reasons, including the installation of 
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning 
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction 
telltale after replacing one or more tires or 
wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the 
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow 
the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Active steering*
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the 
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-
ments. It also varies the steering force required 
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at 
which you are driving.
When you are driving in the low road-speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes 
very direct, and less effort is required to turn the 
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and 
more. This improves the handling capability of 
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing 
intervention is simultaneously deactivated 
when DSC is switched off, refer to page88.
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on. Active 
steering is no longer operational. At 
low speeds, greater steering wheel 
movements are required, whereas at 
higher speeds the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. The stabil-
ity-enhancing feature may also be deactivated. 
Drive cautiously and think well ahead. Have the 
system checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first 
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being 
initialized.
Brake Force Display
On the left: normal braking
On the right: sharp braking
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.<
ProCarManuals.com 

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.
ProCarManuals.com 

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.
ProCarManuals.com 

Giving and receiving assistance
232 the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow 
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page57, otherwise the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the 
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering 
wheel lock cannot be disengaged and the car is 
not steerable. Jump starting, refer to page230. 
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page60.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph 
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
In come countries, it is illegal to tow your vehicle 
with a tow bar or tow rope on public highways.
Please familiarize yourself with the relevant 
towing regulations for the country in which you 
are driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
ProCarManuals.com 

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
ProCarManuals.com 

Everything from A - Z
254 Individually programmable 
buttons on steering 
wheel51
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure202
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM91
Information
– on another location137
– on country137
– on current position137
– on destination location137
Information menu, refer to 
i menu18
"Information on 
destination"138
"Info sources"78
Initializing
– active steering94
– after power failure227
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating109
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM90
– glass sunroof40
– panorama glass roof42
"Input map"136
Installation location
– CD changer170
– drive for navigation DVD and 
audio CD130
– telephone110
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions146
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting100
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote 
control107
Interesting destination for 
navigation137
"Interim time"85
Interior lamps100
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor36Interior rearview mirror51
– automatic dimming 
feature51
– compass108
Interlock, refer to Disengaging 
the remote control59
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers62
J
Jacking points227
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump 
starting230
Jump starting230
K
Key, refer to Integrated key/
remote control28
Keyless go, refer to 
Convenient access36
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Convenient 
access36
Key Memory, refer to Personal 
Profile28
Kick-down60
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic60
Knock control201
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp 
control97
– parking lamps/low beams97
Lamps and bulbs, replacing 
bulbs222
"Language / Units"77
"Language / Units" in 
navigation146
"Languages" in 
navigation146
"Languages"on the control 
display85Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer 
to Safety belts49
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing cargo125
Last destinations, refer to 
Destination list138
"Last seat pos."49
LATCH child-restraint fixing 
system55
LED Light-emitting 
diodes222
Length, refer to 
Dimensions237
License plate lamp, replacing 
bulbs226
Light-emitting diodes 
LED222
Lighter112
– connecting electrical 
appliances112
"Lighting"62,98
Lighting
– instruments100
– lamps and bulbs222
– vehicle, refer to Lamps97
Light-metal alloy wheels, care, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Light switch97
"Limit"84
Limit, refer to Speed limit84
Load securing equipment, 
refer to Securing cargo125
Lock buttons, doors, refer to 
Locking32
Locking
– adjusting confirmation 
signal30
– from inside32
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access36
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals30
– from inside32
– from outside29
Low beams97
– automatic97
– replacing bulbs222
ProCarManuals.com