
Adjustments
44
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page53.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard, 
otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their 
heads against the side or head airbags, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the airbags 
suddenly deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page95.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page46.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has five seats, each of which is 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits 
low across the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. 
The safety belt must not rest against the throat, 
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt 
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the 
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise the belt could slide over your hips and 
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal 
collision. 
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull 
the belt in the upper-body area taut, otherwise 
its restraining effect could be impaired.
Sports Wagon: if the rear center safety belt is 
used, the wider backrest must be locked in 
place, refer to page115. Otherwise the safety 
belt will have no restraining effect.<
Safety belts, refer to page49.
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Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating
Push the switch to the position for the passen-
ger-side mirror, arrow 2.
Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob to reduce glare from the head-
lamps of cars behind you when driving at night.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion, otherwise there 
i s  a  ri s k  o f  a c c id e n t  du e  t o  a n  un e x p e ct e d  m o v e -
ment.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up, otherwise the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
Electric steering wheel lock
The steering wheel locks or unlocks automati-
cally when the remote control is removed or 
inserted, refer to page57.
Programmable buttons on the steering 
wheel
You can program the buttons to suit your per-
sonal preferences:
These settings are stored for the remote con-
trol currently in use.
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Adjustments
52 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 "Steering wheel buttons" and press 
the controller.
A list showing various functions is dis-
played:
>"Navigation voice instructions" 
Voice messages from the navigation 
system
*
>"Air recirculation on / off" 
Permanent shut-off of outside air, refer 
to Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC on page103
>"Mute on / off" 
To mute the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off" 
To switch the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
*
To show/hide the phone book or last dis-
played list of stored phone numbers
>"Next entertainment source"
To change the audio source5.Select the desired function and press the 
controller.
6.Select a button, if appropriate, and press 
the controller.
You can operate the selected function using the 
corresponding button.
Operating a function
Briefly press the appropriate button on the 
steering wheel.
If you have programmed "Navigation voice 
instructions" for one of the buttons:
>Switch voice instructions on/off:
Press the button for a longer period
>To repeat the last voice instruction:
Press the button briefly
>To cancel a voice instruction during an 
announcement:
Press the button briefly
ProCarManuals.com 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front passenger
2Head airbags, front and rear
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page44 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. Do not attach 
seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of 
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag 
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or 
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument 
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or 
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page53.
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On/off and settings
156
On/off and settings
The following audio sources have shared con-
trols and setting options:
>Radio
>CD player
>CD changer
*
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons near the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons
 on the steering wheel, refer to 
page11
Buttons on the CD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on, the last set radio 
station or CD track is played.
>Turn: adjust volume.
2Drive for audio CDs
3 Eject CD
4 Station scan/track search
>Change radio station.
>Select track for CD player and CD 
changer.
5Drive for navigation DVD
Operation via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up 
"Entertainment".
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
>"WB": Weather Band station
>"SAT": satellite radio
>"CD": CD player or changer
>"AUX": external audio device
>"Set": depending on the audio source, 
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with 
the radio: update station with strongest 
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations.
From another menu, you can switch 
directly to the screen last displayed, refer 
to Convenient call-up of menu items on 
page18.<
With the ignition key in radio-ready position or 
higher, the selected audio source is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button1 on the CD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.
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Everything from A - Z
246
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display 
texts used to select 
individual functions and 
refers you to the page where 
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System87
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control66
Accident, refer to Initiating an 
Emergency Request 
call229
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control105
"Activation time"105
Active cruise control66
– indicator lamps68
– malfunction69
– selecting distance67
– sensor69
Active steering94
– warning lamp94
Adaptive Head Light99
"Add digits" on the mobile 
phone183
Additives
– coolant217
"Address book" in 
navigation139
Address for navigation
– deleting140
– entering131,134,139
– selecting139
– storing139
– storing current position139
"Add to destination 
list"134,136Adjusting temperature inside 
the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control102
Adjusting the thigh support45
Adjusting the tone during 
audio operation, refer to 
Tone control157
Adjustment in audio mode
– front-to-rear157
– right/left balance157
Airbags95
– indicator/warning lamp96
– sitting safely44
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate 
control102
– ventilation104
Air distribution
– automatic103
– individual102
Air flow rate103
Airing, refer to Ventilation104
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure202
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode
103
"Air recirculation on / off"52
Air supply
– automatic climate 
control102
– ventilation104
Air vents101
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications201
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off an alarm36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels" for satellite 
radio164All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires213
"All stations", displaying with 
the radio160
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive88
"AM", waveband156,160
Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode103
Antenna for mobile phone176
Antifreeze
– coolant217
– washer fluid63
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights239
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights239
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest110
Arrival time, refer to 
Computer74
Arrival time, refer to Starting 
destination guidance143
"Arrow display" in 
navigation144
Arrow view for navigation144
Ashtray
– front112
– rear112
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems87
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control103
"Audio"159
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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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