
 5Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The individual vehicle
When you ordered your BMW, you chose vari-
ous items of equipment. This Owner's Manual 
describes the entire array of options and equip-
ment available with a specific BMW model.
Please bear in mind that the manual may con-
tain information on accessories and equipment 
that you have not specified for your own vehicle. 
Sections describing options and special equip-
ment are marked by asterisks 
* to assist you in 
identifying possible differences between the 
descriptions in this manual and your own vehi-
cle's equipment.
If equipment in your BMW is not described in 
this Owner's Manual, please refer to the accom-
panying Supplementary Owner's Manuals.
Editorial notice
BMW pursues a policy of continuous, ongoing 
development that is conceived to ensure that 
our vehicles continue to embody the highest 
quality and safety standards combined with 
advanced, state-of-the-art technology. For this 
reason, it is possible in exceptional cases that 
features described in this Owner's Manual 
could differ from those on your vehicle.
For your own safety
Maintenance and repair
Advanced technology, e.g. the use of 
modern materials and powerful electron-
ics, requires specially adapted maintenance 
and repair methods. You should therefore have 
the corresponding work on your vehicle per-
formed only by your BMW center or at a work-
shop that works according to BMW repair pro-
cedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel. If this work is not carried out prop-
erly, there is a danger of subsequent damage 
and related safety hazards.<
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW.
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Original BMW Parts, you 
simultaneously acquire the assurance that they 
have been thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed on your 
vehicle.
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship.
BMW will not accept any liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW.
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation, or its occupants.
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW centers.
Installation and operation of non-BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment, for 
instance, CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radio or sim-
ilar accessories, may cause extensive damage  

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 page83.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 flasher102
Fog lamps
*102
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability90
Parking brake applied60
Engine malfunction with adverse 
effect on exhaust emissions229
Canada: engine malfunction with 
adverse effect on exhaust 
emissions229 

At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching assistance window on/off
1.Move the controller to the right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Assist. window off" and press the 
controller.
To turn back on, switch to the assistance win-
dow and press the controller.
Switching Control Display 
off/on
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Display off" and press the control-
ler.
Press the controller to switch on.
Programmable memory keys
Using the programmable memory keys, you can 
store and execute certain iDrive functions:
>Navigation destinations
*
>Entertainment:
>Radio stations
>CD
>CD compartment of CD changer
>AUX
>Telephone: phone numbers
The assignment of the programmable memory 
keys is stored for the remote control currently in 
use.
Storing functions
Navigation destinations*
1.Select the navigation destination, e.g. in the 
destination list or address book.
2. ...   Press the key longer than 
2seconds.
Special features:
>If destination guidance and the map view 
have been started, the current destination is 
stored.
>If the destination is entered via map, the 
coordinates in the crosshairs are stored, not 
the current destination.
Telephone, phone numbers
1.Enter the phone number or select the num-
ber from a list of stored phone numbers, e.g. 
the A-Z list.
2. ...   Press the key longer than 
2seconds.
If the phone number is associated with a name, 
the name is also stored.
Entertainment
The item stored in the Entertainment menu is 
the source that is playing at the time of storage, 
e.g. a radio station, irrespective of what was 
selected on the Control Display.
1.Select the desired function, e.g. radio sta-
tion or CD.
2. ...   Press the key longer than 
2seconds. 

At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 page86.
Symbols in the Owner's Manual
Saying commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel. 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. 
If no further commands are possible, continue 
by operating the item of equipment via iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
command system
Press the   button on the steering wheel
or
Commands
Having the possible commands read 
aloud
You can have the system read aloud the possi-
ble commands related to the selected menu 
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice 
command system.
{Cancel} 

Voice command system
24 item on the Control Display.
To have the possible commands read out to 
you:
For instance, if you have selected "CD", the 
commands available for operating the CD 
player and CD changer are read out
*.
Opening help
Using alternative commands
There are often a number of commands to run a 
function, e.g.: 
Calling up functions immediately via 
short commands
Short commands enable you to perform certain 
functions immediately, irrespective of which 
menu item is selected, refer to page248.
Opening the start menu
Example: selecting a track
1.If necessary, switch on entertainment audio 
output.
2.Press the   button on the steering wheel. {Options}
{Help}
{Radio on} or {Turn radio on} 
{Main menu}
3.{Entertainment}
The system says: 
{{Entertainment}}
4.{CD}
The system says: 
{{CD on}} 

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote controls
Each remote control contains a rechargeable 
battery that is automatically recharged when it 
is in the ignition lock while the car is being 
driven. Use each remote control at least twice a 
year for longer road trips in order to maintain the 
batteries' charge status. In cars with convenient 
access
*, the remote control contains a replace-
able battery, refer to page38.
The settings called up and implemented when 
the car is unlocked depend on which remote 
control is used to unlock the car, refer to Per-
sonal Profile, page28.
In addition, information about service require-
ments is stored in the remote control, refer to 
Service data in the remote control, page228.
Integrated key
Press button1 to release the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page113
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page33
New remote controls
Your BMW center can supply new remote con-
trols with integrated keys as additional units or 
as replacements in the event of loss.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set many of your BMW's functions to 
suit your personal needs and preferences. 
Without any action on your part, Personal Pro-
file ensures that most of these settings are 
stored for the remote control currently in use. 
When you unlock the car, the remote control 
used for the purpose is recognized and the set-
tings stored for it are called up and imple-
mented.
This means that your personal settings will be 
activated for you, even if in the meantime your 
car was used by someone else with another 
remote control and the corresponding settings. 
The individual settings are stored for up to three 
remote controls.
Personal Profile settings
For more information on specific settings, refer 
to the specified pages.
>Assignment of programmable memory 
keys, refer to page21
>Response of the central locking system 
when the car is unlocked, refer to page29
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page32
>Automatic call-up
* of the driver's seat posi-
tion after unlocking, refer to page50
>Programming buttons
* on the steering 
wheel, refer to page54
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page64
>12h/24h mode of the clock, refer to page82
>Date format, refer to page83 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
gage compartment lid has not been inadvert-
ently unlocked.<
Convertible: convenient loading*
Within a range of approx. 13ft/4m from the vehi-
cle you can use the remote control to half close 
the retractable hardtop when it is open to ease 
loading of the cargo bay.
1.Briefly press the   button and, within one 
second, press again until the retractable 
hardtop stops in an intermediate position. 
The luggage compartment lid opens 
slightly.
2.Open the luggage compartment lid, press 
the cargo bay partition upward and stow the 
cargo in the cargo bay.
3.Press down the cargo bay partition until it 
engages on both sides and close the lug-
gage compartment lid.
4.Press the   button for a longer period to 
fold the retractable hardtop back in.
Setting confirmation signals
You can program the vehicle to confirm when it 
has been locked or unlocked.
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 
until "Door locks" is selected and press the 
controller.
6.Select "Confirmation" and press the con-
troller.7.Select the desired signal.
8.Press the controller.
 The signal is activated.
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this occurs, unlock and lock 
the car at the door lock with the integrated key.
Convertible: If hardtop movement via the 
remote control is interrupted briefly, the move-
ment will be completed more quickly if you keep 
the corresponding button pressed continu-
ously.
If the car can no longer be locked with a remote 
control, the battery in the remote control is dis-
charged. Use the remote control on an 
extended trip to recharge the battery, refer to 
page28. The remote control for convenient 
access
* contains a battery that may have to be 
changed, refer to page38.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>This device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment.< 

Opening and closing
32
Opening and closing:
Using the door lock
You can set the way in which the car is 
unlocked, refer to page29.
Convenient operation
You can use the door lock to operate the win-
dows and the coupe's glass roof
* or the con-
vertible's retractable hardtop.
Hold the key in the position for unlocking or 
locking.
During each closing procedure, and when 
opening the retractable hardtop, watch 
the process and ensure that no one becomes 
trapped. Releasing the key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
lock and unlock the driver's door by turning the 
integrated key to the corresponding limit posi-
tions in the door lock.
Opening and closing:
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the luggage compartment lid, but does not acti-
vate the anti-theft system. The fuel filler door 
remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
You can also set the situations in which the car 
locks:
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 
until "Door locks" is selected and press the 
controller.
6.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.