
At a glance
 15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Coupe: microphone for voice command 
system
* and for telephone in hands-free 
mode
*
Convertible: microphone on steering col-
umn
2SOS: initiating an Emergency Request 
call
*236
3Reading lamps103
4Coupe: glass roof, electric
*39
5Interior lamps103
6Passenger airbag status lamp
*98
7Control Display16
8Hazard warning flashers
9DTC Dynamic Traction Control90
10Central locking system32
11Automatic climate control
12Ejecting audio CD16013Changing
>Radio station164
>Track174
14Selecting radio, CD and CD changer
15Selecting AM or FM waveband
16Ejecting navigation DVD132
18Controller16 
Can be turned, pressed, or moved horizon-
tally in four directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17
21Drive for navigation DVD132
22Programmable memory keys21
23Switching audio sources on/off and adjust-
ing volume160
24Drive for audio CD160 Air distribution to the 
windshield105
Air distribution to the upper body 
area105
Air distribution to the footwell105
Automatic air distribution and flow 
rate106
Cooling function107
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control106
Recirculated-air mode106
Maximum cooling106
Residual heat mode107
Air flow rate106
Defrosting windows107
Rear window defroster107
17
Heated seats*49
PDC Park Distance Control
*88
Coupe: 
Roller sun blind
*113
Coupe: 
HDC Hill Descent Control
*90
20Convertible:
Opening and closing retractable 
hardtop41 

Driving
70
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, arrow3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle
>When the speed is reduced to below 
20 mph or 30 km/h due to a traffic situation
>When you switch gears very slowly or shift 
to idle in cars with manual transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's neutral position N
>When you activate the Dynamic Traction 
Control DTC
>When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability 
Control DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
>When the system does not recognize any 
objects for a longer period of time, e.g. on 
infrequently traveled roads without a shoul-
der or guard rails, or if the radar sensor is 
covered with dirt, refer to page71
>When you apply the parking brake
When the system is deactivated, you 
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or 
maneuver as necessary, otherwise there is a 
risk of accident.<
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when 
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated due to a driving 
speed below 20 mph or 30 km/h, an application 
of the parking brake or a DSC intervention. A 
message appears on the Control Display.
Resuming stored desired speed and 
distance
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. 
The stored speed and distance are regained 
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
>In cars  with ma nua l trans mis sio n: when you 
shift gears very slowly or shift to idle posi-
tion
>In cars with automatic transmission: when 
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control 
systems are intervening; cruise control is 
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation  

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
until "PDC" is selected and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display is shown on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
that have already been displayed, e. g. curbs, 
can disappear again from the detection area of 
the sensors before or after a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC 
signal.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page125.
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the 
duration of the full braking application.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. DSC also recognizes unstable driving 
conditions, for example if the rear of the car is 
about to swerve or if momentum is acting at an 
angle past the front wheels. In these cases, 
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course 
within physical limits by reducing engine output 
and through braking actions at the individual 
wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin again by taking risks, as this could 
result in an accident.< 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
90
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster 
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated. 
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions 
are no longer executed.
In the same way as with a differential interlock, 
even if DSC is deactivated, brake actions are 
still performed on the rear axle to enhance drive 
output if the drive wheels experience a signifi-
cant loss of traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
In the same way as with a differential interlock, 
even if DTC is activated, brake actions are still 
performed on the rear axle to enhance drive output if the drive wheels experience a signifi-
cant loss of traction.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads, 
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered 
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button; the indicator lamps for DTC in 
the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator 
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive*
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system. 
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to 
further optimize traction and driving dynamics. 
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes 
driving power variably to the front and rear axles 
depending on the driving situation and road 
conditions. 

Mobility
 219Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 3006 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 30 of 2006.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as 
well on the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate  e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code 
for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0705 

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving stability control 
systems89
Driving through water125
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes124
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function107
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control89
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control90
– indicator/warning lamp90
DVD for navigation132
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC89
"Dynamic route" in 
navigation145
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp90
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp90
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution89
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD player160
Electric
– seat adjustment46
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door210
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid33
Electric seat adjustment46
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access37
Electronic brake-force 
distribution EBV89
Electronic oil level check224
Emergency actuation, 
automatic transmission, 
refer to Overriding selector 
lever lock63
Emergency call236Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual 
release210
Emergency operation, refer to 
Closing manually
– glass roof40
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock32
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid 
from inside34
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance236
"Enable services"207
"End call"193
Engine
– breaking in124
– data244
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature75
– speed244
– starting60
– starting, convenient 
access36
– switching off60
Engine compartment224
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant226
Engine oil
– adding226
– BMW Maintenance 
System228
– capacity247
– checking level224
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements79
"Engine oil level"225
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data244
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data
244
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine60
"Enter address"135
Entering a destination135
Entering a destination 
country135Entering a house number or 
intersection137
Entering an intersection136
Entering a street136
"Entertainment"160
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps103
"Equalizer", refer to Tone 
control162
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control162
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control83
"ESN"170
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control89
Event data recorders229
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system124
Exterior mirrors52
– adjusting52
– automatic dimming 
feature53
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out52
External audio device114
External audio device, refer to 
AUX-In port180
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away239
– for tying down loads127
F
Fader, tone control161
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control83
Failure of an electrical 
consumer234
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional 
alarm36
– switching off an alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts51 

Reference 267
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Top 8" for mobile phone194
Torque, refer to Engine 
data244
Touch tone dialing196
Tow bar239
Tow fitting239
– screw thread239
Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away239
Towing238
– car with automatic 
transmission238
– methods239
Towing and tow-starting238
Town/city for destination135
"Town / City" in destination 
entry135
Tow rope240
Tow-starting238,240
"TPM"94
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor93
Tracks
– random play sequence176
– sampling, Scan175
– searching for175
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions245
Traction control, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control89
Traffic information for 
navigation
– calling up152
– display on route map153
– during destination 
guidance154
– switching on/off151
– symbols154
"Traffic Info settings"152
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic 
information151
– driving around154Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic61
– manual transmission61
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic63
Transmission interlock
– refer to Changing selector 
lever position62
– refer to P Park62
Transporting children 
safely56
Transport securing devices, 
refer to Securing cargo127
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tire tread220
Treble, refer to Treble and 
bass161
Treble, tone control161
"Trip computer"77
Trip computer77
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer74
"Triple turn signal"64
Triple turn signal activation64
Trip odometer74
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid33
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions245
Turn signal indicators63
– indicator/warning lamp12
– triple turn signal64
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading127
U
Underbody protection, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR219
"Units"78
Units
– average consumption78
– temperature78Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control110
Universal mobile phone 
preparation package, refer 
to separate Owner's Manual
Universal remote control110
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking36
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside33
– from outside29
– luggage compartment lid37
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access36
"Update services"205
USB/audio interface181
"USB" for audio 
mode180,182
V
Vehicle
– battery234
– breaking in124
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading126
– Identification Number, refer 
to Engine compartment224
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions245
– parking60
– washing, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– weight247
"Vehicle / Tires" for 
unlocking30
Vehicle jack234
Vehicle position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position155
Ventilation107
– draft-free108
– in the rear108
Ventilation, refer to 
Climate104