
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to 
page252.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
23Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
45Adjustments
56Transporting children safely
59Driving
74Everything under control
88Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
100Lamps
104Climate
110Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
124Things to remember when driving
Navigation
132Starting the navigation system
134Destination entry
147Destination guidance
156What to do if …
Entertainment
160On/off and settings
164Radio
170Satellite radio
173CD player and CD changer
180AUX-In port
181USB/audio interface
Communications
186Telephoning
201BMW Assist
Mobility
210Refueling
212Wheels and tires
223Under the hood
228Maintenance
230Replacing components
236Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
244Technical data
248Short commands for the voice command 
system
252Everything from A - Z 

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
*
>AUX-In port, USB/audio interface* for 
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 inspections
>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. 

Practical interior accessories
114
Rechargeable flashlight
It is on the left-hand side of the glove compart-
ment. The flashlight can remain plugged in. 
Whenever required, pull the flashlight out of its 
socket.
Only insert the flashlight back into the 
socket when it is switched off, otherwise 
there is a risk of damage.<
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats 
contains either a compartment or the cover for 
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version. For more information about this 
mobile phone base plate refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual.
Convertible: when you lock the vehicle from the 
outside, the center armrest is locked as well.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Ventilated storage compartment
The storage compartment in the center armrest 
can be ventilated: slide the switch backwards.
The temperature is controlled via the knurled 
wheel for adjusting the temperature of air venti-
lating the rear of the passenger compartment, 
refer to page108.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system.
>AUX-In port, refer to page180
>USB/audio interface
*, refer to page181
Storage compartments inside 
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you 
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*. 
There are netson the front-seat backrests.
Storage compartments in the rear 
console
Depending on your vehicle's equipment ver-
sion, the following storage compartments can 
be found in the rear console: 

On/off and settings
160
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
>Programmable memory keys, refer to 
page21
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
>"SAT": satellite radio
*
>"CD": CD player or changer
>"AUX": AUX-In port, USB/audio interface
>"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 at radio readiness or beyond, 
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. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
USB/audio interface
You can connect audio devices, e. g. an iPod or 
a USB device (MP3 player, USB stick) to the 
USB/audio interface. They can be operated via 
iDrive.
Standard audio formats, e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV 
(PCM) and AAC, and playlists in the M3U format 
can be played.
Due the variety of audio devices on the market, 
it cannot be guaranteed that every device will 
be operable on the vehicle. 
Ask your BMW center about what audio devices 
are suitable.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB interface
Depending on your vehicle's equipment 
version, it may contain a storage pouch 
for your audio device. The pouch is located 
under the center armrest.<
iPod
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the iPod to ports 1 
and 2.
To connect the iPod, use an iPod adapter cable.
The iPod's menu structure is supported by the 
USB/audio interface.
USB device
To connect the device, use the included 
flexible adapter cable to protect the USB 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the USB device to 
port2.
After the device is connected for the first time, 
the information on all tracks (e. g. artist, type of 
music) and the playlists are transferred from the 
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may 
take some time. The duration depends on the 
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transfer, you can select the tracks using 
the directories and file names.
After transfer, you can call up the tracks using 
the information and playlists.
Information from up to four USB devices can be 
stored on the vehicle, for a total of about 20,000 
tracks. 
If a fifth USB device is connected, the informa-
tion stored in the vehicle on the tracks of the 
first USB device is deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.<
Starting audio playback
Via iDrive
If the audio device has a device name, the name 
is displayed.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up 
"Entertainment".
3.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
* 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Stop random play:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Fast forward/reverse
Buttons on the steering wheel or CD player:
 Press and hold the button for the 
corresponding direction.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to 
extreme environmental conditions, e. g. 
very high temperatures, refer to the operating 
instructions of the audio device. Otherwise the 
audio device may become damaged, which 
could compromise safety while driving.<
Depending on the configuration of the audio 
files, e. g. bit rates greater than 256 KBit/s, the 
files may not play back correctly in every case.
Notes on connecting
>The USB/audio interface acts as power 
supply to the connected audio devices, pro-
vided that this is supported by the audio 
device. Therefore, do not connect the USB 
audio device to the power socket in the 
vehicle during operation.
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB 
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB/audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks. 

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Audio", refer to Tone 
control161
Audio device, external114
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air flow rate106
– cruise control66,67
– headlamp control100
– service notification203
– storing of stations165
Automatic climate control104
– automatic air 
distribution106
– settings via iDrive105
Automatic curb monitor53
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate 
control106
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC106
Automatic station search165
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic61
– interlock61,62
– overriding selector lever 
lock63
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position62
– sport program62
– towing238
– tow-starting238
"Automatic ventilation"108
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control106
"Autostore"
– on the radio166
"AUX"160,180,181
– AUX-In port180
– USB/audio interface181
AUX-IN
– port114
AUX-In port180
Average fuel consumption76
– setting the units78
Average speed76
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation145
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation145Avoid highways in 
navigation145
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation145
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights
247
"A - Z"193,194
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats48
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb232
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps232
Bag holder118
Balance, tone control161
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods239
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment114
Bass, tone control161
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass161
Battery234
– charging234
– disposal38,234
– jump starting237
– remote control28
– temporary power failure234
Battery renewal
– remote control38
– remote control for vehicle38
Being towed239
Belt hand-over52
Belts, refer to Safety belts51Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders115
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds113
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate106
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
"BMW Assist"202,203,204
BMW Assist
– activating206
– Concierge service204
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations204
– Roadside Assistance202
– services offered201
– TeleService203
"BMW Contact"196
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"196
BMW Homepage
4
BMW Maintenance 
System228
"BMW Service settings"207
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders115
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC89
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements79
Brake Force Display97
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb232
– two-stage97
Brake pads124
– breaking in124
Brake rotors125
– brakes124
– breaking in124
Brakes
– ABS89
– BMW Maintenance 
System228
– breaking in124
– parking brake60
– service requirements79 

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