
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 

Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the system automatically switches back to 
outside air supply.
>Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode: 
the supply of outside air is permanently 
shut off. The system then recirculates the 
air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch 
it off while also increasing the air flow rate as 
required. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the 
air quality inside the car will deteriorate contin-
uously.<
Via the button* on the steering wheel
You can switch quickly between the recircu-
lated-air mode and the previous mode using an 
individually programmable button
 on the steer-
ing wheel, refer to page11.
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a 
school to pick up a child.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
>Up to 15 minutes after the engine has been 
switched off
>While the engine is at operating tempera-
ture
>As long as battery voltage is sufficient
>At an outside temperature below 777/
256
The LED is lit when the function is on.
As of radio readiness, you can set the interior 
temperature, the air flow rate and the air distri-
bution.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before also reheating it as 
required, according to the temperature setting. 
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program. The passen-
ger compartment can only be cooled while the 
engine is running.
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time. 
Depending on your vehicle's 
equipment, the upper wires serve as an antenna 
and are not part of the rear window defroster.
Ventilation
1Use the knurled wheels to smoothly open 
and close the air vents
2Use the lever to change the direction of the 
airflow
3Knurled wheel for more or less cool air from 
the vents for the upper body area 

Driving tips
 125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 page220.
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 page91.
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 page62.
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. 

Starting the navigation system
132
Starting the navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to 
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle 
and guide you reliably to any destination you 
enter.
Navigation DVD
The navigation system requires a special navi-
gation DVD. You can obtain the latest version at 
your BMW center.
Inserting navigation DVD
Use the lower drive for navigation DVDs.
1.Insert the navigation DVD with the labeled 
side up.
The navigation DVD is pulled in automati-
cally.
2.Wait for several seconds to allow the con-
tents of the DVD to be read in.
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected, the drive may be 
blocked. In this case, a message will appear on 
the Control Display.
Display in the assistance 
window
You can display the route or the current position 
in the assistance window. This display remains 
visible even if you change to another applica-
tion.
1.Move the controller to the right to enter the 
assistance window.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select the desired route view or "Current 
position".
4.Press the controller.
Displaying arrow display in map view
When the navigation system suggests a change 
in direction, the arrow display appears briefly.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
* 

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
 171Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Selecting and storing a 
channel
1.Select "SAT" and press the controller.
Channels are shown on the Control Display, 
sorted on the basis of selection criteria.
2.Select a menu item:
>"Presets":
Up to twelve channels you stored previ-
ously.
>"All channels":
All channels are displayed.
>"Categories": 
All channels, sorted by category, e.g. 
news, jazz.
3.Press the controller.4.If "Categories" has been selected:
Select the desired category and press the 
controller.
The channels of this category are displayed.
5. Select a channel marked with this sym-
bol.
6.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
7.Select "Play" and press the controller.
Additional information
The name of the channel and additional infor-
mation on the current track are displayed, e.g. 
the name of the artist. 

Everything from A - Z
252
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 
System89
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control67
Accident, refer to Initiating an 
Emergency Request 
call236
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control108
"Activation time"109
Active cruise control67
– indicator lamps70
– malfunction71
– selecting distance69
– sensor71
Active steering96
– warning lamp96
Adaptive Head Light101
"Add digits" on the mobile 
phone194
Additives
– coolant226
"Address book" in 
navigation142
Address for navigation
– deleting144
– entering134,142
– selecting143
– storing142
– storing current position143
"Add to destination 
list"137,139Adjusting temperature inside 
the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control105
Adjusting the thigh support46
Adjusting the tone during 
audio operation, refer to 
Tone control161
Airbags97
– indicator/warning lamp98
– sitting safely45
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate 
control105
– ventilation107
Air distribution
– automatic106
– individual105
Air flow rate106
Airing, refer to Ventilation107
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure212
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode106
"Air recirculation on / off"54
Air supply
– automatic climate 
control105
– ventilation
107
Air vents104
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications211
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off an alarm35
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels" for satellite 
radio171
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires222
"All stations", displaying with 
the radio164All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive90
"AM", waveband160,164
Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode106
Antenna for mobile phone186
Antifreeze
– coolant226
– washer fluid65
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights247
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights247
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest114
Arrival time, refer to 
Computer76
Arrival time, refer to Starting 
destination guidance147
Arrow display for 
navigation148
"Arrow display" in 
navigation148
Ashtray
– front116
– rear116
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems89
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control106
"Audio"163,167
Audio160
– controls160
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161 

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Central locking system29
– convenient access36
– hotel function34
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs230
Changing the language on the 
Control Display86
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display78
Changing wheels233
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment224
Check Control83
"Check Control 
messages"85
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH57
Child-restraint systems56
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely56
Chrome parts, care, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter116
Cleaning, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps65
– washer fluid65
"Climate"105
Clock74
– 12h/24h mode82
– setting time81
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks115
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine60
Combined instrument, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to 
Convenient access36Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
"Communication"192,202,
203,204
Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer173
– CD player173
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock59
Compass112
Computer75
– displays on Control 
Display76
– hour signal82
Computer, refer to iDrive
16
"Concert hall" for Tone 
control162
"Concierge"204
Concierge service204
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked126
Condition Based Service 
CBS228
Configuring settings, refer to 
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for 
locking/unlocking the 
vehicle31
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances116
Consumption, refer to 
Average consumption76
Consumption display
– average consumption76
"Continue guidance to 
destination?"148
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness86
– changing the language86
– switching off/on21
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16Convenient access36
– replacing the battery38
– what to observe before 
entering a car wash37
Convenient operation
– glass roof30
– glass roof with convenient 
access37
– retractable hardtop30
– windows30
– windows with convenient 
access37
Convertible
– bag holder118
– enlarging cargo bay117
– folding down rear 
backrest118
– retractable hardtop41
– rollover protection 
system99
– securing cargo127
– stowing cargo126
Coolant226
– checking level227
Coolant temperature75
Cooling, maximum106
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant226
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant226
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps, 
refer to Adaptive Head 
Light101
Cornering lamps, refer to 
Adaptive Head Light101
Correct tires221
Courtesy lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps103
Cross-hairs in navigation139
Cruise control66
– active67
– malfunction67
Cruising range75
Cup holders115
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights247
"Current position"155