
Controls
 45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 page56.
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 page97.
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 page47.
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 four 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.<
Safety belts, refer to page51.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
the vehicle is moving. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement, and the 
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an  

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Passenger-side mirror tilt function – 
automatic curb monitor*
Activating
1.Push the switch to the position for the 
driver's-side mirror, arrow 1.
2.Engage reverse gear or move the selector 
lever to position R.
The glass of the mirror on the passenger 
side tilts slightly down. This allows the 
driver to see the area immediately adjacent 
to the vehicle, e.g. a curb, when backing into 
a parking space.
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. 

Adjustments
54 Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up, otherwise the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
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.
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 AUC Automatic recirculated-air con-
trol on page106
>"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 source
5.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. 

Controls
 97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Brake Force DisplayOn the left: normal braking
On the right: sharp braking
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front passenger
2Coupe: head airbags, front and rear
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page45 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 repair  

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. 

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 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heating
– mirrors52
– rear window107
– residual heat107
– seats49
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate104
Heating while at a standstill, 
refer to Using residual 
heat107
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo126
Height, refer to 
Dimensions245
Height adjustment
– seats46
– steering wheel53
High beams102
– headlamp flasher102
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio167
High water, refer to Driving 
through water125
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria145
Hill Descent Control HDC91
Hills125
Holders for cups115
Home address144
"Home address" in 
navigation145
Homepage BMW4
Hood223
Hooks for shopping bags118
Horn10,11
Hotel function34
Hot exhaust system124
"Hour memo"82
"House number" in 
destination entry137
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC89
Hydroplaning125
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio167Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature
warning74
ID3 tag, refer to Information 
about the track175
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires221
– tire coding219
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness86
– assistance window20
– automatic climate 
control105
– changing language86
– changing units of measure 
and display format78
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time81
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition59
– switched off59
– switched on59
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness59
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on59
Ignition lock59
i menu18
Imprint2
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM95
Individual air distribution105Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure212
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM93
Information
– on another location140
– on country140
– on current position140
– on destination location140
Information menu, refer to 
i menu18
"Information on 
destination"142
"Info sources"80
Initializing
– active steering96
– after power failure234
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating112
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
– glass roof40
"Input map"139
Installation location
– CD changer177
– navigation DVD drive132
– telephone114
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions150
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting103
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote 
control110
Interesting destination for 
navigation140
"Interim time"86
Interior lamps103
– remote control30
Interior motion sensor36
Interior rearview mirror53
– automatic dimming 
feature53
– compass112
Interlock, refer to Disengaging 
the remote control61 

Reference 261
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Master key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key28
Maximum cooling106
Maximum speed
– with winter tires222
Measurements, refer to 
Dimensions245
Memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory50
Memory keys, 
programmable21
MENU button16
Menus
– Control Display17
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list, traffic 
information152
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance 
System228
– for automatic climate 
control108
Microfilter/activated-charcoal 
filter
– BMW Maintenance 
System228
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice input14
Mirror dimming feature53
Mirrors52
– automatic curb monitor53
– exterior mirrors52
– heating52
– interior rearview mirror53
– memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory50
"Missed calls"194
Missed calls194Mobile phone
– accepted calls194
– adjusting volume191
– calling193
– ending call193
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest114
– missed calls194
– operation via iDrive192
– redialing194
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
– Top 8194
– touch tone dialing196
Mobile phone, installation 
location, refer to Center 
armrest114
Mobile phone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Mobile phones in the 
vehicle124
Modifications, technical, refer 
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive 
controls16
Monitoring system for tire 
pressures, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor92
"Monitor on / off"54
Most recent mobile phone 
numbers194
MP3, refer to Compressed 
audio files173
Multifunctional steering 
wheel, refer to Buttons on 
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher63
– refer to Wiper system64
Multimedia screen, refer to 
iDrive16
Music tracks, refer to 
Tracks174
"Mute on / off"54
N
"Navigation"134,140Navigation announcements, 
refer to Switching voice 
instructions on/off150
Navigation drive, location132
Navigation DVD132
Navigation system132
– address book142
– changing a route151
– destination entry134
– destination guidance in 
assistance window132
– destination list141
– displaying current 
position155
– entering a destination 
manually134,138
– last destinations141
– navigation DVD132
– opening134
– route display148
– route list150
– searching for a special 
destination140
– selecting destination using 
information140
– selecting destination via 
map139
– selecting route criteria145
– starting destination 
guidance147
– switching off, refer to 
Terminating/continuing 
destination guidance147
– terminating/continuing 
destination guidance147
– voice instructions150
– volume adjustment151
"Navigation voice 
instructions"133
"Navigation voice 
instructions" via buttons on 
the steering wheel54
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints47
Nets, refer to Storage 
compartments114
"New address" in 
navigation143
"New destination"134,139