
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Buttons on steering wheel
8Instrument cluster12
11Ignition lock6012Horn, entire surface
15Releasing hood228
16Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate35,34 Mobile phone
*192:
>Press: accepting and ending 
call, starting dialing
* for 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
>Press and hold: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice 
command system
* 23
Changing radio station170
Selecting music track180
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable
*54 
Individually programmable
*54 
Leaving lane warning
*105
9
Windshield wipers67
Rain sensor67
Sports Wagon: rear window 
wiper68
10Starting/stopping engine and 
Switching ignition on/off 60
13
Steering wheel heater*54
Steering wheel adjustment54
14
Cruise control
*68
Active cruise control
*69
17
Head-Up Display
*101
BMW Night Vision
*103
18Parking lamp107
Daytime running lamps
*108
Low beams107
Welcome lamps107
Automatic headlamp control
*107 
Daytime running lamps
*108
Welcome lamps107 
Adaptive Head Light
*109 
19
Instrument lighting110
Fog lamps
*110 

Controls
 47Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: press front 
or rear section of switch.
>Shift curvature up or down: press upper or 
lowers section of switch.
Adjusting active backrest width*
First set a comfortable backrest width, see 
above. Based on the backrest width set, the lat-
eral support is automatically adapted to the cur-
rent driving situation.
The adaptation of the backrest width and the 
speed of the adjustment vary depending on the 
program. You can select from among three pro-
grams from comfort to sport. 
Button with three LEDs
Press button once per program:
>"Comfort": one LED
>"Normal": two LEDs
>"Sport": three LEDsTo switch off: press button longer.
Button with one LED
Press the button repeatedly until the desired 
program is shown on the Control Display. The 
LED in the button lights up.
To switch off: press button longer.
Easy entry/exit*
To facilitate entry and exit, the backrest width 
temporarily opens all the way.
Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory*
You can store and request two different posi-
tions for the driver's seat and passenger seat
*, 
exterior rearview mirrors, and steering wheel. 

Adjusting
48 The adjustment of the lumbar support is not 
stored in the memory.
Storing
1.Switch on radio readiness or ignition, refer 
to page60.
2.Set the desired seat, exterior mirror and 
steering wheel positions.
3.Press the   button: 
The LED in the button lights up.
4.Press the desired memory button1 or2: 
The LED goes out.
Requesting
Do not request a position from the mem-
ory while the vehicle is moving. There is a 
risk of accident from unexpected movement of 
the seat or steering wheel.<
Comfort mode
1.Open the driver's door after unlocking or 
switch on radio readiness.
2.Briefly press the desired memory button1 
or2.
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1.Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off.
2.Press the desired memory button1 or2 
and maintain pressure until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the   button was pressed inadvertently: 
press the button again; the LED goes out.
Requesting with remote control
The last positions of the driver's seat, the exte-
rior rearview mirrors, and steering wheel are 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
You can choose when the position is requested:
>Request when unlocking vehicle
>Request when opening driver's doorWhen using this feature, always make 
sure that the footwell behind the driver's 
seat is empty and unobstructed. Failure to do 
so could cause injury to persons or damage to 
objects behind the seat as a result of a rearward 
movement of the seat.<
The system cancels the adjustment procedure 
when you briefly press one of the seat adjust-
ment switches or one of the memory buttons.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
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.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
8.Select "After unlocking" or "After door 
opened".
9.Press the controller. 

Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
tively to steering wheel movements. The stabil-
ity-promoting intervention can also be deacti-
vated. Proceed cautiously and drive 
defensively. Have the system checked.Brake force display
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: heavy braking.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page45.<
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 are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents 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 attempt to 
remove the airbag restraint system from the 
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the 
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the 
instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars 
along with the sides of the headliner. Do not 
attempt to remove or dismantle the steering 
wheel. Do not touch the individual components 
immediately after the system has been trig-
gered, 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  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
104 >in dense fog, heavy rain or snowfall
>when displaying very hot objects such as 
transformers, car exhausts etc.
>when the image briefly freezes during nor-
mal system adjustment.
BMW Night Vision's potential benefits 
can be limited by the driving style of the 
driver, the size and relative temperature of the 
detected objects, dirt or contaminations on the 
camera lens, adverse weather like snow, rain or 
fog, and other factors not mentioned here. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to drive at a 
speed and in a manner that recognizes potential 
hazards and adjust accordingly. 
BMW Night Vision is not a substitute or replace-
ment for driver responsibility or for accommo-
dating the visibility conditions and the traffic sit-
uation. The forward view illuminated by the 
headlamps must always be the basis for making 
safe driving decisions, otherwise a safety risk 
will result.<
Activating BMW Night Vision
1.Turn the light switch to position2 or3, refer 
to page107.
2.With low beams switched on:
>Press the   button. Depending on the 
vehicle's equipment, the location of the 
button may differ somewhat.
>Press one of the programmable buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page54.
The image will be displayed on the Control Dis-
play after a few seconds. Depending on the last 
mode selected, either the normal or full screen 
image will be displayed.Due to the system's need to adjust periodically, 
a still image is displayed at certain intervals for 
fractions of a second. This is normal and not an 
indication of a problem.
To prevent driving without headlamps, at a 
speed of more than approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and 
when dark, the thermal image on the Control 
Display is only shown when the low beams are 
on.
Deactivating BMW Night Vision
>Press the   button.
>Press the button on the steering wheel.
>Press the   button.
>Via iDrive, refer to Selecting settings.
Selecting settings
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Activate BMW Night Vision.
2.Press the controller to display the menu 
items. 

On/off and tone
166
On/off and tone
The following audio sources have shared con-
trols and setting options:
>Professional
* radio or 
Business radio
>CD player
>CD changer
*
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons in the area of the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on steering wheel, refer to page11
>Programmable memory/direct selection 
buttons, refer to page21
Buttons in area of CD player
The layout of the buttons can vary depending 
on your vehicle's equipment.
One drive:
Two drives:1Entertainment sound output on/off, volume
>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 DVDs
Operation via iDrive
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
>"WB": Weather Band station
>"SAT": satellite radio
>"CD": CD player or CD changer
>"AUX": AUX-In connection
>USB/audio interface
*
>"Set": depending on the audio source, 
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with 
the radio: update station with strongest  

Everything from A to Z
262
Everything from A to Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display 
texts used to select 
individual functions, and 
indicates where to find them 
in the text.
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System90
– indicator/warning lamp93
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control69
Accepted calls200
Accessories6
Accident, refer to Emergency 
call244
Acoustic signal, refer to Check 
Control82
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control115
"Activation time" for parked-
car ventilation116
Active cruise control69
– indicator lamp73
– radar sensors73
– selecting distance71
– warning lamps73
Active head restraints, 
front49
Active seat52
Active seat ventilation52
Active steering98
– warning lamp98
Adapter for spare key28
Adaptive brake lamps, refer to 
Brake force display99
Adaptive Head Light109
"Add digits" for mobile 
phone200Additives
– coolant231
– engine oil, refer to Approved 
engine oils230
"Address book" for navigation 
system149
Address for navigation
– deleting151
– entering142,145
– selecting150
– storing150
– storing current position150
"Add to address book"149
"Add to destination 
list"145,146
Adjusting active backrest 
width47
Adjusting interior 
temperature112
Adjusting the tone during 
audio operation, refer to 
Tone control167
Adjusting thigh support46
Adjustment in audio mode
– front/rear balance168
– right/left balance168
"After door opened"48
"After unlocking"48
Airbags99
– indicator/warning lamp101
– indicator lamp for front 
passenger airbags100
– sitting safely45
Air distribution
– automatic112
– manual113
Airing, refer to Ventilation115
Air recirculation
– AUC Automatic 
recirculated-air control114
– recirculated-air mode114"Air recirculation on / off"55
Air supply, automatic climate 
control111
Air volume113
AKI, refer to Fuel quality217
Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms38
– interior motion sensor38
– switching off alarm38
– switching off tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion 
sensor38
– tilt alarm sensor38
"All channels"177
"All doors"31
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires227
"All stations", calling up with 
radio170,173
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive92
Alterations, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Altering stretch of road158
"AM", reception 
range166,170
Antenna, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Antenna for mobile phone192
Antifreeze
– coolant231
– washer fluid68
Antilock Brake System 
ABS90
– indicator/warning lamp93
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system37
Anti-theft system, refer to 
Central locking system30
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights255 

Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Approved engine oils230
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights255
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest, rear123
Around the center console14
Around the steering wheel10
Arrival time
– refer to Computer79
– refer to Starting destination 
guidance154
"Arrow display" for navigation 
system155
Artificial leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Ashtray
– front122
– rear122
Assist, refer to 
BMW Assist207
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems90
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control114
"Audio"167,169,174
Audio166
– controls166
– switching on/off166
– tone control167
– volume167
Audio device, external121
Automatic
– air distribution112
– air volume112
– cruise control69
– garage door opener118
– headlamp control107
– service notification209
– steering wheel 
adjustment47
– storing stations172
– tailgate operation36Automatic car washes134
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control111
– automatic air 
distribution112
– parked car ventilation115
– switching on and off115
– ventilation in rear115
Automatic closing of doors, 
refer to Automatic soft 
closing33
Automatic curb monitor53
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp 
control107
– refer to Daytime running 
lamps108
– refer to Interior lamps110
– refer to Pathway lighting108
– refer to Welcome lamps107
"Automatic programs"112
Automatic roll-up cover, 
Sports Wagon124
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic speed reduction for 
descents, refer to HDC Hill 
Descent Control92
Automatic station search171
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– deactivating transmission 
lock64
– kick-down63
– sport program63
– towing248
– tow-starting249
– with comfort access40
"Automatic ventilation"116
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control112
"Autostore" on the 
radio170,172
"AUX"166,185,186
AUX-In connection121,185
Average fuel consumption79
– setting units87Average speed, refer to 
Computer78
"Avoid ferries" for navigation 
system153
"Avoid highways" for 
navigation system152
Avoiding freeways for 
navigation152
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms38
"Avoid tollroads" for 
navigation system153
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights255
"A - Z"200B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment46
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps, replacing 
bulbs237
"Balance", refer to Tone 
control168
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
kit245
Bass, refer to Tone 
control167
"Bass", tone control168
Battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery242
– jump starting246
Battery replacement, remote 
control for comfort 
access40
BC button, refer to 
Computer78
Being towed247
Belts, refer to Safety belts50
Beverage holder, refer to Cup 
holders121
Blower, refer to Air 
volume113
"Bluetooth"194