
Controls
 67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and 
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once. 
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system reverts to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The wiper operation is controlled automatically 
as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sen-
sor is located on the windshield, directly in front 
of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes 
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing 
through an automatic car wash. Failure to 
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield, headlamps* and 
BMW Night Vision camera*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
With the vehicle lighting switched on, the head-
lamps and the BMW Night Vision camera are 
also cleaned simultaneously at suitable inter-
vals.
Do not use the washing mechanisms if 
there is any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield. If you do so, your 
vision could be obscured. To avoid freezing, 
use a washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer 
fluid. Do not use washing mechanisms when 
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise 
you will damage the washer pump.< 

Driving
68
Windshield washer nozzles
Both windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated with the engine running or the igni-
tion switched on.
Sports Wagon: 
Rear window wiper
1Intermittent mode. When reverse gear is 
engaged, continuous operation is switched 
on automatically
2Cleaning the rear window
Do not use washing mechanisms when 
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, other-
wise you will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Always keep it well away from sparks and 
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always 
observe the instructions for use provided on the 
containers.<
Filler neck for washer fluid
Only add washer fluid with the engine 
cooled down to exclude contact with hot 
engine components. Otherwise there is a dan-
ger of fire and to personal safety if the fluid is 
spilled.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Sedan: 
Approx. 3.2USquarts/3liters, with headlamp 
washer system
* approx. 5.3USquarts/5liters.
Sports Wagon: approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds 
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The 
vehicle stores and maintains the speed that you 
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn. To maintain the specified speed, the sys-
tem brakes if the engine braking effect is not 
sufficient on a downhill grade. Speed can drop 
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g. when driving on winding 
roads , in heavy traffic or in poor roa d co nditions 
such as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface. 
Otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle and cause an accident.< 

Mobility
 247Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Starting engine
1.Start the engine on the assisting vehicle 
and allow it to run at idle for several minutes 
at slightly increased speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the connection sequence.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting and towing
Observe applicable laws and regulations 
for tow-starting and towing.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using tow fitting
The screw-on tow-fitting must always be car-
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the 
front or rear of the BMW.
Sedan: 
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page234.
Sports Wagon: 
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side 
panel in the cargo bay, refer to page234.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral 
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the 
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol on the cover in the 
bumper.
Front:
Rear:
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page60, otherwise the low 
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield 
wipers would not be available. Do not tow the 
vehicle with the rear axle raised, as otherwise 
the steering can turn to the left or right. When 
the engine is stopped, there is no power assist. 
This then requires increased effort for braking 
and steering. Active steering is deactivated and 
larger steering wheel movements are 
required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with 
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window. 

Everything from A to Z
270 Hazard warning flashers15
"HDC"92
HDC Hill Descent Control92
"HDC on"92
"HDC on / off"55
"HD radio"174
HD radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio174
Head airbags99
Headlamp control, 
automatic107
Headlamp flasher66
Headlamps107
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper 
system67
– cleaning tank, refer to 
Capacities256
– filler neck for washer 
fluid229
– replacing bulbs236
Head Light, refer to Adaptive 
Head Light109
Head restraints49
– front head restraints, 
active49
– installing49
– removing49
– sitting safely45
"Head-Up Display"102
Head-Up Display101
Heated
– mirrors53
– rear window113
– seats51
– steering wheel54
Heating111
– exterior mirrors53
– interior111
– rear window113
– residual heat114
– seats51
– steering wheel54
Heating with engine switched 
off, refer to Residual 
heat114Heavy cargo, refer to Securing 
cargo135
Height, refer to 
Dimensions253
Height adjustment
– seats46
– steering wheel54
High beams109
– headlamp flasher109
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs236
High Definition Radio174
High water, refer to Driving 
through water133
Hill Descent Control HDC92
Hills133
Holder for cups121
"Home address" for 
navigation system151
Homepage of BMW4
Hood228
Hooks for shopping bags, 
Sports Wagon126
Horn10
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking separately34
Hot exhaust system132
"Hour memo"86
"House number" for 
destination entry144
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to Brake assistant90
Hydroplaning133
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio174
Ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning77
ID3 tag, refer to Information on 
track181
Identification mark
– recommended tire 
brands227
– run-flat tires226
– tire coding224iDrive16
– assistance window20
– automatic climate control 
with expanded scope112
– changing date and time85
– changing language87
– changing menu page19
– changing settings85
– changing units of measure 
and display type87
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– setting brightness87
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition60
– switched off61
– switched on60
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness60
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on60
Ignition lock60
– starting engine with comfort 
access40
i menu17
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamps13
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System93
– active steering98
– airbags101
– brake system93
– DSC13,91
– DTC13,92
– Flat Tire Monitor95
– fog lamps13
– safety belt warning50
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor97 

Everything from A to Z
280
V
Valve screw caps, refer to 
After mounting241
Vehicle
– battery242
– breaking-in132
– care233
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– loading134
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions253
– parking61
– washing, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– weights255
"Vehicle / Tires" for 
unlocking30
Vehicle jack240
– jacking points241
Vehicle position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position162
Ventilation115
– draft-free115
– in rear115
– while stationary115
Venting, refer to 
Ventilation115
Vent outlets111
– automatic climate 
control111
– refer to Ventilation115
"Vent settings"113
Viscosity231
Voice, refer to Destination 
guidance with voice 
instructions157
Voice command system
– overview23
– short commands257
Voice instructions for 
navigation system157
– muting55
– repeating55,158
– switching on/off55,157
– volume158Voice phone book204
Volume166
– audio sources166
– cargo bay255
– fuel tank, refer to 
Capacities256
– mobile phone198
– setting speed-
dependent168
– voice instructions158
– windshield cleaning system, 
refer to Capacities256
W
Warning lamps, refer to 
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Warning messages, refer to 
Check Control82
Warning on leaving lane, refer 
to Leaving lane warning105
Warning triangle245
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models232
Washer fluid68
– capacity of the reservoir68
Washing the vehicle, also refer 
to Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Waste container, refer to 
Ashtray122
Water on roads, refer to 
Driving through water133
Waveband for radio170
"WB"166,174
Wear indicators in tires, refer 
to Minimum tread depth225
Weather news flashes174
Website BMW4
Weights255
Welcome lamps107
"Welcome light"108
Wheel/tire combination, refer 
to New wheels and tires226
Wheel/tire damage225
Wheelbase, refer to 
Dimensions253Wheels and tires218
Width, refer to 
Dimensions253
Windows40
– comfort operation31
– comfort operation from 
outside32
– comfort operation with 
comfort access39
– rear window, Sports 
Wagon35
– safety switch41
Windshield
– cleaning, refer to Wiper 
system67
– defrosting, refer to 
Defrosting windows113
– displays, refer to Head-Up 
Display101
Windshield wash
– automatic, refer to Rain 
sensor67
– capacities, reservoir256
– filler neck for washer 
fluid229
– rear window68
– washer fluid68
– windshield washer 
nozzles68
– wiper system
67
Windshield wipers, refer to 
Wiper system67
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– wiper blade 
replacement234
Winter tires227
– setting speed limit84
– storage227
Wiper blades
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– replacement234
Wiper system67
– rain sensor67
– washer fluid68
– windshield washer 
nozzles68