
At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by 
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine 
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a 
malfunction and on the corresponding need to 
take action can be displayed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page80.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps indicate that the 
associated functions are activated:
Handbrake applied61
Handbrake applied for Canadian 
models
Fog lamps
*105
DTC Dynamic Traction Control88
High beams/headlamp flasher105
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability88 

Opening and closing
40 If a remote control accidentally left in the 
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after closing the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate or the rear window, the lid or rear win-
dow opens again. The hazard warning flashers 
flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Sports Wagon: opening rear window 
separately
Press the button on the rear window, refer to 
page35.
Switching on radio readiness
By briefly pressing the Start/Stop button, you 
switch on the radio readiness, refer to page59.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
or clutch pedal, otherwise the engine will 
start immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page59.
If you take the remote control with you when 
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a 
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message 
appears on the Control Display. As long as no 
remote control is detected in the vehicle, it is 
only possible to restart the engine within 
approx. 10 seconds after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic 
transmission
The engine can only be switched off in selector 
lever position P, refer to page61.
To switch off the engine in selector lever posi-
tion N, the remote control must be inserted in 
the ignition lock.
Before driving into a car wash with 
automatic transmission
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Place selector lever in position N.
4.Switch off the engine.The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page28.
2.Remove cover.
3.Lay in new battery with positive side facing 
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Return used battery to a recycling collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut.
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.< 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or inadequately burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter.<
Switching off engine
Do not remove the remote control from 
the ignition lock while the vehicle is roll-
ing, otherwise the steering-wheel lock would 
engage while steering.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you.
When parking on a downhill incline, apply the 
handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll 
away.<
Manual transmission
1.Briefly press the Start/Stop button with the 
vehicle stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Apply the handbrake.
SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission*
1.Apply the handbrake.
2.Engage a driving position.
3.Briefly press the Start/Stop button.
If N is engaged when switching off the 
engine, this will be pointed out to you opti-
cally and acoustically.
Automatic transmission*
1.Select selector lever position P with the 
vehicle stopped.
2.Briefly press the Start/Stop button.
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The 
handbrake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to apply the handbrake 
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it too 
strongly. In doing so, continuously press the 
button of the handbrake lever. Otherwise 
excessive pressure can lead to the rear wheels 
locking up and loss of traction – fishtailing – at 
the rear axle.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.< 

Driving
64
Activating system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is 
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant enables optimized 
vehicle acceleration at racing car level on road 
surfaces with good adhesion when starting off.
Do not use the acceleration assistant too 
often, otherwise components will wear 
prematurely.<
1.Activate the Dynamic Driving Control.
2.Deactivate DSC, refer to page88.
3.Quickly press accelerator pedal all the way 
down: kick-down. The ideal starting-off 
engine speed is set.
To maintain vehicle stability, reactivate 
DSC afterward.<
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page65.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is indicated, and in 
the manual mode the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
>Only move the selector lever from 
position P when the engine is running: 
interlock.
>With the vehicle stopped, press the brake 
before shifting out of P or N, otherwise the 
selector lever is blocked: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until 
you are ready to start.<
A lock prevents accidentally shifting into selec-
tor lever positions R and P. To cancel the lock, 
press the button on the front of the selector 
lever, refer to arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
The rear wheels are locked.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 

Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Selected desired speed appears briefly
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on free-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, 
if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active 
cruise control will, within the scope of given 
possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed auto-
matically so that you can flow with the traffic 
without having to make constant adjustments. 
If, for example, while cruising at the selected 
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle 
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will 
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that 
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected 
distance setting between your vehicle and the 
vehicle ahead. You can vary the distance, which 
is additionally speed-dependent. Based on 
your selected distance setting, the system 
automatically decreases the throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehi-
cle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to 
signal a following driver to take action. In addi-
tion, it may be necessary for the vehicle or the 
driver to downshift, depending on the kind of 
transmission your vehicle is equipped with, to 
maintain the distance setting selected. If the 
vehicle ahead speeds up or when the lane 
ahead becomes clear, your vehicle will acceler-
ate to the speed you have selected by increas-
ing the throttle setting and shifting gears auto-
matically or by the driver as needed. Your 
selected speed will also be held when driving 
downhill, however it can be dropped below 
when driving uphill if the engine output is insuf-
ficient.
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, and the maximum desired speed 
110 mph or 180 km/h.
Active cruise control is not and must not 
be used as a collision avoidance/warning 
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is 
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems 
which you may be accustomed to, you are 
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating 
to this system before use. Pay special attention 
to the information contained in the Things to 
know about active cruise control section begin-
ning on page73.<
Professional* navigation system
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to 
page134, the system adjusts the accelerating 
and braking behavior of the vehicle to the road 
you are driving on.
To ensure that the system is informed of 
the current course of the road, always use 
the latest navigation DVD if possible.<
When the vehicle position is unknown, e.g. 
when you leave the map area, this influence of 
the navigation system is not available. 

Driving
72
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Lights up yellow: vehicle driving ahead is 
detected
Flashes red, a signal sounds: the system 
cannot establish the distance, apply the 
brakes yourself
Flashes yellow: driving stability control sys-
tems intervene, the active cruise control is 
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead: 
lights up as soon as the system is activated
4Selected desired speed appears briefly
If the display ACC --- mph/km/h briefly 
appears in the instrument cluster, it might 
be that conditions necessary for operation are 
not currently being met. To call up Check Con-
trol messages, refer to page80.<
Warning lamps
The display2 flashes red and a sig-
nal sounds.
The system requests that you 
intervene by braking or with an 
evasive maneuver. The active 
cruise control cannot automatically restore the 
distance to the vehicle driving ahead.
However, this display cannot relieve the driver 
of the responsibility for adjusting the desired 
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
The display2 flashes yellow.
Automatic intervention by ABS or 
DSC. The active cruise control 
intervenes by braking until you 
take over actively.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain, dirt, snow or ice can restrict the 
detection of vehicles driving ahead. If neces-
sary, clean the front radar sensor under the 
bumper. Exercise particular care when remov-
ing snow and ice.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, the active 
cruise control cannot be activated. 

Controls
 73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead 
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a 
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react 
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types 
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback. 
It is also possible that the system may not 
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when 
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically brake, nor provide 
a warning to you. Also, be aware that every decrease in the distance setting allows your 
vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front of 
you and requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds 
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your 
vehicle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane will also result in your vehicle 
accelerating.
Be certain to deactivate the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving, 
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your 
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle 
brakes, shifts the transmission to neutral/N, or 
deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the 
system will no longer automatically activate the 
vehicle brakes, which means the driver must 
intervene and resume manual braking. You 
should then reactivate the system only when 
you are fully aware of the prior speed and dis-
tance settings.< 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
88
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also 
identifies unstable driving conditions, such as a 
loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or slid-
ing of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin further by taking risks.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together. 
Stabilizing and drive output promoting actions 
are no longer executed. In addition, the stability 
promoting intervention of the active steering
* 
is deactivated, refer to page95.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snowy inclines, in slush, or 
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster lights up.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC is activated.