
Controls
 45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the sitting position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page56.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
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 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
front airbags are triggered. 
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbags, otherwise injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries 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 page99.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page49.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Your vehicle is provided with five seats, which 
are all 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 lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt may not lie across the 
neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid 
or breakable objects or be pinched. Wear the 
safety belt without twisting, snugly across the 
lap and shoulders, as close to the body as pos-
sible. Otherwise the belt can slip over the hips 
in the lap area in a frontal impact and injure the 
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents 
the belt from fitting properly and pull the belt in 
the upper body area periodically to readjust the 
tension, in order to avoid a reduction in the 
restraint of the safety belt. 
Sports Wagon: if the center safety belt in the 
rear is used, the larger backrest half must be 
locked, refer to page125, otherwise the middle 
safety belt has no restraining action.<
Safety belts, refer to page50. 

Adjusting
50
Removing
1.Pull the head restraint upward to the stop.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page45.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat*
The indicator lamp lights up and a sig-
nal sounds. A message also appears on 
the Control Display. Please check 
whether the safety belt is correctly positioned.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page46.
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated into 
the rear seat are for passengers sitting on the 
left and right. The belt buckle embossed with 
the word CENTER is intended exclusively for 
use by passengers riding in the center position.
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by accidents 
or other damage: replace the belt system 
including the safety belt tensioners and any 
child restraint systems, and have the belt 
anchor points checked. Only have this work 
carried out at a BMW center or at a workshop 
that works according to BMW repair proce-
dures with correspondingly trained personnel. 
Otherwise correct operation of this safety 
equipment is not guaranteed.< 

Transporting children safely
56
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must be deactivated. Otherwise, there 
is an increased risk of injury for the child if the 
airbags are triggered, even with a child restraint 
system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to 
page100.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection, 
installation and use of the child restraint sys-
tems. Otherwise the degree of protection may 
be reduced.<
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated, as otherwise there is 
an increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Backrest width*
Before mounting a child restraint system 
on the front passenger seat, the backrest 
width adjustment must be open completely. 
After mounting the child's seat, no memory 
position may be called up and the active back-
rest width adjustment must be deactivated, 
otherwise the stability of the child's seat on the 
front passenger seat is limited.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit on the front 
passenger seat and close the door to call up 
the memory position.
2.Completely open the backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page46.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page47.
4.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems. 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint system. 
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting 
points to secure child restraint systems, 
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.<
Sedan
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows. Fold the corresponding mounting 
point upward before using.
Sports Wagon
Three are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows, under covers in the cargo bay floor. 
Before using, remove the corresponding cover 
with a screwdriver.
Placement of tether strap
Outer seats:
1.Pull the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap through the bracket 
of the head restraint.
3.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
4.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting 
point. 

Transporting children safely
58 Center seat:
1.Fold the center armrest somewhat toward 
the front.
2.Guide the tether strap through the opening.
3.Fold back the center armrest.
4.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting 
point.
On the Sports Wagon, also guide the tether 
strap between the backrest and the roll-up 
cover on all rear seats.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
To attach and use a LATCH child restraint 
system, follow the operating and safety 
instructions of the system manufacturer.<
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull 
the belt away from the region of the child 
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH anchor fittings 
are properly engaged and the child 
restraint system firmly contacts the backrest.<
Sedan: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located at the positions indicated by arrows in 
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Sedan: rear seats with through-loading 
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps. 
Remove the cover caps before mounting the 
child's seat.
 Sports Wagon: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps 
and are covered again after the child's seat is 
removed. 

Controls
 59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
On trips
If the vehicle is equipped with rear side 
airbags, make sure that children do not 
lean out of the child's seat towards the door 
panels. Otherwise injuries can be caused if the 
side airbags are triggered.<
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors: 
the door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power 
windows, refer to page41, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
100 or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to 
service the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or undesired airbag triggering, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, observe the safety infor-
mation and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely refer to page56.
The front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side can be deactivated for teenagers and 
adults in certain sitting positions; then the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbags lights 
up. In these cases, change the sitting position 
so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be produced by changing 
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is 
manufactured. After installing a child's seat, 
make sure that the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbags lights up. This indicates that 
the child's seat has been detected and the front 
passenger airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat. 
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated. 

Reference 265
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Cargo bay cover, refer to Roll-
up cover124
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for light-alloy wheels, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control28
Car phone192
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest120
– refer to Mobile phone192
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio170
Car wash61,134
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access40
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system132
"Categories"177
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control90
CBS Condition Based 
Service232
"CD"166,179CD changer179
– controls166
– fast forward/reverse183
– installation location183
– random sequence182
– repeating a track182
– sampling tracks181
– selecting a CD180
– selecting a track180
– switching on/off166
– tone control167
– volume167
CD player179
– controls166
– fast forward/reverse183
– random sequence182
– repeating a track182
– sampling a track181
– selecting a track180
– switching on/off166
– tone control167
– volume
167
Center armrest
– front120
– rear123
Center brake lamp238
Center console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside33
– from outside30
Central locking system30
– comfort access39
Changes, technical
– refer to For your own 
safety5
– refer to Parts and 
accessories6
Changing language on 
Control Display87
Changing scale for 
navigation156
Changing units of measure on 
Control Display87
Changing wheels226,239
CHECK button83
Check Control82
"Check Control 
messages"83Check Gas Cap217
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure218
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH58
Child restraints56
Child restraint systems56
Child-safety lock59
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely56
Chime, refer to Check 
Control82
Chock240
Chrome parts, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Cigarette lighter122
Cigarette lighter socket, refer 
to Connecting electrical 
devices122
Cleaning, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
"Climate"51,112
Clock77
– 12h/24h mode86
– hour signal86
– setting time and date85
Closing
– from inside33
– from outside30
Closing fuel filler cap217
Clothes hooks121
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine61
Comfort access39
– observe in car wash40
– replacing battery, remote 
control40
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Comfort operation
– glass sunroof31
– windows31
– windows with comfort 
access39
– with comfort access39
Comfort seat46