
Driving
60
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, set the selector lever to the idling or the
P position and engage the handbrake, other-
wise the vehicle can begin to roll.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it
running while the vehicle remains stationary.
Instead, drive off at a moderate engine speed.
Do not press either the brake or the clutch
pedal as long as you do not want to start
the engine. The engine is started when you
briefly touch the Start/Stop button and depress
the brake if the car has automatic transmission,
or the clutch if the car has manual transmis-
sion.<
Manual transmission
1.Engage handbrake.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and select the
idling position.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
Automatic transmission*
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position P or N.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission*
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Move selector lever into position N and
make sure that this position is also indi-
cated in instrument cluster.
3.Briefly press Start/Stop button.
The system responds by automatically engag-
ing the starter for a certain period and automat-
ically disengaging it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine fails to start, depress the
brake pedal and press the selector lever
to the right and then back into position N.
Watch the display in the instrument cluster
while doing so.<
Special starting conditions
Depress the accelerator pedal halfway when
starting the engine in the following situations:
>The engine fails to start on the first attempt,
e.g. if it is very hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low tempera-
tures, below approx. + 57/– 156, at high
altitudes, over approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned at all or is burned inade-
quately and there is a danger of overheating and
damage to the catalytic converter.<

Controls
63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
In the following situations, SMG thinks for you:
>Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for
example, the system will not execute a
downshift that would cause the engine to
overrev.
>When the vehicle is stationary, the trans-
mission automatically downshifts into first
gear.
>Shortly before dropping below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion downshifts automatically even without
your intervention.
D Drive mode
In the Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted
automatically.
To switch from Sequential to Drive mode:
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
toward D.
Kick-down: for rapid acceleration, e.g. passing,
press the accelerator pedal as far down as it will
go. You achieve maximum acceleration.
To switch back to the Sequential mode: press
the selector lever to the right again toward D or
shift using the shift paddles or the selector
lever.
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by applying the throt-
tle, but engage the handbrake instead. Other-
wise, overheating can occur in the region of the
transmission.<
Gear changes
Using selector lever
>To upshift, pull the selector lever back.
>To downshift, push the selector lever for-
ward.
Using shift paddles on steering wheel
>To upshift, pull one of the shift paddles.
>To downshift, press.
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic*
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can
also shift manually with Steptronic, refer to
page64.
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
manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Changing selector lever positions
>Only move the selector lever from
position P with the engine running: inter-
lock.
>With the vehicle stopped, press the brake
before shifting out of P or N; otherwise, the
selector lever is blocked: shiftlock.

Driving tips
123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munications devices, e.g. mobile phones,
inside the vehicle without a direct connection to
an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle
electronics and mobile communications device
can interfere with each other. In addition, there
is no assurance that the radiation emitted dur-
ing transmission will be conveyed out of the
vehicle interior.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page205.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise,
greater clutch wear will result.<
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by applying the throt-
tle, but engage the handbrake instead. Other-
wise, overheating can occur in the transmission
region.<
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off
conveniently on slopes. The handbrake is not
required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Release the footbrake and drive off quickly.
The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 2 seconds after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slightly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, drive off quickly,
otherwise the starting assistant no longer holds
the vehicle after approx. 2 seconds and it
begins to roll back.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-

Everything from A to Z
240 Engine
– breaking-in122
– data226
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature75
– speed226
– starting60
– starting, comfort access37
– starting difficulties60
– switching off61
– switching off when equipped
with Automatic
transmission, with comfort
access38
Engine compartment209
Engine coolant211
Engine oil
– adding210
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils210
– approved oils210
– electronic oil level check209
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements78
– oil change210
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils210
– recommended oils210
– temperature76
– temperature gauge76
"Engine oil level"210
Engine output, refer to Engine
data226
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature75
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data226
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine60
"Enter address"130,137
Entering address129,132
Entering destination via town/
city name130
Entering intersection,
navigation131
Entering rear52Entering town/city for
navigation130
Entering zip code for
navigation131
"Entertainment"154
Entertainment sound output
on/off155
Entry map for destination134
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control157
"Equalizer", tone control157
"ESN"
164
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control89
Event data recorders213
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system122
Exterior mirrors54
– adjusting54
– automatic dimming
feature54
– automatic heating54
– folding in and out54
– tilting down passenger-side
mirror54
External audio
device115,173
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting221
Eyes for lashing, refer to
Securing cargo125
F
"Fader", refer to Tone
control156
Fader, refer to Tone
control156
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control80
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms37
– refer to Switching off
alarm36Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts53
Fastest route for
navigation139
Fast forward
– CD changer171
– CD player171
"Fast route" for
navigation139
"Favorites" calling up with
radio161
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter111
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit220
First-aid kit220
Flashing
– when locking and unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals31
Flashlight, refer to
Rechargeable flashlight114
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor90
– run-flat tires91,93,206
– Tire Pressure Monitor92
– warning lamp91,93
Flat tire, refer to Run-flat
tires206
Flat Tire Monitor90
– false alarms91
– initializing system91
– limits of system91
– show chains207
– warning lamp91
Floor mats, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir67
"FM", reception
range155,158
FM, waveband158