At a glance
13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
When the engine is started or the ignition is
switched on, some lamps are checked for
proper operation and light up briefly in the pro-
cess.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the indicator
and warning lamps displayed.
You can consult Check Control for additional
information, e.g. regarding the cause of a mal-
function or the appropriate actions to take, refer
to page80.In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps indicate that the
associated functions are activated:
Handbrake set61
Handbrake for Canadian models
Fog lamps105
DTC Dynamic Traction Control89
High beams/headlamp flasher105
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is controlling the drive
and braking forces to maintain vehicle
stability89
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
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Switching engine off
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, engage the
handbrake, otherwise the vehicle could roll
away.<
Manual transmission
1.Briefly press Start/Stop button with vehicle
stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Apply handbrake.
SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission*
1.Apply handbrake.
2.Move selector lever into a drive position.
3.Briefly press 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.Move selector lever into position P with
vehicle stopped.
2.Briefly press 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 engaged.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Engaging
The lever engages automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the hand-
brake 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 engage 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 engaged.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th/6th gear, press the
gearshift lever toward the right, otherwise
an inadvertent shift into 3rd or 4th gear could
lead to engine damage.<
Controls
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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
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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
236 BMW Assist190
– activating195
– breakdown assistance191
– contacting BMW
Hotline193
– displaying vehicle data196
– information service193
– services offered190
– TeleService192
– updating194
"BMW Contact"184
"BMW Contact
Numbers"184
BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System212
BMW Night Vision100
– activating101
– cleaning camera102
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system67
– deactivating102
– making settings102
"BMW Services"194
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders116
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter188
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control88
Brake force display95
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps216
– two-stage95
Brake rotors
– breaking in122
– refer to Braking safely123
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System88
– brake force display95
– breaking-in122
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control88
– handbrake61Brake system122
– brake pads122
– brake rotors124
– breaking-in122
– warning lamp13,90
Braking
– electronic brake-force
distribution88
– refer to Braking safely123
Braking safely123
Breakdown assistance191
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance220
Breaking-in122
Breaking in brake pads122
Breaking-in the clutch122
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential122
"Brightness"85,99
Brightness of Control
Display85
"Brightness" with BMW Night
Vision102
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button59
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections145
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"183,194
Call
– accepting181
– displaying accepted183
– ending182
– in absence183
– rejecting181
– starting181
Calling
– by entering phone
number181
– from phone book182
– from Top 8 list183
– redialing183
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders116Capacities229
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery217
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car data"77
Care213
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo loading
– securing cargo125
– stowing cargo125
– vehicle124
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
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 phone176
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest115
– refer to Mobile phone176
– refer to separate operating
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio158
Car wash124
– refer to Before driving into a
car wash124
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– with comfort access38
Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Fog lamps105
– indicator lamp13,105
Folding into raised position
convertible top
compartment floor,
Convertible35
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely123
Footwell lighting, refer to
Interior lamps105
For specified oil grades, refer
to Approved engine oils210
For your own safety6
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria139
Front airbags95
Front passenger airbags
– deactivating96
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor90
Fuel
– average consumption76
– display76
– fuel specifications201
– high-quality brands201
– quality201
– specifications201
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities229
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Fuel filler door200
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction200
Fuel gauge76
Full mobile phone preparation
package176
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off20
"Full screen" with BMW Night
Vision102
Fuses218G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control113
Gasoline
– refer to Average fuel
consumption76
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
specifications201
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel201
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge76
Gear changes
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission63
Gear display
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– manual transmission61
– SMG Sequential Manual
Transmission62
General driving notes122
Glass sunroof, electric with
raise function41
– comfort operation32
– comfort operation with
comfort access38
– moving manually42
– remote control31
Glove compartment114
– rechargeable flashlight114
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system128
Grills, refer to Ventilation110
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights229
H
Handbrake61
– indicator lamp13,61
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD radio"162
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio162
Head airbags95
Headlamp
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities229
Headlamp control,
automatic103
Headlamp flasher65
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system66
– replacing bulbs214
– reservoir for washer
fluid209
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light104
Head restraints
– front51
– removing51
– sitting safely48
"Head-Up Display"99
Head-Up Display98
Heated
– mirrors54
– rear window109
– seats53
– steering wheel55
Heater108
Heating
– exterior mirrors54
– interior107
– rear window109
– residual heat utilization110
– seats53
– steering wheel55
Everything from A to Z
242 Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat110
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo125
Height, refer to
Dimensions227
Height adjustment
– seats49
– steering wheel55
High beams105
– headlamp flasher105
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs215
High Definition Radio162
High water, refer to Driving
through water123
Hills123
Holder for cups116
"Home address" in
navigation138
Homepage of BMW4
Hood208
Horn10
Hotel function33
– unlocking manually34
Hot exhaust system122
"Hour memo"84
"House number" for
destination entry132
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to DBC Dynamic Brake
Control88
Hydroplaning123
– also refer to Minimum tread
depth205
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio162
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning75
ID3-Tag, refer to Information
about track169
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands206
Identification marks
– run-flat tires206
– tire coding204
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness85
– assistance window20
– changing date and time83
– changing language85
– changing menu page19
– changing settings83
– changing units of measure
and display form85
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– operating principle17
– selecting menu item19
– selecting or confirming
entry19
– start menu17
– status information20
– symbols18
Ignition59
– switched off59
– switched on59
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness59
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on59
Ignition lock59
– starting engine with comfort
access38
i menu17
Imprint2Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake
System90
– active steering95
– airbags97
– brake system90
– DSC13,89
– DTC13,89
– Flat Tire Monitor91
– fog lamps13,
105
– handbrake13,61
– safety belt warning53
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor93
Indicator and warning lamps
– overview13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure202
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor90
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor92
Info menu17
Information
– on another location135
– on current position135
– on destination location135
"Information" for
navigation135
Information menu, refer to
imenu17
"Information on
destination"136
Information service193
"Info sources"78
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor91
– radio, refer to Storing
stations160
– refer to Power failure217
– seat, mirror and steering
wheel memory50
– time and date83
"Input map"134
Installation location
– CD changer171
– drive for navigation DVD128