Controls
111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control can
replace as many as three hand-held transmit-
ters for various remote-controlled accessories,
such as door openers and house alarm sys-
tems. The integrated universal remote control
registers and stores signals from the original
hand-held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter
can be programmed into one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. After this, the programmed
memory button1 will operate the system in
question. The LED2 flashes to confirm trans-
mission of the signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to
delete the stored programs beforehand for your
security, refer to page112.
To prevent possible damage or injury,
during programming or before each use
of the programmed device by the integrated
universal remote control, always inspect the
immediate area to make certain that no people,
animals or objects are within the swiveling and
movement range of the device. Also, comply
with the safety precautions of the original hand-
held transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging
or in the manual supplied with the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter, it is safe to
assume that it is compatible with the integrated
universal remote control.
If you have additional questions, please contact
your BMW center or call: 1-800-355-3515.
Information is also provided on the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com.
HomeLink is a registered trademark of
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Programming
1Memory buttons
2LED
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page57.
2.When using for the first time: press both
outer buttons1 for approx. 20 seconds,
maintaining pressure until the LED2 starts
to flash. The three memory buttons1 are
cleared.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a
distance of approx. 2in/5cm to 8in/20cm
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the
hand-held transmitter and memory
buttons1 depends on the relevant system
of the original hand-held transmitter used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit button
on the original hand-held transmitter and
the desired memory button1 of the inte-
grated universal remote control. The LED2
flashes slowly at first. As soon as the LED2
flashes rapidly, release both buttons. If the
LED2 does not flash rapidly after approx.
15 seconds, alter the distance.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding memory button1 is now
programmed with the signal of the original
hand-held transmitter.
You can operate the system when the engine is
running or when the ignition is switched on.
Driving tips
123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 tires and
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maximum
depth of 1 ft/30 cm and then, at no more
than walking speed. Otherwise, you run the risk
of damaging the vehicle's engine, electrical sys-
tems, and transmission.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard
equipment. In situations that require it, it is best
to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehicle
maintains steering responsiveness, you can
nevertheless 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.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving in wet conditions and 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 endanger other road users. The heat gener-
ated 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 reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or
steep downhill grades in the gear that requires
the least amount of braking. Otherwise, even
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear, and possibly
even failure of the brake system.
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches,
refer to page63. This strategy helps you avoid
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off; otherwise, there will be no
engine braking action or power-assist for the
brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal
pressure that must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the rotors is not
reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
1.Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50;
otherwise, they could be damaged due to
the width of the vehicle.
To permit the vehicle to roll, follow the
instructions on page58.
2.Release the parking brake, especially when
you have activated Automatic Hold. Refer to
page59.
Driving tips
125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* or securing straps to
secure small and lightweight luggage and
cargo.
>Heavy-duty straps
* for securing larger and
heavier objects are available at your BMW
center. Four lashing eyes for attaching
these heavy-duty straps are provided in the
luggage compartment, refer to illustration.
>Please follow the special instructions sup-
plied with the heavy-duty straps.
Always position and secure the load as
described above. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers, for example during
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Attach heavy-duty straps only to the lashing
eyes, refer to illustration, otherwise, the heavy-
duty straps could come loose or the vehicle
could be damaged.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page226, as excessive loads can impair the
operational safety of the vehicle and may also
put you in violation of highway safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers .<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Anchorage points
The anchorage points are located inside the
door openings.
Loading roof rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
its handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find this information under Weights on
page226.
The roof load must be uniformly distributed and
should not be too large in area. Always load the
heaviest pieces on the bottom. Be sure that
adequate clearance is maintained for raising the
glass sunroof, and that objects do not project
into the opening path of the luggage compart-
ment lid.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
as you drive.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Navigation
This section contains various examples that
illustrate how the navigation system provides
you with reliable guidance to your destination.
Navigation
Starting navigation system
130
Starting navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle
and guide you reliably to any destination you
enter.
Navigation CD/DVD
Installation location navigation drive
Behind the left side panel in the luggage com-
partment.
You can use navigation CDs, versions 2001-1
and later, and navigation DVDs in your naviga-
tion computer.
To ensure that your vehicle's navigation system
has access to the latest highway system infor-
mation, always load the most recent CD/DVD
version of the digital road map.
As is the case with conventional road maps, the
navigation CDs/DVDs are subject to periodic
updates to ensure that they reflect the latest
information and surveys.
Navigation CDs/DVDs are available at
your BMW center.<
Inserting navigation CDs/DVDs
Navigation CDs/DVDs are to be inserted into
the navigation player.
1.Insert the navigation CD/DVD with the
labeled side up.
2.Wait a few seconds until the CD/DVD con-
tents are read.
Removing navigation CD/DVD
1.Press the button.
2.Remove navigation CD/DVD.
Display in assistance
window*
You can also view the route guidance in the
assistance window; it then remains visible when
you select a new menu.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Navigation".
3.Press the controller as needed.
4.Select "Split" and press the controller.
The route is shown in various views in the
assistance window during route guidance,
refer to Displaying route page144:
>North orientation
>Direction of travel
>Perspective
>Arrow display
*
Navigation
Driving tips
131Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
Destination input
When entering your destination, you can select
from among the following options:
>Entering destination manually, see below.
>Selecting destination using a map, refer to
page134.
>Selecting destination using information,
refer to page135.
>Selecting from among recent destinations,
refer to page137.
>Selecting destination from address book,
refer to page138.
>Selecting home address, refer to page140.
After selecting your destination you can pro-
ceed to start the route guidance, refer to
page143.
Operating navigation system
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, and always give priority to the
applicable traffic regulations in the event of any
contradiction between traffic and road condi-
tions and the instructions issued by the naviga-
tion system. If you do not comply with this pre-
caution, you can endanger vehicle occupants
and other road users.<
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Navigation".
Entering destination
manually
The system relies on a wordmatch principle to
make it easier for you to enter the names of
towns or streets. It supports various spellings
as well as automatic name completion, refer to
page142.
1.Select "Dest. input" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select "New dest." and press the controller.
3.Select "ABC..." and press the controller.
Destination input
132 The system also assists you with the following
features:
>If you do not enter a street, the system will
guide you to the downtown area of a town or
city.
>Depending on the data stored on your navi-
gation CD/DVD, you can also enter the
house or building number on some streets.
>You can skip the entry of country and city if
the existing entries should be retained for
your new destination.
Using the voice command system:
Entering name
You do not absolutely have to enter a name to
use route guidance or to store an address in the
list, but assigning each address a name can
make it easier for you to recognize the
addresses in a list.
1.Select "Name" and press the controller.
2.Turn to select the letters, then confirm your
selections by pressing.
>To enter a blank space:
Select the symbol and press the
controller.
>To delete the last letter entered:
Select the symbol and press the con-
troller.
>To cancel selection:
Select the arrow and press the con-
troller.
3.Select the name shown in the lower half of
the Control Display and press the controller.
Selecting country
When the name of a country appears in white
letters on the Control Display, this indicates that
data for more than one country is stored on the
navigation CD/DVD.
1.Select "State / Province" or the country dis-
played and press the controller.
A list of available countries appears in the
display.
2.Select country of destination of state and
press the controller.
In order to be able to start the route guidance,
you must at least enter the destination town/
city.
Entering destination via town/city
name
1.Select "Town/City" or the town/city dis-
played and press the controller.
2.Select the first letters and press the control-
ler.
A list of all towns/cities starting with this let-
ter appears on the Control Display.
3.Enter additional letters if necessary.
The list gradually grows smaller each time
you enter a new letter.
>To enter a blank space:
Select the symbol and press the
controller.
>To delete the last letter entered:
Select the symbol and press the con-
troller.
>To cancel selection:
Select the arrow and press the con-
troller. 1.{Navigation}.
2.{Destination input}.
Destination input
134
Entering house number
You can enter the house number if the naviga-
tion CD/DVD supports this function.
1.Select "House number" and press the con-
troller.
2.Enter the house number:
Select numbers individually and press the
controller each time.
>To delete last digit or letter:
Select the symbol and press the con-
troller.
>To cancel selection:
Select the arrow and press the con-
troller.
If the house number entered is not stored
on the navigation CD/DVD, then the system
displays the closest possible number.
3.Select "Enter" and press the controller.
Starting route guidance with manual
destination input
Select "ROUTE GUIDE" and press the control-
ler.
Route guidance starts immediately.
If the route guidance cannot be started, at least
one entry must be deleted from the destination
list, refer to page137.If you do not wish to start route guidance
immediately, you can store the address in
the address book, refer to page139, and import
it into the route guidance later.<
Displaying information about
destination
Select the symbol and press the controller.
Additional instructions about the information,
refer to page135.
Map-guided destination
selection
If you only know the street or location of the
destination town/city, then you can enter the
destination using a map. You can select the
destination on the map using crosshairs and
then adopt it into the route guidance:
1.Select "Dest. input" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select "New dest." and press the controller.