
Telephoning
178
Voice commands
Activating system
1.Press the button on the steering wheel.
An acoustic signal indicates that you can
say commands.
2.Say the command.
The text or numbers that the voice com-
mand system has registered will appear on
the Control Display.
Ending/canceling operation by voice
Press the button on the steering wheel
or
In dialogs where text is spoken, not a command,
e.g. a name, canceling is only possible using the
button on the steering wheel.
Having possible commands read aloud
The system understands default commands
that must be spoken word for word.
You can have the possible commands spoken
by the system at any point:
Using alternative commands
There are often a number of commands to run a
function, e.g.:
The system recognizes digits from zero to nine.
You can say each digit individually or group
them into a sequence to accelerate the input.
Example: dialing phone numbers
To start the dialog:
Press the button on the steering wheel.
Adjusting volume
You can adjust the volume for the instructions
from the system:
Turn the knob during an instruction to select
the desired volume.This volume for the instructions is maintained,
even if the other audio sources are set to mini-
mum volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. {Cancel}.
{Help}.
{Dial name} or {Name}.
CommandResponse
{Dial number}{{Please say the number}}
e.g. {123 456 7890}Depending on equipment:
{{123 456 7890. Continue?}} or
{{123 456 7890. And next?}}
{Dial}{{Dialing number}}

BMW Assist
182
BMW Assist
BMW Assist provides you with various services.
For example, the position data of your vehicle
can be transmitted to the BMW Assist
Response Center if an emergency call
* has
been initiated.
Many functions of BMW Assist depend on the
individually agreed contract.
After your contract has expired, the BMW
Assist system can be deactivated by the BMW
Assist Response Center without you having to
visit a BMW center. After the BMW Assist sys-
tem has been deactivated, no BMW Assist ser-
vice will be available. The BMW Assist system
can be reactivated by a BMW center after sign-
ing a new contract.
Requirements
You can use BMW Assist when the following
requirements are met:
>The installed BMW Assist system is logged
on to a mobile phone network. This network
must be capable of transmitting the ser-
vices.
>To transmit position data, the vehicle must
be able to determine the current position.
>A GPS signal must be available in order for
BMW Assist to be activated and updated.
>You have placed an order for BMW Assist at
your BMW center or BMW Assist Response
Center and signed a service contract. Acti-
vation must be completed.
>BMW Assist is activated, refer to page187.
Services offered
The following services are available via
BMW Assist:
>Emergency call, refer to page214:
When you press the SOS button, a connec-
tion is established to the BMW Assist
Response Center. The BMW Assist Response Center contacts you and takes
further steps to help you.
>Automatic emergency call:
Under certain conditions, a connection is
established to the BMW Assist Response
Center immediately after a serious acci-
dent. If possible, the BMW Assist Response
Center contacts you and takes further steps
to help you.
>Roadside Assistance:
You can call Roadside Assistance
* of the
BMW Group should you require help in the
event of a breakdown. If possible, the vehi-
cle data and position data are transmitted
during this time.
>BMW Hotline:
For information related to your vehicle, call
the BMW Customer Relations.
>TeleService:
Data on your vehicle's service status or
legally mandated inspections are transmit-
ted to your BMW center either automati-
cally before a service due date or when you
request a BMW service appointment.
>Vehicle unlocking by the BMW Assist
Response Center:
Inform the BMW Assist Response Center,
e.g. if your remote control is not available
and you want to have the vehicle unlocked.
To do this, the vehicle electronics must be
ready for operation.
>Vehicle search:
After your vehicle has been reported to the
police as stolen, the BMW Assist Response
Center can locate its position. To do this,
the vehicle electronics must be ready for
operation.
In addition, you can be provided with other ser-
vices, e.g. the information service or informa-
tion on route planning, the traffic situation and
the weather.
Press the SOS button to contact the
BMW Assist Response Center, see below.
*

183
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Mobility
You can also use the services of BMW Assist via
the Internet.
Special features of the services offered
The following special features apply to the ser-
vices:
>The services offered are country-specific.
>Voice contact is established or data are
transmitted, depending on the equipment
and the country. In some countries, it is
possible to do both.
>The data transmitted can, for example, be
the vehicle data, your current position or the
data of the CBS Condition Based Service.
Using services
Contacting BMW Assist Response
Center
You can contact the BMW Assist Response
Center with the SOS button.
1.Briefly press protective cover to open.
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the
arrangement of the switches and indicator
lamps may differ somewhat.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The BMW Assist Response Center is con-
tacted.
Breakdown assistance
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to
page16.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller forward to select
"Communication".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "BMW Assist" is selected
and press the controller.
4.Select "Roadside Assistance" and press
the controller.
If the location can be determined, the cur-
rent vehicle position is displayed.
5.Select "Start service" and press the con-
troller.

185
Entertainment
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Navigation
Mobility
The data relevant for service are transmitted.
Your BMW center will contact you to set up an
appointment for service.
Contacting BMW Hotline
For information on all aspects of your vehicle,
you can contact the BMW Hotline.
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller forward to select
"Communication".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "BMW Assist" is selected
and press the controller.
4.Select "Customer Relations".
5.Press the controller.
6.Select "Start service" and press the con-
troller.
You will be connected to the BMW Hotline by
the BMW Assist Response Center.
Information service*
When you call the information service of
BMW Assist, you can, for example, obtain infor-
mation on current events, filling stations or
hotels and have their phone numbers and
addresses transmitted. Reservations can be
made at many hotels directly by the BMW Infor-
mation Service.
The information service must be enabled sepa-
rately by the BMW Assist Response Center.
Calling up information
1.Press the button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller forward to select
"Communication".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "BMW Assist" is selected
and press the controller.
4.Select "Concierge" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "New data request" and press the
controller.
You will be connected with a BMW information
service representative.

Mobility
193Reference
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Communications
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Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise
permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result.
Do not use E85, i.e. fuel that consists of 85%
ethanol, or Flex Fuel. Otherwise permanent
damage to the engine and the fuel supply sys-
tem will result.<
Required fuel
Super Premium Gasoline/AKI 93
Always use this premium grade fuel to obtain
maximum fuel economy and performance.
The minimum approved fuel grade is AKI 91.
Do not use gasoline below the specified
minimum quality, otherwise engine dam-
age can result.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant dif-
ferences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

Wheels and tires
194
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressure
Information for your safety
The condition of the tires and the maintenance
of the specified tire pressure are crucial not only
to the tire's service life, but also to driving com-
fort and most importantly, driving safety.
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the tires
are cold. This means after a maximum of
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are
warm, the tire inflation pressure increases.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly
and correct if necessary, including on the
spare wheel
*: at least twice a month and before
starting long trips. Otherwise driving instability
or tire damage, and therefore accidents, can
result from incorrect tire inflation pressures. Do
not drive with a depressurized, i.e. flat, tire. A flat
tire will seriously impair your vehicle's handling
and braking response. Attempts to drive on a
flat tire can lead to a loss of control over the
vehicle.<
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page83, or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor,
refer to page85.<
Pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire
sizes and tire brands respectively
approved and recommended by BMW; a list of
these is available from your BMW center.
ing:
>Tire sizes of your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
up to 100 mph/160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph/160 km/h,
adjust pressures to the respective tire inflation
pressures listed on the following pages in the
column Traveling speeds up to max. 100 mph/
160 km/h to achieve optimum driving comfort.
These pressure specifications can be found on
the door post when you open the driver's door.
The permissible top speed for these tire
inflation pressures is 100 mph/160 km/h.
Do not exceed this speed, otherwise tire dam-
age and accidents may result.<
Tire inflation pressures for speeds
above 100 mph/160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in
excess of 100 mph/160 km/h, please
observe, and, if necessary, adjust tire pressures
for speeds exceeding 100 mph/160 km/h from
the relevant table on the following pages.
Otherwise tire damage and accidents could
occur.<

Mobility
195Reference
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Observe all national and local maximum speed
limits, otherwise violations of the law could
occur.
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire sizeSpeed letter
Q = up to 100 mph/160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Z = over 150 mph/240 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT... 3406 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 34 of 2006.
Tire sizePressure specifications in psi/kPa
Traveling speeds
up to max. of
100 mph/160 km/hTraveling speeds
including those exceeding
100 mph/160 km/h
All pressure specifications in
the table are indicated in psi/
kilopascal with cold tires.
Cold = ambient temperature
245/45 R 18 100 V XL M+S 35/240 38/260 35/240 38/260 41/280 46/320
255/40 ZR 19 36/250 - 36/250 - 41/280 -
285/35 ZR 19 - 36/250 - 36/250 - 46/320
More details on the permissible load and weights can be found on page224.
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Belted construction – radial
Rim diameter in inches
Carrying capacity ID-code
(not in ZR tires)
Speed code letter
(in ZR tires before the R)
245/45 R18100 V
285/35 ZR19
e.g.
Manufacturer code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3406

Wheels and tires
196 BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years. This also concerns the tire of the
spare wheel.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less