
Controls
 93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
M view
1Current engine speed, highlighted
2Advance warning field of tachometer
3Red warning field of tachometer, also refer 
to Tachometer on page68
4Speed
5Gear display
For information on the shift lights in the 
tachometer, refer to page63.
Setting brightness
The brightness of the display is automatically 
adapted to the ambient lighting conditions. 
However, you can change the base setting.
With the low beams switched on, the brightness 
can also be adjusted with the knurled wheel of 
the instrument lighting.
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Head-Up Display" is 
selected and press the controller.6.Change into the second field from the top. 
Turn the controller until "Brightness" is 
selected and press the controller.
7.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Notes
The visibility of the displays in the Head-Up Dis-
play is influenced by:
>Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
>Certain sitting positions
>Objects on the cover of the Head-Up Dis-
play
>Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting 
conditions
If the image is distorted, please have the base 
setting checked at a BMW center.
Specialized windshield
The windshield is a part of the system. The 
shape of the windshield complies with the 
requirements of the Head-Up Display to enable 
a precise display. A film in the windshield pre-
vents double images from being displayed.
Windshield replacement should be carried out 
by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Care instructions
You can find everything you need to know on 
this topic by consulting the Caring for your vehi-
cle brochure. 

Climate
102 compartment can only be cooled with the 
engine running.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as 
quickly as possible from an outside 
temperature above approx. 327/ 
06 and with the engine running.
The automatic climate control changes over to 
the lowest temperature and switches into the 
recirculated-air mode. The maximum air vol-
ume only flows out of the vents for the upper 
body. It is therefore necessary for these vents to 
be open for maximum cooling.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant 
odors or pollutants in the immedi-
ate environment by temporarily 
suspending the supply of outside air. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently within the 
vehicle. In AUC mode, a sensor detects pollut-
ants in the outside air and controls the shut-off 
automatically.
Press the button repeatedly to run through the 
following control sequence:
>LED off: outside air flows into the vehicle 
continuously.
>Right LED on, AUC mode: the system 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
responds by blocking the supply of outside 
air when required.
>Left LED on, recirculated-air mode: the 
supply of outside air into the vehicle is shut 
off continuously.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch 
it off while also increasing the air volume as 
required.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over a longer period of time, as the air quality 
inside the vehicle deteriorates continuously.<
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a 
school to pick up a child.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
>up to 15 minutes after switching off the 
engine
>engine at operating temperature
>sufficient battery voltage
>outside temperature below 777/256
The LED lights up when the function is 
switched on.
With the ignition lock at radio readiness or 
higher the interior temperature, the air volume 
and the air distribution can be set.
Switching automatic climate control on 
and off
The air volume, the heater and the 
cooling function are all switched 
off.
You can restart the automatic cli-
mate control by pressing any of its buttons 
except the REST button.
Ventilation
1Knurled wheels for smoothly opening and 
closing vent outlets
2Levers for changing the airflow direction
Do not drop any foreign objects into the 
vent outlets; otherwise, they could be cat-
apulted outwards and cause injuries.< 

Things to remember when driving
116
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.
The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the 
ABS is controlling braking.
In certain braking situations the perforated 
brake rotors can cause operating noises which, 
however, have not effect on the performance 
and operating safety of the brake system.
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-
tent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
Sequential Manual Transmission: do not 
drive in idle or with the engine switched 
off, otherwise there will be no engine braking 
action or support of the braking force and steer-
ing. 
Manual transmission: do not drive with the 
clutch depressed, in idle or with the engine 
switched off, otherwise there will be no engine 
braking action or support of the braking force 
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 minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during 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
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page52, 
otherwise they could be damaged due to the 
width of the vehicle.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure.
Ground clearance
Ensure that sufficient ground clearance 
is available. To drive down curbs, select 
the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic 
Damping Control, refer to page84, to keep the 
ground clearance as uniform as possible. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle may be damaged.< 

Mobility
 199Reference
At a glance
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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 foreign objects lodged in 
the tread, and 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.
Winter tires noticeably loose their suitability for 
winter use below a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm. New tires should be mounted in the interest of 
safety.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer 
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire 
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread 
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a 
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been 
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These 
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other 
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong 
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases reduce your speed imme-
diately and have the wheels and tires 
inspected immediately. To do this, carefully 
drive to the nearest BMW center or a special-
ized tire dealer that works in accordance with 
BMW guidelines and uses appropriately trained 
personnel. Have the vehicle towed to the repair 
shop if necessary. Tire damage can be 
extremely dangerous to vehicle occupants and 
other road users.< 

Wheels and tires
200
New wheels and tires
Only have new wheels and tires mounted 
by a BMW center or a repair shop that 
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and 
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this 
work is performed inexpertly, there is a danger 
of damage and associated safety risks. Make 
sure that the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW does not recommend the use of 
retreaded tires; otherwise, driving safety 
may be reduced. Potentially substantial varia-
tions in the design and the age of the carcasses 
can result in a reduced service life.<
The right wheels and tires
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions than the 
approved units – these differences could lead to 
body contact, and with it the risk of severe acci-
dents. When selecting the tires, also ensure 
that they have a sufficient load-carrying capac-
ity. If non-approved wheels and tires are used, 
BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, and 
therefore cannot be held liable for driving 
safety.<
You can find out the right wheel-tire combina-
tion from your BMW center.
The right wheel-and-tire combination is 
another vital factor in ensuring reliable opera-
tion of various vehicle systems such as ABS 
and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single tread config-
uration from a single manufacturer. After a tire is 
damaged, always remember to have the original 
wheel and tire combination remounted on the 
vehicle as soon as possible.
Wheels with electronics for 
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or converting from 
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use 
wheels with TPM electronics, otherwise the 
Tire Pressure Monitor cannot detect a flat tire, 
refer to page86. Your BMW center will be 
happy to advise you on this subject.
Recommended tire brands
BMW recommends particular tire brands for 
each tire size. You can recognize these from the 
clearly visible BMW marking on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest 
standards for safety and handling characteris-
tics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
winter tires.
Watch speed
Always observe the maximum permissi-
ble speed for the winter tires, otherwise 
t i re  d a m a g e  m a y o c cu r ,  w h ic h  c a n  re s u l t  i n  a c c i-
dents.< 

Mobility
 207Reference
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer 
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page71:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally required tests depending on local 
regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. For this reason, when you take your vehicle 
in for service, you should give the BMW Service 
Advisor the remote control last used to drive it.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page78, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Mobility
 219Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Giving and receiving assistance
Emergency call
Conditions for an emergency call:
>Full preparation package mobile phone. 
With this equipment, an emergency call is 
still possible when no mobile phone is 
paired in the vehicle.
>BMW Assist is activated. Activating 
BMW Assist, refer to page190.
>Radio readiness is activated.
>The BMW Assist system is logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The emergency call system is operable.
Once your service contract for BMW Assist 
expires, the BMW Assist system can be deacti-
vated by a BMW center without you having to 
visit a workshop. Following deactivation of the 
BMW Assist system, no emergency calls can be 
made. The BMW Assist system can be reacti-
vated after concluding a new agreement at a 
BMW center.
Initiating an emergency call
1.Briefly press protective cover to open.
With some vehicle equipment packages or 
in the Convertible, the arrangement of the 
switches and indicator lamps may differ 
somewhat.
2.Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as the 
voice connection to the BMW Assist Response 
Center has been established, the LED flashes.When the emergency call is received at the 
BMW Assist Response Center, the BMW Assist 
Response Center contacts you and arranges 
for additional steps to help you.
If conditions allow, remain in the vehicle until 
the connection has been established. You will 
then be able to provide a detailed description of 
the situation.
If the current position of your vehicle can be 
determined, it will be transmitted to the BMW 
Assist Response Center.
If the LED is flashing but the BMW Assist 
Response Center cannot be heard over the 
hands-free system, it is possible that the 
hands-free system is malfunctioning. You may 
still be heard by the BMW Assist Response 
Center, however.
Under certain conditions, an emergency call is 
automatically initiated immediately after a 
severe accident. The automatic emergency call 
is not affected by the button being pressed.
For technical reasons, the emergency call 
cannot be guaranteed under the most 
unfavorable conditions.<
You can also use other services of 
BMW Assist with this button, refer to 
page185.<
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is located on the left-hand 
side in the luggage compartment. 

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changing wheels200
CHECK button74
Check Control73
"Check Control 
messages"74
Check Gas Cap194
Checking air pressure, refer to 
Tire inflation pressure196
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH57
Child restraint systems56
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely56
Chock215
Chrome parts, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Cigarette lighter108
Cigarette lighter socket, refer 
to Connecting electrical 
devices109
Cleaning, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
"Climate"100
Clock69
– 12h/24h mode77
– hour signal77
– setting time and date77
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside30
Closing fuel filler cap194
Clothes hooks, Coupe108
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine59
Comfort access37
– replacing battery, remote 
control38
Comfort closing
– windows, with comfort 
access with Coupe37
– with comfort access37
Comfort operation
– convertible top31,32
– windows31,32
"Comfort" with EDC84"Communication"176,186
Compact disc
– refer to CD changer161
– refer to CD player161
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock58
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments107
Compressed audio files161
Computer69
– clock69
– displays on Control 
Display
70
– hour signal77
"Concert hall", refer to Tone 
control151
"Concierge"188
Condensation, refer to When 
vehicle is parked116
Condition Based Service 
CBS207
"Confirmation"31
Confirmation signals for 
locking and unlocking31
Connecting car vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices109
Consumption display, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption70
Consumption statistics, refer 
to Average fuel 
consumption70
"Continue guidance to 
destination?"137
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– setting brightness78
– switching off/on21
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10Convertible
– convertible program for 
automatic climate 
control100
– opening and closing 
windows39
– rollover protection 
system91
– top40
– wind deflector44
– window and convertible top 
operation with comfort 
access37
Convertible top
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– closing manually42
– comfort operation32
– emergency closing42
– opening and closing41
Coolant205
– checking level205
– temperature68
Cooling, maximum102
Cooling function, automatic 
climate control101
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant205
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC81
Country of destination for 
navigation125
Courtesy lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps
97
Cradle for telephone or mobile 
phone107
Cruise control66
Cruising range70
Cup holders108
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights228
"Current position"144
Current position
– displaying144
– entering132
– storing132
"Customer 
Relations"180,188