
Things to remember when driving
114
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one 
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues 
to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Do not use the driving programs 5 and 6, refer 
to Drivelogic on page62, during break-in.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds, 
however do not exceed 5,500 rpm or 105 mph/
170 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to 
3,000 miles/5,000 km
The engine and driving speeds can gradually be 
increased up to a continuous vehicle speed of 
135 mph/220 km/h. Only drive at top speed 
briefly, e.g. when passing.
Transmission
The function of the transmission is only at its 
optimized level after driving a distance of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed 
engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. With manual transmission: 
During this break-in period, engage the clutch 
gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Only drive with the luggage compartment 
lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust 
can penetrate into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Coupe: close both windows.
Convertible: with closed top, close all win-
dows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to 
page101. 

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.< 

Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Assistance window20
"Assist. window off"21
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control102
"Audio"149,151,156
Audio148
– controls148
– switching on/off148
– tone control149
– volume149
Audio device, external107
Automatic
– air distribution100
– air volume100
– cruise control66
– headlamp control95
– recirculated-air control 
AUC102
– service notification187
– steering wheel 
adjustment48
– storing stations153
Automatic car washes116
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control99
– automatic air 
distribution100
– convertible program100
– switching on and off102
– ventilation with vehicle 
parked103
Automatic closing of doors, 
refer to Automatic soft 
closing34
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp 
control95
– refer to Daytime running 
lamps96
– refer to Interior lamps97
– refer to Pathway lighting95
"Automatic programs"100
Automatic soft closing34
Automatic station search153
"Automatic ventilation"103AUTO program with 
automatic climate 
control100
"Autostore" on the 
radio152,154
"AUX"148,167
AUX-In connection107,167
Average fuel consumption70
– setting units78
"Avoid ferries" for navigation 
system135
"Avoid highways" for 
navigation system134
Avoiding freeways for 
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" for 
navigation system135
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights228
"A - Z"178
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seats47
Backrest width adjustment47
Backup lamps, replacing 
bulbs, refer to Tail 
lamps211
"Balance", refer to Tone 
control150
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
kit220
Bass, refer to Tone 
control149
"Bass", tone control149
Battery
– jump starting220
– refer to Vehicle battery217
Battery replacement, remote 
control for comfort 
access38
BC button, refer to 
Computer69
Being towed222
Belts, refer to Safety belts51Beverage holder, refer to Cup 
holders108
Blower, refer to Air 
volume101
"Bluetooth"172
"BMW Assist"186
BMW Assist185
– activating190
– breakdown assistance186
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations188
– displaying vehicle data191
– information service188
– services offered185
– TeleService187
– updating189
"BMW Contact"180
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"180
BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System207
"BMW Service settings"189
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup 
holders108
Bracket for telephone or 
mobile phone, refer to Snap-
in adapter183
Brake assistant82
Brake force display88
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail 
lamps211
– two-stage88
Brake rotors
– breaking-in114
– refer to Braking safely116
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System81
– brake force display88
– breaking-in114
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control81
– electronic brake-force 
distribution81
– handbrake60
– refer to Braking safely116 

Everything from A to Z
236 Brake system114
– brake pads114
– brake rotors116
– breaking-in114
– warning lamp13,83
Braking safely116
Breakdown, M Mobility 
System212
Breakdown assistance186
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance220
Breaking-in114
Breaking-in brake pads114
Breaking-in the clutch114
Breaking-in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential114
"Brightness"78,93
Brightness of Control 
Display78
Button for starting engine, 
refer to Start/Stop button58
Buttons on steering wheel11
Bypassing route sections140
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
"Call"178,189
Call
– accepting176
– displaying accepted179
– ending177
– in absence179
– rejecting177
– starting177
Calling
– by entering phone 
number177
– from phone book178
– from Top 8 list179
– redialing179
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders108
Capacities228
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery217Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"70
Care208
– refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo loading
– securing cargo118
– stowing cargo117
– vehicle117
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 phone171
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest107
– refer to Mobile phone170
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio152
Car wash116
– refer to Before driving into a 
car wash116
– refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system115"Categories"158
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control
81
CBS Condition Based 
Service207
"CD"148,161
CD changer161
– controls148
– fast forward/reverse164
– installation location164
– random sequence164
– repeating a track163
– sampling a track163
– selecting a CD161
– selecting a track162
– switching on/off148
– tone control149
– volume149
CD player161
– controls148
– fast forward/reverse164
– random sequence164
– repeating a track163
– sampling a track163
– selecting a track162
– switching on/off148
– tone control149
– volume149
Center armrest, adjusting 
height107
Center console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside30
Central locking system30
– comfort access37
– hotel function33
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety6
Changing a wheel215
Changing language on 
Control Display79
Changing scale for navigation 
system display138
Changing units of measure on 
Control Display78