
Adjusting
46
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seat position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to fol-
low the instructions contained in the following 
section.
For additional information on Transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page56.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment.
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant.
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
knee and front airbags are triggered.
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbags; otherwise, injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page89.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
ris k of injury to cervical vertebrae in an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise, there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page49.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats that are each 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt may not lie across the 
neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid 
or breakable objects or be pinched. Wear the 
safety belt without twisting, snugly across the 
lap and shoulders, as close to the body as pos-
sible. Otherwise, the belt can slip over the hips 
in the lap area in a frontal impact and injure the 
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents 
the belt from fitting properly and pull the shoul-
der belt upward periodically to readjust the ten-
sion across your lap in order to avoid a reduc-
tion in the restraining effect of the safety belt.<
Safety belts refer to page51. 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lock backrest warning lamp:
Lights up when the backrest is not 
locked. At the same time, a message is 
shown on the Control Display.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page46.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Releasing
1.Hold the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the belt buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be in 
the correct position for adults of every build if 
the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page47.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat*
The indicator lamp lights up and a sig-
nal sounds. At the same time, an addi-
tional message appears on the Control 
Display. Please check whether safety belts are 
being worn correctly.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Damage to safety belts
In the event of loads caused by accidents 
or other damage: replace the belt system 
including the safety belt tensioners and any 
child restraint systems, and have the belt 
anchor points checked. Have this work carried 
out only by a BMW center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with appropriately trained personnel. Other-
wise, correct operation of this safety equipment 
is not guaranteed.<
Heated seats
The temperature setting advances one step in 
its control sequence each time you press the 
button. The maximum temperature is supplied 
when three LEDs are lit.
To switch off:
Press the button longer. 

Transporting children safely
56
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is in the back.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise, there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front, knee and side airbags on the 
passenger side must be deactivated. Other-
wise, there is an increased risk of injury for the 
child if the airbags are triggered, even with a 
child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page89.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Follow child restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions for the selection, 
installation and use of child restraint systems. 
Otherwise, the degree of protection they offer 
may be reduced.<
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated, as otherwise there is 
an increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Backrest width
Before mounting a child restraint system 
on the front passenger seat, the backrest 
width adjustment must be open completely.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to the fully open 
position, refer to page47.
2.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint system. 
The safety belt is locked. 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
Coupe: child restraint system with 
tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting 
points to secure child restraint systems, 
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.<
There are two additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows.
Placement of tether strap
1.Fold anchor fitting into upright position.
2.Push head restraint downward.
3.Guide tether strap over head restraint and 
hook onto anchor fitting.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
When installing and using LATCH child 
restraint systems, comply with the sys-
tem manufacturer's operating and safety 
instructions.<
Rear seats
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull 
the belt away from the region of the child 
restraint fixing system.
The mounting points for the LATCH anchors 
are located at the positions indicated by arrows 
in the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Make sure that the LATCH anchor fittings 
are properly engaged and the child 
restraint system firmly contacts the backrest.< 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: head airbags
3Side airbags
4Knee airbag
5Knee airbag
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page46.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of a side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head airbag supports the head. The knee airbag 
protects the legs from colliding with the cockpit.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to 
remove the airbag restraint system from the 
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the 
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the 
instrument panel, the side trim panels on the 
doors and on the Coupe, the roof pillars along with the sides of the headliner. Do not attempt 
to remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components 
directly after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators carried out only by a BMW cen-
ter or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with appropriately trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to 
service the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or undesired airbag triggering, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The system 
correspondingly activates or deactivates the 
front, knee and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbags, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags below.<
Before transporting a child in the front 
passenger seat, read the safety informa-
tion and follow the instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page56. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side can be deactivated for teenag-
ers and adults in certain sitting positions; the 
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags 
lights up when this occurs. In these cases, 
change the sitting position so that the front pas-
senger airbags are activated and the indicator 
lamp goes out. If the desired status cannot be 
produced by changing the sitting position, 
transport the corresponding person in the rear 
seat. 
Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding, 
beaded mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place objects under 
the seat which could press against the seat 
from below. Otherwise, a correct evaluation of 
the occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
The illustration here shows a possible arrange-
ment in the Coupe. With some vehicle equip-
ment packages or in the Convertible, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front, 
knee and side airbags on the front passenger 
side depending on whether the seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the 
front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side are deactivated.Most child seats are detected by the sys-
tem. Especially the child seats required 
by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is manu-
factured. After installing a child seat, make sure 
that the indicator lamp for the front passenger 
airbags lights up. This indicates that the child 
seat has been detected and the front passenger 
airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat. 
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
But the front, knee and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are still deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up as of radio 
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise, 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.< 

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 

Everything from A to Z
242 Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System83
– airbags90
– brake system83
– DSC13,82
– Flat Tire Monitor86
– handbrake13,60
– MDrive13,54
– M Dynamic Mode13,82
– parking lamps/low beams13
– safety belt warning51
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor87
Indicator and warning lamps, 
overview13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure196
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
– refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor86
Info menu17
Information
– on another location130
– on current position130
– on town/city of 
destination130
"Information" for navigation 
system130
Information menu, refer to 
imenu17
"Information on 
destination"131
Information service188
"Info sources"72
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor85
– radio, refer to Storing 
stations154
– refer to Power failure217
– seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory48
– time and date76
"Input map"129
Installation location
– CD changer164
– drive for navigation DVD122Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions139
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer 
to Instrument lighting97
Instrument lighting97
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit
10
Instrument panel, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote 
control105
Interesting destination for 
navigation130
"Interim time"76
Interior lamps97
– switching on with remote 
control31
Interior motion sensor36
– switching off36
Interior rearview mirror, 
automatic dimming 
feature52
Intermittent wiper mode65
J
Jacking points216
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jump starting220
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort 
access37
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Comfort access37
Key Memory, refer to Personal 
Profile29
"Keypad"180
Keys28
– key-related settings, refer to 
Personal Profile29
– spare key28
Kick-down, refer to Drive 
mode62Knee airbags89
Knock control195
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams95
Lamps and bulbs209
"Language / Units"78
– for navigation 
system123,139
"Languages"79
– for navigation 
system123,139
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing cargo118
Last destinations, refer to 
Destination list131
"Last seat pos."49
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system57
LEDs light-emitting 
diodes209
Length, refer to 
Dimensions226
License plate lamps, replacing 
bulbs212
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs209
Lighter108
"Lighting"65,96
Lighting
– instruments97
– lamps and bulbs209
– of the vehicle, refer to 
Lamps95
Light switch95
"Limit"75
Loading, refer to Cargo 
loading117
Load securing equipment, 
refer to Securing cargo118
"Lock after driving"33
Lock buttons in the doors, 
refer to Locking33