
At a glance
This overview of buttons, switches and displays
is intended to familiarize you with your vehicle's
operating environment. The section will also
assist you in becoming acquainted with the
control concepts and options available for
operating the various systems.
At a glance 

At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility Reference
 11
8Instrument cluster12
10Buttons
* on the steering wheel
11Ignition lock4012Horn: the entire surface
14Releasing the hood91
15Opening the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate21 7
Turn signal indicators44
High beams, headlamp flasher60
Roadside parking lamps
*60
Computer
*50
9Windshield wipers45
Rain sensor
*45
Volume
>Press: to accept and end a 
telephone call; to start dialing 
for selected telephone num-
bers
>Press longer: activate and 
deactivate voice entry
*
Fast forward/rewind
>Radio
Press: next station stored
Press longer: station search
>CD
Press: jump to next track
Press longer: fast forward/
rewind
>Telephone
Scan register of names
Display/hide telephone book. Dis-
play the entries one after another 
with the forward/backward buttons 
13
Cruise control*46 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 19
>Activation/deactivation and duration of 
pathway lighting, refer to page60
>Adjustment of sensitivity of automatic 
headlamp control
*, refer to page59
>Setting unit of measure for displaying the 
time and outside temperature in the instru-
ment cluster, refer to page50
Examples for Key Memory
>Automatic call-up* of the driver's seat posi-
tion after unlocking, refer to page33
>Locking of the vehicle after starting off, refer 
to page21
Central locking system 
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid/tailgate
>Fuel filler door
>Storage compartment between the back-
rests
>Roadster: opened manual convertible top
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
The anti-theft system is operated at the same 
time. It prevents the doors from being unlocked 
with the lock buttons or release handles. The 
remote control is also used to switch the interior 
lamps on and off. In addition, the alarm system
* 
is armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system
*, refer to 
page23.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer 
to page21.In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the 
central locking system unlocks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
from outside
With the remote control
Persons or animals in the vehicle could 
lock the doors from the inside. You should 
therefore take the remote control with you 
when leaving the vehicle so that the car can be 
opened from the outside.<
Unlocking
1.Press the  button once.
The driver's door and fuel filler door are 
unlocked.
2.Press the  button again.
The entire vehicle is unlocked.
Convenience opening
Hold the   button down.
Coupe: the windows are opened.
Roadster: the windows and the fully automatic 
convertible top
* are opened.
Locking
Press the   button.
The hazard warning flashers light up once.
If you wish, you can have this special fea-
ture activated/deactivated.<
Switching on interior lamps
With the vehicle locked: 
Press the   button.
With this function, you can also search for your 
vehicle when parked in an underground garage, 
for instance.
Unlocking the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second. 

Opening and closing
28 for more than 2 seconds after the LED has gone 
out.<
When the convertible top has been stored 
in the convertible top compartment for an 
extended period of time, e.g. in the winter 
months because the hardtop was being used, 
you may have to support the convertible top by 
hand when closing it for the first time. If the con-
vertible top stops right before the closing phase 
is completed, press against the front part of the 
convertible top frame from the outside to help 
the closing process along. Keep pressing the 
button while doing so until the top starts mov-
ing on its own again.<
Indicator lamps
>The red LED in the button is lit while the 
convertible top is in motion. It goes out as 
soon as the opening or closing operation 
has been completed.
>If the red LED in the button flashes after the 
button has been released, then the opening 
or closing operation has not yet been com-
pleted.
The movement can be continued in the 
desired direction by pressing this button.
>If the yellow LED in the button comes on 
when the button is pressed, the convertible 
top compartment panel in the cargo bay has 
been folded up. The convertible top cannot 
be moved.
Interruption
The automatic sequence will be interrupted 
immediately if you release the button that oper-
ates the top. The sequence can be continued in 
the desired direction by pressing this button.
Do not close the side windows using the 
power window buttons before the closing 
procedure has been completed. Otherwise the 
side windows may not close properly against 
the rubber seal of the convertible top.<
Convenience operation
Remote control
Refer to page19.
Driver's door
Refer to page20.
To close manually in the event of a 
malfunction
1.Pull out the handle in the cargo bay as far as 
it will go.
2.Turn the handle 90° until it engages.
3.Grip the convertible top by its frame and 
guide it all the way to the windshield frame.
4.Pull out the cover panel that is in the center 
of the front convertible top frame.
5.Insert the Allen wrench into the hex slot.
The Allen wrench is stored in a tool pouch, 
refer to page98. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 33
Convenience function
1.Unlock and open the driver's door or turn 
the key to position 1, refer to page40.
2.Press memory button 1, 2 or 3 briefly.
Movement stops when one of the seat adjust-
ment or memory buttons is operated during the 
adjustment process.
You can have this feature programmed so 
that after you use the remote control from 
your personalized key to unlock your door, your 
seat will move into your own preferred posi-
tion.<
Safety function
1.Close the driver's door and turn the key to 
position 0 or 2.
2.Press the desired memory button 1, 2 or 3 
until the adjustment process is completed.
If you press the M
EMORY button accidentally: 
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Before activating the programmed 
adjustment feature, ensure that the space 
behind the driver's seat is empty and unob-
structed. If you fail to do so, objects behind the 
seat could be damaged, should the seat move 
backward.<
Seat heating*
The seat cushion and backrest can be heated 
with the ignition key in position 2.
Press once for each temperature level.
Three LEDs indicate the highest temperature.
To switch off:
Press button longer.
Safety belts
Comply with the instructions on page30, 
or the occupants' personal safety will be 
diminished.<
Make sure every occupant fastens his or her 
safety belt. As supplemental restraint devices, 
the airbags are designed to enhance the effec-
tiveness of the safety belts, and not to replace 
them.
To fasten
Make sure you hear the lock engage in the belt 
buckle.
The upper belt anchor is suitable for adults of 
any stature as long as the seat is adjusted prop-
erly, refer to page31.
To unlock
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt back into its reel.
'Fasten safety belts' reminder
The indicator lamp flashes or lights up. 
A signal also sounds. Check whether 
the safety belt has been fastened cor-
rectly.
The 'Fasten safety belts' reminder is issued as 
long as the driver's safety belt has not been fas-
tened. The 'Fasten safety belts' reminder is also 
activated at road speeds above approx. 5 mph/
8 km/h if the passenger's safety belt is not fas-
tened, if heavy objects are placed on the pas-
senger seat, or if driver or passenger unfasten 
their safety belts. 

Practical interior accessories
68
Practical interior accessories
Glove compartment 
To open
Press the two push buttons together.
To close
Swing the door up.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Connection for external audio 
device*
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play it over the vehi-
cle loudspeakers. Volume and tone are set on 
the car radio, refer to the Owner's Manual for 
Radio/Onboard Computer.
Connecting the device
1Power supply for your auxiliary device
2Connection for audio playback:
Audio jack 3.5 mm
For playback on the vehicle loudspeakers, con-
nect the device's headphone or line-out con-
nection to jack 2.
Storage compartments 
Storage compartment between 
backrests
To open
1.Press button1.
2.Swing the cover down.
To close
Swing the cover up. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 103
Giving and receiving assistance
Receiving assistance
If your vehicle has the necessary equipment, 
you can use buttons in the center console to 
contact Roadside Assistance or issue an emer-
gency call.
Requirements for initiating an emergency call or 
contacting Roadside Assistance:
>The key must be in position 1 or higher.
>The car phone must be logged on to a 
mobile phone network.
>The emergency calling system must be 
operable.
Access to the buttons
The buttons are in the center console, under a 
cover flap in front of the parking brake.
1Emergency call
*
2Roadside Assistance*
Initiating an emergency call*
1.Fold the cover flap upward to open it.
2.Press button1 for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as a 
telephone connection to the BMW Assist 
Response Center has been established, the 
LED flashes.
If the circumstances allow this, remain in the 
vehicle until the connection has been estab-
lished. You will then be able to provide a 
detailed description of the situation.If BMW Assist has been activated for your vehi-
cle and the current location of the vehicle can 
be determined, this location is transmitted to 
the BMW Assist Response Center.
If the LED is flashing but you cannot hear the 
emergency response center, you may still be 
heard by the emergency response center.
If certain requirements are met, an emergency 
call is automatically initiated immediately after a 
serious accident. This Automatic Collision Noti-
fication will not be hindered by pressing the 
button.
For technical reasons, the emergency 
calling services cannot be guaranteed for 
the most unfavorable conditions.<
Roadside Assistance
The BMW Group's Roadside Assistance ser-
vice is there to assist you around the clock in 
the event of a breakdown, including on week-
ends and public holidays.
The phone numbers of the Roadside Assis-
tance in your home country can be found in the 
Contact brochure.
Contacting Roadside Assistance*
1.Fold the cover flap upward to open it.
2.Press button2 for at least 2 seconds.
The LED in the button lights up. As soon as a 
telephone connection to the Roadside Assis-
tance has been established, the LED flashes.
Depending on the country you are in, your vehi-
cle's current location will be transmitted if BMW 
Assist  has been activated for your vehicle. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 117
B
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment31
Backup lamps
– bulb replacement101
Bandages, refer to First-aid 
kit104
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods106
Battery102
– charging102
– disposal102
– indicator/warning 
lamp12,102
– jump-starting104
– power supply 
interruption102
– remote control18
Being towed106
Belts, refer to Safety belts33
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts33
Beverage holders69
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate63,66
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System96
Bottle holders, refer to 
Beverage holders69
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC51
Brake fluid95
– indicator/warning 
lamp13,95
– low level95
Brake Force Display56
Brake hydraulics, refer to 
Brake system95
Brake hydraulic system
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake lamps
– brake force display56
– bulb replacement101
– indicator lamp, defective 
bulb13Brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– warning lamp76
Brake pad wear indicator
– brake pads76
– indicator/warning lamp13
Brake rotors75
– brake system75
– break-in procedures74
Brakes
– ABS51
– brake fluid95
– brake pads
76
– braking safely75
– break-in procedures74
– indicator/warning 
lamps13,52
– parking brake41
Brake system95
– brake fluid95
– brake pads76
– break-in procedures74
– disc brakes75
– indicator/warning lamp13
Breakdown service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance103
Breaking in the clutch74
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential74
Break-in procedures74
Bridging, refer to Jump-
starting104
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs98
Bulb replacement, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs98
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning5
Can holders, refer to Beverage 
holders69
Capacity
– cargo bay, refer to 
Weights113Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery102
Car care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Care products, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cargo bay23
– capacity113
– emergency release23
– floor panel98
– increasing capacity23
– opening and closing21,22
– opening from inside the 
vehicle21,22
– opening from the outside21
– roller-blind cover70
Cargo loading
– stowing cargo77
– vehicle76
Car jack
– jacking points102
Car keys, refer to The key 
set18
Carpet care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Car phone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Car radio, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Car wash, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system74
CD changer, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
CD operation, refer to Owner's 
Manual for Radio/Onboard 
Computer
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
Center high-mount brake 
lamp, bulb replacement101