
Destination guidance
144
Traffic information during destination 
guidance
In the event of a traffic obstruction on the 
planned route, the traffic information icons are 
shown with a red border.
System response will vary depending on 
whether or not "Dynamic route" is selected, 
refer to page134.
Displaying traffic obstructions
When the navigation system receives a traffic 
obstruction message and "Dynamic route" is 
not selected, you are shown certain informa-
tion, such as the length of the traffic congestion, 
when you are approx. 25 miles/40 km away 
from the traffic obstruction.
The last possible detour exit is indicated just 
before you reach it.Select "Detour" and press the controller.
The navigation system calculates a new route 
avoiding the congestion.
This information is displayed even if you have 
called up another application on the Control 
Display.
Dynamic route planning
When "Dynamic route" is selected, the route 
will be changed automatically in the event of a 
traffic obstruction. The system does not point 
out traffic obstructions on the original route.
Depending on road type and the kind and extent 
of the traffic obstruction, the calculated route 
may lead through the traffic obstruction.
Displaying current position
You can have your current position displayed 
even when the destination guidance is 
switched off.
1.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
2.Move the highlight marker to the fourth field 
from the top. Turn the controller until "Cur-
rent position" is selected and press the 
controller. Lane closure
Delay
Police checkpoint
Slow traffic or other traffic event
Stop and go traffic
Stopped traffic
Traffic events in both directions of 
travel 

Navigation
Driving tips
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At a glance
Controls
Communications
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Mobility
The current position of your BMW is displayed.
If the navigation system is unable to identify a 
town or city, your current map coordinates will 
appear.
To exit from the menu:
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
You can also have the current position dis-
played on a map, refer to page138. 

What to do if …
146
What to do if …
What to do if …
>a navigation DVD is inserted, but an instruc-
tion to insert the DVD appears on the Con-
trol Display?
The navigation DVD may not be the correct 
DVD for the navigation system. This infor-
mation is indicated on the DVD label.
>you request the current position of your 
vehicle, but do not receive a precise dis-
play?
The system is unable to receive enough 
GPS signals at your current position due to 
obstructions, your current position is not 
yet available on your navigation DVD, or the 
system is in the process of calculating your 
current position. As a rule, reception is 
guaranteed when you are in the open.
>the destination guidance does not accept a 
destination?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. Choose a 
destination as close as possible to the orig-
inal one.
>the destination guidance does not accept 
an address without the street name?
On the navigation DVD, no downtown area 
can be determined for the city or town 
entered. Enter any street, or a destination 
such as the railway station in the selected 
town, and then start the destination guid-
ance.
>you want to enter a destination for the des-
tination guidance, but it is not possible to 
select the letters for your desired entry?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. In this 
case, the system will not offer you any let-
ters to choose from. Choose a destination 
as close as possible to the original one.
>the system stops furnishing directions on 
which way to turn as you approach intersec-
tions?
You are driving in an area that has not yet 
been completely recorded on the naviga-tion DVD. Instead of an arrow indicating a 
turn, you will see an arrow which indicates 
the general direction of your planned route. 
Or you have left the recommended route 
and the system requires a few seconds to 
calculate a new recommended route.
>the navigation system does not react to 
entries?
If the battery was disconnected, it takes 
about 10 minutes before the system is once 
again operational. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
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At a glance
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Mobility
4.Select "Store" and press the controller.
5.Turn the controller until the desired mem-
ory location is selected.
The number of the memory location 
appears beside the name or frequency of 
the station.
6.Press the controller.
The station is stored.
Radio Data System RDS
On the FM waveband, additional information is 
broadcast via RDS. If the reception conditions 
are good, the station names are shown on the 
Control Display. Where reception is poor or in 
the event of interference, it may take some time 
before the station names will appear in the dis-
play.
Switching RDS on/off*
1.Select "FM" and press the controller.
"Set" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "RDS" and press the controller.
 RDS is activated.The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
High Definition Radio*
Many stations transmit analog and digital sig-
nals. You can receive these stations digitally for 
improved sound quality.
A digital radio network must be available to be 
able to receive digital stations.
Switching digital radio reception on/off
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Select "Audio" and press the controller.
5.Move the highlight marker to the uppermost 
field. Turn the controller until "HD radio" is 
selected and press the controller.
6.Select "Off" and press the controller.
 Digital station reception is now switched on.
 This symbol is displayed when a station is 
received digitally. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
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AUX-In port
You can connect an external audio device, for 
instance an MP3 player, and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system. You can 
adjust the tone using iDrive.
Connecting
Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks over the car's loudspeaker 
system, connect the headset or line-out port of 
the external device to the AUX-in port.
Starting audio playback
The audio device must be switched on.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up 
"Entertainment".
3.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller until "AUX" is selected and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "AUX IN" and press the controller.
5.Adjust volume and tone, if necessary.
Via programmable memory keys
You can store the "AUX" function on the pro-
grammable memory keys to start audio play-
back, refer to page21. 

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At a glance
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Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
1.Select "Phone" and press the controller.
2.Select a list and press the controller:
>"Top 8"
>"Redial"
>"Missed calls"
>"Received calls"
3.Select the desired entry and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "Call" and press the controller.
The system dials the number.
Deleting an individual entry
1.Select the desired entry from the list and 
press the controller.
2.Select "Delete" and press the controller.
The entry is deleted.
Deleting the entire list
1.Select an entry from the list and press the 
controller.
2.Select "Delete all numbers" and press the 
controller.
3.If applicable, select "Yes" and press the 
controller.
The list is deleted.
BMW Contact*
If BMW Assist has not been enabled for you, 
you can have several service numbers dis-
played:
>BMW Roadside Assistance
* if you need 
help in the event of a breakdown
>BMW Service if you wish to schedule a ser-
vice appointment, for example
>BMW Customer Relations
* for information 
related to your vehicle
If BMW Assist is enabled, refer to page191.
You can dial the displayed service numbers if 
your mobile phone has been paired with the 
vehicle:
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller forwards to select 
"Communication". 

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Mobility
and/or your mobile phone's operating 
instructions.
>Press the   button above the storage 
compartment.
From hands-free system to mobile 
phone
If you are making a call via the hands-free sys-
tem, it may be possible to continue the call via 
the mobile phone, depending on your mobile 
phone model. Refer to the display on your 
mobile phone and/or your mobile phone's oper-
ating instructions.
Alternatively, you can deactivate the Bluetooth 
link.
Depending on the type of mobile phone you are 
using, it may occur that calls are switched from 
the hands-free system to the mobile phone if 
reception of the wireless network is poor.
Operation by voice 
commands*
The concept
You can operate your mobile phone without 
having to take a hand off the steering wheel. 
During your entries, you will be guided in many 
cases by announcements or questions.
The same prerequisites apply as for operation 
via iDrive, refer to page181.
Symbols in the Owner's Manual
Saying commands
Activating the system
1.Briefly press the   button on the steering 
wheel.
A sound signal indicates that you can say 
commands.
2.Say the command.
Ending/canceling operation by voice 
commands
Press the   button on the steering wheel
or
In dialogs where text is spoken, e.g. a name 
rather than a command, canceling is only possi-
ble using the button on the steering wheel.
Having the possible commands read 
aloud
The system recognizes specific commands 
t h a t  m u s t  b e  p r o n o u n c e d  e x a c t l y  w o r d  f o r  w o r d .  
You can have the possible commands for any 
function read aloud to you:
Using alternative commands
Often there is more than a single command to 
run a function, e.g.: 
Digits from zero to nine are recognized.
You can say each digit individually or group 
them into a sequence to accelerate the input.
{...}Say the specified commands word for 
word.
{{...}} Indicates responses of the system.
{Cancel}.
{Help}
{Dial name} or {Name}. 

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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 Request
* 
has been sent.
Many BMW Assist services depend on the indi-
vidually agreed contract.
After your contract has expired, the 
BMW Assist system will be deactivated by the 
BMW Assist Response Center without you hav-
ing to visit a BMW center. After the BMW Assist 
system has been deactivated, no BMW Assist 
service will be available. The BMW Assist sys-
tem can be reactivated by a BMW center after a 
new contract has been signed.
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.
>To activate and update BMW Assist, a GPS 
signal must be available.
>You have subscribed to BMW Assist with 
your BMW center or with the BMW Assist 
Response Center. Enabling must have 
been completed.
>BMW Assist is activated, refer to page196.
Offered services
The following services are available via 
BMW Assist:
>Emergency Request, refer to page229: 
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 Collision Notification:
Under certain conditions, a connection is 
established to the BMW Assist Response 
Center after a serious accident. If possible, 
the BMW Assist Response Center contacts 
you and takes further steps to help you.
>Enhanced Roadside Assistance: 
You can call BMW Roadside Assistance
* 
should you require help in the event of a 
breakdown. If possible, the vehicle data and 
position data are transmitted during this 
call.
>Customer Relations: 
For all information related to your vehicle 
you can be connected with BMW Customer 
Relations.
>BMW TeleServices
*: 
Data on your vehicle's service status or 
required inspections are transmitted to your 
BMW center either automatically before a 
service due date or when you request a 
BMW service appointment.
>Remote Door Unlock: 
Contact the BMW Assist Response Center 
if your remote control or key is not available 
and you would like to have the vehicle 
unlocked.
>Stolen Vehicle Recovery: 
After you report your vehicle stolen with the 
police, call the BMW Assist Response Cen-
ter to determine its position.
In addition, optional services can be provided to 
you, such as the Concierge service or informa-
tion on directions, traffic or the weather. You 
can use Critical Calling to activate a limited 
number of calls via the BMW Assist Response 
Center, e.g. when you do not have your mobile 
phone with you.
Press the SOS button in order to contact the 
BMW Assist Response Center, see below.
*