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 in the seat backrests
4Convertible: knee airbags
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page45 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
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 side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents 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 attach 
seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of 
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag 
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or 
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument 
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or 
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately 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 executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to repair 
procedures of BMW with correspondingly 
trained personnel and that has the required 
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to 
work on the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or to undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page55.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti- 
Controls
 101Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter traps dust and pollen in the 
incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter pro-
vides additional protection by filtering gaseous 
pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW cen-
ter replaces this combined filter during routine 
maintenance.
Parked car ventilation*
The concept
The parked car ventilation provides ventilation 
to the passenger compartment and lowers its 
temperature, if necessary.
The parked car ventilation system is operated 
via iDrive, refer to page16. Two different 
switch-on times can be preselected.
The parked car ventilation remains switched on 
for 30 minutes. The system can also be 
switched on and off directly. Due to its high 
power consumption, it should not be switched 
on twice in a row without driving in between to 
allow the battery to recharge.
The parked car ventilation system comes on if 
the outside temperature is above 597/156 
when the switch-on time was preselected, but 
is ready for use at any temperature when the 
system is switched on directly.
The air emerges from the air vents for the upper 
body area in the instrument panel. The air vents 
must therefore be open.
Switching on/off directly
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Parked car operation" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Automatic ventilation" and press 
the controller.5.Select "Parked car ventilation" and press 
the controller.
If the   symbol on the display of the automatic 
climate control is flashing, parked car ventila-
tion is switched on.
Preselecting switch-on times
1.Call up "Climate".
2.Select "Parked car operation" and press the 
controller.
3.Select "Activation time" and press the con-
troller.
Two consecutive switch-on times 
must be at least 31 minutes apart.<
4.Move the controller to the left or right to 
select "Timer 1" or "Timer 2".
5.Select the time and press the controller. 
The hours setting is selected. 
Maintenance
218
Socket for On-Board 
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust 
emissions can be checked by a device via the 
OBD socket.
This socket is located on the driver's side to the 
left, on the bottom of the instrument panel 
underneath a cover.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up:
The exhaust emission values have 
worsened. Have the car checked as 
soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warning 
lamp.
The lamp flashes under certain conditions. This 
indicates excessive misfiring in the engine. If 
this happens, you should reduce your speed 
and visit your nearest BMW center as soon as 
possible. Severe engine misfiring can quickly 
lead to serious damage of emissions-related 
components, especially the catalytic converter.
The warning lamp comes on if the gas 
cap is not properly tightened and the 
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor 
is escaping. If the gas cap is then tightened, the 
warning lamp should go out within a few days.
Event data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a 
device for recording or sending certain vehicle 
data or information. In addition, if you have signed a service contract for BMW Assist, cer-
tain vehicle data may be transmitted or 
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding 
services.