
Climate
100
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.Open 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.

Controls
101Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Turn the controller to set the hours.
7.Press the controller to select the minutes
setting.
8.Turn the controller to set the minutes.
Activating switch-on times
Move the controller to the left or right to select
"Timer 1" or "Timer 2" and press the controller.
The switch-on time is activated.
The symbol on the automatic climate control
display lights up.
The symbol on the automatic climate control
display flashes when the system has switched
on.
The parked car ventilation system is
switched on within the next 24 hours only.
After that, the time setting must be reacti-
vated.<

Driving tips
115Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Drive defensively
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
maneuvers. To do so, keep an adequate dis-
tance to the forward vehicle. A defensive and
smooth driving style keeps fuel consumption
down.
Avoid high engine speeds
Only use first gear when setting off. In second
and higher gears, accelerate without hesitation
or pauses. When accelerating, shift up before
reaching high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con-
stant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and coast to a stop in the high-
est applicable gear.
O n a d o w n h il l s lo p e , t a k e y o u r f o o t o f f t h e a c c el -
erator and coast in a suitable gear.
The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings
or in traffic congestions. You achieve fuel sav-
ings even if standing time is as short as approx.
4 seconds.
Switch off functions you do not need at
the moment
Functions such as the air conditioner and the
seat or rear window heating draw large amounts
of power and consume additional fuel. Espe-
cially in city traffic and in stop and go driving
they have a considerable impact. Therefore,
switch these functions off when they are not
really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have the vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. BMW
recommends having the vehicle serviced at a
BMW center. Also note the BMW service sys-
tem, refer to page214.
General driving notes
Close the luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is closed. Other-
wise, exhaust fumes could enter the interior of
the vehicle.<
If the vehicle must be driven with the luggage
compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to
page98.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed in
its vicinity, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the
risk of serious personal injuries and property
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes.
Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<

Telephoning
182 >Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from
the list of accepted calls
>Ending a call
When the ignition and radio readiness are
switched off, e.g. after taking the remote control
out of the ignition switch, you can continue an
ongoing call via the hands-free system for no
more than 25 minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talking to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to
excessive background noise. The full mobile
phone preparation package can compensate
for these noises to a certain extent. To optimize
voice quality during a call, we recommend that
you:
>Reduce background noise, e.g. by closing
the windows, reducing air flow from the
automatic climate control or by pointing the
open front air vents downward
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pairing data are stored
by the vehicle and the mobile phone is oper-
ational.
>The engine is running or the ignition is
switched on.
>The mobile phone is recognized by the
vehicle.
Calling up communication
Many of the functions described below are con-
trolled using the "Communication" menu.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.1.Press the button to call up the start
menu.
2.Move the controller forwards to call up
"Communication".
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the button on the steering wheel.
Alternatively:
"Accept" is selected.
Press the controller.
Rejecting a call
Select "Reject" and press the controller.
The caller is diverted to your mailbox if it has
been activated.

Mobility
205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 3006 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 30 of 2006.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 0705

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Climate
menu
To open "Manual"155{FM manual} or
{AM manual} or
{Choose frequency},
{Frequency ... Megahertz}
To select preset radio station156{Preset ...}
e.g. {Preset 1}
To open strongest radio stations155{AM Autostore}
To open "SAT"161{SAT radio menu}
To switch on satellite radio161{SAT radio}
To open "Presets" of the satellite radio162{SAT radio presets}
To open "All channels" of the satellite radio161{SAT radio all channels}
To open "Categories" of the satellite radio161{SAT radio categories}
To open CD player163{CD menu}
To switch on CD player163{CD}
To open CD changer163{CD changer menu}
To switch on CD changer163{CD changer}
To select a CD in the CD changer163{CD 1...6}
To select track164{CD track ...}
To select a CD and track in the CD changer164{CD 1...6 track ...}
To select track164{Track ...}
To start sound output for external audio
device169{Audio Aux on
}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To open "Vent settings"97{Vent settings}
To open "Automatic programs"98{Automatic programs}
FunctionCommand
To open the menu{Settings menu}
To open "Info sources"{Info sources}
To open "Settings"{Settings}
To open "Door locks"29, 32{Door locks}
To open "Steering wheel buttons"53{Steering wheel buttons}
To open "Lighting"63, 92{Lighting}
To open "BMW Service"192{BMW Service}

Everything from A - Z
240
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request222
Activated-charcoal filter100
"Activation time" for parked
car ventilation100
Active steering87
Adaptive Head Light93
"Add digits" on the mobile
phone184
Additives
– coolant213
– engine oil212
"Address book" in
navigation131
Address for navigation
– deleting133
– entering123,131
– selecting132
– storing131
– storing current position132
"Add to destination list"126
Airbags88
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp89
Air conditioner96
Air distribution
– automatic98
Air flow rate98
Airing, refer to Ventilation99
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents96Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure202
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
"Air recirculation on / off"53
Air vents96
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications200
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm35
– tilt alarm sensor35
"All channels" for satellite
radio161
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires208
"All stations", displaying with
the radio154
"AM", waveband150,154
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode98
Antenna for mobile phone176
Antifreeze
– coolant213
– washer fluid64
Antilock Brake System
ABS81
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights233
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights233
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest106
Arrival time
– computer68
Arrival time, refer to Starting
destination guidance136Arrow display for
navigation137
"Arrow display" in
navigation137
Ashtray107
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC81
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control98
"Audio"153,157
Audio150
– controls150
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
"Audio", refer to Tone
control151
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– cruise control64
– headlamp control91
– service notification193
– storing of stations155
Automatic car wash, refer to
Car wash116
Automatic climate control96
– automatic air distribution98
– settings via iDrive97
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps91
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate control98
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC98
Automatic station search155

Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic60
– interlock61
– selector lever lock61
– shiftlock61
– towing224
– tow-starting224
"Automatic ventilation" for
parked car ventilation100
AUTO program for automatic
climate control98
"Auto Request"193
"Autostore"
– on the radio156
"AUX"150,169,171
– AUX-In port169
– USB-audio interface170
AUX-In port169
Average fuel consumption68
– setting the units70
Average speed68
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation134
"Avoid highways" in
navigation134
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation134
Axle loads, refer to
Weights233
"A - Z"183,184
B
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb219
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag109
Balance, tone control151
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch223Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away225
Bass, tone control151
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass151
Battery220
– charging220
– disposal37,220
– jump starting223
– temporary power failure220
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle37
Being towed224
Belts, refer to Safety belts51
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders106
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate98
"BMW Assist"192,193,194
BMW Assist
– activating196
– Concierge service194
– contacting BMW Customer
Relations194
– Roadside Assistance192
– services offered191
– TeleService193
"BMW Contact"186
"BMW Contact
Numbers"186
BMW Maintenance
System214
"BMW Service settings"197
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control81
Brake fluid
– service requirements71
Brake Force Display87
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display87
– replacing bulb219
Brake pads, breaking in114
Brake rotors116
– brakes114
– breaking in114Brakes
– ABS81
– BMW Maintenance
System214
– braking safely116
– breaking in114
– parking brake59
– service requirements71
Brake system114
– BMW Maintenance
System214
– breaking in114
– disc brakes116
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance222
Breaking in the clutch114
Break-in period114
"Brightness"79
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs216
Bulbs, changing216
Button for starting the
engine58
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
"Call"184,195
Call
– accepting182
– displaying accepted184
– ending183
– missed184
– starting183
Calling
– from phone book183
– from Top 8 list184
– redialing184
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders106
Capacities234
Capacity of the cargo bay233
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery220
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure