
Replacing components
232 For care and maintenance of the headlamps, 
please follow the instructions in the separate 
Caring for your vehicle brochure.
If the routine for changing a particular 
bulb is not described here, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light source for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes, which operate using a 
concept similar to that applied in conventional 
lasers, are officially designated as Class 1 light-
emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours, otherwise this could cause 
irritation to the retina.<
Xenon lamps
These bulbs have a very long service life and are 
highly unlikely to fail. If a xenon lamp fails never-
theless, switch on the fog lamps and continue 
the journey with great care, provided that local 
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, 
including bulb replacements, performed 
o n ly  b y  a  BM W  c e n t e r o r a  w o r k s h o p  t h a t  w o r k s  
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, if 
such work is carried out improperly, the high 
voltage in the system presents the danger of 
fatal injuries.<
Access to the lamps
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Remove the upper cover from the head-
lamp. To do so, use a screwdriver to press the catches towards the rear, see arrows, 
and pull the cover forward and out.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the cover.
Be careful when installing the cover, oth-
erwise leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Parking lamps and roadside parking 
lamps, daytime running lamps
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Remove the cover, refer to Access to the 
lamps.
2.Turn the bulb approx. 90°, see arrow, and 
take it out.
3.Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and 
reconnect the plug.
4.Insert the bulb and turn it until it stops.
5.Reattach the cover.
Corner-illuminating lamp*
H3 bulb, 55 watts
1.Switch off the lamps and take the remote 
control out of the ignition lock.
2.Remove the cover, refer to Access to the 
lamps. 

Mobility
 239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is  sto red in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the 
cargo bay, refer to page231.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard tool kit 
underneath the cargo bay floor, refer to 
page231.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow 
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page59, otherwise the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort. Active 
steering is not active and it will be necessary to 
turn the steering wheel further.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page62.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph 
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
I n  s o m e  c o u n t r i e s ,  i t  i s  i l l e g a l  t o  t o w  y o u r  v e h i c l e  
with a tow bar or tow rope on public highways.
Please familiarize yourself with the relevant 
towing regulations for the country in which you 
are driving.
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.< 

Giving and receiving assistance
240
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle 
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just 
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the 
wheels could lock up and the transfer case 
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface 
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to 
page237. Vehicles with a catalytic converter 
should only be tow-started when the engine is 
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission 
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page59.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
depressed and slowly release the clutch. 
After the engine starts, immediately 
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent 
Control HDC when the vehicle is being 
tow-started, page90.< 

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs231
Changing the language on the 
Control Display86
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display78
Changing wheels234
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment225
Check Control83
"Check Control 
messages"85
Child-restraint fixing system 
LATCH57
Child-restraint systems56
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely56
Chrome parts, care, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter116
Cleaning, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Cleaning headlamps65
– washer fluid65
"Climate"105
Clock74
– 12h/24h mode82
– setting time81
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks115
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine60
Combined instrument, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Comfort access, refer to 
Convenient access36
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
"Communication"192,202,2
03,204Compact disc, refer to
– CD changer173
– CD player173
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock59
Compass112
Computer75
– displays on Control 
Display76
– hour signal82
Computer, refer to iDrive16
"Concert hall" for Tone 
control162
"Concierge"
204
Concierge service204
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked126
Condition Based Service 
CBS229
Configuring settings, refer to 
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for 
locking/unlocking the 
vehicle31
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances116
Consumption, refer to 
Average consumption76
Consumption display
– average consumption76
"Continue guidance to 
destination?"148
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display
– brightness86
– changing the language86
– switching off/on21
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient access36
– replacing the battery38
– what to observe before 
entering a car wash37Convenient loading in 
convertible31
Convenient operation
– glass roof30
– glass roof with convenient 
access37
– retractable hardtop30
– windows30
– windows with convenient 
access37
Convertible
– bag holder118
– convenient loading31
– enlarging cargo bay117
– folding down rear 
backrest118
– retractable hardtop41
– rollover protection 
system98
– securing cargo128
– stowing cargo127
Coolant227
– checking level228
Coolant temperature75
Cooling, maximum106
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant227
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant227
Copyright2
Corner-illuminating lamps, 
refer to Adaptive Head 
Light101
Cornering lamps, refer to 
Adaptive Head Light101
Correct tires222
Courtesy lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps103
Cross-hairs in navigation139
Cruise control66
– active67
– malfunction67
Cruising range75
Cup holders115
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights247
"Current position"155 

Everything from A - Z
258 Fast forward
– CD changer177
– CD player177
"Fast route" in navigation145
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control108
Fine wood, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch237
Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock59
Flashlight, refer to LED hand 
lamp114
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires222
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM93
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
– indicating a flat tire93
– indicator/warning lamp93
– initializing the system92
– malfunction93
– snow chains92,223
– system limits92
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition221
Floor mats, carpets, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband160,164
FM, waveband164
Fog lamps102
– indicator lamp13,102
Folding in the mirrors, before 
driving into a car wash52
Folding up the floor panel119
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely126
Footwell lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps103
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive90Frequency, selecting 
manually165
Front airbags97
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor92
Fuel211
– average consumption76
– gauge75
– high-quality brands211
– quality211
– specifications211
– tank contents, refer to 
Capacities247
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
Fuel filler door210
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction210
Fuses235
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control110
Gasoline
– refer to Average 
consumption76
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel211
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic61
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
General driving notes125Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical 
malfunction40
– convenient operation30,32
– initializing40
– opening, closing39
– operation with convenient 
access37
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment113
– LED hand lamp114
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system132
Grills104
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights247
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake60
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand 
lamp114
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control90
"HD radio"167
HD radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio167
Head airbags97
Headlamp control, 
automatic100
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Head restraints47
– front, removing48
– rear, removing48
– sitting safely45
Heated
– mirrors53
– rear window107
– seats49 

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Heating
– mirrors53
– rear window107
– residual heat107
– seats49
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate104
Heating while at a standstill, 
refer to Using residual 
heat107
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo127
Height, refer to 
Dimensions245
Height adjustment
– seats46
– steering wheel53
High beams102
– headlamp flasher102
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio167
High water, refer to Driving 
through water126
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria145
Hill Descent Control HDC90
Hills126
Holders for cups115
Home address144
"Home address" in 
navigation145
Homepage BMW4
Hood224
Hooks for shopping bags118
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking or unlocking 
separately34
Hot exhaust system125
"Hour memo"82
"House number" in 
destination entry137
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC89
Hydroplaning125I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio167
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature
warning74
ID3 tag, refer to Information 
about the track175
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires222
– tire coding220
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness86
– assistance window20
– automatic climate 
control105
– changing language86
– changing units of measure 
and display format78
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time81
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition59
– switched off59
– switched on59
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key28
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness59
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on59
Ignition lock59
i menu18
Imprint2Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM95
Individual air distribution105
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure212
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM93
Information
– on another location140
– on country140
– on current position140
– on destination location140
Information menu, refer to 
i menu18
"Information on 
destination"142
"Info sources"80
Initializing
– active steering96
– after power failure235
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating112
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
– glass roof40
"Input map"139
Installation location
– CD changer177
– navigation DVD drive132
– telephone114
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions150
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting103
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key28
Integrated universal remote 
control110
Interesting destination for 
navigation140
"Interim time"86
Interior lamps103
– remote control31
Interior motion sensor36 

Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
R
Radio
– autostore165
– controls160
– High Definition Radio167
– listening to stations164
– regional programs167
– sampling stations165
– satellite radio170
– selecting a 
waveband160,164
– selecting the frequency 
manually165
– station search165
– stations with best 
reception165
– storing stations166
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
Radio position, refer to Radio 
readiness59
Radio readiness59
– switched off59
– switched on59
Radio-remote key, refer to 
Remote control with 
integrated key28
Rain sensor64
"Random", refer to Random 
play176
"Random all" for audio 
mode177
"Random directory" for audio 
mode177
Random play176
"RDS" Radio Data 
System167
Reading lamps103
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps233
– replacing bulb233
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48
– folding down backrests117
Rear turn signals
– replacing bulb233
Rear ventilation108Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors52
Rear window defroster107
Rear window roller blind, refer 
to Roller sun blinds113
"Received calls"194
Receiving level of mobile 
phone, refer to Status 
information20
Recirculated-air mode106
Recirculation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode106
Reclining seat, refer to 
Backrest46
Recording times, refer to 
Stopwatch86
"Redial" for mobile phone194
Refueling210
Releasing
– hood224
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range75
Remote control28
– battery renewal38
– convenient access36
– garage door opener110
– luggage compartment lid31
– malfunction31,37
– removing from the ignition 
lock59
– service data229
"Repeat directory" for audio 
mode176
"Repeat" for audio mode176
"Repeat track" for audio 
mode176
Replacement remote 
control28
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs231
Replacing tires222
Replacing tires, refer to New 
wheels and tires222
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
"Reset"92,94
Reset, refer to Resetting tone 
settings163"Reset" for stopwatch86
"Reset" for tone settings163
Residual heat107
Restraint systems
– for children56
– refer to Safety belts51
Retractable hardtop41
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– convenient operation30
– opening and closing42
– remote control30
Reverse
– CD changer177
– CD player177
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
Road map149
"Roadside Assistance"202
Roadside 
Assistance
202,236
Roadside parking lamps102
Roadworthiness test, refer to 
Service requirements79
Roller sun blinds113
Rollover protection system, 
convertible98
– resetting99
Roof load capacity247
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack129
"Roomsound", refer to Tone 
control162
Rope, refer to Tow-starting, 
towing away240
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to 
iDrive16