
Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play and in the instrument cluster:
>12h/24h format of the clock, refer to 
page82
>Date format, refer to page83
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page86
>Language on the Control Display, refer 
to page86
>Units of measure for fuel consumption, 
distance covered/remaining distances, 
and temperature, refer to page78
>Show visual warning for Park Distance Con-
trol PDC
*, refer to page88
>Light settings:
>Welcome lamps, refer to page100
>Pathway lighting, refer to page101
>Daytime running lamps, refer to 
page101
>Automatic climate control: activating/deac-
tivating AUTO program, cooling function 
and automatic recirculated-air control, set-
ting temperature, air flow rate and distribu-
tion, refer to page105 ff
>Entertainment:
>Audio volume, refer to page161
>Tone control, refer to page161
>Speed-dependent volume control, refer 
to page161
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
>Fuel filler door
> Convertible: center armrest and glove com-
partment
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
>In cars with convenient access
*, via the 
handles on the driver's and front passen-
ger's doors
The anti-theft system is also operated at the 
same time. It prevents the doors from being 
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. In addition, if the remote control is used, 
the welcome lamps, interior lamps and the 
door's courtesy lamps
* are switched on or off. 
The alarm system
* is also armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system,
 refer to 
page35.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer 
to page32.
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:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with 
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.<
Convertible: to operate the retractable 
hardtop with the remote control, the 
doors and luggage compartment lid must be 
closed and the cargo bay partition must be 
folded down and engaged on both sides. Refer 
also to page41.<
Unlocking
Press the   button.
The interior lamps, the courtesy lamps
* and the 
welcome lamps come on. 

Controls
 33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select a menu item:
>"Relock door if not opened" 
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle after a short time 
when no door has been opened.
>"Lock after driving"
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle as soon as you 
drive off.
8.Press the controller.
 The setting is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Unlocking and opening doors
>Either unlock the doors together using the 
button for the central locking system and 
then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
>pull on the door handle of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
>Use the central locking button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
>press down the safety lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.<
Luggage compartment lid
In order to avoid damage, make sure there 
is sufficient clearance before opening the 
luggage compartment lid.<
Opening from inside
Press the button: the luggage compartment lid 
opens unless it has been locked.
Opening from outside
Press the button, see arrow, or the   button on 
the remote control for a longer period. The lug-
gage compartment lid will open slightly. It can 
now be swung upwards.
Opening manually
The integrated key of the remote control, refer 
to page28, fits the luggage compartment lid 
lock.
If you open the luggage compartment lid 
using the key while the alarm system is 
armed, the alarm will be triggered. Switching off 
an alarm, refer to page35.< 

Practical interior accessories
114
LED hand lamp
In a holder on the left side of the glove compart-
ment.
Insert the hand lamp into the holder with 
the lens pointing toward the passenger 
compartment to ensure that the lamp cannot be 
switched on accidentally.<
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats 
contains either a compartment or the cover for 
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version. For more information about this 
mobile phone base plate refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual.
Convertible: when you lock the vehicle from the 
outside, the center armrest is locked as well.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Ventilated storage compartment
The storage compartment in the center armrest 
can be ventilated: slide the switch backwards.
The temperature is controlled via the knurled 
wheel for adjusting the temperature of air venti-
lating the rear of the passenger compartment, 
refer to page108.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-In port, refer to page179
>USB-audio interface
*, refer to page180
Storage compartments inside 
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you 
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*. 
There are netson the front-seat backrests.
Storage compartments in the rear 
console
Depending on your vehicle's equipment ver-
sion, the following storage compartments can 
be found in the rear console: 

Controls
 115Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
>Storage tray
>Storage compartment with cover
>Cup holders
Coupe: clothes hooks
Press the upper edge to flip open.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks 
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do 
not hang heavy objects from the hooks, other-
wise they could endanger the car's occupants, 
e.g. in case of heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<
Cup holders
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages, 
otherwise there is an increased risk of injury in 
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cup holders, oth-
erwise damage could result.<
Front
Opening
Briefly press the center of the cover.
Closing
Briefly press the cover in the center and push in 
the cup holder.
Coupe: rear
There are two additional cup holders in the rear 
center armrest.
Press the front of the armrest.
Convertible: rear
There are two additional cup holders in the rear 
console.
Press the button to open. 

Practical interior accessories
116 Before folding down the rear seat back-
rest or using the transport bag, remove all 
containers from the cup holder and close it. Do 
not place objects into the cup holder and use 
force to close it. Do not use the cup holder as a 
grab handle.<
Ashtray, front
Opening
Push the ridge on the cover.
Emptying
Lift out the insert.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, press in the cigarette lighter.The lighter can be pulled out as soon as it pops 
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns. 
When leaving the car, always remove the 
remote control so that children cannot operate 
the cigarette lighter and burn themselves.<
Ashtray, rear
Opening
Push the ridge on the cover.
Emptying
Lift out the insert.
Connecting electrical 
appliances
In your BMW, when the engine is running or the 
ignition is switched on, you can use electrical 
devices such as a flashlight, car vacuum 
cleaner, etc., up to approx. 200 watts at 
12 volts, as long as one of the following sockets 
is available. Avoid damaging the sockets by 
attempting to insert plugs of unsuitable shape 
or size.
Cigarette lighter socket*
To access the socket: take the cigarette lighter 
out of the socket.
Socket in the center armrest
External audio device, refer to page114. 

Controls
 119Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Convertible
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
following storage spaces can be found in the 
cargo bay:
>Storage compartment on the left side of the 
cargo bay. To open turn handle by 90°
>Net
* for securing smaller objects, to be 
attached to the fixtures on the floor panel
>Rubber band
* to be attached to the lateral 
lashing eyes
>Stowage compartment under the floor 
panel
Folding up the floor panel
Do not exceed the maximum permissible 
load of 55 lbs/25 kg for the storage com-
partment under the floor panel, otherwise dam-
age could result.<
Coupe
Press the floor panel up and secure it with the 
catch.
Convertible
To lift, grab hold of the floor panel at the open-
ing at the rear of the panel.
Lashing eyes
You will find lashing eyelets in the cargo bay for 
securing luggage items with nets or tensioning 
straps, refer to page128.
Coupe: ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport 
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to 
2snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length 
of up to 6ft 10in/2.10m. When skis of 6ft 10in/
2.10 m length are loaded, the overall capacity of 
the ski bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
Loading
1.Fold down the center armrest.
2.Press the button, reach into the recess and 
fold down the cover.
3.Open the Velcro fastener, spread the ski 
bag between the front seats and insert the 
skis or snowboards. 
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski 
bag easier to reach.
4.Clip the hooks of the ski bag retaining strap 
into the eyelet.
Only place clean skis in the ski bag. Wrap sharp 
edges to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 179Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
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
Lift up the center armrest.
Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8"/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 a program-
mable memory key to start audio playback, refer 
to page21. 

USB-audio interface
180
USB-audio interface
You can connect audio devices, e. g. an iPod or 
a USB device (MP3 player, USB stick) to the 
USB-audio interface. They can be operated via 
iDrive.
Standard audio formats, e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV 
(PCM) and AAC, and playlists in the M3U format 
can be played.
Due the variety of audio devices on the market, 
it cannot be guaranteed that every device will 
be operable on the vehicle. 
Ask your BMW center about what audio devices 
are suitable.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8"/3.5 mm
2USB interface
Depending on your vehicle's equipment 
version, it may contain a storage pouch 
for your audio device. The pouch is located 
under the center armrest.<
iPod
To connect the iPod use the BMW cable 
adapter for Apple iPod. For more information, 
contact the BMW center or go to the Internet: 
www.bmw.com
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the iPod to ports 1 
and 2.The iPod's menu structure is supported by the 
USB-audio interface.
USB device
To connect the device, use the included 
flexible adapter cable to protect the USB 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the USB device to 
port2.
After the device is connected for the first time, 
the information on all tracks (e. g. artist, type of 
music) and the playlists are transferred from the 
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may 
take some time. The duration depends on the 
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transfer, you can select the tracks using 
the directories and file names.
After transfer, you can call up the tracks using 
the information and playlists.
Information from up to four USB devices or for 
about 20,000 tracks can be stored on the vehi-
cle.
If a fifth USB device is connected and if more 
than 20,000 tracks are to be stored, the infor-
mation on existing tracks may be lost.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.<
Starting audio playback
Via iDrive
If the audio device has a device name, the name 
is displayed.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up 
"Entertainment".
*