
Things to remember when driving
124
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do 
not exceed an engine speed of 4500 rpm or a 
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking 
certain measures, adjusting your driving style 
and having the vehicle serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you 
have finished using them
Remove unneeded additional mirrors, the roof 
rack and the rear luggage rack after use. 
Mounted parts affect the vehicle's aerodynam-
ics and increase fuel consumption.
Close the windows and glass roof
An open glass roof or window causes higher air 
resistance and thus increases fuel consump-
tion.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check the tire inflation pressure at least twice a 
month and before embarking on a long journey, 
and correct it if necessary.
Low tire inflation pressure causes higher rolling 
resistance and thus increases fuel consumption 
and tire wear.
Set off immediately
Do not let the engine warm up while the car is 
still standing, but set off immediately at moder-
ate engine speed. This is the fastest way for the 
cold engine to reach its operating temperature. 

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