
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to 
page252.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
23Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
45Adjustments
56Transporting children safely
59Driving
74Everything under control
88Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
100Lamps
104Climate
110Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
124Things to remember when driving
Navigation
132Starting the navigation system
134Destination entry
147Destination guidance
156What to do if …
Entertainment
160On/off and settings
164Radio
170Satellite radio
173CD player and CD changer
179AUX-In port
180USB-audio interface
Communications
186Telephoning
201BMW Assist
Mobility
210Refueling
212Wheels and tires
224Under the hood
229Maintenance
231Replacing components
236Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
244Technical data
248Short commands for the voice command 
system
252Everything from A - Z 

At a glance
 17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation
>Navigation system
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying the 
average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>AUX-In port, USB-audio interface* for 
external audio device
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Parked car operation
 menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
>Display of service requirements and dates 
for statutory inspections
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
As of radio readiness, the following message 
appears on the Control Display:
To hide the message: 
Press the controller.
The start menu is displayed.
The message is automatically hidden after 
approx. 10 seconds.
Start menu
All iDrive functions can be called up via five 
menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
To open the start menu from the   menu:
Press the   button twice. 

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: 

On/off and settings
160
On/off and settings
The following audio sources have shared con-
trols and setting options:
>Radio
>CD player
>CD changer
*
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons near the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons
 on the steering wheel, refer to 
page11
>Programmable memory keys, refer to 
page21
Buttons on the CD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on the unit, the last set 
radio station or track is played.
>Turn: adjust volume.
2Drive for audio CDs
3 Eject CD.
4 Station scan/track search
>Change radio station.
>Select track for CD player and CD 
changer.
5Drive for navigation DVD
Operation via iDrive
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".
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
>"SAT": satellite radio
*
>"CD": CD player or changer
>"AUX": AUX-In port, USB-audio interface
>"Set": depending on the audio source, 
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with 
the radio: update station with strongest 
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations.
From another menu, you can switch 
directly to the screen last displayed, refer 
to Convenient call-up of menu items on 
page18.<
With the ignition at radio readiness or beyond, 
the selected audio source is stored for the 
remote control currently in use.
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button1 on the CD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off. 

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".
* 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
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 "USB" or the name of the audio 
device and press the controller.
Playback begins with the first track.
Via programmable memory keys
You can store the "USB" function on a pro-
grammable memory key to start audio play-
back, refer to page21.
Selecting a track
You can call up the tracks using the playlists 
and information. With USB devices you can also 
call up tracks using the file directory. The tracks 
can be displayed if they have been stored in the 
Latin alphabet.1.Make your selection, e.g. "Playlists" or "Art-
ists", and press the controller.
2.Select a track and press the controller.
Displaying information about the track
Any information about the current track that has 
been recorded can be displayed, e.g. the name 
of the artist.
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "Details" and press the controller.
The information is shown for the current track. 

USB-audio interface
182
Repeating tracks
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Repeat track" and press the con-
troller.
Stop repeating:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Repeat track" and press the con-
troller.
Random play sequence
You can play the tracks in the selected list in 
random order, e. g. all tracks of a single artist.
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Stop random play:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Fast forward/reverse
Buttons on the steering wheel or CD player:
 Press and hold the button for the 
corresponding direction.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to 
extreme environmental conditions, e. g. 
very high temperatures, refer to the operating 
instructions of the audio device. Otherwise the audio device may become damaged, which 
could compromise safety while driving.<
Depending on the configuration of the audio 
files, e. g. bit rates greater than 256 KBit/s, the 
files may not play back correctly in every case.
Notes on connecting
>The USB-audio interface acts as the power 
supply to the connected audio devices, pro-
vided that this is supported by the audio 
device. Therefore, do not connect the USB 
audio device to the power socket in the 
vehicle during operation.
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB 
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB-audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the USB-audio interface to 
charge external devices. 

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air flow rate106
– cruise control66,67
– headlamp control100
– service notification203
– storing of stations165
Automatic climate control104
– automatic air 
distribution106
– settings via iDrive105
Automatic curb monitor53
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate 
control106
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC106
Automatic station search165
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic61
– interlock61,62
– overriding selector lever 
lock63
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position62
– sport program62
– towing238
– tow-starting238
"Automatic ventilation"108
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control106
"Auto Request"203
"Autostore"
– on the radio166
"AUX"160,179,181
– AUX-In port179
– USB-audio interface180
AUX-IN
– port114
AUX-In port179
Average fuel consumption76
– setting the units78
Average speed76
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation145
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation145
Avoid highways in 
navigation145Avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation145
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights247
"A - Z"193
,194
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats48
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb233
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps233
Bag holder118
Balance, tone control161
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods239
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment114
Bass, tone control161
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass161
Battery235
– charging235
– disposal38,235
– jump starting237
– remote control28
– temporary power failure235
Battery renewal
– remote control38
– remote control for vehicle38
Being towed239
Belt hand-over52
– pinch protection system52
Belts, refer to Safety belts51Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders115
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds113
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate106
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
"BMW Assist"202,203,204
BMW Assist
– activating206
– Concierge service204
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations204
– Roadside Assistance202
– services offered201
– TeleService203
"BMW Contact"196
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"196
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System229
"BMW Service settings"207
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders115
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC89
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements79
Brake Force Display96
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb233
– two-stage96
Brake pads124
– breaking in124
Brake rotors126
– brakes124
– breaking in124
Brakes
– ABS89
– BMW Maintenance 
System229
– breaking in124
– parking brake60
– service requirements79