
At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching assistance window on/off
1.Move the controller to the right to change to 
the assistance window and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Assist. window off" and press the 
controller.
To turn back on, switch to the assistance win-
dow and press the controller.
Switching Control Display 
off/on
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Display off" and press the control-
ler.
Press the controller to switch on.
Programmable memory keys
Using the programmable memory keys, you can 
store and execute certain iDrive functions:
>Navigation destinations
*
>Entertainment:
>Radio stations
>CD
>CD compartment of CD changer
>AUX
>Telephone: phone numbers
The assignment of the programmable memory 
keys is stored for the remote control currently in 
use.
Storing functions
Navigation destinations*
1.Select the navigation destination, e.g. in the 
destination list or address book.
2. ...   Press the key longer than 
2seconds.
Special features:
>If destination guidance and the map view 
have been started, the current destination is 
stored.
>If the destination is entered via map, the 
coordinates in the crosshairs are stored, not 
the current destination.
Telephone, phone numbers
1.Enter the phone number or select the num-
ber from a list of stored phone numbers, e.g. 
the A-Z list.
2. ...   Press the key longer than 
2seconds.
If the phone number is associated with a name, 
the name is also stored.
Entertainment
The item stored in the Entertainment menu is 
the source that is playing at the time of storage, 
e.g. a radio station, irrespective of what was 
selected on the Control Display.
1.Select the desired function, e.g. radio sta-
tion or CD.
2. ...   Press the key longer than 
2seconds. 

iDrive
22 If the car is equipped with two drives and a 
CD with compressed audio files is played, 
the current track is stored.<
Executing a function
 ...   Press the key.
The function is executed immediately. This 
means that, for example, if a phone number is 
selected, the connection is established, or if a 
navigation destination is called up, destination 
guidance is started.
Displaying memory key assignments
You can have the assignment of a memory key 
displayed by touching the key with your finger. 
Please do not wear gloves when doing so. 
Touching the keys with an object such as a pen 
will not work.
Displaying brief information
 ...   Touch the key.
The key assignment is displayed.
 Navigation destination
 Entertainment source
 Telephone, phone number
 Not assigned
Displaying detailed information
 ...   Touch the key for a longer 
period.
Clearing key assignments
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Select "Programmable Memory Keys" and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Delete assignment of all memory 
keys" and press the controller.
7.Select "Yes" and press the controller. 

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote controls
Each remote control contains a rechargeable 
battery that is automatically recharged when it 
is in the ignition lock while the car is being 
driven. Use each remote control at least twice a 
year for longer road trips in order to maintain the 
batteries' charge status. In cars with convenient 
access
*, the remote control contains a replace-
able battery, refer to page38.
The settings called up and implemented when 
the car is unlocked depend on which remote 
control is used to unlock the car, refer to Per-
sonal Profile, next column.
In addition, information about service require-
ments is stored in the remote control, refer to 
Service data in the remote control, page229.
Integrated key
Press button1 to release the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Glove compartment, refer to page113
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page33
New remote controls
Your BMW center can supply new remote con-
trols with integrated keys as additional units or 
as replacements in the event of loss.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set many of your BMW's functions to 
suit your personal needs and preferences. 
Without any action on your part, Personal Pro-
file ensures that most of these settings are 
stored for the remote control currently in use. 
When you unlock the car, the remote control 
used for the purpose is recognized and the set-
tings stored for it are called up and imple-
mented.
This means that your personal settings will be 
activated for you, even if in the meantime your 
car was used by someone else with another 
remote control and the corresponding settings. 
The individual settings are stored for up to three 
remote controls.
Personal Profile settings
For more information on specific settings, refer 
to the specified pages.
>Assignment of programmable memory 
keys, refer to page21
>Response of the central locking system 
when the car is unlocked, refer to page29
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page32
>Automatic call-up
* of the driver's seat posi-
tion after unlocking, refer to page50
>Programming buttons
* on the steering 
wheel, refer to page54
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page64 

Controls
 111Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
You can operate the device while the ignition is 
switched off.
If the device fails to function even after 
repeated programming, check whether 
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the 
instructions for the original hand-held transmit-
ter or hold down the programmed memory 
button1 of the integrated universal remote 
control. If the LED2 on the integrated universal 
remote control flashes rapidly and then remains 
lit for about two seconds, the original hand-held 
transmitter uses an alternating-code system. If 
it uses an alternating-code system, program 
the memory buttons1 as described under 
Alternating-code hand-held transmitters.<
Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters
To program the integrated universal remote 
control, consult the operating instructions for 
the device to be set. You will find information 
there on the possibilities for synchronization.
When programming hand-held transmitters 
that employ an alternating code, please observe 
the following supplementary instructions:
P r o g ra m m in g  w i ll  b e  ea s i er  w it h  t h e  a i d  o f  
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the 
remote-controlled device.
2.Program the integrated universal remote 
control as described above in the section 
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set, e.g. on the drive unit.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set. After step 4, you have 
approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1 of 
the integrated universal remote control 
three times.The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.
If you have any questions, please contact 
your BMW center.<
Deleting all stored programs
Press the left and right memory buttons1 for 
approx. 20 seconds until the LED2 flashes rap-
idly: all stored programs are deleted.
Reassigning individual programs
1.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a 
distance of approx. 4 to 12 in/10 to 30 cm 
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the system of the 
respective original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
2.Press the desired memory button1 of the 
integrated universal remote control.
3.If the LED2 flashes slowly after approx. 
20 seconds, press the transmit key of the 
original hand-held transmitter. Release 
both buttons as soon as the LED2 flashes 
rapidly. If the LED2 does not flash rapidly 
after approx. 15 seconds, alter the distance 
and repeat this step. 

Wheels and tires
220
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 

Mobility
 235Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in 
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW  center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump starting 
on page237.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or hand them in to a recy-
cling center. Maintain the battery in an upright 
position for transport and storage. Always 
secure the battery against tipping over during 
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require 
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise 
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date 
These values must be updated, refer to 
page81.>Radio 
In some cases, stations may have to be 
stored again, refer to page166.
>Navigation system 
Operability must be waited for, refer to 
page132.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be 
raised. The system must be initialized. 
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page50.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to 
page112.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Open the cover in the glove compartment and 
remove it.
Spare fuses and a pair of plastic forceps are set 
in holders on the distributor box.
See the rear of the cover for information on fuse 
assignment.