
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
43Adjustments
52Transporting children safely
56Driving
71Everything under control
85Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
96Lamps
100Climate
106Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
120Things to remember when driving
Navigation
128Starting the navigation system
130Destination entry
143Destination guidance
152What to do if …
Entertainment
156On/off and settings
160Radio
166Satellite radio
169CD player and CD changer
175AUX-In port
176USB-audio interface
Communications
182Telephoning
197BMW Assist
Mobility
206Refueling
208Wheels and tires
221Under the hood
226Maintenance
228Replacing components
235Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
242Technical data
247Short 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
110
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to 
page28.
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.
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 page104.
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 page175
>USB-audio interface
*, refer to page176
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 nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in 
the rear passenger compartment.
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.< 

On/off and settings
156
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
176
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
 177Reference
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
178
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 distribution102
– air flow rate102
– cruise control63,64
– headlamp control96
– service notification199
– storing of stations161
Automatic climate control100
– automatic air 
distribution102
– settings via iDrive101
Automatic curb monitor49
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate 
control102
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC102
Automatic station search161
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– interlock58,59
– overriding selector lever 
lock60
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position59
– sport program59
– towing237
– tow-starting237
"Automatic ventilation"104
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control102
"Auto Request"199
"Autostore"
– on the radio162
"AUX"156,175,177
– AUX-In port175
– USB-audio interface176
AUX-IN
– port110
AUX-In port175
Average fuel consumption73
– setting the units76
Average speed73
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation141
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation141
Avoid highways in 
navigation141Avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation141
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights245
"A - Z"189
,190
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support45
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment44
Backrest width adjustment45
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats46
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb232
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps231
Balance, tone control157
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch236
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods238
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment110
Bass, tone control157
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass157
Battery233
– charging233
– disposal38,234
– jump starting236
– remote control28
– temporary power failure234
Battery renewal
– remote control38
– remote control for vehicle38
Being towed238
Belts, refer to Safety belts48
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts48
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders111Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate102
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
"BMW Assist"198,199,200
BMW Assist
– activating202
– Concierge service200
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations200
– Roadside Assistance198
– services offered197
– TeleService199
"BMW Contact"192
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"192
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System226
"BMW Service settings"203
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders111
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC86
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements76
Brake Force Display93
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb232
– two-stage93
Brake pads120
– breaking in120
Brake rotors122
– brakes120
– breaking in120
Brakes
– ABS86
– BMW Maintenance 
System226
– breaking in120
– parking brake57
– service requirements76
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely122