
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 

Controls
 65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page68.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, pedal sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
>Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, the maximum desired speed is 
110 mph or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you. Otherwise driving situations could result 
that pose the risk of accidents.< 

Controls
 103Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
it off while also increasing the air flow rate as 
required. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the 
air quality inside the car will deteriorate contin-
uously.<
Via the button* on the steering wheel
You can switch quickly between the recircu-
lated-air mode and the previous mode using an 
individually programmable button
 on the steer-
ing wheel, refer to page11.
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a 
school to pick up a child.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
>Up to 15 minutes after the engine has been 
switched off
>While the engine is at operating tempera-
ture
>As long as battery voltage is sufficient
>At an outside temperature below 777/
256
The LED is lit when the function is on.
As of radio readiness, you can set the interior 
temperature, the air flow rate and the air distri-
bution.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before reheating it as required, 
according to the temperature setting. This 
function is only available while the engine is 
running.The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program.
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time. 
Depending on your vehicle's 
equipment, the upper wires serve as an antenna 
and are not part of the rear window defroster.
Ventilation
1Use the knurled wheels to smoothly open 
and close the air vents
2Use the lever to change the direction of the 
airflow
3Knurled wheel for more or less cool air from 
the vents for the upper body area
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air in your direction, for instance if it has become 
too hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and not straight at you. 

Starting the navigation system
128
Starting the navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to 
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle 
and guide you reliably to any destination you 
enter.
Navigation DVD
The navigation system requires a special navi-
gation DVD. You can obtain the latest version at 
your BMW center.
Inserting navigation DVD
Use the lower drive for navigation DVDs.
1.Insert the navigation DVD with the labeled 
side up.
The navigation DVD is pulled in automati-
cally.
2.Wait for several seconds to allow the con-
tents of the DVD to be read in.
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected, the drive may be 
blocked. In this case, a message will appear on 
the Control Display.
Display in the assistance 
window
You can display the route or the current position 
in the assistance window. This display remains 
visible even if you change to another applica-
tion.
1.Move the controller to the right to enter the 
assistance window.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select the desired route view or "Current 
position".
4.Press the controller.
Displaying arrow display in map view*
When the navigation system suggests a change 
in direction, the arrow display appears briefly.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
* 

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. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 167Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Selecting and storing a 
channel
1.Select "SAT" and press the controller.
Channels and categories are displayed on 
the Control Display.
2.Select a menu item:
>"Presets":
Up to twelve channels you stored previ-
ously.
>"All channels":
All channels are displayed.
>"Categories": 
All channels, sorted by category, e.g. 
news, jazz.
3.Press the controller.4.If "Categories" has been selected:
Select the desired category and press the 
controller.
The channels of this category are displayed.
5. Select a channel marked with this sym-
bol.
6.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
7.Select "Play" and press the controller.
Additional information
The name of the channel and additional infor-
mation on the current track are displayed, e.g. 
the name of the artist. 

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Entertainment
FunctionCommand
Tone control157{Audio}
To switch on radio160{Radio on},
{FM} or
{AM}
To open "FM"160{FM menu}
To open "AM"160{AM menu}
To open "All stations"160{FM All stations}
To select radio station160{Station} e.g. {Station WNYC} or
{Choose station}
To open "Presets"160{FM presets} or
{AM presets}
To open "Manual"161{FM manual} or
{AM manual} or
{Choose frequency}, 
{Frequency ... Megahertz}
To select preset radio station162{Preset ...}
e.g. {Preset 1}
To open strongest radio stations161{AM Autostore}
To open "SAT"167{SAT radio menu}
To switch on satellite radio167{SAT radio}
To open "Presets" of the satellite radio168{SAT radio presets}
To open "All channels" of the satellite radio167{SAT radio all channels}
To open "Categories" of the satellite radio167{SAT radio categories}
To open CD player169{CD menu}
To switch on CD player169{CD}
To open CD changer169{CD changer menu}
To switch on CD changer169{CD changer}
To select a CD in the CD changer169{CD 1...6}
To select track170{CD track ...}
To select a CD and track in the CD changer170{CD 1...6 track ...}
To select track170{Track ...}
To open DVD169{DVD player menu}
To switch on DVD169{DVD player}
To select music track on DVD170{DVD track ...}
To start sound output for external audio 
device175{Audio Aux on} 

Everything from A - Z
252
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display 
texts used to select 
individual functions and 
refers you to the page where 
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System86
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control64
Accident, refer to Sending an 
Emergency Request235
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control104
"Activation time"104
Active cruise control64
– indicator lamps67
– malfunction68
– selecting distance66
– sensor68
Active steering93
– warning lamp93
Adaptive Head Light98
"Add digits" for mobile 
phone190
Additives
– coolant224
"Address book" in 
navigation138
Address for navigation
– deleting140
– entering130,138
– selecting139
– storing138
– storing current position139
"Add to destination 
list"133,135
Adjusting temperature inside 
the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control101Adjusting the thigh support44
Adjusting the tone during 
audio operation, refer to 
Tone control157
Airbags94
– indicator/warning lamp95
– sitting safely43
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate 
control101
– ventilation103
Air distribution
– automatic102
– individual101
Air flow rate102
Airing, refer to Ventilation103
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure208
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode102
"Air recirculation on / off"51
Air supply
– automatic climate 
control101
– ventilation103
Air vents100
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications207
Alarm system35
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
– interior motion sensor36
– switching off an alarm36
– tilt alarm sensor36
"All channels" for satellite 
radio167
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires220
"All stations", displaying with 
the radio160
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive87
"AM", waveband156,160Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode102
Antenna for mobile phone182
Antifreeze
– coolant224
– washer fluid62
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system35
Anti-theft system29
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights245
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights245
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest110
Arrival time, refer to 
Computer73
Arrival time, refer to Starting 
destination guidance143
Arrow display for 
navigation144
"Arrow display" in 
navigation144
Ashtray
– front111
– rear112
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems86
Assistance window20
– refer to iDrive20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control102
"Audio"159,163
Audio156
– controls156
– switching on/off156
– tone control157
– volume157
"Audio", refer to Tone 
control157
Audio device, external110