
Controls
 43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page52.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard, 
otherwise leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered.
Make sure that passengers do not lean their 
heads against the side or head airbags, other-
wise serious injuries could result if the airbags 
suddenly deployed.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page94.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page45.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has five seats, each of which is 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits 
low across the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. 
The safety belt must not rest against the throat, 
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt 
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the 
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise the belt could slide over your hips and 
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal 
collision. 
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull 
the belt in the upper-body area taut, otherwise 
its restraining effect could be impaired.
Sports Wagon: if the rear center safety belt is 
used, the wider backrest must be locked in 
place, refer to page114. Otherwise the safety 
belt will have no restraining effect.<
Safety belts, refer to page48. 

Adjustments
50
Deactivating
Push the switch to the position for the passen-
ger-side mirror, arrow 2.
Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob to reduce glare from the head-
lamps of cars behind you when driving at night.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion, otherwise there 
i s  a  ri s k  o f  a c c id e n t  d u e t o  a n  u n ex p e c t ed  m o v e -
ment.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up, otherwise the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
Programmable buttons on the steering 
wheel
You can program the buttons to suit your per-
sonal preferences:
These settings are stored for the remote con-
trol currently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
94
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags, front and rear
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page43 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. Do not attach 
seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-
cifically approved for seats with integral side air-
bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of 
clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-
rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag 
retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-
ify the individual components of the system or 
its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-
stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument 
panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or 
dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to repair 
procedures of BMW with correspondingly 
trained personnel and that has the required 
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to 
work on the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or to undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page52. 

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. 

Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control86
DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control87
– indicator/warning lamp87
DVD for navigation128
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC86
"Dynamic route" in 
navigation141
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC
– indicator/warning lamp87
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp87
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution86
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD player156
Electrical malfunction
– door lock31
– driver's door31
– fuel filler door206
– glass roof40
– luggage compartment lid/
tailgate33
– panorama glass roof42
Electric seat adjustment44
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access37
Electronic oil level check222
Emergency actuation, 
automatic transmission, 
refer to Overriding selector 
lever lock60
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual 
release206
Emergency operation, refer to 
Closing manually
– glass roof40
– panorama glass roof42
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock31Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid 
from inside34
Emergency Request235
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance235
"Enabled services"202
"Enable services"203
"End call"189
Energy, saving
– saving fuel120
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking in120
– data242
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature72
– speed242
– starting57
– starting, convenient 
access36
– switching off57
Engine compartment222
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant224
Engine oil
– adding224
– BMW Maintenance 
System226
– capacity246
– checking level222
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements76
"Engine oil level"223
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data242
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine57
"Enter address"131
Entering a destination131
Entering a destination 
country131
Entering a house number or 
intersection133Entering an intersection132
Entering a street132
"Entertainment"156
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps99
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control72
"Equalizer", refer to Tone 
control159
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control158
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control81
"ESN"166
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control86
Event data recorders227
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system121
Expanding the cargo bay114
Exterior mirrors49
– adjusting49
– automatic dimming 
feature50
– automatic heating49
– folding in and out49
External audio device110
External audio device, refer to 
AUX-In port175
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away238
– for tying down loads124
F
Fader, tone control157
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control81
Failure of an electrical 
consumer234
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional 
alarm36
– switching off an alarm36 

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Head restraints45
– front, removing46
– rear, removing46
– sitting safely43
Heated
– mirrors49
– rear window103
– seats47
Heating
– mirrors49
– rear window103
– residual heat103
– seats47
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate100
Heating while at a standstill, 
refer to Using residual 
heat103
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo123
Height, refer to 
Dimensions243
Height adjustment
– seats44
– steering wheel50
High beams98
– headlamp flasher98
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs229
High Definition Radio163
High water, refer to Driving 
through water122
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria141
Hill Descent Control HDC87
Hills122
Holders for cups111
Home address140
"Home address" in 
navigation141
Homepage BMW4
Hood221
Hooks for shopping 
bags115,116
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking or unlocking 
separately34
Hot exhaust system121"Hour memo"80
"House number" in 
destination entry133
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC86
Hydroplaning121
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio163
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature
warning71
ID3 tag, refer to Information 
about the track171
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires219
– tire coding217
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness84
– assistance window20
– automatic climate 
control101
– changing language84
– changing units of measure 
and display format76
– confirming selection or 
entry19
– controls16
– displays, menus17
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– selecting a menu item19
– setting the date and time79
– start menu17
– status information20
– switching menu pages19
– symbols18
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition56
– switched off56
– switched on56
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key28Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness56
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on56
Ignition lock56
i menu18
Imprint2
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM92
Individual air distribution101
Individually programmable 
buttons on steering 
wheel50
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure208
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM90
Information
– on another location136
– on country136
– on current position136
– on destination location136
Information menu, refer to 
i menu18
"Information on 
destination"138
"Info sources"77
Initializing
– active steering93
– after power failure234
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating108
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM89
– glass roof40
– panorama glass roof42
"Input map"135
Installation location
– CD changer173
– navigation DVD drive128
– telephone110
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions146
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting99 

Everything from A - Z
262 Navigation system128
– address book138
– changing a route147
– destination entry130
– destination guidance in 
assistance window128
– destination list137
– displaying current 
position151
– entering a destination 
manually130,134
– last destinations137
– navigation DVD128
– opening130
– route display144
– route list146
– searching for a special 
destination136
– selecting destination using 
information136
– selecting destination via 
map135
– selecting route criteria141
– starting destination 
guidance143
– switching off, refer to 
Terminating/continuing 
destination guidance143
– terminating/continuing 
destination guidance143
– voice instructions146
– volume adjustment147
"Navigation voice 
instructions"129
"Navigation voice 
instructions" via buttons on 
the steering wheel51
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints45
Nets, refer to Storage 
compartments110
"New address" in 
navigation139
"New destination"131,135
"New route"147
New tires219
"Next entertainment 
source"51
North-facing map145Nozzles100
Number of cylinders, refer to 
Engine data242
Nylon rope, refer to Tow 
rope239
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for On-Board Diagnosis227
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications207
Odometer71
Oil, refer to Engine oil222
Oil consumption222
Oil level222
Old batteries, refer to 
Disposal234
"On a new destination" in 
navigation137
"Onboard info"74
Onboard tool kit228
"On destination"137
"On location"137
Opening and closing
– convenient access36
– from inside32
– from outside29
– using the door lock31
– via the remote control29
Operation by voice for mobile 
phone193
– adjusting volume194
– canceling193
– correcting phone 
number194
– dialing phone number194
– placing a call194
– redialing194
– voice commands193
– voice phone book194
"Options"201
Orientation menu, refer to 
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation103
Output, refer to Engine 
data242Outside-air mode
– automatic climate 
control102
Outside-temperature 
display71
– changing units of 
measure76
– in computer76
Outside temperature 
warning71
Overheated engine, refer to 
Coolant temperature72
Overriding selector lever 
lock60
P
Panorama glass roof40
– closing after electrical 
malfunction42
– comfort position41
– convenient operation30
– initializing42
– opening, closing41
– pinch protection system41
– power failure42
– raising41
– remote control30
Park assistant, refer to Park 
Distance Control85
"Parked car operation"104
"Parked car ventilation"104
Parked car ventilation104
– activating switch-on 
times105
– preselecting switch-on 
times104
– switching on and off 
directly104
Parking
– vehicle57
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park 
Distance Control85
Parking brake57
– indicator lamp58
Parking lamps96
Parking lamps/low beams96
– replacing bulbs230
Partition net114 

Everything from A - Z
266 Start/stop button56
– starting the engine57
– switching off the engine57
"Start guidance"133
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine57
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting236
Starting difficulties
– jump starting236
Starting the engine
– start/stop button56
Start menu17
"Start service"198
"Start Service" for BMW 
Assist200
"State / Province" in 
destination entry131
Station
– refer to Radio160
"Status"77
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steering wheel50
– adjustment50
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– freely programmable 
buttons50
– lock56
– locking with convenient 
access37
– programmable buttons50
"Steering wheel buttons"51
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering93
Steptronic, refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic58
"Stopwatch"84
Stopwatch83
Storage compartments110
Storage nets115
"Store" for satellite radio168
"Store in address book" in 
navigation139
"Store" on the radio162
Storing current position139
Storing radio stations162Storing seat positions, refer to 
Seat and mirror memory47
Storing tires220
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments110
"Street" in destination 
entry133
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires208
Sun blinds109
Surface ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning71
"Surround Settings", refer to 
Tone control158
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine57
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button56
Switching on
– audio156
– CD changer156
– CD player156
– radio156
Switching on the hour 
signal80
Switching the cooling function 
on and off103
Switch-on times of parked car 
ventilation, preselecting104
Symbols4
– navigation system150
– status information20
– traffic info for navigation 
system147
T
Tachometer71
Tailgate
– convenient access37
– emergency operation, refer 
to Opening manually33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
– opening manually33
– remote control30
Tail lamps231
– replacing bulb232Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities246
Technical data242
– capacities246
– dimensions243
Technical modifications, refer 
to For your own safety5
Telematics, refer to 
TeleService, BMW 
Assist197
Telephone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest110
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Telephone, refer to Mobile 
phone182
"Telephone list"51
TeleService199
Temperature
– automatic climate 
control101
– changing unit of measure76
– coolant, refer to Coolant 
temperature72
Temperature display
– outside temperature71
– outside temperature 
warning71
– setting the units76
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control63
Tensioning straps, refer to 
Securing cargo124
"Terminate services"202
"Text language"84
"Theater" for Tone 
control158
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp233
Through-loading system113
Through-loading system, 
refer to Expanding the cargo 
bay114
Tilt alarm sensor36
Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror49
"Time"80