
Navigation
Driving tips
 165Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
What to do if …
What to do if …
>a navigation DVD is inserted, but an instruc-
tion to insert the DVD appears on the Con-
trol Display?
The navigation DVD may not be the correct 
DVD for the navigation system. This infor-
mation is indicated on the DVD label.
>you request the current position of your 
vehicle, but do not receive a precise dis-
play?
The system is unable to receive enough 
GPS signals at your current position due to 
obstructions, your position is not yet avail-
able on your navigation DVD, or the system 
is in the process of calculating your posi-
tion. Reception is best when you have an 
unobstructed view to the sky.
>the destination guidance does not accept a 
destination?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. Select a 
destination that is as close as possible to 
the original.
>the destination guidance does not accept 
an address without the street name?
On the navigation DVD, no downtown area 
can be determined for the city or town 
entered. Enter any street, or a destination 
such as the railway station in the selected 
town, and then start the destination guid-
ance.
>you want to enter a destination for the des-
tination guidance, but it is not possible to 
select the letters for your desired entry?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. In this 
case, the system will not offer you any let-
ters to choose from. Select a destination 
that is as close as possible to the original.>the system stops furnishing directions on 
which way to turn as you approach intersec-
tions?
You are driving in an area that has not yet 
been completely recorded on the naviga-
tion DVD. Instead of an arrow indicating a 
turn, you will see an arrow which indicates 
the general direction of your planned route. 
Or you have left the recommended route 
and the system requires a few seconds to 
calculate a new recommended route.
>the navigation system does not react to 
entries?
If the battery was disconnected, it takes 
about 10 minutes before the system is once 
again operational. 

Radio
172
Radio
Your radio provides reception of the FM and AM 
wavebands.
Listening to radio
Press the knob if the sound output is switched 
off.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
3.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "FM" or "AM" is selected.
4.Press the controller.
Stations are shown on the Control Display on 
the basis of various selection criteria, e. g. "Pre-
sets".
If "Autostore" does not display any stations or if 
the stations displayed can no longer be 
received, to update the station with the stron-
gest signal, refer to page174.
Changing stations
Turn the controller.
In addition to the stations currently displayed, 
you can have stations with another selection 
criterion displayed.
Professional radio*
You can choose from the following selection 
criteria:
>"All stations":
Stations that can currently be received in 
the "FM" waveband.
>"Autostore": 
The stations with the strongest received 
signals in the "AM" waveband.
>"Presets": 
Stations you have previously stored, refer to 
page174.
>"Manual":
To set stations that can be received in addi-
tion to those displayed, refer to Selecting 
frequency manually on page173.
Business radio
You can choose from the following selection 
criteria:
>"Autostore": 
For the Station with the strongest signal, 
refer to page174.
>"Presets": 
Stations you have previously stored, refer to 
page174. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 173Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
>"Manual":
To set stations that can be received in addi-
tion to those displayed, refer to Selecting 
frequency manually on page173.
Changing selection criteria
In addition to the stations currently displayed, 
you can have stations with another selection 
criterion displayed.
You can choose from the following selection 
criteria:
>"All stations":
Stations that can currently be received in 
the "FM" waveband.
>"Autostore":
The stations with the strongest received 
signals in the "AM" waveband.
>"Presets":
Stations you have previously stored, refer to 
page174.
>"Manual":
To set stations that can be received in addi-
tion to those displayed, refer to Selecting 
frequency manually on page173.
1.Change into the second field from the top.
2.Turn the controller until the desired selec-
tion criterion is selected and press the con-
troller.
Buttons next to CD player
Press the   button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system changes to the next displayed sta-
tion.
You can also change stations with buttons on 
the steering wheel, refer to page11.
Sampling stations, scan
The system plays a brief sample from each of 
the stations on the current waveband.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
"Set" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
The stations are sampled.
To end sampling:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
This cancels sampling of the stations, and the 
radio remains on the current station.
Buttons next to CD player
To sample the stations, press and hold the 
 button for the corresponding direction.
To stop scanning, press the button again.
Selecting frequency manually
With "Manual" you can select stations that are 
received in addition to those displayed.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Change into the second field from the top.
3.Select "Manual" and press the controller. 

Radio
176
Calling up weather news flashes
1.Select "WB" and press the controller.
2.Select a station.
The station for weather news flashes may be 
unavailable in some regions.
High Definition Radio*
Many stations transmit both analog and digital 
signals. You can receive these stations digitally 
and with improved sound quality.
A digital radio network must be available in 
order to receive digital stations
Activating/deactivating digital radio 
reception
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
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.
4.Select "Audio" and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field. Turn the controller 
until "HD radio" is selected and press the 
controller.6.Select "Off" and press the controller.
 The reception of digital stations is activated.
 This symbol is displayed when a station is 
being received digitally.
With some stations the digital signals are not 
transmitted simultaneously with the analog sig-
nals. If you are in an area in which the selected 
station is not continuously received digitally, 
playback changes between analog and digital 
reception. This can result in repetitions or inter-
ruptions. In this case it may be advisable to 
deactivate digital radio reception.
Selecting programs of a digital station*
Some stations transmit several programs. To 
select one of these programs:
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select "Manual" and press the controller.
3.Select a station that is received digitally.
 This symbol is displayed when a station 
is being received digitally.
4.Switch to the next program of the digital 
station with the   buttons on the radio 
or the steering wheel.
You can store a station, refer to page174. 

Satellite radio
180
Storing channel
1.Select desired channel.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Store" and press the controller.
"Presets" is displayed.
4.Turn the controller to select a memory loca-
tion and press the controller.
The channel is stored. The channels of the last 
selection criterion are displayed once again 
after a short time.
Changing channel with buttons next to 
CD player
Press the   button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system changes to the next enabled chan-
nel.
Notes
If no signal can be received for more than 4 sec-
onds, a message is displayed on the Control 
Display.
Reception may not be possible for certain 
reasons, e.g. environmental influences or 
topographical conditions. The satellite radio 
has no influence on this.
The signal may not be available in tunnels or 
underground garages, next to tall buildings, 
near trees, mountains or other sources of radio 
interference.
Reception is usually possible again as soon as 
the signal is available again.< 

Replacing components
246
Turning lamps*
H3 bulb, 55 watts
1.Remove the sealing cap, refer to Access to 
lamps.
2.Push the locking bar to the side out of the 
anchor and fold upward.
3.Remove the connector and take out the 
bulb.
4.Replace the bulb and reinstall.
5.Fold down the locking bar and engage it.
6.Reconnect the connector.
7.Mount the sealing cap. Watch the markings 
on the bulb when doing so.
Turn signals, front
21-watt bulb, PY21W
1.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove.
2.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
Side-mounted turn signals
5-watt bulb, W5W
1.Press back against the front edge of the 
lamp with the tip of your finger, then pivot it 
out.
2.Turn the bulb holder to the left and remove.
3.Remove the bulb for replacement.
Side marker lamps, front and rear
To replace, please go to your BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
Tail lamps
Sedan
>Turn signals1, tail lamps6 and side marker 
lamps7 are designed using LED technol-
ogy. In the event of a malfunction, please go 
to your BMW center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
>Backup lamps: 16-watt bulb, W16W
>Other lamps: 21-watt bulb, P21W 

Mobility
 247Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
1Turn signal
2Tail lamp and brake lamp
3Backup lamp
4Brake lamp
5Reflector
6Tail lamp
7Side marker lamp
Sports Wagon
>Turn signals1, tail lamps3 and side marker 
lamps7 are designed using LED technol-
ogy. In the event of a malfunction, please go 
to your BMW center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
>Backup lamps: 16-watt bulb, W16W
>Brake lamps: 21-watt bulb, P21W
1Turn signal
2Brake lamp
3Tail lamp
4Backup lamp
5Brake lamp
6Reflector
7Side marker lamp
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation. 
In the event of a malfunction, please go to your 
BMW center or a workshop that works accord-
ing to BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly trained personnel.
Fender-mounted lamps
Sedan
The illustration shows the left-hand side of the 
cargo bay.
All the bulbs are integrated into a central bulb 
fitting.
1.Lift up floor mat.
2.Undo the quick-release fasteners of the 
side panel and pull out the panel.
3.Turn the lock to the left and remove the bulb 
holder.
4.Backup lamps: 
Remove and replace the bulb. 
Other lamps: 
Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment.
Sports Wagon
1.Right side: unhook the retaining strap*, 
refer to page129.
2.Open the side panel.
3.Turn the bulb socket to the left and remove.
4.Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 
turning it to the left for removal and replace-
ment. 

Giving and receiving assistance
256 Sedan: 
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page243.
Sports Wagon: 
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side 
panel in the cargo bay, refer to page243.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing only on roads. Avoid lateral 
loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift the vehi-
cle by the tow fitting. Otherwise damage to the 
tow fitting and the vehicle can occur.<
Access to screw thread
Press the arrow symbol on the cover in the 
bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page61, otherwise the low 
beams, tail lamps, turn signals and windshield 
wipers would not be available. Do not tow the 
vehicle with the rear axle raised, as otherwise 
the steering can turn to the left or right. When 
the engine is stopped, there is no power assist. This then requires increased effort for braking 
and steering. Active steering is deactivated and 
larger steering wheel movements are 
required.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers depend-
ing on the local regulations. If the electrical sys-
tem fails, mark the vehicle to be towed, e.g. with 
a sign or warning triangle in the rear window.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission
Before towing, manually release the 
transmission lock, even if there is no mal-
function in the transmission. Otherwise there is 
a risk that the transmission lock will engage dur-
ing towing.<
Manually unlocking and locking transmission 
lock, refer to page65.
Do not exceed a towing speed of mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km; otherwise the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.
Towing methods
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body 
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may 
result.<
In some countries, towing with tow bars or 
ropes in public traffic is not permitted. Familiar-
ize yourself with the regulations on towing in the 
respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle may not be lighter 
than the vehicle to be towed, otherwise it 
will not be possible to reliably control vehicle 
response.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an offset 
angle, please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.