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.
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.
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 automatically plays a brief sample
from each of the stations on the current wave-
band.
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.
Radio
176
Automatically sorting
stations*
For the "All stations" selection criterion, you
can set whether the most frequently used sta-
tions are displayed at the beginning.
1.Select "All stations" and press the control-
ler.
"Set" is selected.
2.Select "Favorites" and press the controller.
The most frequently used stations are
shown at the beginning.
Weather news flashes*
Weather Radio is a service of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
of the US Department of Trade. Weather news
flashes are repeated every 4 to 6 minutes and
are routinely updated at intervals of 1 to
3 hours, and more often when necessary. Most
stations operate 24 hours a day. In case of a
storm, the National Weather Service interrupts
the routine weather news and transmits special
warning messages instead. If you have a ques-
tion about NOAA Weather Radio, please con-
tact the nearest office of the National Weather
Service. Details are also provided on the Inter-
net at www.nws.noaa.gov.
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.
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
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
240 2.Remove the connector and replace the
bulb.
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
241Reference
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 page130.
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
250 Sedan:
It is located in the toolkit in the luggage com-
partment lid, refer to page237.
Sports Wagon:
It is located in the toolkit behind the left side
panel in the cargo bay, refer to page237.
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 automati-
cally be engaged during towing.<
Manually unlocking and locking transmission
lock, refer to page65.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 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.