
Opening and closing
36
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: the 
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not properly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. However, the interior motion 
sensor is not activated.
>After the vehicle is unlocked, the indicator 
lamp goes out: no manipulation or 
attempted intrusions have been detected in 
the period since the system was armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted into the 
ignition lock, however for a maximum of 
approx. 5 minutes: an attempted entry has 
been detected in the period since the sys-
tem was armed.
Tilt alarm sensor
Monitors the inclination of the vehicle. The 
alarm system reacts, for example, if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe:
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
* 
must be completely closed.
Convertible:
Monitors the interior up to the height of the seat 
cushions. This means that the alarm system, 
including the interior motion sensor, is armed even if the convertible top is open. Falling 
objects, e.g. leaves, can trigger false alarms, 
refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. 
This prevents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the 
following situations:
>In two-level garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the vehicle is unlocked and locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access allows you to access your vehi-
cle without having to hold the remote control in 
your hand. It is sufficient to carry the remote 
control with you, e.g. in your jacket pocket. The 
vehicle automatically detects the associated 
remote control in the immediate vicinity or in 
the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Comfort closing with Coupe
>Opening luggage compartment lid sepa-
rately
>Starting engine
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment lid 
can only be locked if the vehicle detects that 
the remote control you are carrying is out-
side the vehicle. 

Adjusting
48
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement and the 
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an 
accident.
On the front passenger side as well, do not tilt 
the backrest too far toward the rear. Failure to 
observe this precaution can prevent the belt 
from providing effective protection against 
injury, as the passenger could slide under the 
belt in an accident.<
Please follow the instructions on damage to 
safety belts provided on page53 and the infor-
mation on the active front head restraints on 
page50.
Convertible: with the wind deflector fitted, 
do not incline the front seat backrests too 
far backward if the seat is to be moved back to 
the end position. Otherwise, the wind deflector 
will be damaged.<
Adjusting seat
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page47.<
1Inclination
2Longitudinal direction
3Height
4Backrest
5Convertible: head restraints, refer to 
page51With the sports seat
*, you can also adjust the 
thigh support manually:
Pull the lever and adjust the thigh support in the 
longitudinal direction.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contours of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: 
Press front or rear of switch.
>Move curvature up or down: 
Press top or bottom of switch. 

Adjusting
50 5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Door locks" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Central locking" and press the con-
troller.
7.Select "Last seat pos." and press the con-
troller.
8.Select "After unlocking" or "After door 
opened".
9.Press the controller.
To cancel the request: 
Select "Deactivated" and press the controller.
Front head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise, there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident. Only remove the head restraints if no 
one will be sitting on the seat in question. Rein-
stall the head restraints before transporting 
passengers, as otherwise the head restraint 
cannot provide its protective function.<
Active front head restraints
In the event of a rear-end collision of sufficient 
severity, the active head restraint reduces the 
distance to the head.
Do not use seat covers or head restraint 
covers that could impede the proper 
functioning of the active head restraint. Other-
wise, there is no assurance that the active head 
restraint will perform its protective function and 
it is not possible to take advantage of its injury-
reducing potential in the event of a rear-end 
collision.
Have the active head restraints reset after they 
are triggered in a rear-end collision. Only have 
this work carried out by a BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Otherwise, this safety equipment will 
not function properly.<
Please contact a BMW center if you wish 
to have the front head restraints removed 
and installed.<
Coupe
Adjusting height
>To raise: pull the head restraint upward.
>To lower: slide the head restraint down-
ward.
To reach the lowest position, press the 
button, refer to arrow 1.< 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Front seats: adjusting distance to the 
back of the head
>Forward: pull up.
>Back: push the button and slide the head-
rest cushion toward the rear.
Do not place any objects behind the 
headrest cushion. Otherwise, you can 
impair the proper function of the head 
restraint.<
Convertible
Adjusting height
Move the switch up or down.
Front seats: adjusting distance to the 
back of the head
>Forward: pull up.>Back: push the button and slide the head-
rest cushion toward the rear.
Do not place any objects behind the 
headrest cushion. Otherwise, you can 
impair the proper function of the head 
restraint.<
Entering rear
Before starting to drive, fold backrests 
back, otherwise there is the danger of 
accident due to an unexpected movement of 
the seat.<
Coupe: releasing backrest
Pull the lever upward and fold the backrest for-
ward.
The lever is designed so that the safety belt can 
be hooked onto it. This enables you to fasten 
the safety belt more conveniently.
Convertible: releasing backrest
The belt system integrated in the seat makes it 
easier to get in back.
1.Pull lever 1 up and fold the backrest for-
ward. 

Transporting children safely
56
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is in the back.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise, there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front, knee and side airbags on the 
passenger side must be deactivated before 
doing so. Otherwise, there is an increased risk 
of injury to the child if the airbags are triggered, 
even with a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page94.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Follow child restraint system manufac-
turer's instructions for the selection, 
installation and use of child restraint systems. 
Otherwise, the degree of protection they offer 
may be reduced.<
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated, as otherwise there is 
an increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint system. 
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren. 

Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
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Mobility
Radar sensors
1Long-range sensor
2Location of the short-range sensors behind 
the bumperHeavy rain and also dirt, snow or ice can limit 
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed, 
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper 
as well as the bumper area covering the short 
range sensors. When doing so, be particularly 
careful in removing layers of snow and ice.
Do not apply adhesive labels etc. in the area of 
the short-range sensors.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, e. g. due to 
damage, the active cruise control cannot be 
activated.
System limitations
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 free-
way-type roadways where traffic is moving rel-
atively smoothly. Do not use this system in city 
driving; in complex driving situations; 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 interchanges, 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 nec-
essary, especially when the system is actively 
following a vehicle in front of you.
tions. For example, the system may not detect 
vehicles driving ahead if they suddenly brake 
heavily in stop-and-go traffic during accelera-
tion. The system will not apply the brakes or 
slow your vehicle when a very slow-moving 
vehicle, stopped vehicle or stationary object is 
in the lane ahead of you, for example when 
approaching a traffic light or parked vehicle or 
when a vehicle is stalled in your lane. Also, the 
system does not react to oncoming traffic, 
pedestrians or other types of potential traffic 
such as a rider on a horseback. It is also possible 
that the system may not detect smaller moving 
objects such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be 
especially alert when encountering any of these 
situations as the system will neither automati-
cally brake, nor provide a warning to you. Also, 
be aware that every decrease in the distance 
setting allows your vehicle to come closer to a 
vehicle in front of you and requires a heightened 
amount of alertness.< 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side can be deactivated for teenag-
ers and adults in certain sitting positions; the 
indicator lamp for the front passenger airbags 
lights up when this occurs. In these cases, 
change the sitting position so that the front pas-
senger airbags are activated and the indicator 
lamp goes out. If the desired status cannot be 
produced by changing the sitting position, 
transport the corresponding person in the rear 
seat. 
Do not fit seat covers, seat cushion padding, 
beaded mats or other items onto the front pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not place objects under 
the seat which could press against the seat 
from below. Otherwise, a correct evaluation of 
the occupied seat surface cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
The illustration here shows a possible arrange-
ment in the Coupe. With some vehicle equip-
ment packages or in the Convertible, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front, 
knee and side airbags on the front passenger 
side depending on whether the seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the 
front passenger airbags are activated or deacti-
vated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side are deactivated.Most child seats are detected by the sys-
tem. Especially the child seats required 
by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is manu-
factured. After installing a child seat, make sure 
that the indicator lamp for the front passenger 
airbags lights up. This indicates that the child 
seat has been detected and the front passenger 
airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat. 
The front, knee and side airbags on the front 
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
But the front, knee and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are still deactivated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up as of radio 
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise, 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.< 

Controls
 117Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Closing
Raise the lid into the closed position.
Rechargeable flashlight*
The flashlight is located on the left side of the 
glove compartment.
The flashlight can remain there continuously. 
Remove the flashlight from the socket when 
needed.
Be sure that the flashlight is switched off 
when it is inserted into its socket. Failure 
to comply with this precaution could lead to 
overcharging and damage.<
Center armrest
A storage compartment is located in the arm-
rest between the front seats. This compartment 
is integrated into the central locking system and 
can also be locked separately using the hotel 
function, refer to page33.
To open the cover:
Pull the left button. The cover opens and can be 
folded upward.
Depending on the version, the storage com-
partment can be equipped with a correspond-
ing cradle
* for the telephone or mobile phone.
Connection for external audio device
A connection for an external audio device is 
located in the storage compartment. You can, 
for example, connect a CD player or an MP3 
player, and play the sound via the vehicle loud-
speakers, refer to page178
Adjusting height
The center armrest can be set in two positions.
Pull the right button:
Move the armrest upward or downward and 
lock it in the desired position.
Storage compartments
Storage compartments in the 
passenger compartment
Storage compartment behind center 
armrest
To open, raise the cover at the left or right edge. 
The compartment contains the cup holder
 and 
the lock for the hotel function, refer to page33.
Other compartments and nets
Other compartments are provided in the doors 
as well as in the front center console
*.