
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use 
the index, refer to page242.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
23Voice command system
Controls
28Opening and closing
47Adjusting
56Transporting children safely
58Driving
74Everything under control
85Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety
102Lamps
108Climate
115Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
124Things to remember when driving
Navigation
132Starting navigation system
134Destination entry
146Destination guidance
155What to do if …
Entertainment
158On/off and tone
162Radio
169Satellite radio
172CD player and CD changer
178AUX-In connection
179USB/audio interface
Communications
184Telephoning
199BMW Assist
Mobility
208Refueling
210Wheels and tires
216Under the hood
221Maintenance
223Replacing components
227Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
234Technical data
238Short commands of voice command 
system
242Everything from A to Z 

Voice command system
24 If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment using iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
command
Press the   button on the steering wheel 
or
Commands
Having possible commands read aloud
You can have the system read aloud the possi-
ble commands related to the selected menu 
item on the Control Display.
To have the system list the possible com-
mands:
For example, if you have selected "CD", the 
system will read aloud the possible commands 
for operating the CD player and the CD 
changer
*.
Opening help 
Using alternative commands
There are often several commands for running 
a function, e.g.: 
Running functions directly with short 
commands
With short commands you can run certain func-
tions directly, regardless of which menu item is 
selected, refer to page238.
Opening start menuAn example: selecting a track
1.Switch on Entertainment sound output if 
necessary.
2.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
5.Press the   button on the steering wheel. {Cancel}
{Options}
{Help} 
{Radio on} or {Turn radio on}
{Main menu}
3.{Entertainment} 
The system says: 
{{Entertainment}}
4.{CD} 
The system says: 
{{CD on}}
6.Select a track, e.g.:
{Track 1}
The system says: 
{{Track 1}} 

Controls
 35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Emergency release
Pull the lever in the luggage compartment. 
The luggage compartment lid is unlocked.
Luggage compartment
There are four lashing eyes on the inner corners 
of the luggage compartment for securing lug-
gage nets
* or securing straps to fix luggage in 
position.
Also refer to Securing cargo, page128.
Convertible: increasing luggage 
compartment capacity
With the convertible top closed, you can 
increase the luggage compartment capacity:
To do so, unfold the handle and press it down-
ward in the direction of travel, refer to arrow. 
This moves the convertible top compartment 
floor into the raised position.
Before opening the convertible top, carry out 
this procedure in reverse order.
The convertible top cannot be opened if 
the convertible top compartment floor is 
in the raised position.<
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>To the opening of a door, the hood, or the 
luggage compartment lid
>To movements in the vehicle interior: 
interior motion sensor, refer to page36
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by 
the alarm system:
>by triggering an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the luggage compartment lid, 
even with the system armed, by using the   
button of the remote control, refer to page31. 
When the luggage compartment lid is closed, 
it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page30, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock. 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Programmable buttons* on steering 
wheel
You can program the buttons individually.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently 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.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and press 
the controller.
A list of different functions appears:
>"Navigation voice instructions" 
Voice instructions of the navigation sys-
tem
*
>"Air recirculation on / off"
Permanently shutting off outside air, 
refer to AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control on page111
>"Mute on / off" 
Mutes the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off" 
Switches the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
*
Display/hide phone book or last list of 
stored phone numbers displayed
>"Next entertainment source"
Changes audio source
>Switches "Night Vision on / off"
BMW Night Vision
* on/off
5.Select the desired function unit and press 
the controller.
6.Select the button if necessary and press the 
controller.
You can now activate the selected function 
using the corresponding button.
Operating function
Press the corresponding button on the steering 
wheel.
If you have programmed "Navigation voice 
instructions" for one of the buttons:
>To switch voice instructions on/off: 
Press the button longer.
>To repeat the last voice instruction: 
Press the button. 

Driving
64
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn 
signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
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.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Lighting" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Triple turn signal" and press the 
controller.
 Triple turn signal is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and 
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once. 
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Briefly press twice or press beyond the resis-
tance point. 
The system reverts to operation at normal 
speed whenever the vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
Wiper operation is controlled automatically as a 
function of the rain intensity. The rain sensor is 
located on the windshield, directly in front of the 
interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86
PDC with visual warning*
You can also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show the approach to an object on the 
Control Display. Objects that are farther away 
are already shown there before a signal tone 
sounds. The setting is stored for the remote 
control 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.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Vehicle / Tires" is 
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "PDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles always remains with 
the driver. Even when sensors are involved, 
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system is also subject to the 
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin 
and wedge-shaped objects etc. Low objects 
already displayed, e. g. curbs, can also disap-
pear from the detection area of the sensors 
again before or after a continuous tone already 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. For this reason, drive with 
care; otherwise, there is a danger of personal 
injury or property damage.
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle 
may prevent you from hearing the PDC signal 
tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page126.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change. 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and 
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on 
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying 
from performance-oriented during cornering to 
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle 
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle 
operation, the system continuously runs 
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only 
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each 
time you start the engine.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change 
in the rolling circumference and therefore the 
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The 
system detects this change and reports it as a 
flat tire.
Functional requirement
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the 
system must be initialized at the correct tire 
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after 
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate sudden 
severe tire damage caused by outside factors 
and does not detect a natural, even pressure 
drop in all four tires.In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery roads
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is auto-
matically continued. 
Do not initialize the system when driving with 
snow chains
*.<
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 "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "FTM" is selected and press 
the controller. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7.Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9.Start to drive.
The message "resetting FTM …" is dis-
played. 
The initialization is completed during driving.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up in red. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal 
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation 
pressure loss.
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid severe brak-
ing and steering maneuvers and do not 
exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Stop driving if the vehicle is no longer 
equipped with run-flat tires, as it was 
when it came from the factory, refer to 
page214. Continued driving after a flat tire 
can result in serious accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the 
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on run-flat 
tires, based on the following guide values:
>With low load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km.>With medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 94 miles/150 km.
>With full load: 
4 persons, luggage compartment full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km.
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the 
event of pressure loss, vehicle handling 
changes. This includes reduced tracking 
stability in braking, extended braking dis-
tances and altered natural steering charac-
teristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur 
while the vehicle is being driven, this can 
indicate final failure of the damaged tire. 
Reduce speed and stop at a suitable loca-
tion as soon as possible; otherwise, pieces 
of the tire could become detached and 
cause an accident. Do not continue driving, 
but instead contact your BMW center.<
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the 
four mounted tires. The system reports when 
the tire inflation pressure has dropped consid-
erably in one or several tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must have been reset with the 
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics, oth-
erwise fault-free operation of the system is not 
ensured.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.<