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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 
     
        
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At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
When the engine is started or the ignition is 
switched on, some lamps are checked for 
proper operation and light up briefly in the pro-
cess.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the 
Control Display explain the meaning of the 
displayed indicator and warning lamps.
You can consult Check Control for additional 
information, e.g. regarding the cause of a mal-
function or the appropriate actions to take, refer 
to page79.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps signal particular 
functions:
High beams/headlamp flasher104
Fog lamps106
Handbrake applied60
Handbrake for Canadian models
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is controlling the drive 
and braking forces to maintain vehicle 
stability87
DTC Dynamic Traction Control88
Engine malfunction with deteriorating 
emissions levels222
Engine malfunction with deteriorating 
emissions levels for Canadian 
models222 
     
        
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At a glance
 17Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or TeleService*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard info, e.g. for displaying of the aver-
age fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Parked car operation
 menu
>Switching off the Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
>Display of maintenance intervals and dead-
lines for legally mandated inspections
>Settings for the telephone
Basic operation
From radio readiness, refer to page58, the fol-
lowing message is shown on the Control Dis-
play:
To hide the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
The message is automatically hidden after 
approx. 10 seconds.
Start menu
You can call up all the functions of iDrive using 
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
To open the start menu from the   menu:
Press the   button twice. 
     
        
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At a glance
 19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Operating principle at a glance
Basic operation via iDrive is described in this 
view.You can view the individual steps under 
Settings on Control Display, Setting time, 
refer to page82.
1Selecting menu item:
>Turn controller; marking moves
>Menu items shown in white can be 
selected by marking
2Activating a menu item:
>Press controller
>New menu items are displayed or 
function is carried out
3Selecting a menu item: refer to 14Changing between fields:
>Briefly move controller left, right, forward 
or back
>Release controller
>Active field appears lighter
5Adjusting settings:
>Turn controller
>Graphic display, numerical value or text 
displays can be changed
>Confirmation by changing field 
     
        
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At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Voice command system
The concept
The voice command system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out taking your hands off the steering wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of 
having to use the controller.
The voice command system transforms your 
spoken commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice command system includes a special 
microphone.
The microphone is located:
>Near the interior rearview mirror in the 
Coupe, refer to page14
>On the steering column in the Convertible
Prerequisite
In order to enable identification of the com-
mands to be spoken, use iDrive to set the lan-
guage for the voice command system. Setting 
iDrive language, refer to page84.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the   button.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice 
command system can respond to com-
mands.
2.Say the command.
The command is displayed on the Control 
Display.
 This symbol is shown on the Control Display 
when you can input additional commands. 
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word.
{{...}} Indicates the responses of the voice 
command system. 
     
        
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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}} 
     
        
        Page 27 of 264
At a glance
 25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Notes
The mobile phone can also be operated 
with voice commands, refer to 
page195.<
For voice commands, bear the following in 
mind:
>Say the commands and numbers smoothly 
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive 
emphasis and pauses. This also applies to 
spelling when entering the destination.
>Always issue commands in the language of 
the voice command system.
>When selecting a radio station, use the 
usual pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice command system and do not use 
abbreviations.
>Keep the doors, windows and glass sun-
roof
* or convertible top closed to prevent 
interference from ambient noise.
>Avoid background noises in the vehicle 
while speaking. 
     
        
        Page 30 of 264

Opening and closing
28
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
1Remote control with integrated key
2Spare key
3Adapter for spare key, in glove compart-
ment
Remote control with integrated key
Each remote control contains a battery which is 
charged in the ignition lock while driving. Drive a 
longer distance with each remote control at 
least twice a year to keep the battery charged. 
For comfort access
*, the remote control con-
tains a replaceable battery, refer to page38.
Depending on which remote control is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are activated and executed in the vehicle, 
refer to Personal Profile, page29.
Information on the required maintenance is also 
stored in the remote control, refer to Service 
data in remote control, page221.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Hotel function, refer to page33
>Driver's door, refer to page32
>Luggage compartment lid, refer to page34
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new 
remote controls with an integrated key are 
available at your BMW center.
Spare key
Store the spare key in a safe place such as your 
wallet. This key is not intended for regular use.
The spare key and integrated key of the remote 
control fit the same locks.
Adapter for spare key
The adapter is required so that the vehicle can 
be started with the spare key or radio readiness 
can be switched on.
Remove the adapter from the holder in the 
glove compartment and slide the spare key into 
the adapter before use.