
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. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96
Convertible: rollover 
protection system
The rollover protection system is automatically 
activated in the event of an accident or a critical 
driving situation, extreme inclination on the lon-
gitudinal axis, or loss of ground contact. The 
rollover bars located behind the rear head 
restraints are deployed within fractions of a sec-
ond.
As a supplement to the rollover bar integrated 
into the windshield frame, the rollover protec-
tion system ensures that all vehicle occupants 
have the necessary headroom.
Always keep the path of movement of the 
rollover protection system clear.
In less severe accidents, you are protected by 
the fastened safety belt and, depending on the 
severity of the accident, the belt tensioner and 
the multistage airbag restraint system.<
Lowering
If the rollover protection system experienced no 
impact after automatic activation, then it can be 
lowered again. No tools are necessary for this 
purpose.
1.Press the release backward and hold in that 
position.
2.Press the rollover protection unit halfway 
down from above.
3.Let go of the release.4.Press the rollover protection unit down until 
it snaps into place.
5.Use the same procedure for the second roll-
over protection unit.
Have the rollover protection system checked 
after unexpected triggering.
Never move the convertible top when the 
rollover protection system is raised.
No changes of any nature may be made to the 
individual components of the rollover protec-
tion system and wiring.
Work on the rollover protection system may 
only be performed at a BMW center.
Unprofessional attempts to service the system 
can lead to failure or malfunction.
For a system check and to ensure long-term 
functioning, you must comply with the mainte-
nance intervals of the service requirements, 
refer to page77.<
Head-Up Display*
The concept
With the Head-Up Display, important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view, 
e.g. navigation instructions. This enables you to 
absorb this information without looking away 
from the road. 

Radio
166 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 question about 
NOAA Weather Radio, please contact the near-
est office of the National Weather Service. 
Details are also provided on the Internet 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
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,  

Mobility
 221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The service schedule also 
includes operations related to the vehicle's 
comfort and convenience features, such as 
replacement of the filters for the inside air. 
The ultimate objective is to ensure economical 
maintenance by providing the ideal service for 
your vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer 
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
You can set the Control Display to show 
remaining distances and times of selected 
maintenance intervals and legally mandated 
deadlines, refer to page77:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads, front and rear separately
>Brake fluid>Vehicle check
>Legally required tests depending on local 
regulations
Service data in remote control
Your vehicle stores the information required for 
maintenance continuously in the remote con-
trol during driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the remote control, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. For this reason, when you take your vehicle 
in for service, you should give the BMW Service 
Advisor the remote control last used to drive it.
Make sure the date is set correctly, refer 
to page83, otherwise the effectiveness 
of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Everything from A to Z
248 Engine oil
– adding219
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils219
– approved oils219
– electronic oil level check218
– interval between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements77
– oil change219
– oil grades, refer to Approved 
engine oils219
– recommended oils219
– temperature75
– temperature gauge75
"Engine oil level"218
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data234
Engine overheating, refer to 
Coolant temperature74
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data234
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting engine59
"Enter address"134,142
Entering address134,137
Entering intersection, 
navigation136
Entering rear51
Entering town/city for 
navigation135
Entering town/city of 
destination name135
Entering zip code for 
navigation135
"Entertainment"158
Entertainment sound output 
on/off159
Entry map for destination139
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control161
"Equalizer", tone control161
"ESN"169
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control87
Event data recorders222Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system125
Exterior mirrors53
– adjusting53
– automatic dimming 
feature54
– automatic heating53
– folding in and out53
– tilting down passenger-side 
mirror54
External audio device117
Eye for tow-starting and 
towing, refer to Tow 
fitting229
Eyes for lashing, refer to 
Securing cargo128
F
"Fader", refer to Tone 
control160
Fader, refer to Tone 
control160
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control79
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms36
– refer to Switching off 
alarm35
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts52
Fastest route for 
navigation144
Fast forward
– CD changer176
– CD player176
"Fast route" for 
navigation144
"Favorites", calling up with 
radio166
Filler neck for washer fluid65
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter112
Fine wood, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid 
kit228First-aid kit228
Flashing when locking and 
unlocking, refer to Setting 
confirmation signals31
Flashlight, refer to 
Rechargeable flashlight117
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– run-flat tires90,92,214
– Tire Pressure Monitor90
– warning lamp90,92
Flat Tire Monitor89
– false alarms89
– initializing system89
– limits of system89
– snow chains215
– warning lamp90
Floor mats, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Floor mats/carpets, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler 
neck for washer fluid65
"FM", reception 
range158,162
FM, waveband162
Fog lamps106
– indicator lamp13,106
Folding into raised position 
convertible top 
compartment floor, 
Convertible35
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely126
Footwell lighting, refer to 
Interior lamps106
For specified oil grades, refer 
to Approved engine oils219
For your own safety6
Freeway, refer to Route 
criteria144
Front airbags94
Front passenger airbags, 
deactivating94
"FTM"89
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor89 

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Night Vision off"100
"Night Vision on / off"55
Nozzles
– refer to Ventilation112
– refer to Windshield washer 
nozzles65
Nylon rope, refer to Tow-
starting and towing229
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics interface222
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications209
Odometer74
Oil, refer to Engine oil218
Oil change interval
– refer to Service and 
Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models or 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models
– refer to Service 
requirements77
"On a new destination" for 
navigation system140
"Onboard info"76
Onboard monitor, refer to 
iDrive16
Onboard tool kit223
"On destination"140
"On location"140
Opening and closing
– comfort access36
– from inside32
– from outside30
– using door lock32
– using the remote control30
Operating principle, iDrive17Operation by voice for mobile 
phone195
– adjusting volume196
– canceling195
– commands195
– correcting phone 
number196
– dialing phone number196
– placing a call196
– redialing197
– voice phone book196
"Options"203
Orientation menu, refer to 
Start menu17
Output, refer to Engine 
data234
Outside air, refer to AUC 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control111
Outside temperature 
display74
– changing unit of measure84
Overview
– operating principle17
– radio control158
– screen display20
P
Panic mode31
Park Distance Control PDC85
"Parked car operation"113
"Parked car ventilation"113
Parked car ventilation
– activating activation 
times114
– LED108
– setting activation time113
– switching on and off 
directly113
Parking, vehicle59
Parking aid, refer to PDC Park 
Distance Control85
Parking assistant, refer to 
PDC Park Distance 
Control85
Parking brake, refer to 
Handbrake60Parking lamps102
– replacing bulbs224
Parts and accessories6
Passenger-side exterior 
mirror, tilting down54
"Pathway lighting"103
Pathway lighting103
"PDC"86
"PDC display on"86
PDC Park Distance Control85
Personal Profile29
"Perspective"148
"Phone"186,188,191
Phone book190
– changing entry192
– creating and editing voice 
phone book196
– deleting all entries193
– deleting entry193
– dialing phone number192
Phone numbers
– deleting from phone 
book193
– dialing191
– most recent numbers193
– selecting in phone book193
– Top 8193
Pinch protection system
– glass sunroof41
– power windows40
Plasters, refer to First-aid 
kit228
"Play" on the radio170
Plugging unit for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock58
Pollen, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter112
Position
– refer to Displaying current 
position153
– refer to Storing current 
position142
Power failure226
Power windows, refer to 
Windows38
"Presets" on the 
radio162,170 

Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Retreaded tires214
Reverse, fast
– CD changer176
– CD player176
Reverse gear
– manual transmission60
– Sport automatic 
transmission61
Road map148
"Roadside 
Assistance"194,200
Roadside Assistance228
Roadside assistance200
Roadside parking lamps104
– replacing bulbs, refer to 
Parking lamps224
Rollover protection system on 
Convertible96
– lowering96
Rope, refer to Tow-starting 
and towing229
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to 
iDrive16
Route144
– bypassing sections150
– changing150
– changing criteria144
– display147
– displaying arrow display147
– displaying map view148
– displaying streets or towns/
cities149
– selecting144
Route information, refer to 
Destination guidance with 
voice instructions149
Route map, refer to Displaying 
map view148
"Route preference", 
changing144
Route selection144
RSC Run-flat System 
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires214
Rubber parts, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Run-flat System Component 
RSC, refer to Run-flat 
tires214Run-flat tires214
– continuing driving with a 
damaged tire90,92
– flat tire90,92
– Flat Tire Monitor89
– tire inflation pressure210
– Tire Pressure Monitor90
– tire replacement214,215
– winter tires215
S
Safety belts52
– damage53
– indicator lamp52
– refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– reminder52
– sitting safely47
Safety belt tensioners, refer to 
Safety belts52
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System86
– airbags94
– driving stability control 
systems86
– rollover protection system, 
Convertible96
– safety belts52
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat 
tires214
Satellite radio169
– enabling channels169
– selecting channel170
– storing channel170
"SAT" with radio158,169
"Save current 
destination"144
"Scan"
– music tracks on CD174
– stations with radio163
Scan
– CD changer174
– CD player174
– radio163
"Scan all" in audio mode174
"Scan directory" in audio 
mode174Screw thread for tow 
fitting230
SDARS, refer to Satellite 
radio169
Seats48
– adjusting48
– heating53
– lumbar support48
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror 
and steering wheel 
memory49
– sitting safely47
– sports seat48
– storing the setting49
– thigh support48
Securing cargo128
– ski bag120
"Select as 
destination"140,203
"Select current speed"81
Selecting audio sources, refer 
to Operating via iDrive158
Selecting distance with active 
cruise control69
Selecting frequency 
manually163
Selecting menu items19
Selecting route144
Selection options with 
navigation system144
Selector lever, manual 
transmission60
"Service"77,201,218
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance228
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for 
US models221
Service Interval Display
– refer to CBS Condition 
Based Service221
– refer to Service 
requirements77
"Service notification"201
"Service Request"194,201
"Service 
requirements"78,201,218