
Cockpit
10
Cockpit
All around the steering wheel: controls and displays
1Roller sun blind for rear window*112
2Rear window safety switch40
3Power windows40
4Exterior mirrors505Parking brake58
6Parking lamps100
Low beams100
Daytime running lamps
*100
Automatic headlamp control100
Daytime running lamps
*100
Adaptive Head Light
*100
7Instrument lighting101
8BMW Night Vision
*97 

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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Control and warning lamps can light up in vari-
ous 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 on Info Display explain the 
meaning of the indicator and warning lamps 
shown.
You can view additional information, e.g. 
regarding the cause of a malfunction and the 
corresponding action to take, in the Check Con-
trol, refer to page80.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps indicate that the 
particular functions are active:
Turn signals65
With parking brake released59
With parking brake set58
Warning lamp on Canadian models
Front fog lamps101 
DTC Dynamic Traction Control88 
High beams/headlamp flasher101 
DSC Dynamic Stability Control, 
flashes88  

Driving
58 Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, start driving right away, at a moderate 
engine speed.
Switching off engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you.<
With the vehicle stationary, briefly press the 
Start/Stop button. Radio ready state is switched 
on.
The transmission automatically shifts to posi-
tion P: interlock.
Before driving into a car wash
To permit the vehicle to roll, take the following 
steps:
1.With Comfort Access: insert remote control 
into ignition lock.
2.Shift transmission into position N.
3.Switch engine off.
4.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
The transmission will shift into position P:
>automatically after approx. 30 minutes
>if you remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Pay attention to the messages on the Info Dis-
play.
Removing remote control from ignition 
lock
Press in the remote control briefly; it pops part-
way out. This procedure will also switch off the 
ignition if it is on.
Comfort function
To switch off the engine when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, press the Start/Stop button for longer 
than approx. 2 seconds. The remote control 
pops partway out.
Parking brake
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with an electromechan-
ical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked.
You can use the parking brake in two ways:
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, by activating the Automatic 
Hold mode, refer to page59
An electrohydraulic mechanism then engages 
the parking brake to prevent the rear wheels 
from turning whenever you switch off the 
engine. 
When the engine is running, parking brake 
engagement is controlled by the brake sys-
tem's hydraulic circuits, which act on the disc 
brakes in the front and rear wheels.
Brake pedal feel
The hydraulic brake system can produce a 
slightly different braking feel. Engagement may 
also be accompanied by activation noise – this 
is normal.
Manual engagement
Briefly press the button, the word PARK 
appears on the Info Display.
When the parking brake is engaged, the indica-
tor lamp   on the Info Display lights up red, 
refer to page12.
The remote control does not have to be 
inserted into the ignition lock for the parking 
brake to be set. 

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It is only possible to disengage the parking 
brake with the ignition on.
If exceptional circumstances should make it 
necessary to engage the parking brake while 
the vehicle is in motion, maintain pressure on 
the button. 
The indicator lamp on the Info Display lights up 
in red, a chime sounds, and the brake lamps 
light up.
The vehicle continues to brake forcefully for as 
long as you maintain pressure on the button. 
When you brake the vehicle almost to a stop, 
i.e., down to a speed of approximately 2 mph/
3 km/h or below, the parking brake remains 
engaged.
Manual release
Briefly press the button with the ignition 
switched on.
The indicator lamp  on the Info Display goes 
out.
As long as the remote control is inserted 
into the ignition lock, you can also release 
the parking brake after the engine has been 
switched off. This function is useful, for exam-
ple, in automatic car washes, refer to 
page123<
When leaving the vehicle, always bring 
the remote control with you; this precau-
tion prevents children from disengaging the 
parking brake, for example.<
Automatic Hold
You can activate the system after starting the 
engine; it then remains operational until the 
next time the engine is switched off.
This feature provides additional assistance dur-
ing vehicle operation by automatically engaging 
and releasing the parking brake during stops at 
traffic lights, in stop-and-go traffic, etc. The 
vehicle is automatically held in place so as to 
suppress the tendency to creep when the 
transmission is in drive.
It also prevents the vehicle from rolling back-
ward during uphill starts. 
The parking brake engages automatically when 
you stop the vehicle and switch off the engine.You can activate or deactivate Automatic Hold 
via the "Settings" menu in iDrive.
Activation/deactivation
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "AUTO P". Press the controller to 
activate/deactivate the desired function.
>Automatic Hold is activated. 
The green AUTO P status message on the 
Info Display indicates that the system is 
ready for operation.
>Automatic Hold is deactivated. 
The green AUTO P status message disap-
pears from the Info Display.
You can program the programmable but-
ton on the steering wheel with the Auto-
matic Hold function, refer to page52. This gives 
you the option of being able to quickly activate 
or deactivate Automatic Hold without distract-
ing your attention from the road.<
Driving
The parking brake engages automatically when 
the vehicle comes to a stop. 
The indicator lamp  on Info Display lights up 
green.
To start off again, simply press the accelerator 
pedal. The parking brake is released automati-
cally; the indicator lamp goes out.
Do not drive through an automatic car 
wash with the Automatic Hold on and the 
engine running. Otherwise, the system will  

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What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Unlocking tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the onboard 
tool kit mounted on the inside of the luggage 
compartment lid, refer to page213.
Insert the release tool into the screwdriver han-
dle as shown in the illustration.
Releasing
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover above 
the spare tire.
2.With the attached screwdriver handle, 
insert the release tool into the opening, 
arrow1.
3.Fit the open-end wrench onto the hexago-
nal section of the release tool. 
Insert the release tool counter to the spring 
force until the stop is reached, press and 
rotate in the arrow direction2 until it notice-
ably engages and meets a perceptible 
resistance.
4.Without releasing, continue to turn counter 
to the mechanical resistance of the drive 
unit in the arrow direction 2 until you can feel a significant increase in the force of the 
resistance.
To prevent possible damage to the 
rear brakes, always make sure that 
the parking brake is completely released 
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places.
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor mat 
to their original locations.
Have a malfunction corrected only by a 
BMW center or a repair shop that works in 
accordance with BMW guidelines and uses 
appropriately trained personnel. Only techni-
cians can return the parking brake to normal 
operational status after it has been released 
manually in response to a malfunction.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from 
that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Reinitializing after a power supply 
interruption
The parking brake can only be used again 
if it was manually released due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise, the function of the parking brake is not 
guaranteed and there is a danger of the vehicle 
rolling despite the parking brake being 
engaged.<
Once the electrical power supply has been 
restored, you can again use the parking brake:
With the ignition on and the vehicle 
stationary, briefly press the button 
three times at intervals of approx. 
5 seconds. This executes the fol-
lowing initialization sequence:
>Initializing the disengaged setting.
>Engaging: the system registers the new 
status and the brake setting is initialized. 
The indicator lamp  on Info Display lights 
up green.
>Releasing: the parking brake is ready for 
operation. 
The indicator lamp  on the Info Display 
goes out. 

Driving
62
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also shift manually using the buttons on the 
steering wheel, refer to page63.
Transmission range selection
P R N D
Displays on Info Display
P R N D S or M1 to M6
The transmission range is indicated, and in the 
manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Selecting transmission range
>Only engage transmission positions D, R, 
or N when the engine is running: interlock.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the 
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N; 
otherwise, the shift command will not be 
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until 
you are ready to start off. Activate Auto-
matic Hold to suppress the tendency to 
creep, refer to page59.
Selecting D, R or N
Lightly pull selector lever and engage desired 
position:
>N Neutral: 
To resistance point, arrowsN.
>D Drive: 
Downward past resistance point, arrowD.
>R Reverse: 
Upward past resistance point, arrowR.
The selector lever immediately returns to the 
center position when released.
Selecting P
Press button P.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The 
rear wheels are locked.
Transmission automatically shifts into P 
as soon as you switch off the engine 
unless N is selected and the remote control is in 
the ignition lock, refer to page58.< 

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Deactivating system
>Press the lever up or down, arrow3 for 
approx. 3 seconds
>or switch off the ignition.
The stored speed5 is deleted, however the 
stored marks6 are retained.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control represents a technological 
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a 
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of 
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on 
highways or other high-speed thoroughfares. 
Especially on longer trips, the system can 
reduce fatigue and tension, while increasing 
your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely 
and responsibly.
In addition to maintaining a steady cruising 
speed, if you encounter slower vehicles ahead, 
active cruise control will, within the scope of 
given possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed 
automatically, permitting you to flow with the 
traffic without having to frequently intervene. 
If, for example, while cruising at the selected 
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle 
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will 
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that 
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected 
following distance between your vehicle and 
the vehicle ahead. You can vary the distance, 
which is additionally speed-dependent. Based 
on your selected distance setting, the system 
automatically decreases the throttle setting and 
lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehi-
cle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to 
signal a following driver to take action. In addi-
tion, it may be necessary for the vehicle to 
downshift to maintain the distance setting 
selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected by increasing the throttle setting and 
shifting gears as needed. This setting is also 
maintained on steep stretches, but the vehicle 
speed can fall below this on uphill grades if the 
engine output is insufficient to maintain speed.
Active cruise control is not and must not 
be used as a collision avoidance/warning 
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is 
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems 
to which you may be accustomed, you are 
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating 
to this system before use. Pay special attention 
to the information contained in the Things to 
know about active cruise control section begin-
ning on page72.<
Brake pedal feel
>When the system brakes and you also 
depress the brake pedal, a somewhat differ-
ent braking feeling results.
>Any noises produced during automatic 
braking are normal.
Applications
As with conventional cruise control systems, 
active cruise control in no way diminishes or 
substitutes for the driver's own personal 
responsibility, alertness, and awareness in 
adjusting speed, braking, or otherwise control-
ling 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 highway-type 
roadways where traffic is moving relatively 
smoothly. Do not use this system in city driving; 
heavy traffic such as during rush hour; 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. Adapt the  

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Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3 
This distance is always set when 
the system is used for the first time 
after starting the engine.
Distance 4
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance; 
failure to do so can constitute an accident haz-
ard.<
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever up or down. The displays in the 
speedometer go out.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>when the speed is reduced to below 20 mph 
or 30 km/h due to a traffic situation
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when the system does not recognize any 
objects for an extended period of time, e.g. on infrequently traveled roads without a 
shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor 
is covered with dirt, refer to page72
>when you actuate the parking brake during 
driving
>when you shift the transmission into posi-
tion N
If the system is deactivated, then it is nec-
essary for the driver to actively intervene 
by braking and possibly swerving. Otherwise, 
there is the danger of an accident.<
Background lighting
You can switch off the backlighting of the 
speedometer and tachometer when the system 
is deactivated if no other functions are being 
displayed, e.g. the advance warning field in the 
tachometer, refer to page75, or the route guid-
ance of the navigation system.
To do so, press the lever up or down for approx. 
1second.
Resuming stored desired speed and 
distance
Press button4: 
The displays appear in the speedometer.
When you switch off the ignition, the stored 
desired speed is deleted.
Info Display screen contents
1Stored desired speed display
2Lights up: vehicle detected ahead
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead
4The selected desired speed is displayed for 
a short time, refer to page70