
At a glance
 19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Selecting menu items
To edit a function, select the corresponding 
menu item. Menu items shown in white can be 
selected.
Turn the controller
The highlight moves.
To change between the menu 
items on the left and right side of 
the Control Display, continue to turn the con-
troller at the beginning or end of a list. The high-
light moves to the other side of the Control Dis-
play.
Activating menu item
Press the controller.
Changing settings
1.Turn the controller to change the setting.
2.Press the controller to adopt the setting.
Displaying and hiding menu name
You can program the system to display the 
menu name each time you proceed to a new 
menu.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Help".
3.Select "Menu name" and press the control-
ler.
The  symbol indicates the menu that is cur-
rently activated. The menu name is displayed.
Symbols
Some functions and information are displayed 
in the form of symbols:
The function is switched on.
Back.
The function is switched on.
"Split": to show the current display in the 
assistance window. 

iDrive
20
Status lines
1Hands-free mode active
2A call has come in while you were away
3Signal strength, mobile radio network
*
4Here, you will see:
>the name of the paired mobile phone
>the entered/selected phone number
5Phone status:
>Green, yellow and red flashing: 
Pairing of a mobile phone
>Green: 
Incoming or outgoing call
>Red: 
No network available
>Yellow: 
Partner network
* active, the network of 
another provider is being used
>Flashing yellow: 
Visited network
* active, the network of 
another provider is being used, visited 
network
*
Roaming in a partner or external net-
work incurs higher call charges than 
in your home network.<6There is a Check-Control message80
You can have the Control Display show 
additional information using the menu "Car 
Data" under "CHECK"81
Status service required78
Red: 
At least one service interval has been 
exceeded. You can have more precise infor-
mation about the maintenance procedure 
displayed by using the "Car Data" menu 
under 79
7Temperature selection and intensity of the 
AUTO program, right side of passenger 
compartment
8Air volume, right side of passenger com-
partment
9Entertainment 
Display for radio, CD, and DVD
With compressed audio files, the track 
information is displayed167
10Air volume, left side of passenger compart-
ment
11Temperature selection and intensity of the 
AUTO program, left side of passenger com-
partment
Assistance window
Additional information appears in the assis-
tance window:
>Short help and supplementary information 
texts about selected menu items.
>A function selected from the "Car Data" 
menu, refer to page83.
>The route with a navigation system, refer to 
page130. 

At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Showing/hiding help texts
You can display help texts and supplementary 
information on selected menu items in the 
assistance window.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Help".
3.Select "Help text" and press the controller.
The  symbol indicates the menu that is cur-
rently activated.
Status lines
1Outside temperature or town/city of desti-
nation of the navigation system
2Time
3Date
Rear seat screen*
Some of the functions of iDrive can also be 
operated via the rear seat screen. Certain func-
tions are only available via iDrive. These func-
tions can only be operated to a limited degree 
on the rear screen, e.g. the speed limit can only 
be displayed. The settings are made via iDrive.
Deploying rear seat screen
1.Swing pivoting arm upward until it engages.
2.Fold rear seat screen upward.
The rear seat screen is ready for operation.
Stowing rear seat screen
1.Align rear seat screen so that it is straight.
2.Fold rear seat screen downward until pivot-
ing arm unlocks. 
Pivoting arm swings downward.
The rear seat screen is switched off.
Pivot the rear seat screen completely 
downward when the ski bag is being 
used; otherwise, it could be damaged.
Do not pivot the rear seat screen up or down 
with the cup holders open, as this can damage 
it.<
Switching off rear seat screen
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Press the controller.
Press the controller again to switch the screen 
back on. 

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 ever removing your hands from the steering 
wheel. The system operates on the basis of 
voice commands that you will learn easily after 
using them a few times. In many cases, the 
voice command system assists you with 
announcements or questions while you are 
making your entries.
The voice command system transforms your 
oral commands and dialog answers into control 
signals for the selected systems.
Please take the time to acquaint yourself 
with how a particular system operates 
before proceeding to control it using the voice 
command system.<
Note
Use iDrive to set the language that will be used 
so that the voice command system will be able 
to identify the commands spoken. Setting the 
language of iDrive, refer to page84.
Symbols used
{...} Verbal instructions to use with the voice 
command system.
{{...}} Identifies the answers generated by the 
voice command system.
Systems available for use with voice 
command
>{Navigation}, refer to page130
>{Radio}, refer to page156
>{Telephone}, refer to page184
>{CD}, refer to page163
>{CD changer}, refer to page165
>{Notepad}, refer to page25
>{DVD}, refer to page170The Info Display, refer to page24, will display 
either the equipment that you are now operat-
ing or any current error messages.
Voice commands
Voice command system activation
Briefly press the  button on the steering 
wheel.
An acoustic signal and the display "SVS active" 
on the Info Display, refer to page24, indicate 
that the system is ready for operation. The sys-
tem automatically starts in the main menu.
From here, you can call up all the equipment 
that can be operated.
Canceling voice command
Briefly press the  button on the steering 
wheel
or
In dialogs in which any text can be spoken, e.g. 
names, notes, canceling is only possible using 
the  button.
The system automatically switches over 
to its telephone mode if you receive a call 
during voice input. "SVS active" appears on the 
Info Display, refer to page24.<
Voice commands
The voice command system operates on the 
basis of specific, predefined commands; these 
commands should be spoken precisely as indi-
cated. You can have the possible commands 
read aloud at any point. To do so, say the com-
mand {Options}.
In addition to the commands described, there 
are often other commands that run the same 
function. Instead of {Options}, you can, for 
example, also say {What now}. In addition, 
*
These sections contain information on 
using the voice command system.
{Cancel}. 

Voice command system
24 numerous options are often available, such as 
{Scale 100 miles} instead of {Scale}.
Short commands
In the {Main menu} level, you can run certain 
functions directly with brief commands, refer to 
page230, without having to open an equipment 
level first.
For example, if you want to dial a phone num-
ber, you can directly
without previously opening
Identification in Owner's Manual
Special commands are available for specific 
systems. In this Owner's Manual you will find 
these commands in the sections describing the 
individual systems.
Displays on Info Display
The Info Display shows you what the voice 
command system has understood in line2, 
while also indicating which voice command or 
question is currently active in line1.
In addition, any error messages are also dis-
played.
Changing map scale for navigation: an example
Starting the dialog
Briefly press the  button on the steering 
wheel.1.{Dial number}.
2.Enter the phone number.
{Telephone}
Operation with the voice command system 
is always indicated with this symbol.
You sayThe voice command system repliesShown on Info Display
"SVS active"
{Change scale}{{Please enter the desired scale}}"scale?
change scale"
{Scale 400 feet}"ok
400 ft" 

At a glance
 25Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting volume
You can adjust the volume for the instructions 
from the voice command system:
Turn the knob during an instruction/announce-
ment to select the desired volume.
Instructions/announcements from the voice 
command system will continue at this volume 
level, even if the other audio sources are set to 
minimum volume.
The volume setting is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
Notes
Do not use the voice command system to 
make emergency calls. Your voice and 
habitual tone could be affected by stressful sit-
uations, as a result of which the process of 
establishing the telephone connection could be 
unnecessarily delayed. Instead, use the emer-
gency call button near the interior rearview mir-
ror, refer to page219.<
Environmental conditions
The voice command system uses a special 
hands-free microphone located in the front of 
your vehicle's headliner. Although the system is 
designed to filter out ambient noise, you can 
help ensure that your commands will be under-
stood by observing the following instructions:
>Speak smoothly and clearly, at a normal vol-
ume. Avoid excessive emphasis and 
pauses.
>Do not speak while the voice command sys-
tem is itself speaking.>Keep the doors, windows and glass sunroof 
closed to prevent interference from ambi-
ent noise.
>Avoid other sources of noise in the vehicle 
while speaking, and ask other vehicle occu-
pants to refrain from talking while you are 
using the system.
>The hands-free microphone is aimed 
toward the driver. This means that the sys-
tem might not be able to register the voices 
of other vehicle occupants properly.
The notepad
Recording a note
You can store roughly ten minutes of spoken 
text, either as a single entry or as multiple 
entries of any desired length.
To stop recording:
Press the   button longer.
When recording a note, the voice com-
mand system does not hear the com-
mand {Cancel} or {Exit}. The text checking 
function for command words is deactivated in 
this case so that you can speak any desired text 
for your notes. This feature saves you from hav-
ing to concentrate on avoiding any command 
words.<
Listening to a notepad entry
To listen to recorded notepad entries:
{Record note}.
1.{Read out}. 
Approximately the first 3 seconds of 
the first note are read aloud.
2.After the request {{Record note, read 
out note, delete note.}} select the 
desired function.
>To listen to the entire note:
{Read out}.
>To listen to the next note: 
{Next}.
>To listen to the note again:
{Back} or {Repeat}. 

At a glance
 27Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adapter for spare key
You will need the adapter to activate the ignition 
and to start the vehicle with the spare key.
Take the adapter from the onboard tool kit, refer 
to page213. 
Press lock button1, slide the cover open and 
insert the spare key2 into the adapter. Close 
the cover and insert the adapter into the ignition 
lock.
Key Memory
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Key 
Memory ensures that most of these settings are 
stored for the remote control currently in use 
without you having to do anything. When the 
vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding remote 
control is detected and the settings stored for it 
are called up and carried out.
This means that your BMW will return to your 
personal settings even if it has in the meantime 
been driven by another person with his/her own 
remote control and settings. The individual set-
tings are stored for a maximum of four remote 
controls.
Key Memory
>Personal temperature distribution for seat 
heating
*, refer to page49.
>Personal setting for the programmable but-
ton on the steering wheel, refer to page52.
>Personal setting of PDC Park Distance 
Control
*, refer to page86.>Air distribution, temperature, and intensity 
of the Automatic climate control, refer to 
page105.
>Settings for the displays on the Control Dis-
play:
>Units of measure for fuel consumption, 
distance traveled, distances to go, tem-
perature, and pressure, refer to page84.
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page84.
>Display format of date and time, refer to 
page84.
>Brightness of Control Display, refer to 
page85.
>Personal settings for volume and tone of 
the Entertainment sound output, refer to 
page153.
>Personal settings for the stored stations of 
the radio, refer to page158.
>Personal settings for the volume of the 
hands-free telephone operation, refer to 
page179.
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for opera-
tion whenever the driver's door is closed. This 
simultaneously engages and releases the locks 
on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
The central locking system can be operated 
from the outside:
>via the remote control
>via the driver's door lock
>with Comfort Access
* via the door handles
and from inside via the button for the central 
locking system.
When the system is locked from inside, the fuel 
filler door remains unlocked. Refer to page34.