
Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "PDC pic." and press the controller. 
This activates the PDC display.
The display appears as soon as PDC is acti-
vated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
To exit the menu: 
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any objects always remains with the 
driver. Even when sensors are involved, there is 
a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system's detection of objects is 
also subject to the physical limits that apply to 
all forms of ultrasonic measurement, such as 
those encountered with tow bars and trailer 
couplings, as well as thin or wedge-shaped 
objects. Low objects already indicated, such as 
curb edges, may enter the blind spot of the sen-
sors before or after a continuous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding objects, such as 
wall ledges, may not be detectable. 
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle 
may also prevent you from hearing the PDC's 
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 
page123.
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.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. The system 
also detects unstable driving conditions such  

Controls
 97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
BMW Night Vision*
The concept
BMW Night Vision is a driver assistance system 
that is designed to provide enhanced vision for 
certain objects at night. This can be especially 
helpful for detecting people and larger animals. 
When objects are detected, the driver may be 
able to take appropriate action sooner. For 
example, the driver may identify and detect the 
presence of persons or animals in the road 
ahead or off to the sides and can be more alert, 
slow down or stop, blow the horn, etc. The 
driver can decide which actions are appropriate 
and then react accordingly.
A certain area in front of the vehicle is viewed by 
an infrared camera and a generated image is 
shown on the Control Display. The resulting 
thermal image shows the relative heat radiation 
of the objects present in the camera's field of 
view. Warmer objects appear brighter and 
cooler objects appear darker. Contrast is 
dependent on the temperature difference 
between the objects and the background and 
on the amount of heat radiation of the object 
itself. As a result, it is quite possible that a per-
son is not continually recognizable as a person 
in shape, since the thermal radiation can be 
affected by different clothing which blocks heat 
loss. Objects with little temperature difference 
to the surrounding area, or little heat radiation 
are less noticeable, for example in cold weather.
Any improvement in detection depends on 
many factors such as the object size and tem-
perature compared to the surroundings, or 
other nearby objects, the visual recognition 
skills of the driver, weather conditions, and 
other factors.
Driving hints
With the system active, periodically but briefly, 
glance at the thermal image on the Control Dis-
play to notice objects that could be people or 
larger animals. The glance should be similar to 
glancing at the rear view mirror. Do not stare at 
the image for long periods while driving, as this 
will take your attention away from the road. If you notice an object of interest ahead, be pre-
pared to slow down or stop, blow the horn, or 
take other appropriate action.
System limits
The system is designed to supplement but not 
replace forward vision through the windshield. 
The driver is responsible for safe driving at 
night. BMW Night Vision is not designed to be 
used as a continuous viewing window for driv-
ing at night.
No system, no matter how sophisticated, can 
operate without limitations. BMW Night Vision 
operation is subject to physical and environ-
mental limitations that will reduce the ability of 
the system to detect and display a clear thermal 
image. Some of the situations in which these 
limitations can occur are:
>on steep hilltops or depressions and in tight 
curves
>in tunnels, as the contrast is inherently low
>when the camera lens is dirty
>in dense fog, heavy rain or snowfall
>when displaying very hot objects such as 
transformers, car exhausts etc.
>when the image briefly freezes during nor-
mal system adjustment.
BMW Night Vision's potential benefits 
can be limited by the driving style of the 
driver, the size and relative temperature of the 
detected objects, dirt or contamination on the 
camera lens, adverse weather like snow, rain, or 
fog, and other factors not mentioned here. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to drive at a 
speed and in a manner that recognizes potential 
hazards and to adjust accordingly.  

Controls
 105Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Climate".
3.Turn the controller to select driver's side or 
passenger side.
4.Turn the controller to select the field.
5.Press the controller repeatedly until the 
desired program is displayed:
>"low"
>"medium"
>"high"
Automatic recirculated air control/
recirculated air mode
You can respond to unpleasant 
odors or pollutants in the immedi-
ate environment by temporarily 
suspending the supply of outside air. The sys-
tem then recirculates the air currently within the 
vehicle. In AUC mode, a sensor detects pollut-
ants in the outside air and controls the shut-off 
automatically.
Press the button repeatedly to run through the 
following control sequence:
>LEDs off: outside air flows into the vehicle 
continuously.
>Left LED on, AUC mode: the system 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
responds by blocking the supply of outside 
air when required.
>Right LED on, recirculated-air mode: the 
supply of outside air into the vehicle is con-
tinuously blocked.If the windows fog over in recirculated-air 
mode, then press the AUTO button or 
switch off the recirculated-air mode and 
increase the air quantity as needed.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over a longer period of time, as the air quality 
inside the vehicle deteriorates continuously.<
Automatic climate control, switching 
on and off
The air volume, the heater, and the 
air conditioner mode are all 
switched off. 
You can restart the automatic climate control by 
pressing any of its buttons except the REST 
button.
Temperature adjustment
Adjust the desired temperature 
individually on the driver's side and 
passenger side. Your settings 
appear on the status line of the 
Control Display.
The automatic climate control achieves this 
temperature as quickly as possible at any time 
of year, if necessary with the maximum cooling 
or heating capacity, and then keeps it constant.
When switching between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the 
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to achieve the set temperature.<
The highest setting switches on the maximum 
heat output regardless of the outside tempera-
ture. The lowest setting activates maximum air 
conditioning.
Using iDrive
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Turn the controller to select driver's side or 
passenger side.
4.Turn the controller to select the field and 
press the controller. 

Controls
 113Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4Switching to the other side
Briefly press the corresponding button with the 
ignition in radio ready state or higher.
The side window blind can not be 
extended unless the side window is 
closed. If the side window is open, the blind will 
rise slightly prior to immediately retracting to its 
original position.<
To avoid injuries, make sure that the clos-
ing region of the roller blind is clear.
Press the safety switch on the driver's door, 
refer to page40. The LED must light up. This 
precaution prevents children from operating 
the sun blinds using the rear switches, etc. 
When leaving the vehicle parked, remove the 
remote control from the ignition lock and close 
the doors; this precaution prevents children 
from operating the roller sun blinds and injuring 
themselves.<
Automatically extending and retracting 
sun blinds
You can run the sun blinds up and down 
together when you press and hold the button3 
longer.
Glove compartment
Releasing
Press button. The glove compartment opens 
automatically and the light comes on.
Closing
Fold the cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Rechargeable flashlight
The flashlight is located on the left side of the 
glove compartment. 
The flashlight can remain plugged in continu-
ously. Remove the flashlight from the socket 
when needed.
Be sure that the flashlight is switched off 
when it is inserted into its holder. Failure 
to comply with this precaution could lead to 
overcharging and damage.<
Front center armrest
A storage compartment is located in the center 
armrest between the front seats. Briefly press 
the buttons to open.
1Open the right cover
2Open the left cover
The mat inside the compartment can be 
removed for cleaning. 

Practical interior accessories
114 Depending upon your equipment package, any 
of the following may be located in the storage 
compartment:
>Removable CD holder
*
>Folding, removable storage compartment*, 
e.g. for glasses or mobile phone
>Folding, removable waste receptacle
*
Locking storage compartment
You can use the key to lock the storage com-
partment in the armrest.
For example at a hotel, if you want to lock 
the luggage compartment lid separately, 
refer to page35. Then lock the armrest storage 
compartment and surrender only the remote 
control without the key, refer to page30. This 
prevents unauthorized access to the armrest 
storage compartment and the luggage com-
partment.<
Ventilating storage compartment
You can use the knurled wheel in the storage 
compartment to open and close the vent.
Depending on the automatic climate con-
trol setting, the temperature in the stor-
age compartment may be higher than in the rest 
of the passenger compartment. Close the vent 
as required.<
The temperature in the storage compartment 
depends on the setting for the upper body area, 
refer to page105.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play the sound over 
the vehicle's speaker system, refer to page169.
Center armrest, rear
Before folding down the armrest, adjust 
the head restraint to its lowest position, 
refer to page48.<
To open the storage compartment: 
Press the button in the handle recess and fold 
up the cover.
Rear comfort seat*
Before folding down the armrest, adjust 
the head restraint to its lowest position, 
refer to page48.<
To open the storage compartment: 
Press the button and fold up the cover.
Storage compartments
Clothes hooks
Clothes hooks are located near the grab han-
dles in the rear.
When suspending clothing from the 
hooks ensure that it will not obstruct the 
driver's vision. Do not hang heavy objects on 
the hooks. If you do so, they could cause per-
sonal injury to occupants during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers.< 

Using the phone
186
Dialing numbers stored in a list
To select an entry and establish a connection:
1.Select the list and press the controller.
>"TOP 8"
>"Last"
>"Missed"
2.Select the desired entry and press the con-
troller.
3.Select the   symbol and press the control-
ler.
The system dials the number.
The phone number is displayed in the top sta-
tus line as this happens.
The connection can also be established 
via the button on the steering wheel or the 
telephone keypad.<
Deleting entries in lists
You can delete the lists of the most frequently 
called phone numbers, missed calls and the last 
subscribers called.
1.Select the desired list and press the con-
troller.
The stored entries are shown on the right 
side of the Control Displays.
2.Select the   symbol and press the con-
troller to delete all existing entries.
3.Select "YES" and press the controller.
All entries are deleted.
Voice-command phone book*
You can use the voice command system to cre-
ate a separate voice command phone book with 
up to 50 entries. You must first input all entries 
by voice command. It is not possible to access 
iDrive phone book entries by voice command. 
but you do have the option of importing your 
phone book entries into the voice command 
phone book.
Making a new entry in voice-command 
phone book
Say the phone number in blocks of three to six 
digits. An entry always consists of a name and 
phone number.
Transferring phone book entries and 
updating voice command phone book*
You can import your phone book entries into 
the voice command phone book and update it:
Each phone number is sent to the voice com-
mand phone book individually. The phone num-
ber and the name appear on the Control Dis-
play. {{Should the entry be saved in the 
telephone book?}} or {{Save entry?}}:
You must assign a specific name to each num-
ber that you wish to import into the voice-com-
mand phone book. These numbers will no 
longer be requested during updates.
1.{Save name}.
2.Speak name and repeat entry upon 
request.
3.Say the phone number.
4.{Save}.
1.{Telephone}.
2.{Telephone book}.
3.{Update telephone book}.
>{No}. 
The next name is displayed.
>{Yes}:
Say the desired name aloud and repeat 
it. 

 189
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
BMW Assist
BMW Assist offers you various services; for 
example, the position data of your vehicle can 
be transmitted to the BMW Assist Response 
Center if an emergency call
* has been initiated.
Many BMW Assist services depend on the indi-
vidual contract.
After your contract has expired, the BMW 
Assist system will be deactivated by the BMW 
Assist Response Center without your visiting a 
BMW center. After the BMW Assist system has 
been deactivated, no BMW Assist service will 
be available. The BMW Assist system can be 
reactivated by a BMW center after a new con-
tract has been signed.
Requirements
You can use BMW Assist when the following 
requirements are met:
>The installed BMW Assist system is logged 
on to a mobile phone network. This network 
must be capable of transmitting the ser-
vices.
>To transmit position data, the vehicle must 
be able to determine the current position.
>A GPS signal must be available in order for 
BMW Assist to be activated and updated.
>You have signed a BMW Assist subscriber 
contract at the BMW center or the BMW 
Assist Response Center. Activation must 
be completed.
>BMW Assist is activated, refer to page193.
Services offered
The following services are available via 
BMW Assist:
>Emergency call, refer to page219: 
When you press the SOS button, a connec-
tion is established to the BMW Assist 
Response Center. The BMW Assist 
Response Center contacts you and takes 
further steps to help you.
>Automatic emergency call:
Once the BMW Assist Response Center 
has received your emergency call, the BMW 
Assist Response Center contacts you and 
takes further steps to help you. Even if you 
are unable to reply, under certain condi-
tions, the BMW Assist Response Center 
can still take additional steps to assist you.
>Roadside Assistance: 
You can call the Roadside Assistance
* of 
the BMW Group should you require help in 
the event of a breakdown. If possible, the 
vehicle data and position data are transmit-
ted during this time.
>BMW Hotline: 
For information relating to your vehicle, you 
can be connected to the BMW Hotline.
>TeleService: 
Information about the service status of your 
vehicle or required inspections is transmit-
ted to your BMW center either automati-
cally before a service due date or when you 
request a BMW service appointment.
>Vehicle unlocking: 
Contact the BMW Assist Response Center 
if you have lost your remote control, for 
example, and would like to have the vehicle 
unlocked.
>Vehicle search: 
After you have reported the theft of your 
vehicle to the police, the BMW Assist 
Response Center can determine its loca-
tion.
* 

 193
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Updating services
You will be notified of any changes in the ser-
vices offered by BMW Assist. If this occurs, you 
should update the services.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "BMW Assist".
3.Select "Status" and press the controller.
4.Select "BMW Assist" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "UPDATE" and press the controller.
The updating process takes a few minutes.
Terminating services
When you terminate services, the connection to 
BMW Assist is deactivated.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "BMW Assist".
3.Select "Status" and press the controller.
4.Select "BMW Assist" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "DEACTIV." and press the control-
ler.
BMW Assist is blocked from use, and your vehi-
cle's current position will not be transmitted 
during an emergency call
*. To unblock the ser-
vice, reactivate BMW Assist, see below. The 
contractual agreement is not affected by this.
Reactivate BMW Assist, if necessary, to log on 
again.
Activating BMW Assist
BMW Assist services can only be used if BMW 
Assist is activated.
Requirements
>Make sure that the vehicle can determine its 
current position. Reception is best when 
you have an unobstructed view of the sky.
>Leave ignition switched on while connect-
ing to the system.
Activating
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "BMW Assist".
3.Select "Status" and press the controller.
4.Select "BMW Assist" and press the control-
ler.