
iDrive
18 DVDs can only be played on the rear 
seat screen, refer to Rear seat 
screen
* on page21.<
7Settings
>Parking brake58
>PDC Park Distance Control86
>EDC Electronic Damping Control89
>Programmable buttons52
>FTM Flat Tire Monitor
*90
>TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
*91
>Time and date84
>Language84
>Units of measure and display format84
>Brightness85
>Rear seat screen
*21
>Pairing mobile phone with vehicle182
8Climate
>Intensity of AUTO program104
>Air volume106
>Heated seats
*49
>Parked car ventilation109
>Extra, e.g. rear air conditioner108
Basic operation
Once the radio ready position is reached, the 
following message appears on the Control Dis-
play:
To clear the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.The message automatically disappears after 
approx. 25 seconds.
Start menu
You can access all functions of iDrive via eight 
menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button.
Opening the start menu from a menu:
>Move the controller toward the currently 
active menu.
>Move the controller twice in one direction.
Selecting menu
From the start menu, eight menus can be 
accessed by moving the controller in the appro-
priate directions.
In a menu, you can change directly into a 
new menu by moving in the correspond-
ing direction, without having to open the start 
menu first. 
Moving in the direction that corresponds to the 
last menu used brings you back to the last item 
used in this menu.< 

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. 

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}. 

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Manual operation
In the case of an electrical malfunction, you can 
unlock the luggage compartment lid with the 
key, refer to page35, and slowly open and close 
it without sudden movements.
Emergency release
Pull the lever inside the luggage compartment. 
This unlocks the luggage compartment lid.
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds to:
>opening of a door, the hood or the luggage 
compartment lid
>movement in the vehicle interior: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page38
>changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>interruptions in battery voltage
The alarm system briefly indicates unautho-
rized tampering:
>with an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
When the alarm system is armed, you can also 
open the luggage compartment lid with the button on the remote control, refer to 
page33. When the luggage compartment lid is 
closed, it is relocked and monitored again.
Unlocking via the door lock will trigger the 
alarm on some national-market versions.
Pressing the 'Panic mode' button for a longer 
period also triggers the alarm, refer to 
page33.<
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page32.
>Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after the vehicle 
is locked: the doors or luggage compart-
ment lid are not properly closed. Even if you 
do not close the door involved, the system 
begins to monitor the remaining areas, and 
the indicator lamp flashes continuously 
after 10 seconds. However, the interior 
motion sensor is not activated.
>After the vehicle is unlocked, the indicator 
lamp goes out: no manipulation or 
attempted intrusions have been detected in 
the period since the system was armed.
>After the vehicle is unlocked, the indicator 
lamp flashes until the remote control is 
inserted into the ignition lock, but for no 
more than roughly 5 minutes: an attempted 
entry has been detected in the period since 
the system was armed. 

Driving
60 engage the parking brake the moment the vehi-
cle comes to a stop.<
Parking
The parking brake engages automatically when 
you stop the vehicle and switch off the engine. 
The indicator lamp  changes from green to 
red.
You can also release the parking brake 
manually after the engine is switched off, 
as long as the remote control is in the ignition 
lock, refer to page59. You can use this function, 
for example, in a car wash. 
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, release the 
remote control from the detent in the igni-
tion lock; this precaution prevents children from 
disengaging the parking brake etc.<
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deactivated 
when:
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat is 
not occupied while the engine is running
>the hood is opened while the engine is run-
ning
>the luggage compartment is opened while 
the engine is running and the transmission 
is in reverse
>and when the parking brake is used to brake 
the vehicle to a stop during driving
The indicator lamp   changes from green to 
red, and the indication AUTO P on the Info Dis-
play disappears.
Before starting off again, briefly press the but-
ton to disengage the parking brake manually, 
refer to page59, or reactivate Automatic Hold, 
refer to page59.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running, always move the automatic 
transmission's selector lever to position P and 
make sure that the parking brake is engaged. 
The vehicle could start to roll if you fail to take 
these precautions.
tendency for the wheels to spin in response to 
slippery road surfaces. 
Pay attention to the messages on the Info Dis-
play. For additional information, refer to Check 
Control on page80.<
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking 
brake manually.
Before manually releasing the parking 
brake and each time you park the vehicle 
without engaging the parking brake, make sure 
that the automatic transmission is in position P, 
refer to page62. Be sure to pay attention to the 
information on the Info Display. 
If circumstances should force you to park on a 
steeply inclined road surface, it is essential to 
take additional precautions against inadvertent 
rolling, e.g. by using the chock, refer to 
page216. Otherwise, there is the danger of the 
vehicle rolling, depending on the incline.<
If it becomes necessary to also unlock the 
transmission lock of the automatic transmis-
sion, follow this sequence:
1.If necessary, start by releasing the parking 
brake manually.
2.Then release the automatic transmission's 
transmission lock manually, refer to 
page64.
Jump starting and tow starting information, 
refer to section starting on page220. 

Controls
 67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
All of the washer jets are supplied from a single 
tank.
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix 
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Programmable cruise control
The concept
The programmable cruise control is available 
for use at speeds of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h 
and higher. The vehicle maintains and stores 
the speed that you set using the lever mounted 
on the steering column.
You can also use the multilevel preset mode to 
store six desired speeds for later selection with 
the lever, refer to page67.
This feature assists you in quickly adapting the 
vehicle speed to specific road conditions, e.g. 
changes in speeds limits.
Do not use the programmable cruise con-
trol when unfavorable conditions do not 
permit you to drive at a constant speed, e.g. 
when driving on winding roads, in heavy traffic 
or under poor road conditions such as snow, 
rain, ice, or a loose road surface. If you do, you 
could lose control of the vehicle and cause an 
accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining speed, storing, and accelerat-
ing
2Maintaining speed, storing, and decelerat-
ing
3Interrupt or deactivate cruise control
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining speed, storing, and 
accelerating
Press lever to resistance point, arrow 1: 
The system maintains and stores the current 
vehicle speed. The pointer5 in the speedome-
ter indicates this speed, refer to Displays in 
speedometer on page68. Each time the lever is 
pressed again briefly, the speed is increased by 
approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
Push the lever to the resistance point for a 
longer time: 
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system maintains 
and stores your current speed as soon as you 
release the lever.
Press the lever past the resistance point if no 
desired speeds6 are stored:
The pointer5 jumps to the next multiple of 
5 mph or 10 km/h and then further, as long as 
the lever is held. The speed then indicated is 
reached and stored.
The vehicle may accelerate beyond the preset 
speed on steep downhill stretches where the 
engine's braking action alone may not be suffi-
cient to slow the vehicle. Speed can drop on 
uphill grades if the engine output is insufficient. 

Controls
 75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything under control
Odometer, outside temperature display, clock
1Outside temperature display, clock
2Odometer
3Trip odometer
4Press button:
>with ignition switched on to reset trip 
odometer
>with ignition switched off to briefly dis-
play odometer, outside temperature, 
and time
Outside temperature display, clock, 
date
The outside temperature and the time displays 
are active with the ignition lock in radio ready 
state or higher.
You can change the units of measure, 7/6, 
in the "Settings" menu, refer to page84.
Setting the clock, refer to page84.
The date is displayed in the assistance win-
dow
*, refer to page21.
Setting date, refer to page84.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal 
sounds and a message appears on the Info Dis-
play. There is an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36, ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and shaded roadways; oth-
erwise, there is an increased accident risk.<
Odometer and trip odometer
The display area is also used for the computer 
and the Check Control.
Regardless of the current display, you can 
briefly display the odometer for a short time by 
briefly pressing button4.
Pressing the button again resets the trip odom-
eter to zero.
Check Control, refer to page80. 
Computer, refer to page76.
Tachometer
The orange advance warning field, arrow, is dis-
played as a function of the engine temperature. 
The segments disappear in sequence as the 
engine temperature increases.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as far as 
the orange advance warning field whenever 
possible. 

Controls
 79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
deadline, refer to Automatic service notification 
on page190.
Additional information
You can view additional information on service 
and maintenance procedures on the Control 
Display.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".
3.Select   and press the controller.
The display shows a list of selected service and 
maintenance procedures, as well as legally-
mandated inspections.
Symbols
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or a legally-man-
dated inspection is approaching. Please 
arrange for a service appointment at the earliest 
available opportunity.
The service deadline has already passed.
You can view more detailed information about 
every entry:
Select the entry and press the controller.To exit the menu: 
 The arrow is selected. Press the controller.
Condition Based Service does not con-
tinue counting down to the next service 
during periods when the vehicle is stored with 
the battery disconnected or the battery switch 
in the OFF position. 
It is therefore important, independent of the dis-
play, to change the brake fluid at least every 
2years. 
The same is true for other time-dependent 
maintenance procedures.<
Deadlines for scheduled legally 
mandated inspections, displaying and 
entering
Make sure the date and time are always set cor-
rectly, refer to page84; otherwise, CBS Condi-
tion Based Service cannot function correctly.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".
3.Select   and press the controller.
4.Select "State inspection" and press the 
controller.