
Controls
 43Reference
At a glance
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Communications
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Mobility
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed driving that is as fatigue-free 
as possible. Together with the safety belts and 
airbags, the sitting position plays an important 
role in the event of an accident. To ensure that 
the safety systems operate with optimized effi-
ciency, we strongly urge you to follow the 
instructions contained in the section below.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page54.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. No one and 
nothing is to come between the airbags and the 
seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the dashboard; 
otherwise, leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag is triggered. Make sure that occupants do 
not rest their head against the side or head air-
bag; otherwise, injuries can occur if the airbags 
are triggered.<
Even if you follow all of the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
entirely ruled out, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild – usually temporary – hearing 
loss in extremely sensitive individuals.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page95.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of injury to cervical vertebrae in the event of 
an accident.Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise, there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
Adjusting the head restraint, refer to page46.
Safety belt
Fasten safety belts on all occupied seats before 
every trip. Although airbags enhance safety by 
providing added protection, they are not a sub-
stitute for safety belts.
Your vehicle has five seats that are each 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride on a passen-
ger's lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around 
the hips in the lap area and does not press on 
the abdomen. The safety belt must not lie 
across the neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed 
over solid or breakable objects or be pinched. 
Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly 
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the 
body as possible. Otherwise, the belt can slip 
over the hips in the lap area in a frontal impact 
and injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing 
that prevents the belt from fitting properly and 
pull the shoulder belt periodically to readjust 
the tension across your lap in order to avoid a 
reduction in the retention effect of the safety 
belt.<
For instructions on operating safety belts, refer 
to page48.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
operating the vehicle. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement and the 
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an 
accident.  

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Mobility
Shoulder support adjustment
6Adjustment of the tilt angle of the shoulder 
support:
The shoulder support provides support to your 
back in the shoulder region as well. This pro-
vides a relaxed driving position and helps 
relieve stress on the shoulder muscles.
Rear comfort seat* adjustment
You can use the control knob to adjust the set-
tings after selecting the desired function with 
the buttons.
1Forward and back:  
Tilt:  
Backrest:  
This button is basically always active.
2Lumbar support, refer to Lumbar support 
adjustment
3Shoulder support:  
Height of head restraint:  
Backrest:
It is not possible to adjust the comfort 
seats if the safety switch for the power 
windows has been pressed, refer to page40.<
Adjusting passenger seat from rear
The front passenger's seat can be adjusted 
from the rear sitting positions, for instance, 
when a rear passenger desires more legroom. 
Press the button to activate this function, refer 
to arrow.
You can use the control knob to adjust the set-
tings after selecting the desired function with 
the buttons.
1Forward and back:  
Height:  
Tilt:
2Height of head restraint:
Backrest:
Press the button again, refer to arrow, to deac-
tivate this function.
Resetting to standard position
You can use this button to return the rear seats 
to their standard positions. Maintain pressure 
on the button until the system completes the 
adjustment.
The rear seats must be returned to their 
standard position before using a child 
restraint system, refer to page54.< 

Transporting children safely
54
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is in the back seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise, there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size, and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front, knee and side airbag on the front 
passenger side must be deactivated. Other-
wise, there is an increased risk of injury for the 
child if the airbags are triggered, even with a 
child restraint system. <
More information on Automatic deactivation of 
front passenger airbags, refer to page95.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Follow the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions when selecting, 
installing and using child restraint systems. 
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished.<
In the front passenger seat
Before installing a child restraint system 
in the front passenger seat, make sure 
that the front, knee, and side airbags on the 
passenger side are deactivated. Otherwise, 
there is an increased risk of injury when the air-
bags are triggered.<
Backrest width*
The passenger seat backrest width set-
ting must be open all the way. After 
installing the child's seat, no memory position 
may be called up; otherwise, the stability of the 
child's seat on the front passenger seat is 
reduced.<
1.Open backrest width completely, refer to 
Front comfort seat adjustment on page44.
2.Mount child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint system. 
The safety belt is locked. 

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Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system*
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
For installation and use of LATCH child 
restraint systems, follow the operating 
and safety instructions of the system manufac-
turer.<
If the vehicle is equipped with power seats in 
the rear, return these to their standard positions 
before using LATCH child restraint systems, 
refer to page45.
Before installing the LATCH child's seat, pull 
the belt away from the region of the child 
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH anchors have 
properly engaged and that the child 
restraint system is resting snugly against the 
backrest.<
Rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
provided at the locations indicated by the 
arrows, in the gap between the bottom seat 
cushion and backrest.
Installation guide
The installation guide makes it easier to install 
the LATCH child restraint systems and at the 
same time protects the surface of the seats.
The installation guide is available at your 
BMW center. Always follow all instruc-
tions for operation and use provided by the 
manufacturer in the installation guide.<
Firmly press the installation guide into the gap 
between the upholstery on seat cushion and 
backrest, continuing until the two funnel-
shaped guides snap into place in the LATCH 
child restraint fixing system in the seat.
Pull the installation guide to remove.
Child restraint system with tether strap
The attachment points for the top tethers 
are only intended for attachment of child 
restraint systems; other uses can damage the 
attachment points.<
There are three additional attachment points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows. 

Transporting children safely
56
Routing of the tether strap
Make sure that the tether strap is not 
routed over sharp edges and does not 
twist on its way to the attachment point; other-
wise, the belt can fail to properly secure the 
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Tether strap hook
4Attachment point
5Rear shelf
6Backrest
7Tether strap of child restraint system
Fold upward before using the mounting points.
1.Pull the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the sup-
ports of the head restraint.
3.Attach the tether strap hook to the attach-
ment point.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
5.Pull tether strap tight.
During trips
If the vehicle is equipped with rear side 
airbags, make sure that children riding in 
the rear do not lean out of the child's seat 
toward the door panels. Otherwise, injuries can 
occur if the side airbags are triggered.<
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety levers on the rear doors:
The door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows and 
rear seats
If the vehicle is equipped with power seats in 
the rear, return these to their standard adjust-
ment setting before using a child restraint fixing 
system, refer to page45. 
When children are riding in the back, press the 
safety switch for the power windows, refer to 
page40. 
This switch also disables the power rear seat 
adjustment.
Incorrect or unsupervised adjustment of 
the power seats in the rear could lead to 
bodily injury or damage to the child restraint 
system.<  

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Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
4Knee airbags
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page43.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head. The knee air-
bags help protect the legs against impact 
against the cockpit.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention 
system from the vehicle. Never modify or 
tamper with either the wiring or the individual 
components in the airbag system. This cate-
gory includes the upholstery in the center of the 
steering wheel, on the instrument panel, the 
doors and the roof pillars along with the sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel. 
Do not touch the individual components 
directly after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns. In the event 
of malfunctions, deactivation, or triggering of 
the airbag restraint system, have the testing, 
repair, removal, and disposal of airbag genera-
tors executed only by a BMW center or a work-
shop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information about the airbags is 
also provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The system 
appropriately activates or deactivates the front, 
knee, and side airbag on the front passenger 
side.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, pay attention to the 
safety information and follow the handling 
instructions under Transporting children safely,  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96 refer to page54. 
In certain sitting positions, teenagers and adults 
can deactivate the front, knee and side airbag 
on the front passenger side; when this occurs, 
the indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags lights up. In these cases, change the sit-
ting position so that the front passenger airbags 
are activated and the indicator lamp goes out. 
If the desired status cannot be produced by 
changing the sitting position, have the person 
ride in the back. Do not place slip covers, seat 
cushions, beaded mats, or other objects on the 
passenger seat that are not specifically recom-
mended by BMW. Do not lay objects under the 
seat which could press against the seat from 
below. Otherwise, a correct evaluation of the 
occupied seat surface cannot be assured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operational status of the 
front, knee and side airbag on the front passen-
ger side depending on whether the seat is 
occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether 
the front passenger airbags are activated or 
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child 
properly seated in a child restraint system 
intended for the purpose is detected on the 
seat. 
Front, knee and side airbag on the front 
passenger side are deactivated.
Most child seats are detected by the 
system. It is particularly advisable to 
use child seats approved by NHTSA at the 
time that the vehicle was produced. After 
installing a child's seat, make sure that the indicator light for the front passenger air-
bags is illuminated. This indicates that the 
system has detected the child's seat and 
has deactivated the front passenger air-
bags.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up when, 
for example, a correctly seated person of 
sufficient height is detected on the seat.
Front, knee and side airbag on the front 
passenger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty. 
The front, knee, and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated in 
this case either.
Operational readiness of the airbag 
system
Once the radio ready position is reached, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, thus indicating 
the operational readiness of the entire airbag 
system and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
ready state.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction; otherwise, 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.< 

Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing scale, map view in 
navigation145
Changing settings on Control 
Display84
Changing time display84
Changing units of measure on 
Control Display84
Changing wheels215
– run-flat tires205
"Channels", radio160
Check Control80
– "CHECK"81
– CHECK button81
Child's seats, refer to 
Installing child restraint 
systems54
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH55
Child restraint systems54
Child-safety lock56
Chrome parts, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Chrome-plated parts, care, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cigarette lighter116
"City / Postal Code", 
navigation133
Cleaning, vehicle, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Cleaning headlamps, tank 
capacity, refer to Wiper fluid 
filler neck66
Cleaning windshield65
"Climate"
– activating activation time for 
parked car ventilation110
– preselecting activation time 
for parked car 
ventilation109
– rear climate control108
– rear refrigerator117
– switching parked car 
ventilation on and off 
directly109Climate comfort 
windshield126
Clock75
– 12/24-hour mode84
– also refer to Assistance 
window21
– display format84
– setting84
"Clock", settings84
Closing
– from inside34
– from outside32
Clothes hooks114
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine57
"Color", DVD changer172
Combined instrument, refer to 
Info Display12
"Comfort", EDC Electronic 
Damper Control
90
Comfort Access38
– before driving into a car 
wash39
– changing battery39
Comfort features14
Comfort program, EDC 
Electronic Damper 
Control90
Comfort seat44
– in rear45
"Communication", phone184
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer165
– refer to CD player163
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments113
Compressed audio files, 
CD changer166
Computer76
– displays on Control 
Display77
– units of measure and display 
format84
"Concierge", BMW Assist192
Condensation, refer to When 
vehicle is parked123Condition Based Service 
CBS211
Connecting car vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Power 
socket116
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption77
Consumption statistics, refer 
to Average fuel 
consumption77
"Continue route guidance?", 
navigation144
"Contrast"
– BMW Night Vision98
– DVD changer172
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display
– rear seat screen21
– refer to iDrive16
– setting brightness85
Controller
– programmable button52
– rear seat screen21
– refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10,14
Coolant210
– level210
– temperature76
Cooler, refer to Rear 
refrigerator117
Cooling
– maximum106,108
– refer to AUTO program
104
– refer to Rear climate 
control108
– refer to Rear refrigerator117
– refer to Switching cooling 
function on and off 
manually107
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC87
Cradle for mobile phone, refer 
to Using snap-in 
adapter178