
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. 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting manually
You can also adjust the mirrors manually by 
pressing against the outer edges of their mirror 
glass.
Folding mirrors in and out*
At driving speeds up to approx. 15 mph/
20 km/h, you can fold the mirrors in and out by 
pressing button3. This is an advantage, e.g. in 
car washes and narrow streets, or for moving 
mirrors that were manually folded in back into 
the correct position.
Before entering an automatic car wash, 
fold in the exterior mirrors by hand or with 
button3, to prevent them from being damaged 
due to the width of the vehicle.<
Automatic heating
Both exterior mirrors are automatically heated 
whenever the ignition is switched on.
Tilting down passenger-side exterior 
mirror – automatic curb monitor
Activating
1.Push the mirror selector switch into the 
driver's mirror position, arrow1.
2.Engage transmission position R.
The mirror glass tilts downward somewhat 
on the passenger's side. This allows the 
driver to see the area immediately adjacent 
to the vehicle – such as a curb – when park-
ing, etc.
Deactivating
Push the mirror selector switch into the passen-
ger's mirror position, arrow2.
Interior and exterior mirrors, 
automatic dimming feature*
Two photocells in the interior rearview mirror 
control this function. One is integrated into the 
mirror's lens, the other is located offset from 
this on the rear of the mirror housing.
For trouble-free operation, keep the photocells 
clean and do not cover the area between the 
interior rearview mirror and the windshield. Do 
not attach any kind of stickers to the windshield 
in front of the mirror either.
Illuminated vanity mirror in rear
1.Press button1. The vanity mirror folds 
down.
2.Pull the mirror downward slightly before 
pivoting it.
3.Before folding mirror in, straighten it out and 
then press upward.
Steering wheel adjustment
In order to prevent the risk of accident 
due to an unexpected movement, do not 
adjust the steering wheel while the vehicle is 
moving.< 

Controls
 65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Move the lever beyond the resistance point.
If you wish to manually control the shut-off of 
the turn signal, then only push the lever to the 
resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamps signals the failure of a turn signal 
lamp, possibly in the trailer when towing.<
Temporarily signaling
Push the lever to the resistance point and hold it 
there for as long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point and 
release; the turn signal flashes three times.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or for brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and 
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point.
The system reverts to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The rain sensor controls the wiper operation as 
a function of the rain intensity. It is located on 
the windshield, directly in front of the inside 
rearview mirror. 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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,  

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.  

Everything from A to Z
240 Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure200
Inflation pressure monitoring
– refer to Flat Tire Monitor90
– refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor91
Info Display12
"Information", navigation136
Information, navigation
– "On country"135
– "On dest."135
– "On location"135
– "On town/city"135
Info service192
Infrared windshield, refer to 
Entry/pass tags126
"INITIALIZE", BMW 
Assist194
Inserting navigation CD/
DVD130
Installation location
– CD changer165
– DVD changer170
– mobile phone, refer to 
Inserting mobile phone181
– navigation drive130
Instructions, navigation 
system, refer to Route 
guidance by voice 
instructions146
Instrument cluster, refer to 
Info Display12
Instrument lighting101
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit
– all around the steering 
wheel10
– comfort features14
Integrated universal remote 
control111
Interior lamps101
– switching on with remote 
control32
Interior motion sensor38
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror, 
automatic dimming 
feature51Interlock, refer to Switching 
off engine58
"INTERM. TIME", 
stopwatch83
Interval Display, refer to 
Service requirements78
J
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jump starting220
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort 
Access38
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Comfort Access38
Key Memory31
Keys30
– adapter for spare key30
– key-related settings, refer to 
Key Memory31
Kick-down63
Knock control199
L
Lamps and bulbs213
"Language", settings84
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing cargo125
"Last", phone186
"Last dest.", navigation137
Last destination driven to, 
refer to Destination list138
Last numbers on mobile 
phone, refer to Dialing 
numbers stored in a list186
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system55
Leather care, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
LEDs light-emitting 
diodes213
"Left", seat heating49
Length, refer to 
Dimensions227Level control system89
Light, refer to Parking lamps/
low beams100
Light alloy wheels, care and 
maintenance, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs213
Lighter116
Lighter socket, refer to Power 
socket116
Lighting
– of instruments101
– of vehicle100
Light switch100
"Limit"82
Limit, refer to Speed limit82
"Limited", rear screen22
Load, refer to Loading124
Loading
– securing cargo125
– vehicle124
"LOC.", navigation140
"Location", 
navigation139,147,148
Lock buttons in the doors, 
refer to Locking34
Locking
– from inside34
– from outside32
Locking without key, refer to 
Comfort Access38
Locking without remote 
control, refer to Comfort 
Access38
"LOGIC7", tone control154
Longlife oils, approved 
oils209
"low", automatic climate 
control105
Low beams100
– automatic100
– replacing bulbs, refer to 
Xenon light213
Lower back support, refer to 
Lumbar support 
adjustment44 

Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lug bolts
– refer to Preparing for a wheel 
change216
– tightening torque, refer to 
After mounting217
– wrench, refer to What you 
will need215
Luggage compartment119
– capacity228
– convenient access39
– locking separately35
– net119
– opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment 
lid35
– opening from inside36
– opening from outside35
– opening with remote 
control33
– refer to Luggage 
compartment lid35
Luggage compartment lid
– automatic operation33,36
– Comfort Access39
– emergency actuation, refer 
to Manual operation36
– emergency release37
– locking separately35
– opening from inside36
– opening from outside35
– opening separately35
– opening with remote 
control33
– remote control33
– unlocking manually, refer to 
Opening separately35
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack125
Lumbar support 
adjustment44
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter 
tires206
Maintenance211
– refer to Service required78
Maintenance System211Make-up mirror, refer to 
Illuminated vanity mirror51
Malfunction
– door lock34
– fuel filler door198
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid37
Malfunction displays, refer to 
Check Control80
"MANUAL", 
radio157,159,162
Manually unlocking and 
locking the transmission 
lock64
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door198
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid36
– parking brake60
– transmission lock for 
automatic transmission with 
Steptronic64
Manual station scan157
Map CD, refer to Navigation 
CD/DVD130
"Map dir. travel", 
navigation145
"Map facing N.", 
navigation145
Map for navigation
– changing scale24,145
– destination entry135
Map view facing north145
Master key, refer to Remote 
control/key30
Maximum cooling106,108
"medium", automatic climate 
control105
"Memo", hour signal85
Memory, refer to
– Key Memory31
– Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory46
"MENU", DVD changer174
"menu", rear screen22
"Menu name"19
Menus, Control Display17Microfilter, automatic climate 
control107
Microphone for voice 
command
179
Mirror dimming feature51
Mirrors50
– automatic curb monitor51
– folding in and out51
– heating51
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror 
and steering wheel 
memory46
"Missed", phone186
Missed calls, refer to Dialing 
numbers stored in a list186
Mobile phone
– changing from hands-free 
system to mobile phone187
– changing from mobile phone 
to hands-free system187
– dialing a number from Top 8 
list186
– hands-free system179
– initiating an emergency 
call219
– inserting181
– inserting phone cradle181
– missed calls186
– operating181
– operating via retracting 
telephone keypad179
– operating with buttons on 
steering wheel11
– overview178
– pairing with vehicle182
– phone book185
– redialing185
– refer to Telephone 
overview178
– removing182
– removing phone cradle181
– snap-in adapter178
– unpairing from vehicle183
– volume adjustment179
Modifications, technical, refer 
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to
– iDrive16
– rear seat screen21 

Everything from A to Z
244 Radio key, refer to Remote 
control/key30
Radio ready state57
– with Comfort Access39
Rain sensor65
"RDS", radio159
RDS Radio Data System159
Reading lamps102
"Rear", rear screen22
Rear air conditioner
– cooling adjustment108
– switching off108
– switching on/off via 
iDrive108
Rear armrest, refer to Center 
armrest114
Rear climate control108
– rear refrigerator117
"Rear climate control", rear 
climate control108
Rear lamps
– refer to Tail lamps214
– replacing bulbs214
Rear lock, rear seat screen22
"Rear refrigerator"117
Rear refrigerator117
Rear-seat area ventilation107
Rear seat backrests, electric, 
refer to Rear comfort seat 
adjustment45
Rear seats
– adjusting45
– adjusting passenger seat 
from rear45
– head restraint adjustment47
– heating49
Rear seat screen21
Rearview mirror50
Rear window blind, refer to 
Sun blinds112
Rear window defroster107
Rear window safety switch40
Reception, radio
– refer to Changing 
station156
– refer to Updating stations in 
receiving range158
Rechargeable flashlight113"Recirc. air", programmable 
buttons52
Recirculated-air mode, 
automatic climate 
control105
Reclining seat, refer to Seat 
adjustment44
Recording time, refer to 
Stopwatch83
Reflectors, refer to Tail 
lamps214
Refueling198
Remaining distance
– for service required78
– refer to Cruising range77
Remaining distance to 
destination77
Remote control30
– changing battery39
– Comfort Access38
– garage door opener111
– luggage compartment lid33
– malfunction33
Removing fog on the 
windows106
Removing head restraints, 
rear seats47
Replacement fuses218
Replacement key, refer to 
New remote controls30
Replacement of tires205
– changing wheels215
– tire replacement205
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs213
Reporting an accident, refer 
Initiating an emergency 
call219
Reserve, fuel, refer to Fuel 
gauge76
"RESET"
– Tire Pressure Monitor92
– tone control155
Resetting tone settings155
"Reset tire pressure", Flat Tire 
Monitor90
Residual heat106Restraint systems
– for children54
– refer to Safety belts48
Retaining straps, refer to 
Securing cargo125
Retracting telephone 
keypad179
Reverse
– CD changer167
– CD player164
– DVD changer172
Reverse gear, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic63
"Right", seat heating49
"RND"
– CD changer167
– CD player164
Road map135
Roadside Assistance219
Roadside parking lamps101
Roadside service, refer to 
Roadside Assistance190
Roaming display, refer to 
Status lines20
Roller sun blind, refer to Sun 
blinds112
Roof load capacity
228
Roof-mounted luggage 
rack125
Rope, refer to Towing 
methods221
Rotary pushbutton, refer to 
iDrive16
Route
– bypassing sections147
– changing criteria142
– changing route146
– displaying145
– displaying streets or towns/
cities146
– selecting141
– selecting arrow display145
– selecting map view145
"Route guid.", navigation144