
At a glance
 15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Glass sunroof, electric*41
2Memory buttons for integrated universal 
remote control
*111
3Reading lamps102
4Interior lamps101
5Passenger airbag status lamp96
6Initiating an emergency call
*219
7Control Display16
8Temperature, left side of passenger com-
partment: turn, 
maximum cooling: press106
9Air volume, left side of passenger compart-
ment: turn106 
Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation: press106
10Hazard warning flashers
11Air volume, right side of passenger 
compartment106
12Temperature, right side of passenger com-
partment: turn,
residual heat: press106
13Rear window defroster
14Air conditioner mode107
15Opening the glove compartment113
16Automatic air distribution and airflow 
as well as intensity of the AUTO program, 
right side of passenger compartment104
17Starting scan
>for stations152
>for tracks152
18Central locking system34
19Selecting AM or FM waveband
20Selecting radio, CD player, and CD changer
21Controller16
22 button and programmable 
button16
23Snap-in adapter18124Seat adjustment43
25Glasses compartment115
26Storage compartments115
27Switching audio sources on/off and 
adjusting volume153
28Retracting telephone keypad179
29Automatic air distribution and airflow 
as well as intensity of the AUTO program, 
left side of passenger compartment104
30Outside air/AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control/recirculated air105
31Switching off automatic climate 
control105
Heated seats*49
Active seat ventilation
*50
Active seat for driver
*50
Seat, mirror and steering wheel 
memory46 

Driving tips
 123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or 
complete loss of contact between tires and 
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maximum 
depth of 1 ft/30 cm and then, at no more 
than walking speed. Otherwise, you run the risk 
of damaging the vehicle's engine, electrical sys-
tems, and transmission.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard 
equipment. In situations that require it, it is best 
to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehicle 
maintains steering responsiveness, you can 
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a 
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to 
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving in wet conditions and in heavy 
rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure to 
the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic 
conditions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The heat gener-
ated helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or 
steep downhill grades in the gear that requires 
the least amount of braking. Otherwise, even 
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear, and possibly 
even failure of the brake system.
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as 
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches, 
refer to page63. This strategy helps you avoid 
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine 
switched off; otherwise, there will be no 
engine braking action or power-assist for the 
brakes and steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area of movement 
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal 
pressure that must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the rotors is not 
reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate 
control during operation, and then exits under 
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under 
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
1.Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50; 
otherwise, they could be damaged due to 
the width of the vehicle. 
To permit the vehicle to roll, follow the 
instructions on page58.
2.Release the parking brake, especially when 
you have activated Automatic Hold. Refer to 
page59. 

Starting navigation system
130
Starting navigation system
Your navigation system can use satellites to 
ascertain the precise position of your vehicle 
and guide you reliably to any destination you 
enter.
Navigation CD/DVD
Installation location navigation drive
Behind the left side panel in the luggage com-
partment.
You can use navigation CDs, versions 2001-1 
and later, and navigation DVDs in your naviga-
tion computer. 
To ensure that your vehicle's navigation system 
has access to the latest highway system infor-
mation, always load the most recent CD/DVD 
version of the digital road map.
As is the case with conventional road maps, the 
navigation CDs/DVDs are subject to periodic 
updates to ensure that they reflect the latest 
information and surveys.
Navigation CDs/DVDs are available at 
your BMW center.<
Inserting navigation CDs/DVDs
Navigation CDs/DVDs are to be inserted into 
the navigation player.
1.Insert the navigation CD/DVD with the 
labeled side up.
2.Wait a few seconds until the CD/DVD con-
tents are read.
Removing navigation CD/DVD
1.Press the  button.
2.Remove navigation CD/DVD.
Display in assistance 
window*
You can also view the route guidance in the 
assistance window; it then remains visible when 
you select a new menu.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Navigation".
3.Press the controller as needed.
4.Select "Split" and press the controller.
The route is shown in various views in the 
assistance window during route guidance, 
refer to Displaying route, page145:
>North orientation
>Direction of travel
>Perspective
>Arrow display
* 

Radio
160 please contact the nearest office of the National 
Weather Service or write to the National 
Weather Service at: W/OM1, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, 1325 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Calling up weather reports
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Entertain-
ment".
3.Select "WB" and press the controller.
A list of the available channels is displayed.
4.Turn the controller until the desired channel 
is selected and press the controller.
The display shows a list of weather band sta-
tions
In some regions, only one or two channels 
can be received or Weather Band chan-
nels are unavailable.<
Using the voice command system
Satellite radio*
You can receive approx. 100 different channels 
with high sound quality.
The channels are offered to you in predefined 
packages. To listen to the channels of your 
choice, you must have these channels enabled.
With this new technology the signal may fail, 
causing interruptions in reception.Using the voice command system:
Enabling or disabling channels
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Entertain-
ment".
3.Select "SAT" and press the controller.
4.Select "Channels" and press the controller.
The channels that can be received are 
shown in the list.
5.Select channel and press the controller. 
A phone number and the electronic serial 
number, ESN, are displayed.
The electronic serial number is 
required to enable or disable.<
6.Dial the displayed telephone number to 
have the channel enabled or disabled. 
During the enabling or disabling process, 
leave the ignition switched on.
These channels are enabled.
Channel selection
Using buttons in center console
Press the  button for the corresponding 
direction until you reach the next station.
Using the voice command system: 1.{Weatherband}.
2.{Channel 1...7}.
1.{Satellite Radio} or {SDARS}.
2.{Turn on}.
1.{Satellite Radio} or {SDARS}.
2.{Previous station} or {Next station} 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 161Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Using iDrive
1.Select "SAT" and press the controller.
2.Choose the selection criterion and press 
the controller.
>"Channels":
All channels are displayed.
>"Categories": 
All channels are displayed, sorted 
according to categories.
>"Presets": 
Up to twelve channels that you have pre-
viously stored are displayed.
3.Select channel and press the controller.
Using the voice command system:
Select a stored channel:
Displaying additional information
Select the channel currently being played and 
press the controller.The name of the station, the name of the artist, 
and the title of the track are displayed.
Notes
If no signal can be received for more than 4 sec-
onds, a message appears on the Control Dis-
play.
Reception may not be possible for certain 
reasons, e.g. environmental influences or 
topographical conditions. The satellite radio 
has no influence on this.
The signal may not be available in tunnels or 
underground garages, next to tall buildings, 
near trees, mountains or other powerful 
sources of radio interference. 
Reception is usually possible again as soon as 
the signal is available once more.<
Storing a station
1.Select "SAT" and press the controller.
2.Select "Channels" and press the controller.
3.Select the desired station.
4.Select "STORE" and press the controller.
The list of stored stations appears on the 
display.
5.Select the desired station.
6.Turn the controller until you reach the 
desired memory position. {Satellite Radio} or {SDARS}.
>{Previous station} or {Next station}
>{Previous} or {Next}.
1.{Satellite Radio} or {SDARS}.
2.{Station 1...12}. 

 187
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Having entries read
You can have all the entries of your voice-com-
mand phone book read aloud in the order of 
their input and select a certain entry to establish 
a connection:
Dialing from voice-command phone 
book
You can recall a saved entry by the name and 
dial the phone number:
Deleting entry of voice-command 
phone book
You can delete individual entries from the 
voice-command phone book:
Deleting all entries of voice-command 
phone book
You can delete all entries in the phone book:
Switching between mobile 
phone and hands-free system
You can switch back and forth from the mobile 
phone to the hands-free system during a call.
From mobile phone to hands-free 
system
You can continue calls begun outside the Blue-
tooth range of the vehicle via the hands-free 
system when the motor is running or the igni-
tion is switched on.
To do so, place your mobile phone that has 
already been paired with the vehicle into the 
snap-in adapter, refer to page181.
Depending on your mobile phone, the switch to 
hands-free mode occurs automatically.
With mobile phones that do not switch over 
automatically to hands-free operation:
>Press the  button in the upper area of 
the snap-in adapter.
>Depending on the mobile phone model 
used, the conversation can also be contin-
ued via the hands-free system if necessary. 
Follow the instructions given on the mobile 
phone display, refer to the operating 
instructions of your mobile phone.
From hands-free system to mobile 
phone
When you telephone via the hands-free system, 
you can also continue the call via the mobile 
phone if necessary.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Communica-
tion". {Read out}.
>To scroll forward: 
{Next}
>To scroll back: 
{Previous}
>To repeat entry:
{Repeat}
>To call:
{Dial}
1.{Dial name}.
2.Say the name.
3.{Dial}.
1.{Telephone}.
2.{Delete entry}.
3.Say the name.
4.Confirm the prompt with {Yes}.
1.{Telephone}.
2.{Delete telephone book}.
3.Confirm the prompt twice with {Yes}. 

Short commands of the voice command system
230
Short commands of the voice command 
system
You can use short commands to execute cer-
tain functions directly, independent of which 
menu item is currently selected. This listing contains important short com-
mands of the voice command system.
Notepad
Navigation
Entertainment
*
FunctionCommand
To record a note25{Record note}
To listen to notepad entry25{Read out note}
FunctionCommand
To start route guidance144{Route guidance on}
To display map view145{Map}
To change scale145{Scale}
To switch on the voice instructions146{Message on}
To switch off the voice instructions146{Message off}
FunctionCommand
Entertainment sound output on/off153{Radio} or {Audio off}
To select FM waveband156{FM}
To select AM waveband156{AM}
To select frequency157{Frequency 88...107 (Point 1...9)}
To call up a stored station, refer to Storing a 
station158{Station 1...12}
To activate weather reports160{Weatherband}
To call up weather reports160{Channel 1...7}
To switch on satellite radio160{Turn on}
Station selection160{Previous station} or {Next station}
Channel selection161{Previous channel} or {Next channel} or {Pre-
vious} or {Next}
To select a stored station161{Station 1...12}
To start a CD163{CD on}
To select a CD track163{Track 1...30}
To start the CD changer165{CD changer} 

Reference 233
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio152
– controls152
– switching on/off153
– tone control153
– volume153
"AUDIO", DVD changer173
Audio device, external114
Audio mode152
Automatic
– air distribution104
– air volume104
– cruise control67,69
– headlamp control100
– luggage compartment lid 
operation33,36
– service notification190
– station storage158
– steering wheel adjustment, 
refer to Assistance getting in 
and out52
Automatic car wash, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Automatic climate control
– adjusting temperature105
– AUTO program104
– defrosting windows and 
removing condensation106
– maximum cooling106
– rear climate control108
– rear refrigerator117
– residual heat106
– settings on Control 
Display104
– switching cooling function 
on and off manually107
– switching on and off105
Automatic closing of doors 
and luggage compartment 
lid, refer to Automatic Soft 
Close35
Automatic curb monitor51
Automatic garage door 
opener111
Automatic Hold59
– activation/deactivation59
– parking60
– programmable buttons52Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp 
control100
– refer to Daytime running 
lamps100
– refer to Interior lamps101
– refer to Pathway lighting100
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC105
Automatic soft closing
– doors
35
– luggage compartment lid36
Automatic station search157
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– buttons on steering 
wheel63
– interlock62
– manually unlocking and 
locking transmission lock64
– shiftlock62
– towing221
– tow starting222
"AUTO P"
– activating/deactivating 
Automatic Hold59
– programmable buttons52
AUTO program, automatic 
climate control104
– adjusting intensity104
"Autostore list", radio156
"AUX", external audio 
device169
AUX-In
– port114
– refer to External audio 
device169
"AUX level", external audio 
device169
Average fuel consumption77
– setting units84
Average speed77
– setting units84
"Avoid ferries", 
navigation142
"Avoid highway", 
navigation142
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms38"Avoid route", navigation147
"Avoid sect.", navigation147
"Avoid tolls", navigation142
Avoid tolls, navigation142
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights228
"A-Z", telephone185
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support 
adjustment44
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment44
Backrest width adjustment, 
refer to Front comfort seat 
adjustment44
Backup lamp, replacing 
bulbs215
"Balance", balance and 
fader154
Bar, refer to Tow bar221
Bass, refer to Tone 
control154
"Bass", treble and bass154
Battery217
– jump starting220
– switch218
Battery change, remote 
control in Comfort 
Access39
"BC", computer77
Belts, refer to Safety belts48
Beverage holder, refer to Cup 
holders115
Blower, refer to Air 
volume106,108
"BLUETOOTH"183
Bluetooth link, activating/
deactivating183
BMW Assist189
– activating193
– "BMW Assist"193
– "BMW center"190
– "Concierge"192
– info service192
– "Roadside Assistance"190
– services offered189