
Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3 
This distance is always set when 
the system is used for the first time 
after starting the engine.
Distance 4
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance; 
failure to do so can constitute an accident haz-
ard.<
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever up or down. The displays in the 
speedometer go out.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>when the speed is reduced to below 20 mph 
or 30 km/h due to a traffic situation
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when the system does not recognize any 
objects for an extended period of time, e.g. on infrequently traveled roads without a 
shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor 
is covered with dirt, refer to page72
>when you actuate the parking brake during 
driving
>when you shift the transmission into posi-
tion N
If the system is deactivated, then it is nec-
essary for the driver to actively intervene 
by braking and possibly swerving. Otherwise, 
there is the danger of an accident.<
Background lighting
You can switch off the backlighting of the 
speedometer and tachometer when the system 
is deactivated if no other functions are being 
displayed, e.g. the advance warning field in the 
tachometer, refer to page75, or the route guid-
ance of the navigation system.
To do so, press the lever up or down for approx. 
1second.
Resuming stored desired speed and 
distance
Press button4: 
The displays appear in the speedometer.
When you switch off the ignition, the stored 
desired speed is deleted.
Info Display screen contents
1Stored desired speed display
2Lights up: vehicle detected ahead
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead
4The selected desired speed is displayed for 
a short time, refer to page70 

Driving
72 If the display ACC --- mph/ACC --- km/h 
appears briefly in the speedometer, then 
conditions required for operation may not cur-
rently be fulfilled. Retrieving Check Control 
messages, refer to page81.<
Warning lamps
The display flashes and a chime 
sounds. 
The system asks you to intervene 
by braking or with an evasive 
maneuver. The active cruise control cannot 
automatically restore the distance to the vehicle 
driving ahead. 
The display does not relieve you of the respon-
sibility for adapting desired speed and driving 
style to traffic conditions.
Automatic intervention by ABS or 
DSC. The active cruise control 
intervenes by braking until you 
actively intervene.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain and also dirt, snow, or ice can limit 
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed, 
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper. 
When doing so, be particularly careful in remov-
ing layers of snow and ice.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, the active 
cruise control cannot be activated.
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness, and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking, or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead  

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  

Mobility
 211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System serves to 
retain the operating and road safety of your 
BMW. The service schedule also includes oper-
ations related to the vehicle's comfort and con-
venience features, such as replacement of the 
filters for the inside air. The aim is to optimize 
maintenance procedures with a view to reduc-
ing the cost of running the vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer 
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. As a result, Condition Based Service 
determines the current and future maintenance 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system forms 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the 
remaining times and distances for selected 
maintenance procedures and any legally man-
dated deadlines displayed, refer to page78:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, separate for front and rear
>Microfilter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally prescribed inspections depending 
on national regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the vehicle key, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. This is why it is important when you take 
your vehicle in for service to give the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor the last remote control you used 
for driving.
Storage periods with the battery discon-
nected are not taken into account by the 
CBS maintenance system. If this occurs, have a 
BMW center update the time-dependent main-
tenance procedures, such as checking brake 
fluid and if necessary engine oil and the micro/
activated charcoal filter.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Everything from A to Z
232
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
"ABC...", navigation131
ABS Antilock Brake 
System87
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control69
"ACCEPT", 
navigation140,148
Accessories, refer to Your 
individual vehicle5
Accident, refer to
– Initiating an emergency 
call219
– Roadside 
Assistance190,219
Activated-charcoal filter107
Activating
– BMW Assist193
– High Definition Radio162
Active cruise control69
– indicator lamp71
– malfunction72
– radar sensor72
– sensor, refer to 
Malfunction72
Active head restraints, 
front47
Active seat50
Active seat ventilation50
Adapter for spare key31
Adaptive brake lamp, refer to 
Brake force display94
Adaptive Drive
– refer to Dynamic Drive89
– refer to EDC Electronic 
Damper Control89
Adaptive Head Light100
Address
– deleting140
– displaying141
– storing139
– storing current position147"Address book", 
navigation139
Adjusting cooling action of 
rear climate control108
Adjusting interior 
temperature105
Adjusting tone in audio mode, 
refer to Tone control153
Adjusting volume153
– ring tone of telephone179
– voice command system25
– voice instructions146
Airbags95
– safe sitting position43
Air conditioning103
– in rear108
– in the rear108
– while parked109
Air distribution
– automatic104
– manual106
Airing, refer to Ventilation107
Air jets, refer to 
Ventilation107
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure200
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode105
Air vents, refer to 
Ventilation107
Air volume
– automatic climate 
control106
– rear climate control108
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications199
Alarm system37
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms38
All around the steering 
wheel10
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires206Altering route, refer to 
Changing route146
Alternate route, refer to 
Changing route146
"AM", radio156
AM, refer to Radio156
"ANGLE", DVD changer173
Antifreeze
– coolant210
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System 
ABS87
Anti-theft system
– refer to Alarm system37
– refer to Central locking 
system32
Approved engine oils209
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest
– front113
– rear114
"Arrow display", 
navigation145
"AS ADDRESS", 
navigation139,147
Ashtray
– front115
– rear116
Assist, refer to 
BMW Assist189
Assistance getting in and 
out52
– backrest width44
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems87
Assistance window20
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control
105 

Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Storing vehicle, refer to Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Straps, refer to Loading124
"Street", navigation133
"SUBTITLE", DVD 
changer173
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires200
Sun blinds112
Sunglasses compartment115
"SVS active", voice command 
system23
Switches
– all around the steering 
wheel10
– in the comfort area14
Switch for battery218
Switching cooling function on 
and off manually107
Switching ignition on and 
off57
Switching off engine58
Switching off tilt alarm 
sensor38
Switching on
– audio153
– CD changer165
– CD player163
– DVD changer171
– radio156
Symbols4
– indicator and warning 
lamps13
T
Tachometer75
Tail lamps214
– replacing bulbs215
Tank capacity198
– also refer to Capacities229
Technical changes, refer to 
For your own safety5
Technical data226
Telematics, refer to 
BMW Assist189Telephone
– accepting calls184
– refer to Telephone 
overview178
Telephoning, 
requirements184
Temperature
– adjusting with automatic 
climate control105
– changing units of 
measure84
– outside temperature 
warning75
– refer to Hot exhaust 
system122
Temperature display
– interior temperature105
– outside temperature75
– setting units84
Temperature distribution, 
seat heating49
Temperature of coolant, refer 
to Coolant temperature76
Thawing windows, refer to 
Defrosting windows and 
removing condensation106
The right tires205
Thigh support adjustment, 
refer to Seat adjustment44
Third brake lamp, refer to Tail 
and brake lamps214
Three-point belt48
Through loading system117
Tightening torque for lug 
bolts, refer to After 
mounting217
Tilting down passenger-side 
exterior mirror51
"Time", setting84
Time of arrival77
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
switch-on times109
Tire inflation pressure200
– loss, refer to Indication of a 
flat tire91
– loss, refer to Low tire 
pressure message93Tire Pressure Monitor91
– resetting system92
– system limits92
– warning light93
Tire Quality Grading203
Tires
– age203
– breaking-in122
– changing215
– condition204
– damage204
– flat tire215
– inflation pressure200
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor90
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor91
– replacing205
– run-flat tires205
– size203
– size, refer to New wheels and 
tires205
– storage206
– tread204
– winter tires206
"Tires: FTM", Flat Tire 
Monitor90
"Tires: TPM", Tire Pressure 
Monitor92
"TITLE", DVD changer173
Tone153
– adjusting153
– resetting settings155
"Tone", tone control153
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit213
"TOP", DVD changer174
"TOP 8", telephone186
Top 8 on phone186
– deleting entire list186
– dialing phone number186
Torque
– engine226
– lug bolts, refer to After 
mounting217
Touch tone dialing180
Tow fitting221