
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
 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}. 

Everything under control
84
Settings on Control Display
Setting units of measure and display 
format
You can change the units of measure used in 
the displays of fuel consumption, distances and 
temperatures as well as the display format for 
the time and date.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Units" and press the controller.
4.Select the menu item that you wish to 
adjust. Press repeatedly to view a listing of 
your selection options.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting language
You can select a different language for the text 
displays.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".3.Select "Language" and press the controller.
4.Select and activate the desired language.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time and date
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Clock" and press the controller.
Setting time
1.Select "Time" and press the controller. 
The first time setting is activated.
2.Turn to adjust the setting.
3.Press the controller to adopt the setting. 
The next setting is selected.
4.Adjust the remaining settings. After the last 
adjustment, the time is stored.
Setting date
1.Select "Date" and press the controller. 
The first date display setting is activated.
2.Turn to adjust the setting. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 171Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
DVD country codes
Your DVD changer will only play back DVDs 
coded for your home region, e.g. USA, 
Canada = 1. The country code supported by 
your DVD is indicated in the information sup-
plied with the DVD. This coding cannot be 
changed. An overview of the six coding zones:
DVDs with the Code 0 can be played on 
all devices.<
Playing DVDs
Playback is only possible on the rear seat 
screen, refer to Rear seat screen
* on page21.
1.If necessary, switch on the Entertainment 
sound output, refer to page153.
2.If necessary, fill and insert the DVD maga-
zine.
3.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
4.Move the controller toward "Entertain-
ment".
5.Select "DVD" and press the controller.After a few seconds, play will resume at the 
point where playback was previously inter-
rupted. 
The DVD magazine's load status is indicated on 
the Control Display.
If the display fails to detect a DVD that you 
have loaded into the magazine, make sure 
that the DVD has been inserted correctly and 
inspect it for signs of defects.
If there are audio CDs in the DVD magazine, 
these will not be displayed in the DVD menu, 
but instead in the CD changer menu.<
Using the voice command system:
DVD control
With the DVD controller, you can select the 
track and chapter, open the DVD-specific menu 
and operate functions such as Language, Fast 
forward and Reverse or Freeze frame.
A DVD can briefly deactivate functions of the 
DVD control, under certain circumstances even 
during playback of the entire DVD. It is not pos-
sible to operate the DVD control under these 
circumstances. In this case, try to make the 
selection using the DVD-specific menu.
During playback:
Press the controller to display the DVD control.
The DVD controller disappears again after a 
short time if you have not selected a function.
CodeRegion
1USA, Canada
2 Japan, Europe, Near East, South Africa
3Southeast Asia
4 Australia, Central and South American, 
New Zealand
5Northwest Asia, North Africa
6China
1.{DVD on}.
2.{DVD 1...6}. 

DVD changer
174 Refer to the information on your DVD for possi-
ble selections.<
Opening DVD-specific menu
Additional functions may be available on DVDs. 
For example, the viewer can select from several 
possible plots or display information on the film.
1.During playback, press the controller to dis-
play the DVD control.
2.Select "MENU" or "TOP" and press the 
controller.
Selecting "MENU" generally takes you to 
the DVD-specific main menu. On some 
DVDs, "TOP" takes you to another menu in 
which you can select music scenes, for 
example.
To make a selection:
3.Select .
4.Select "OK" and press the controller.
To return to a previous menu:
Select  or the  arrow and press the con-
troller.
You can also select language, subtitles, 
camera angle, or track in the DVD-spe-
cific menu.
Refer to the information on your DVD for possi-
ble selections.<
Notes
The DVD changer can play the following for-
mats:
>Video DVD
>CD-DA (audio CD)
The DVD Audio format is not supported by the 
DVD changer. However, many audio DVDs 
available in stores also contain a video track in 
the DVD Video format in addition to the audio 
track. These DVDs can be played back by the 
DVD changer. Please refer to the information on 
your DVD to determine whether your audio DVD 
contains an additional video track.DVDs are usually divided into tracks and chap-
ters and can contain different subtitles, camera 
angles or sound tracks, languages and sound 
formats. Depending on the version of the DVD, 
these functions can be selected either directly 
with the DVD control system or only via the 
DVD-specific menu. Refer to the information on 
your DVD for possible selections.
Dual-sided DVDs available from retail suppliers 
are coated on both sides and bear no markings. 
This means both sides are information carriers. 
To play back the information on the other side, 
remove the magazine and turn the DVD over.
Safety note
The BMW DVD changer is a Class 1 laser 
product. Do not operate with a damaged 
cover panel as this can lead to severe eye injury.
Never play CDs/DVDs with stick-on labels. 
They can come loose during playback due to 
the heat buildup and cause irreparable damage 
to the system.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard 
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play CDs/
DVDs with an adapter, e.g. CD singles; other-
wise, the CD/DVD or the adapter can jam and 
may no longer eject properly.
Do not use combined CD/DVDs, e.g. DVD
Plus; 
otherwise, the CD/DVD can jam, preventing it 
from being ejected properly.<
General malfunctions
The BMW DVD changer is optimized for opera-
tion in the vehicle. It may react more sensitively 
to defective CDs/DVDs than devices intended 
for stationary use.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played back, first check 
to make sure it has been correctly inserted.
Humidity
High humidity can fog the CD/DVD or the focus-
ing lens for the laser beam, temporarily prevent-
ing playback. 

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
DVD changer170
– adjusting picture172
– adjusting volume153
– controls152
– country codes171
– DVD controller171
– fast forward172
– freeze frame173
– opening specific menu174
– playing DVD171
– reverse172
– searching for chapter172
– selecting language173
– selecting picture format173
– selecting subtitles173
– starting171
– tone control153
DVD multimedia changer, 
refer to DVD changer170
Dynamic Drive89
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC87
– indicator lamp13
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC88
– indicator lamp13
E
"EDC"89
EDC Electronic Damping 
Control89
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on CD player152
Electrical malfunction
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door198
– glass sunroof, electric42
– luggage compartment lid36
– parking brake60
Electric steering wheel 
adjustment51
Electronic brake-force 
distribution87
Electronic Damping Control 
EDC89Electronic Stability Program 
ESP, refer to DSC Dynamic 
Stability Control87
Electronic toll collection 
device, refer to Entry/pass 
tags126
Emergency actuation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door198
– glass sunroof42
– luggage compartment lid36
– parking brake60
– transmission lock for 
automatic transmission with 
Steptronic64
Emergency call219
Emergency release of luggage 
compartment lid from inside 
the luggage 
compartment37
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside 
Assistance190,219
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control/
current fuel consumption77
Energy Control77
Engine
– breaking-in122
– data226
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature76
– speed75,226
– starting57
– switching off58
Engine compartment208
Engine coolant210
Engine oil
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils209
– approved oils209
– checking oil level208
– electronic oil level check208
– oil types, also refer to 
Approved engine oils209
– possible displays of oil level 
check209"Engine oil level O.K."209
"Engine oil level too high"209
Engine output, refer to Engine 
specifications226
Engine overheating, refer to 
Coolant temperature76
Engine speed226
"Enter", navigation134
Entering activation time of 
parked car ventilation109
– "Time 1"110
– "Time 2"110
Entering destination 
address133
Entering house number or 
intersection, navigation133
Entering intersection, 
navigation133
Entering name, destination in 
navigation132
Entering street, 
navigation133
"Entertainment", tone 
control153
Entertainment sound output 
on/off153
Entry/pass tags126
Entry for current position and 
destination, refer to Entering 
destination manually131
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control77
Erasing entire list, refer to 
Deleting entries in lists186
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control87
Event Data Recorders212
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system122 

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 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Route guidance144
– by voice instructions146
– changing route 
specifications141
– continuing144
– displaying driving route130
– distance and arrival77
– selecting new route146
– starting144
– terminating144
– volume of voice 
instructions146
"ROUTE GUIDE", 
navigation134,140
Route instructions, refer to 
Route guidance by voice 
instructions146
"Route preference", 
navigation142
RSC Run-flat System 
Component, refer to Run-
flat tires205
Run-flat tires205
– flat tire91,93
– tire inflation pressure200
– tire replacement205,206
– winter tires206
S
Sack for skis, refer to Ski 
bag117
Safe braking123
Safety5
Safety belts48
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp48
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags95
– refer to Safety belts48
Safety systems, refer to
– Airbags95
– Driving stability control 
systems87
– Safety belts48
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat 
tires205Sampling, Scan
– CD changer167
– CD player163
– radio157
Sampling a music track, Scan
– CD changer167
– CD player163
"SAT", radio160
SAT, waveband160
"SCAN"
– CD changer167
– CD player163
– radio157
Scan, sampling
– CD changer167
– CD player163
– radio157
"Screen", adjusting 
brightness85
Screw thread for tow 
fitting221
Seats43
– adjusting44
– automatic backrest width 
adjustment44
– comfort seat44
– heating49
– in rear45
– lumbar support44
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror 
and steering wheel 
memory46
– shoulder support45
– storing adjustments46
– thigh support44
– ventilation, refer to Active 
seat ventilation50
"Seat temp.", seat heating49
Seat ventilation, refer to 
Active seat ventilation50
Securing cargo125
Selecting
– menu items with iDrive19
– route for navigation141
Selecting audio source152
Selecting country132
Selecting functions, refer to 
iDrive16
Selecting map view145Selecting menu17
Selecting transmission 
range62
Selector lever, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic62
Selector lever interlock, refer 
to Selecting transmission 
range62
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance190,219
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for 
US models211
Service car, refer to Roadside 
Assistance190,219
Service required78
"Services", BMW Assist192
"Service Status", BMW 
Assist191
"SET", setting speed limit82
"Set time 1", parked car 
ventilation109
"Set time 2", parked car 
ventilation109
Setting button, refer to 
iDrive16
Setting language on Control 
Display84
"Settings"
– activating/deactivating 
Bluetooth link183
– pairing mobile phone with 
vehicle182
Settings
– assistance window20
– BMW Night Vision98
– data and time84
– entertainment152
– Key Memory31
– language84
– units of measure84
Setting time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
time109
Setting volume, speed-
dependent154