
Driving
64
Manually unlocking and locking the 
transmission lock
In the event of a power supply interruption, e.g. 
when the battery is dead or disconnected or 
when there is an electrical malfunction, the 
transmission lock must be released manually; 
otherwise, the rear wheels are locked and the 
vehicle cannot be towed.
Step on the brake when manually unlock-
ing the transmission lock; otherwise, 
there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
The transmission lock should only be released 
for towing. Reengage the transmission lock 
after parking the vehicle at its destination.
If it also becomes necessary to manually 
release the parking brake, follow this sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking 
brake, refer to page60.
2.Then proceed to manually releasing the 
transmission lock.
Releasing
1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover 
panel beneath the instrument panel by turn-
ing the lock counterclockwise, then fold 
down the cover.2.Pull out the release lever with the loop1 
until it locks into place: the transmission 
lock is unlocked.
Reengage the transmission lock after 
parking the vehicle at its destination. Oth-
erwise, there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
Engaging locks
1.Disengage the release lever by pressing it 
together with the red locking lever, refer to 
arrow.
2.Guide the release lever all the way back into 
its original position – the transmission lock 
is engaged once more.
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel again. Now 
– and not before – the key may be removed.
Jump starting and tow starting information, 
refer to section starting on page220. 

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,  

Mobility
 207Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service or 
repair operations on your vehicle without 
the required, professional technical training. 
If you are unfamiliar with the regulations to be 
observed, only have work on your vehicle car-
ried out by a BMW center or a repair shop that 
works in accordance with BMW guidelines and 
uses appropriately trained personnel. If this 
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety 
hazards.<
Hood
Unlocking
Pull the lever located under the left side of the 
instrument panel.
Opening
Pull the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood with force. It must be clearly 
heard to engage.
Take the same precautions that apply to 
all closing operations by ensuring that the 
hood's travel range is clear and unobstructed 
before allowing the hood to fall into position. 
If you see any signs that the hood is not com-
pletely closed while you are driving your vehicle, 
you should stop at once and close it securely.< 

Maintenance
212
Socket for OBD Onboard 
Diagnostics
Components which are decisive for the 
exhaust-gas composition can be checked via 
the OBD socket with a device.
This socket is located to the left on the driver's 
side, on the underside of the instrument panel 
under a cover.
Emissions values
The warning lamp lights up. The emis-
sions values are deteriorating. Have the 
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction on Canadian models.
Under certain circumstances, the warning lamp 
will flash. This is a sign of excessive misfiring of 
the engine. In this case you should reduce 
speed and drive to the nearest BMW center as 
soon as possible. Serious engine misfiring, 
even for only a short period of time, can seri-
ously damage emission control components, 
especially the catalytic converter.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly tight-
ened, the OBD system can detect the 
vapor leak and the indicator lamp will light up. If 
the cap is then tightened, the display should go 
out within a few days.<
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring and diagnosis modules, or with a 
device for recording or transmitting certain 
vehicle data or information. If you have also 
signed a contract of participation for BMW 
Assist, certain vehicle data can be transmitted 
or recorded to enable corresponding services.
Care
You can find useful information on caring for 
your BMW in the Caring for your vehicle bro-
chure.  

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