
Adjusting
44 Also on the passenger side, do not recline the 
backrest too far to the rear while the vehicle is 
being driven; otherwise, there is a danger in the 
event of an accident of 'sliding under' the safety 
belt, eliminating the protection normally pro-
vided by the belt.<
Please note the information on damage to 
safety belts provided on page49 and the infor-
mation on the active head restraints on 
page47.
The concept
You adjust the seat in two stages:
1Preselect the function: the button lights up 
brightly
2Adjustments: control knob
>slide forward or back
>slide up or down
>turn
Seat adjustment
You can use the control knob to adjust the set-
tings after selecting the desired function with 
the buttons.
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page43.<
3Forward and back:  
Height:  
Backrest:  
This button is basically always active.
4Thigh support:  
Height:  
Tilt:
5Lumbar support
*, refer to Lumbar support 
adjustment
6Height of the head restraint:
Front comfort seat* adjustment
With this seat, you can also adjust:
5Backrest width: increase or decrease lateral 
support 
6Shoulder support, refer to Shoulder support 
adjustment 
Backrest:
Automatic backrest width adjustment
The backrest automatically moves to the widest 
possible position to make it easier to enter and 
exit the vehicle, before then returning to the 
standard position or the stored memory setting.
This automatic system is influenced on each of 
the two seats by their respective door, as well 
as on the driver's seat, by the ignition and on the 
front passenger's seat, by the safety belt 
buckle.
Lumbar support adjustment
5Lumbar support
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature
>Shift curvature up or down 

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.< 

Transporting children safely
54
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is in the back seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise, there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size, and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front, knee and side airbag on the front 
passenger side must be deactivated. Other-
wise, there is an increased risk of injury for the 
child if the airbags are triggered, even with a 
child restraint system. <
More information on Automatic deactivation of 
front passenger airbags, refer to page95.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Follow the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions when selecting, 
installing and using child restraint systems. 
Otherwise the protective effect may be dimin-
ished.<
In the front passenger seat
Before installing a child restraint system 
in the front passenger seat, make sure 
that the front, knee, and side airbags on the 
passenger side are deactivated. Otherwise, 
there is an increased risk of injury when the air-
bags are triggered.<
Backrest width*
The passenger seat backrest width set-
ting must be open all the way. After 
installing the child's seat, no memory position 
may be called up; otherwise, the stability of the 
child's seat on the front passenger seat is 
reduced.<
1.Open backrest width completely, refer to 
Front comfort seat adjustment on page44.
2.Mount child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint system. 
The safety belt is locked. 

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. 

Mobility
 203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire coding
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed rating
Q  = up to 105 mph/160 km/h
T  = up to 118 mph/190 km/h
H  = up to 131 mph/210 km/h
V  = up to 150 mph/240 km/h
W  = up to 167 mph/270 km/h
Y  = up to 186 mph/300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The tire's date of manufacture is indicated on 
the sidewall: 
DOT...1007 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in the 10th week of 2007.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires – 
including the spare – after a maximum of 6 years, even though the tires may have a theo-
retical service life of up to 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. 
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one 
and one-half, 1γ, times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. The relative 
performance of tires depends upon the actual 
conditions of their use, however, and may devi-
ate significantly from the norm due to variations 
in driving habits, service practices and differ-
ences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial tire code
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not for ZR tires
Speed rating,
before R on ZR tires
245/50 R18100 V
e.g.
Manufacturer code 
for tire makes
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1007 

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 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 

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