
Voice activation system
22
Voice activation system
The concept
The voice activation system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. It is not neces-
sary to use the controller.
The voice activation system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
Coupe: the voice activation system uses a spe-
cial microphone located in the area of the inte-
rior rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Convertible: the voice activation system uses a 
special microphone located in the area of the 
steering column.
Precondition
Via iDrive, select the language in which the 
voice activation system is operating, so that the 
spoken commands can be identified. Selecting 
the language for iDrive, refer to page80.
Symbols in the Owner's Manual
Saying commands
Activating voice activation system
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal indicate that the voice 
activation system is ready to receive spo-
ken commands.
2.Say the command.
The command appears on the Control Dis-
play.
 This symbol appears on the Control Display 
when you can enter additional commands. 
If no further commands are possible, continue 
by operating the item of equipment via iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
activation system
Press the   button on the steering wheel
or
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice acti-
vation system.
{Cancel} 

Controls
 33Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the luggage compartment lid 
even when the alarm system is armed, by 
pressing the   button on the remote control, 
refer to page28. The lid is locked and moni-
tored again as soon as you close it.
Panic mode*
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control, refer 
to page27.
>Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not properly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. The interior m o t i o n  s e n s o r  a n d  
the tilt alarm sensor are not activated.>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
>If the indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted in the 
ignition, but for no longer than approx. 
5 minutes: your vehicle has been disturbed 
while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. to attempts to steal a wheel 
or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass roof must 
be completely closed
*.
Convertible
The interior of the car is monitored up to the 
height of the seat cushions. Thus the alarm sys-
tem is activated together with the interior 
motion sensor even if the hardtop is open. The 
alarm can be triggered unintentionally by falling 
objects such as leaves, refer to Avoiding unin-
tentional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
>In duplex garages
>During transport on car-carrying trains, 
boats/ships or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and  

Adjustments
50 that were folded in by hand back out into their 
correct positions. Mirrors that were folded in are 
folded out automatically at a speed of approx. 
25 mph/40 km/h.
Before entering an automatic car wash, 
fold in the exterior mirrors manually or 
with button3 to prevent them from being dam-
aged, depending on the width of the vehicle.<
Automatic heating
Depending on the outside temperature, both 
exterior mirrors are heated automatically when 
the engine is running or the ignition is switched 
on.
Passenger-side mirror tilt function – 
automatic curb monitor*
Activating
1.Push the switch to the position for the 
driver's-side mirror, arrow 1.
2.Shift to reverse or engage selector lever or 
transmission position R. 
The glass of the mirror on the passenger 
side tilts slightly down. This allows the 
driver to see the area immediately adjacent 
to the vehicle, e.g. a curb, when backing into 
a parking space.
Deactivating
Push the switch to the position for the passen-
ger-side mirror, arrow 2.
Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob to reduce glare from the head-
lamps of cars behind you when driving at night.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion, otherwise there 
is a risk of accident due to an unexpected move-
ment.< 

Driving
60
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Triple turn signal"
 Triple turn signal activation is activated and 
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
rain sensor
*
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
5Setting speed for intermittent wipe, or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
Press the lever upward, arrow 1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system switches to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is controlled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The rain 
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Setting speed for intermittent wipe or 
sensitivity of the rain sensor
Turn knurled wheel5 up or down.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. 
The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
90
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: head airbags
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page42 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
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 airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents 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.
Keep the dashboard and windows on the front 
passenger side clear, i.e. do not cover with 
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach 
holders such as for navigation instruments or 
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other 
objects not specifically approved for seats with 
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not 
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets 
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do 
not modify the individual components of the 
system or its wiring in any way. This includes 
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel, 
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well 
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to 
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately 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 air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to repair 
procedures of BMW with correspondingly 
trained personnel and that has the required 
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to 
work on the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or to undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or  

Care
214 When using high-pressure washers, do 
not spray against the sensors and cam-
eras, e.g. of the Park Distance Control or Rear 
View Camera, for an extended period and main-
tain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large 
quantities of water and car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the 
wipers.<
Observe local regulations pertaining to 
washing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or 
corrosive cleaning agents.
Remove contamination, such as insects, by 
soaking with shampoo or insect remover and 
then rinsing with plenty of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield de-icer and do not 
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the 
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners 
containing quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and replace regularly to 
avoid streaking.
Wax and preservative residue and con-
tamination on the window can lead to 
streaking when operating the windshield wip-
ers, leading to premature wear of the wiper 
blades and causing the rain sensor to malfunc-
tion.<
Convertible: retractable hardtop
Proceed as you would in a normal car wash.When you open a wet hardtop, water 
drops may run into the cargo bay. If nec-
essary, remove items from the cargo bay 
beforehand to avoid water stains or soiling.<
Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and 
protects the paintwork against the long-term 
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can 
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is 
important to adapt the frequency and scope of 
car care accordingly.
Immediately remove very aggressive sub-
stances, e.g. spilled fuel, oil, grease, tree resin 
or bird droppings, to prevent damage to the 
paintwork.
Repairing paintwork damage
Immediately repair scratches or similar 
damage, such as that caused by stones 
hitting the vehicle, where necessary to prevent 
rusting.<
BMW recommends having paintwork damage 
repaired by a professional paint repair work-
shop according to BMW specifications using 
original BMW paint materials.
Preservation
A preservation treatment is necessary when 
water no longer beads off of the clean paintwork 
surface. Only use products for paintwork pres-
ervation that contain carnauba or synthetic 
waxes.
Rubber seals
Treat only with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon-containing care prod-
ucts on rubber seals, otherwise noise and 
damage could occur.<
Chrome parts
Carefully clean vehicle parts, such as the radia-
tor grill, door handles or window frames, with 
copious quantities of water and a shampoo  

Mobility
 223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
>Radio 
In some cases, stations may have to be 
stored again, refer to page147.
>Navigation system 
Operability must be waited for, refer to 
page124.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be 
raised. The system must be initialized. 
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page47.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to 
page104.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating, oth-
erwise this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Open the cover in the glove compartment and 
remove it.
Spare fuses and a pair of plastic forceps are set 
in holders on the distributor box.
See the rear of the cover for information on fuse 
assignment. 

Everything from A - Z
248 Heating
– mirrors50
– rear window100
– residual heat99
– seats47
– steering wheel51
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate97
Heating while at a standstill, 
refer to Using residual 
heat99
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo119
Height, refer to 
Dimensions233
Height adjustment
– seats43
– steering wheel50
High beams95
– headlamp flasher95
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio148
High-pressure 
washer213,214
High water, refer to Driving 
through water118
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria135
Hill Descent Control HDC84
Hills118
Holders for cups107
Homepage BMW4
Hood206
Hooks for shopping bags110
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking or unlocking 
separately31
Hot exhaust system117
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC83
Hydroplaning117
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio148Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature
warning69
ID3 tag, refer to Information 
about the track153
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires204
– tire coding202
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– changing language80
– changing settings80
– changing units of measure 
and display format72
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time76
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition55
– switched off55
– switched on55
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key26
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness55
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on55
Ignition lock55
Imprint2
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM88
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure194
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM86Initializing
– after power failure222
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating104
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof37
– radio, refer to Station, 
storing147
– refer to Setting the time and 
date76
Installation location
– CD changer156
– navigation DVD drive124
– telephone106
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions
136
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting95
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key26
Integrated universal remote 
control102
Interior lamps96
– remote control28
Interior motion sensor33
Interior rearview mirror50
– automatic dimming 
feature50
– compass104
Interlock, refer to Disengaging 
the remote control57
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers60
Intersection, entering, 
navigation126
iPod, connecting, refer to 
AUX-IN port163
iPod, connecting, refer to 
USB-audio interface164
J
Jacking points222
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump 
starting225
Jump starting225