
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to 
page242.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
52Transporting children safely
55Driving
69Everything under control
82Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
93Lamps
97Climate
102Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
116Things to remember when driving
Navigation
124Navigation system
125Destination entry
135Destination guidance
141What to do if …
Entertainment
144On/off and tone
147Radio
150Satellite radio
152CD player and CD changer
159Music collection
163AUX-IN port
164USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio 
interface
Communications
170Telephone
181Contacts
183BMW Assist
Mobility
192Refueling
194Wheels and tires
206Under the hood
211Maintenance
213Care
217Replacing components
224Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
232Technical data
236Short commands for the voice activation 
system
242Everything from A - Z 

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page78.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. You 
can find more information starting on page77.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page67.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, pedal sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
>Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. An indicator lamp notifies you that you 
should shift gears when you drive for an 
extended period at very high or very low engine 
speeds, or the system is deactivated.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, the maximum desired speed is 
110 mph or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own  

Controls
 97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Climate
1Airflow directed toward the windshield and 
side windows
2Air to the upper body area 
Draft-free ventilation100
3Air to the footwell
4Air distribution, manual
5Temperature adjustment, left-hand side of 
passenger compartment
6Maximum cooling
7AUTO program
8Air flow rate, manual
9Automatic recirculated-air control AUC/
Recirculated-air mode10Temperature adjustment, right-hand side 
of passenger compartment
11Residual heat
12Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13Switching cooling function on/off manually
14Rear window defroster
15Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for the air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display, refer to page98. 

Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
automatic air conditioning system is optimized 
for driving with the top open. In addition, the air 
flow rate is increased as vehicle speed 
increases.
The effectiveness of the Convertible pro-
gram can be enhanced considerably by 
installing the wind deflector.<
Adjusting air flow rate manually
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce airflow. Press the right side 
of the button to increase it.
You can reactivate the automatic mode for the 
air flow rate with the AUTO button.
The air flow rate may be reduced or the blower 
may be switched off entirely to save on battery 
power. The display remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
With the blower at its lowest setting, press the 
left side of the button to switch off the auto-
matic climate control. All displays are cleared 
except for the rear window defroster if it is 
switched on.
Press any button except REST or rear window 
defroster to reactivate the automatic climate 
control.
The recirculated-air mode is switched on 
when you switch off the automatic cli-
mate control. If the air quality deteriorates or the 
window fogs over, switch the system back on 
and increase the air volume.<
Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC/Recirculated-air mode
Switch on the desired operating 
mode by pressing this button 
repeatedly:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air. If nec-
essary, the system blocks the supply of out-
side air and recirculates the inside air. As 
soon as the concentration of pollutants in 
the outside air has decreased sufficiently, the system automatically switches back to 
outside air supply.
>Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode: 
the supply of outside air is permanently 
shut off. The system then recirculates the 
air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch 
it off while also increasing the air flow rate as 
required. 
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, otherwise the 
air quality inside the car will deteriorate contin-
uously.<
Residual heat
The heat stored in the engine is 
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a 
school to pick up a child.
The function can be switched on when the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
>Up to 15 minutes after the engine has been 
switched off
>While the engine is at operating tempera-
ture
>As long as battery voltage is sufficient
>At an outside temperature below 777/
256
The LED is lit when the function is on.
As of radio readiness, you can set the interior 
temperature, the air flow rate and the air distri-
bution.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well. 

Navigation system
124
Navigation system
General information
With the help of satellites, the navigation sys-
tem is able to ascertain the precise position of 
the vehicle and guide you reliably to any desti-
nation you enter.
The navigation data is stored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using navigation DVDs.
Make all entries while the vehicle is sta-
tionary
Enter data only when the vehicle is stationary, 
and always give priority to the applicable traffic 
regulations in the event of any contradiction 
between traffic and road conditions and the 
instructions issued by the navigation system. 
Failure to take to this precaution can place you 
in violation of the law and put vehicle occupants 
and other road users in danger.<
Updating the navigation data
The navigation data is stored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using a navigation DVD. Please 
contact the BMW center if you have any ques-
tions.
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD into the DVD 
player with the labeled side facing up.
2.Follow the instructions on the display.
3.Enter the authorization code of the naviga-
tion DVD and change the DVD if needed.
Displaying information on the version
1."Navigation"
2.Open "Options".
3."Navigation system version". Information 
on the data version is displayed.
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected, the drive may be 
blocked. In this case, a message will appear on 
the Control Display.
* 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 151Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Selecting a channel
Selecting a channel
1."Satellite radio"
2.Select "All Channels" or the desired cate-
gory.
3.Select the desired channel.
Storing a channel
1."Satellite radio"
2.Open "All Channels" or the desired cate-
gory.
3."Store Channel".
4.Call up the desired memory location.
The channel is stored. The channels of the last 
selection criterion are displayed again after a 
short time.
Displaying information about another 
channel
Information about a track currently being played 
on another channel can be displayed.
1.Highlight the channel on which you wish to 
display information.
2.Open "Options".
3."Channel info"
Changing the channel using the 
buttons below the CD / DVD drive
 Press the button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system switches to the next enabled chan-
nel.
Notes
If more than 4 seconds go by and no signal is 
received, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Under some circumstances, e.g. depend-
ing on environmental or topographic con-
ditions, it may not be possible to receive a sig-
nal. The satellite radio cannot influence this.
A signal may not be available in tunnels or 
underground garages, next to high-rise build-
ings, in the vicinity of trees, mountains or other 
strong sources of radio interference.
Reception usually resumes as soon as the sig-
nal becomes available again.< 

 173
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
4."Bluetooth"
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired 
volume.
This volume for the hands-free system is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are set to 
minimum volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions using 
iDrive:
>Accepting/rejecting calls
>Dialing phone numbers
>Selecting phone numbers from the phone 
book
>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from 
the list of received calls
>Ending calls
When the ignition is switched off or in radio 
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control 
out of the ignition switch, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talking to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to 
excessive background noise. The full mobile 
phone preparation package can compensate 
for these noises to a certain extent. To optimize 
voice quality during a call, we recommend that 
you:
>Reduce background noise, e.g. by closing 
the windows, reducing air flow from the 
automatic climate control or pointing the 
open front air vents downward
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pairing data are stored 
by the vehicle and the mobile phone is oper-
ational.
>The engine is running or the ignition is 
switched on.
>The mobile phone is recognized by the 
vehicle.
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller 
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry 
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the   button on the steering wheel.
or
"Accept" 

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
P
Paintwork care214
Park assistant, refer to Park 
Distance Control82
Park Distance Control PDC82
Parked car ventilation100
– preselecting switch-on 
times101
– switching on and off 
directly101
Parking
– vehicle56
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control PDC82
Parking brake56
– indicator lamp56
Parking lamps93
– replacing bulbs219
Parking lamps/low beams93
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function50
Pathway lighting94
Personal Profile26
Phone book173
Phone numbers
– dialing174
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– windows36
Placing a call, refer to 
telephone owner's manual
Polish215
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control100
Position, refer to Current 
position, displaying141
Postal code, entering for 
navigation126
Power failure222
Power windows36
Power windows, refer to 
Windows35
Pressure, tires194
Pressure monitoring, tires85
– Flat Tire Monitor85Pressure monitoring of tires, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM86
Programmable buttons on the 
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to 
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– windows36
Providing medical assistance, 
refer to First add pouch225
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor85
R
Radio
– controls144
– High Definition Radio148
– satellite radio150
– selecting a waveband147
– storing stations147
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
– Weather Band, refer to 
Weather information150
Radio position, refer to Radio 
readiness55
Radio readiness55
– switched off55
– switched on55
Radio-remote key, refer to 
Remote control with 
integrated key26
Rain sensor60
Reading lamps96
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps220
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints45
– folding down backrests109
Rear turn signals
– replacing bulb220
Rear ventilation100
Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors49
Rear window defroster100Rear window roller blind, refer 
to Roller sun blinds105
Receiving level of mobile 
phone, refer to Status 
information19
Reception
– quality148
– radio station148
Recirculated-air mode99
Recirculation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode99
Reclining seat, refer to 
Backrest43
Refueling192
Releasing
– hood206
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range70
Remote control26
– battery renewal35
– convenient access34
– garage door opener102
– luggage compartment lid28
– malfunction29,35
– removing from the ignition 
lock55
– service data211
Replacement remote 
control26
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs218
Replacing tires204
Replacing tires, refer to New 
wheels and tires204
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge70
Reset, refer to Resetting tone 
settings146
Residual heat99
Restraint systems
– for children52
– refer to Safety belts48
Retractable hardtop38
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– convenient operation28
– opening and closing39
– remote control28