
At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Some lamps are checked for proper functioning 
and thus come on briefly when the engine is 
started or the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the top edge of the Control 
Display describe the meanings of the indicator 
and warning lamps.
You can call up more information, e.g. on the 
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond, 
via Check Control, refer to page77.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps notify you that 
certain functions are active:
High beams/headlamp flasher95
Fog lamps95
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability84
Parking brake applied56
Canada: parking brake applied56
Engine malfunction with adverse 
effect on exhaust emissions212
Canada: engine malfunction with 
adverse effect on exhaust 
emissions212 

Controls
 27Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play and in the instrument cluster:
>12h/24h format of the clock, refer to 
page76
>Date format, refer to page77
>Brightness of Control Display, refer to 
page80
>Language on the Control Display, refer 
to page80
>Units of measure, refer to page72
>Show visual warning for Park Distance Con-
trol PDC
*, refer to page82
>Light settings:
>Welcome lamps, refer to page93
>Pathway lighting, refer to page94
>Daytime running lamps, refer to page94
>Automatic climate control: activating/deac-
tivating AUTO program, cooling function 
and automatic recirculated-air control, set-
ting temperature, air flow rate and distribu-
tion, refer to page98 ff
>Entertainment:
>Audio volume, refer to page144
>Tone control, refer to page144
>Speed-dependent volume control, refer 
to page145
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
>Convertible: glove compartment
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control>Via the door lock
*
>In cars with convenient access*, via the 
handles on the driver's and front passen-
ger's doors
In addition, if the remote control is used, the 
welcome lamps, interior lamps and the door's 
courtesy lamps
* are switched on or off. The 
alarm system
* is also armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system,
 refer to 
page32.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, refer 
to page30.
In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the 
central locking system unlocks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with 
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.<
Convertible: to operate the retractable 
hardtop with the remote control, the 
doors and luggage compartment lid must be 
closed and the cargo bay partition must be 
folded down and engaged on both sides. Refer 
also to page39.<
Unlocking
Press the   button.
The interior lamps, the courtesy lamps
* and the 
welcome lamps come on.
Setting unlocking characteristics
You can set whether only the driver's door or 
the entire vehicle is to be unlocked when the 
button is pressed for the first time.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16. 

Opening and closing
32
Unlocking separately
Push the switch in the direction of arrow 2.
Emergency release
Pull the lever in the cargo bay. The luggage 
compartment lid is unlocked.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
luggage compartment lid make it easier to pull 
down.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
luggage compartment lid is clear, other-
wise injuries may result.<
Coupe
Convertible
To close the luggage compartment lid, 
press it down lightly. The lid is closed 
automatically.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to page33
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power 
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams 

Controls
 35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
compartment lid is closed, the lid will reopen. 
The hazard warning flashers flash and an 
acoustic signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the 
start/stop button, refer to page55.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch, 
otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle. 
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into 
the ignition switch, refer to page55.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, refer to page56.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition switch.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this happens, open or close 
the vehicle via the buttons on the remote con-
trol or using the integrated key. To start the 
engine afterward, insert the remote control into 
the ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page26.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car, otherwise children could operate 
the electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.< 

Adjustments
46 >To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
slide the head restraint down.
Removing
1.Pull up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow 1, tilt the rear seat 
backrest slightly forward and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
Only remove the head restraints if no pas-
sengers will be sitting in the rear. Reinstall 
head restraints before transporting passengers 
in the rear.<
Entering the rear seats
Coupe: seat with manual longitudinal 
adjustment
Convenient entry
The convenient entry feature includes a mem-
ory function for the longitudinal adjustment and 
backrest angle.
1.Pull the lever and swing the backrest for-
ward.
2.Push the seat forward.
Previous position
Push the seat backward and swing the backrest 
back.
When pushing the seat into its rearmost 
position, make sure that no one is injured 
and that no objects are damaged.
Before driving off, engage both seats and back-
r e s t s  s o  t h a t  t h e y  a r e  l o c k e d  i n  p l a c e .  O t h e r w i s e  
there is a risk of accident due to an unexpected 
movement.<
Seat with electrical longitudinal 
adjustment
Coupe
Convertible
Seat backrest warning lamp:
Comes on when a seat backrest is not 
engaged. In addition, a message 
appears on the Control Display.
Convenient entry
The convenient entry feature includes a mem-
ory function for the longitudinal adjustment and 
backrest angle.
1.Pull lever 1 and swing the backrest forward.
2.Press the front end 2 of the switch until the 
seat has moved into the desired position.
Previous position
Press the rear end 3 of the switch until the seat 
automatically stops in its previous position, and 
fold the backrest back. If you release the switch 
before the previous seat position is reached, 
the seat will stop at its current position.
When sliding the seat backward, make 
sure no one is injured and no objects are 
damaged.
Before driving off, engage both seats and back- 

Driving
62
Maintaining current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed on the speedometer and 
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to 
maintain the set speed if current engine power 
output is insufficient. If the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow1, until the desired 
speed is reached.
>Each time the lever is pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow 1, 
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow 1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and 
maintains the speed.
Decreasing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever to the resistance point 
or beyond, arrow 2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
>Each time the lever is pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
reduc ed by  up to  5 mph o r 10 km/h until the  minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is 
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Deactivating cruise control
Tap the lever upwards or downwards, arrow3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle
>When you switch gears very slowly or shift 
to neutral in cars with a manual transmis-
sion
>When you engage selector lever position N 
in cars with an automatic transmission
>When you activate DTC or deactivate DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing 
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator 
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved 
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when 
cruise control has been deactivated 
by applying the parking brake or as a 
result of DSC intervention. A message appears 
on the Control Display.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press the button, arrow4. The last stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
>In cars with a manual transmission: when 
you switch gears very slowly or shift to neu-
tral
>In cars with an automatic transmission: 
when you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off 

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
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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  

Driving
66
Resuming stored desired speed and 
distance
Briefly press the button, arrow 4. 
The stored speed and distance are regained 
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
>In cars with a manual transmission: when 
you switch gears very slowly or shift to neu-
tral
>In cars with an automatic transmission: 
when you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control 
systems are intervening; cruise control is 
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
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.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 flashes in red; a 
signal sounds. 
The system indicates that you 
must brake and/or maneuver the 
vehicle yourself. Active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically restore the distance to 
the vehicle ahead. 
This indicator does not release you from your 
responsibility to adapt your desired speed and 
driving style to prevailing driving conditions.
The indicator 2 flashes in yellow. 
The prerequisites for operating 
active cruise control are not met, 
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC 
interventions. Active cruise control 
is deactivated. You can reactivate the system, if 
desired, by tapping or pulling the lever when 
road and traffic conditions permit. It is not pos-
sible to resume a stored speed.
Radar sensor
The sensor's ability to detect vehicles ahead 
may be restricted as a result of heavy rain, dirt, 
snow or ice. If necessary, clean the radar sensor 
located in the front bumper, see arrow. Be sure 
to use particular care when removing any layers 
of snow or ice from the sensor.
When the radar sensor is not properly posi-
tioned, active cruise control cannot be activated 
at all.