
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 
page250.
Using this Owner's Manual
4 Notes
6 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16 iDrive
21 Letters and numbers
22 Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
41 Adjustments
49 Transporting children safely
53 Driving
67 Everything under control
80 Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
90 Lamps
94 Climate
99 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
114Things to remember when driving
Navigation
122Navigation system
123 Destination entry
133 Destination guidance
139 What to do if …
Entertainment
142On/off and tone
145 Radio
148 Satellite radio
150 CD player and CD changer
157 Music collection
161 AUX-IN port
162 USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio 
interface
Communications
168Telephone
179 Contacts
181 BMW Assist
Mobility
190Refueling
195 Wheels and tires
211 Under the hood
216 Maintenance
218 Care
222 Replacing components
230 Giving and rece iving assistance
Reference
238Technical data
243 Short commands for the voice activation 
system
250 Everything from A - Z
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Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press the button, arrow 4. 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 sl owly 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 speed
2 Selected 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 
page 76.<
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 page 75.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise cont rol, 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 ca r's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be main tained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages.  For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setti ng, the system automat-
ically decreases the thro ttle 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 vehi cle 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 re lating to this system 
before use. Pay special  attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page 65.
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.
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Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program7 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below.  All you need to do is 
select an interior temp erature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer al so to Personal Profile 
settings on page 26.
Adjusting air distribution manually
The air distribution can be 
switched on and off manually. The 
air is directed to the windshield, to 
the upper body area and to the 
footwell. Automatic air distribution adjustment 
is deactivated.
The current setting is briefly displayed on the 
Control Display when a button is pressed.
You can switch the automatic air distribution 
back on by pressing the AUTO button. This 
automatically switches on  the cooling function.
Temperature
Set the desired temperatures indi-
vidually for the driver's and front 
passenger's sides.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble regardless of the season, using maximum 
cooling or heating power  if necessary, and then 
maintains it.
When you switch between different tem-
perature settings in quick succession, the 
automatic climate control does not have 
enough time to achieve the set temperature. <
You can achieve maximum heating power with 
the highest setting, rega rdless of the outside 
temperature.
The lowest setting effe cts continuous cooling.
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above 
327/06  and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum 
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recir-
culated-air mode at the  lowest temperature. Air 
flows at maximum rate  from the vents for the 
upper body area. You should therefore open 
them for maximum cooling.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper 
body area and into the footwell for you. The air 
flow rate and your temperature specifications 
will be adapted to outside  influences as a result 
of seasonal changes, e.g. sunlight or window 
condensation.
The cooling is switched  on automatically with 
the AUTO program.
Intensity of the AUTO program
Press the AUTO button re peatedly to set the 
intensity of the AUTO program. The current 
setting is displayed on the Control Display 
when the button is pressed.
Select the intensity of the AUTO program:
> −Low
> −Medium
> −High
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.
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Driving tips
 117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
General information on caring for your BMW 
can be found on page218.
Sports Wagon: re ar window wiper
Driving through an automatic car wash can 
result in damage to the rear window wiper. If 
necessary, ask the operator of the car wash 
about protective measures you should take.
With convenient access and automatic 
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page 218.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. This can ultimately 
result in a sudden blow-out. <
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or 
leak from their containers in the cargo 
bay, as this could result  in damage to the vehi-
cle. <
Determining loading limit
1. Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2. Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage  load capacity is 
650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely  exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your tra iler will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the availa ble cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
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Navigation system
122
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 st ored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using navigation DVDs.
Make all entries while  the vehicle is sta-
tionary
Enter data only when th e 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 na vigation 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 labe led side facing up.
2. Follow the instructio ns 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 vers ion 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.
*
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Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 149Reference
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 av ailable in tunnels or 
underground garages, ne xt 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. <
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 171
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 ta king the remote control 
out of the ignition swit ch, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hand s-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talk ing to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to 
excessive background noise. The full mobile 
phone preparation pack age can compensate 
for these noises to a cert ain 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 cont rol or pointing the 
open front air vents downward
> Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pair ing 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 b ook 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"
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Reference 245
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AM
Weather Band
Satellite radio
Presets
Telephone
FunctionCommand
Calling up AM{A M }
Playing AM {A M on }
Opening manual search {Manual search }
Calling up a frequency {Frequency  ...  Kilohertz } e.g. frequency 
753 kilohertz or 753 kilohertz
FunctionCommand
Selecting the Weather Band {Weather band }
Switching on the Weather Band {Weather band on }
Selecting a Weather Band station {Select a weather channel }
FunctionCommand
Calling up the satellite radio {Satellite radio}
Switching on the satellite radio {Satellite radio on }
Selecting a satellite radio channel {Satellite radio channel  ... } e.g. channel 2
FunctionCommand
Calling up the stored stations {Presets }
Choosing a stored station {Select preset }
Selecting a stored station {Preset  ... } e.g. stored station 2
FunctionCommand
Opening the Telephone menu {Telephone }
Displaying the phone book {Phonebook }
Redialing {Redial }
Displaying accepted calls {Received calls }
Dialing a phone number {Dial number }
Displaying the list of messages {Messages}
Displaying Bluetooth {Bluetooth devices}
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