
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
8Instrument cluster 12
11 Ignition lock 53
12 Buttons on the steering wheel 14
Horn, the entire surface
15 Adjusting the steering wheel 48
17 Releasing the hood 211
18 Opening the tailgate/luggage compartment 
lid 30
7
Turn signals 57
High beams, headlamp flasher 92
Roadside parking lamps
*92
Computer 69
Settings and information about the 
vehicle 70
Instrument lighting 92
9 Windshield wipers 58
Rain sensor
*58
Sports Wagon:
Rear window wiper 59
10 Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine
53
Telephone
*:
> Press: accepting and ending a 
call; dialing
* the selected 
phone number; redialing if no 
phone number is selected
> Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
*22
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and 
lists with stored phone numbers
Next entertainment source
Recirculated-air mode 96
13 Steering wheel heating
*48
16 Cruise control
*59
Active cruise control
*61
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 11  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Controls
 35Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Convenient closure
For convenient closure, keep your finger on the 
surface, arrow 2.
Unlocking the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate separately
Press the button on the  outside of the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate. This corresponds to 
pressing the  button.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accident ally left inside the 
locked vehicle's cargo bay after the luggage 
compartment lid/tailgate or rear window 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 page 53.
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 page 53.
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 page 54.
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 butto ns 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 co ntrol 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 n eed to be replaced from 
time to time.
1. Take the integrated ke y out of the remote 
control, refer to page 26.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Insert the new battery wi th 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. <
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 35  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
>Radio readiness is switched on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Convenient access*
If the car is equipped with convenient access, 
only insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock under special circ umstances, refer to 
page 34.
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out 
of the ignition lock as this may cause 
damage. <
Before removing the remote  control, push it all 
the way in to release  the locking mechanism.
> The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out th e remote control unless 
the selector lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Pressing the start/stop button switches radio 
readiness or the ignition on or off. Manual transmission: the engine is 
started when you press the start/stop 
button and depress the clutch.
Automatic transmission: the engine is started 
when you press the start/stop button and 
depress the brake. <
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is swit ched off automatically:
> When the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
> In cars with convenient access
*, by touch-
ing the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page 34
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The 
odometer and trip odometer are displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
When the engine is off, please switch off 
the ignition and any unnecessary electri-
cal consumers in order to preserve the bat-
tery. <
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warnin g lamps as well as dis-
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms, 
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause unconsciousness and death. 
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, 
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, otherwise such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential  safety hazard. 
Before leaving the car wi th the engine running, 
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 53  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Driving
54
place the transmission in neutral or engage 
selector lever position P 
and forcefully apply the 
parking brake to prevent the car from moving. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or  incompletely burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter. <
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside  the vehicle, refer to 
page 34.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch and shift to neutral posi-
tion.
3. Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside  the vehicle, refer to 
page 34.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Move the selector lever to position P.
3. Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Diesel engine
When the engine is cold and temperatures are 
below approx. 32 7/06 , the starting process 
may take a little more  time due to automatic 
preheating. The preheating indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster comes on; at the same 
time a message appears  on the Control Display.
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you 
when you leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply th e parking brake force-
fully, otherwise the vehicle could begin to roll. <
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2. Shift into first gear or reverse.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 53.
Automatic transmission
1. With the car at a standstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2. Press the start/stop button.
3. Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 53.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in 
addition. The parking brake is still 
applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in po sition automatically.
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 54  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Controls
 93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Push button  1 up or down to select the 
desired brightness level.
4. Press button  2.
The display again shows the outside tem-
perature and the time.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, footwell lamps*, entry 
lamps
*, cargo bay lamp an d courtesy lamps* 
are controlled automatically.
The LEDs for the courtesy lamps
 are set in the 
door handles and illuminate  the ground in front 
of the doors.
To avoid draining the battery, all lamps 
inside the car are switched off about 
8 minutes after the ignition  is switched off, refer 
to Start/stop button on page 53.<
Switching interior lamps on/off 
manually
Interior lamps, front and rear*:
To switch on and off, press the button.
To switch off the inte rior lamps, footwell 
lamps
*, entry lamps* and courtesy lamps* per-
manently, press the button for the front interior 
lamps for about 3 seconds.
Reading lamps
There are reading lamps at the front and rear*, 
next to the interior lamps.  To switch on and off, 
press the button.
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 93  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Climate
96
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 entire ly 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 mo de is switched on 
when you switch off the automatic cli-
mate control. If the air qu ality 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 star ts to form on the 
inside window surfaces during operation 
in the recirculated-air  mode, you should switch 
it off while also increasi ng 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 ca
r 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 77 7/
25 6
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 window s and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before reheating it as required, 
according to the temp erature setting. This 
function is only availa ble while the engine is 
running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weathe r, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 96  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

Navigation
Driving tips
 135Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
1."Navigation"
2. "Map"
3. Select the   symbol
 The voice instructions are switched on.
For rapid access, the feature can be stored on a 
programmable memory  key, refer to page20.
Repeating a voice instruction
1."Navigation"
2. "Map"
3. Select the  symbol twice.
Adjusting volume fo r voice instructions
The volume can be adjust ed only while a voice 
instruction is being issued.
1. Have the last voice in struction repeated, if 
necessary.
2. Turn the button during the voice instruction 
to select the desired volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Map display
Map display
You can have your current position displayed on 
a map. After starting th e destination guidance, 
the planned route is shown on the map. 1.
"Navigation"
2. "Map"
The following functions are directly available in 
the map display:
1 Starting/stopping destination guidance
2 Switching voice instructions on/off
3 Changing route criteria or selecting route 
alternatives
4 Special destinations
5 Displaying traffic bulletins
6 Interactive map
7 Settings for the map display
8 Changing scale
Information in the map display:
> Time, entertainment source, sound output, 
map orientation
> Distance from destination, estimated time 
of arrival, if destinat ion guidance is active.
> Any traffic obstructions are highlighted in 
color.
Viewing the map
1.Select the    symbol.
2. Select a setting:
> "View facing north"
> "View in direction of travel"
> "Perspective view"
> "Arrow display"
3. Press the controller.
Changing scale
1.Select the   symbol.
2. Turn the controller to adjust the scale.
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 135  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14 

 169
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Mobility
> Certain presettings ma y be necessary on 
some mobile phones: e.g. using the follow-
ing menu items:
> Bluetooth switched on
> Connection must be allowed without 
requiring further confirmation
> Reconnection
> Depending on the mobile phone type, the 
power-saving mode setting, for example, 
may result in a paired mobile phone not 
being detected by the vehicle.
> For pairing purposes, define any 4 to 16-
digit number as a Bluetooth passkey, 
e.g. 25081107. A long and complex number 
offers the best protection against unautho-
rized access. This Bluetooth passkey is no 
longer required after  pairing has been suc-
cessful.
> The ignition is switched on.
Pair the mobile phone with the vehicle 
only when the car is stationary, to avoid 
endangering the car's occupants and other 
road users by be ing distracted.<
Switch on ignition
1.Insert remote control  all the way into the 
ignition lock.
2. Switch on ignition without operating the 
brake or clutch or pressing the start/stop 
button.
Preparation via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.
3. "Telephone"
4. "Bluetooth"
5. "Add new phone" The Bluetooth name of the vehicle is dis-
played.
Preparation via the mobile phone
6.
Further steps must be carried out with the 
mobile phone and vary depending on the 
model. Please refer to your mobile phone's 
operating instructions,  e.g. under the topics 
of Searching for a Bluetooth device, Linking 
or Pairing. The Bluetooth name of the vehi-
cle also appears on the mobile phone dis-
play.
7. Select the Bluetooth na me of the vehicle on 
the mobile phone display.
Logging in
Depending on your mob ile phone, you will see 
messages, first on the mobile phone display or 
on the iDrive, requesting you to enter the same 
Bluetooth passkey previously determined by 
you.
8. Enter the Bluetooth passkey.
Depending on the mobile phone, you will 
have approx. 30 seco nds to enter your 
Bluetooth passkey on the mobile phone 
and the Control Display.
If pairing was successful, the mobile phone 
appears at the top of the mobile phone list.
As soon as a mobile ph one is detected by the 
vehicle, the phone book entries stored on the 
SIM card or on your mobile phone are transmit-
ted to the vehicle. This  data transfer depends 
on your mobile phone and can take several min-
utes; please refer to your mobile phone's oper-
ating instructions, if necessary.
If not all phone book entries are displayed:
ba8_E9091_cic.book  Seite 169  Mittwoch, 29. Oktober 2008  2:59 14