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Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the sitting position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page58.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
front airbags are triggered. 
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbags, otherwise injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page100.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page51.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Your vehicle is provided with five seats, which 
are all equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt must not lie across 
the neck, rub against sharp edges, be routed 
over solid or breakable objects or be pinched. 
Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly 
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the 
body as possible. Otherwise the belt can slip 
over the hips in the lap area in a frontal impact 
and injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing 
that prevents the belt from fitting properly and 
pull the belt in the upper body area periodically 
to readjust the tension, in order to avoid a 
reduction in the restraint of the safety belt. 
Sports Wagon: if the center safety belt in the 
rear is used, the larger backrest half must be 
locked, refer to page128, otherwise the middle 
safety belt has no restraining action.<
Safety belts, refer to page52. 

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left and right. The belt buckle embossed with 
the word CENTER is intended exclusively for 
use by passengers riding in the center position.
Damage to safety belts
When subjected to strain due to an acci-
dent or in the event of damage, replace 
the safety belts, the belt tensioners, and any 
child restraint systems and have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have this work carried out 
at a BMW center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise cor-
rect operation of this safety equipment is not 
guaranteed.<
Seat heating*
Front
The appearance and arrangement of the but-
tons may vary depending on the equipment.
1Seat heating, three LEDs
2Seat heating, one LED
3Seat heating with active seat ventilation
*
Press the respective button once per tempera-
ture level. The temperature level is shown on the Control Display with buttons2 and3. The 
maximum temperature is supplied when three 
LEDs are lit.
The temperature is reduced and if need be, the 
heating is switched off in order to reduce the 
load on the battery. The LEDs remain lit.
To switch off: Press button longer.
Temperature distribution without 
active seat ventilation
The heat output can be distributed variously in 
the seat cushion and the backrest.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
3.Select "Seat heater distribution" and press 
the controller.
4.Move the controller to the left or right to 
select "Driver" or "Passenger".
5.Turn the controller to adjust the distribu-
tion.
The setting is applied.
Temperature distribution with active 
seat ventilation
The heat output can be distributed variously in 
the seat cushion and the backrest.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate". 

Transporting children safely
58
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it ever be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must first be deactivated. Otherwise, 
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if 
the airbags are triggered, even with a child 
restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to 
page101.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection, 
installation and use of the child restraint sys-
tems. Otherwise the degree of protection may 
be reduced.<
Backrest width* on front passenger 
seat
Open the backrest width setting of the 
front passenger seat all the way. After 
mounting the child's seat, deactivate the active 
backrest width adjustment and do not call up 
any memory position. Otherwise this limits the 
stability of the child's seat on the front passen-
ger seat.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit on the front 
passenger seat and close the door to call up 
the memory position.
2.Completely open the backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page48.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page49.
4.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract and pull 
taut against the child restraint system. The 
safety belt is locked. 

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Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's 
instructions on installation and use of 
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to 
impair their protective function.<
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull 
the belt away from the region of the child 
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have 
properly clicked into place and that the 
child restraint system is resting snugly against 
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action 
may be impeded.<
Sedan: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located at the positions indicated by arrows in 
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Sedan: rear seats with through-loading 
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps. 
Remove the cover caps before mounting the 
child's seat.
 Sports Wagon: rear seats
The anchor points for the lower LATCH 
anchors are located behind the labeled covers.
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps 
and are covered again after the child's seat is 
removed.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting 
points to secure child restraint systems, 
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.< 

Transporting children safely
60
Sedan
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows. Fold the corresponding mounting 
point upward before using.
Sports Wagon
Three additional mounting points for child 
restraint systems with a tether strap are pro-
vided under covers in the cargo bay floor, refer 
to arrows. Remove the corresponding covers 
before use.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap 
is not routed over sharp edges and does 
not twist on its way to the upper mounting point; 
otherwise, the belt may not properly secure the 
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Outer rear seat, Sedan
Outer rear seats, Sports Wagon
1Direction of travel
2Head restraints
3Hook of upper retaining strap
4Mounting point
5Rear window shelf/luggage compartment 
floor
6Backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint sys-
tem
Fold upward or remove covers before using the 
mounting points.
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Thread the upper retaining strap between 
the head restraint supports. 

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3.Sports Wagon: thread the retaining strap 
between the backrest and the roll-up cover. 
Make sure that the rear backrest is locked in 
position.
4.Attach the retaining strap hook to the 
mounting point.
5.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
6.Pull the retaining strap taut.
Center rear seat
1.Fold the center armrest somewhat toward 
the front.
2.Guide retaining strap through the opening.
3.Fold back the center armrest.
4.Sports Wagon: thread the retaining strap 
between the backrest and the roll-up cover. 
Make sure that the rear backrest is locked in 
position.5.Attach the retaining strap hook to the 
mounting point.
6.Pull the retaining strap taut.
On trips
If the vehicle is equipped with rear side 
airbags, make sure that children do not 
lean out of the child's seat towards the door 
panels. Otherwise injuries can be caused if the 
side airbags are triggered.<
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors: 
the door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power 
windows, refer to page43, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle. 

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Mobility
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the 
instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars 
along with the sides of the headliner. Do not 
attempt to remove or dismantle the steering 
wheel. Do not touch the individual components 
immediately after the system has been trig-
gered, 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 BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to 
service the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or undesired airbag triggering, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, observe the safety infor-
mation and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely refer to page58.
The front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side can be deactivated for teenagers and 
adults in certain sitting positions; then the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbags lights 
up. In these cases, change the sitting position 
so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be produced by changing 
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is 
manufactured. After installing a child's seat, 
make sure that the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbags lights up. This indicates that 
the child's seat has been detected and the front 
passenger airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up if, for 
example, the system detects a person of 
sufficient size seated correctly on the seat. 
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated. 

Reference 273
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Cargo bay
– capacity263
– emergency operation, refer 
to Opening manually, Sports 
Wagon38
– emergency release37
– expanding, Sports 
Wagon128
– floor panel flap, refer to 
Compartment in floor, 
Sports Wagon129
– locking separately36
– opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate36
– opening from inside36
– opening from inside, Sports 
Wagon37
– opening from outside36
– opening from outside, 
Sports Wagon37
– opening with remote 
control33
Cargo bay cover, refer to Roll-
up cover128
Caring for the vehicle 
finish240
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control30
Car phone194
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest123
– refer to Mobile phone194
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio172
Car Shampoo241
Car wash63,136
– with comfort access42
Car washes239
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system135
"Categories"180
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control91
CBS Condition Based 
Service237
"CD"168,182CD changer182
– controls168
– fast forward/reverse186
– installation location186
– random sequence185
– repeating a track185
– sampling tracks184
– selecting a CD182
– selecting a track183
– switching on/off168
– tone control169
– volume
169
CD player182
– controls168
– fast forward/reverse186
– random sequence185
– repeating a track185
– sampling a track184
– selecting a track183
– switching on/off168
– tone control169
– volume169
Center armrest
– front123
– rear127
Center brake lamp247
Center console14
"Central locking"32
Central locking
– from inside35
– from outside32
Central locking system32
– comfort access40
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changes, technical, refer to 
Parts and accessories6
Changing language on 
Control Display89
Changing scale for 
navigation158
Changing units of measure on 
Control Display89
Changing wheels229,248
CHECK button85
Check Control84
"Check Control 
messages"85
Check Gas Cap221Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure222
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH59
Child restraints58
Child restraint systems58
Child-safety lock61
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely58
Chime, refer to Check 
Control84
Chock249
Chrome-plated parts241
Chrome polish241
Cigarette lighter125
Cigarette lighter socket, refer 
to Connecting electrical 
devices126
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care239
"Climate"53,115
Clock79
– 12h/24h format88
– hour signal88
– setting time and date87
Closing
– from inside35
– from outside32
Closing fuel filler cap221
Clothes hooks124
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine63
Comfort access40
– observe in car wash42
– replacing battery, remote 
control42
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Comfort seat48
"Communication"200,210,2
11,213
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer182
– refer to CD player182