
Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
stating that the system is not active until this 
speed is reached.
A warning will be canceled:
>after approx. 3 seconds
>if you return to your lane
>if you brake heavily
>if you signal
System limits
The leaving lane warning cannot serve as 
a substitute for your personal judgment in 
determining the course of the road. 
If the system issues a warning, do not move the 
steering wheel with unnecessary severity, as 
otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle.<
The function of the system may be limited in the 
following example situations:
>in heavy fog, rain or snowfall
>with worn-away, poorly visible limit lines, or 
lines that run together or apart or are 
unclear, e.g. in road construction areas
>when limit lines are covered by snow, ice, 
dirt or a great deal of water
>in tight curves or on narrow roads
>when limit lines are not white
>when limit lines are covered by objects
>when driving up close behind a vehicle driv-
ing ahead
>with bright counter light
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or 
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the 
area of the inside rearview mirror 

Lamps
110
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves at speeds up to approx. 45 mph/
70 km/h, e.g. on mountainous roads or when 
negotiating curves, turning lamps are switched 
on that light up the inside area of the curve.
Activating the Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch into position 3, refer to page108.
The turning lamps are automatically switched 
on depending on the steering angle or the use 
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill. 
When driving in reverse, only the turning lamps 
are active and illuminate the outer area of 
curves.
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow3.
High-beam assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off. A sensor on the front side of 
the inside rearview mirror controls the process. 
The assistant makes sure that the high beams 
are switched on whenever traffic conditions 
permit. This relieves you of the burden of con-
stantly switching back and forth and simulta-
neously provides you with the best possible vis-
ibility. Naturally, you can intervene at any time to 
switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to 
page108.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly 
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam 
direction.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the high-beam 
assistant is activated. The system 
automatically switches between high beams  

Things to remember when driving
136 the road surface, ultimately undermining your 
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread 
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page229.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it 
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at 
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle in 
place for a long time by riding the clutch; 
use the handbrake. Otherwise greater clutch 
wear will result.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to 
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that 
ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the 
brake pedal. Even light but consistent 
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent pressure on the brake can 
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further 
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the 
way down into first gear. This strategy helps 
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake 
system. For information on downshifting in the 
manual mode of the automatic transmission, 
refer to page65.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in 
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise there will be no engine braking action or 
support of the braking force and steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area of movement 
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the 
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the 
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page55, 
otherwise they could be damaged due to the 
width of the vehicle. 

Driving tips
 139Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option 
for your BMW. Please comply with the precau-
tions included with the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the door 
openings or on the roof rails
*.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of 
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on 
its handling and steering response. 
You should therefore always remember not to 
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the 
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads 
when loading the rack.
You can find the specified weights under 
Weights on page263.
Distribute the roof load uniformly. The load 
must not be too large in area. Always stow the 
heaviest pieces on the bottom. Be sure that 
adequate clearance is maintained for raising the 
glass sunroof, and that objects do not project 
into the opening path of the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate.
Secure roof-mounted cargo correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off 
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and 
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently. 

Navigation
Driving tips
 147Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
2.Turn the controller to the right until the 
request for the entry of a street in the coun-
try appears and press the controller.
3.Change to the second field from the top and 
enter the street.
Entering house number
All house numbers stored for the street on the 
navigation DVD can be entered.
1.Select "House number" and press the con-
troller.
2.Enter the house number:
Select the desired digits and press the con-
troller.
3.Change into the third field from the top. 
Turn the controller until the house number 
is selected and press the controller.
Starting destination guidance with 
manual destination entry
>Select "Start guidance" and press the con-
troller.
Destination guidance starts immediately.
>If the destination guidance does not need to 
be started immediately:
Select "Add to destination list" and press 
the controller.The destination is stored in the destination 
list, refer to page151.
Entering destination via 
voice*
You can enter a desired destination via the 
voice command system. When entering the 
destination, it is possible to change between 
voice command and iDrive at any time. Reacti-
vate the voice command function for this pur-
pose if necessary.
With {Options} you can have the possible 
commands read aloud.<
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
Selecting country
1.Wait for the system to ask for the country of 
destination.
Say the name of the country of destination in 
the language of the voice command system.
Entering destination
The destination can be spelled or entered as an 
entire word.
Spelling destination
To enter the destination, spell it using the 
orthography of the country of destination. 
Pronounce the letters smoothly and at normal 
2.{Enter address}
2.Say the name of the country of destina-
tion. 

Destination guidance
160
Repeating and canceling voice 
instructions
With the programmable buttons on the steering 
wheel you can also create the following set-
tings, refer to page56:
>Repeat the voice instruction:
Press button.
>Switch voice instructions on/off:
Press button longer.
Setting volume of voice instructions
The volume can only be adjusted while a voice 
instruction is being output.
1.Repeat the last voice instruction, if neces-
sary.
2.Turn the knob during the voice instruction 
to select the desired volume.
This volume is independent of the volume of the 
audio sources.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Bypassing route sections
During destination guidance, you can revise the 
navigation system's route recommendations to 
avoid particular stretches of road. Enter the 
number of miles/kilometers that you want to 
travel before returning to the original route.1.Select "Navigation" and press the control-
ler.
2.Change into the third field from the top. 
Turn the controller until "New route" is 
selected and press the controller.
3.Turn the controller to enter the desired 
number and press the controller.
The route is recalculated.
To exit from the menu without changing the 
route:
 Select the arrow and press the controller.
Traffic information*
In many congested areas, you can receive traf-
fic information transmitted by radio stations. 
The traffic conditions are monitored by traffic 
management centers and the traffic information 
is periodically updated.
During destination guidance, the traffic infor-
mation relevant to your planned route is auto-
matically displayed. Whether destination guid-
ance is active or not, you can have the traffic 
information displayed in the map view or in the 
traffic info list.
Switching reception of traffic 
information on/off
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the    menu. 

On/off and tone
168
On/off and tone
The following audio sources have shared con-
trols and setting options:
>Professional
* radio or 
Business radio
>CD player
>CD changer
*
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons in the area of the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on steering wheel, refer to page11
>Programmable memory buttons, refer to 
page22
Buttons in area of CD player
The layout of the buttons can vary depending 
on your vehicle's equipment.
One drive:
Two drives:1Entertainment sound output on/off, volume
>Press: switch on/off.
When the system is switched on, the 
most recently selected radio station or 
CD track is played.
>Turn: adjust volume.
2Drive for audio CDs
3 Eject CD
4 Station scan/track search
>Change radio station.
>Select track for CD player and 
CD changer.
5Drive for navigation DVDs
Operation via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to open 
"Entertainment".
You have the following choices:
>"FM" and "AM": radio reception
>"WB": weatherband station
>"SAT": satellite radio
>"CD": CD player or CD changer
*
>"AUX"AUX-IN connection
>USB-audio interface
*
>"Set": depending on the audio source, 
other adjustments can be made, e.g. with 
the radio: update station with strongest  

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 169Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations.
From another menu, you can change 
directly to the screen last displayed, 
refer to Comfort opening of menu items, 
page19.<
From radio readiness, the selected audio 
source is stored for the remote control currently 
in use.
Switching on/off
To switch the Entertainment sound output on 
and off:
Press knob1 next to the CD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.
For a single drive, the sound output is available 
for approx. 20 minutes with the ignition 
switched off.
Switch on the sound output again for this pur-
pose.
Adjusting volume
Turn knob1 next to the CD player until the 
desired volume is set.
You can also adjust the volume with the buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
From radio readiness, the setting is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e. g. treble 
and bass, or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at 
once.
From radio readiness, the settings are stored 
for the remote control currently in use.
Changing tone settings
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4. "Audio" and press the controller.
The tone settings can also be selected if you 
have called up "Entertainment" in the start 
menu:
Select "Set" and then "Tone", pressing the 
controller after each selection.
Treble and bass
1.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Treble / Bass" is selected 
and press the controller.