
iDrive
18
Menu overview
Communication
>Telephone*
>BMW Assist* or BMW TeleServices*
Navigation or onboard information
>Navigation system*
>Onboard information, e.g. for displaying 
the average fuel consumption
Entertainment
>Radio
>CD player and CD changer
*
>AUX-IN connection
>USB-audio interface
* for external audio 
device
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>Seat heater distribution
*
>Parked car operation*
 menu
>Switching off Control Display
>Tone and display settings
>Settings for your vehicle, e.g. for the central 
locking system
>Display of maintenance intervals and dead-
lines for legally mandated inspections
>Settings for telephone
Operating principle
From radio readiness, refer to page62, the fol-
lowing message is shown on the Control Dis-
play:
To hide the message:
Press the controller.
This displays the start menu.
The message is hidden after approx. 10 sec-
onds.
Start menu
You can open all of the iDrive functions using 
five menu items.
Opening start menu
Press the   button. 

At a glance
 19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Opening menu items of the start menu
In the start menu, you can open the Communi-
cation, Navigation, Entertainment and Climate 
menu items by moving the controller to the left, 
right, front or rear.
You can open the   menu by pressing the con-
troller.
Comfort opening of menu items
Comfort opening offers you:
>Opening of a menu item of the start menu in 
the last display shown
>Direct changing between Communication, 
Navigation, Entertainment and Climate 
without pressing the   button
To do so, move the controller in the corre-
sponding direction and hold it there for longer 
than 2 seconds or use the buttons on the con-
troller.
Displays in menu
1Each menu is divided into fields. 
The respective active field is highlighted.
2A symbol indicates the last selected menu 
item of the start menu:
1Menu items are usually grouped in horizon-
tal or vertical lists.
2In these lists, arrows indicate the possibility 
of accessing other menu items that are not 
currently visible.
3Settings are displayed graphically or 
numerically.
Communication
Navigation or onboard information
Entertainment
Climate
 menu 

Controls
 31Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Remove the adapter from the holder in the 
glove compartment and slide the spare key into 
the adapter before use.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Per-
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use without you having to do anything. When 
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding 
remote control is detected and the settings 
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW 
set to your own personal settings even if 
another person with his/her own remote control 
and settings has used the vehicle since the last 
time you drove it. The individual settings are 
stored for a maximum of four remote controls, 
for two with comfort access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the 
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system 
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page32
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page35
>Programming buttons
* on steering wheel, 
refer to page56>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page88
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure, 
refer to page89
>12h/24h clock format, refer to page88
>Date format, refer to page88
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page89
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page68
>Welcome lamps, refer to page108
>Pathway lighting, refer to page109
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to 
page109
>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page110
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page90
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page102
>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer 
to page105
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated 
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper body region, refer to 
text starting on page115
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for 
destination guidance, refer to page159
In addition, the following, most recently 
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page22
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page49
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page169 

Controls
 115Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
16Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you 
only need to select an interior temperature 
pleasant to you.
The following sections contain more detailed 
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile 
settings on page31.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the 
adjustment of air volume and air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, in the direction of 
the upper body and in the footwell. 
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling function is switched on along with 
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such 
a way that window condensation is prevented 
as much as possible.
Intensity of AUTO program
You can adjust the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram by repeatedly pressing the AUTO button. 
The respective current setting is briefly dis-
played on the Control Display when the button 
is pressed.
You can also adjust the intensity of the AUTO 
program via iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button. 
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".3.Select "Automatic programs" and press the 
controller.
4.Select the desired intensity and press the 
controller.
 The marked intensity of the automatic 
program is switched on.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the driver's and front 
passenger side.
The automatic climate control 
adjusts this temperature as quickly as possible 
at any time of year, if necessary with the maxi-
mum cooling or heating capacity, and then 
keeps it constant.
When changing between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the 
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to adjust the set temperature.<
In the highest setting you activate the maximum 
heating output, regardless of the outside tem-
perature.
Adjusting temperature in upper body 
region
1.Press the button to display the current set-
ting on the Control Display. 

Climate
116 2.Select the field by moving the controller and 
turning the controller to adjust the temper-
ature.
You can also adjust the temperature in the 
upper body region with iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
4.Select the field by moving the controller and 
turning the controller to adjust the temper-
ature.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly remove ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and front 
side windows.
To do this, also switch on the cooling function.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster 
switches off after a while. Depend-
ing on the vehicle equipment, 
upper wires are used as an antenna and are not 
part of the rear window defroster.
Air volume, manual
You can adjust the air volume by 
turning. You can reactivate the 
automatic mode for the air volume 
with the AUTO button.
The air quantity is reduced and if need be, the 
ventilation is switched off in order to reduce the 
load on the battery. The display stays the same.
Manual air distribution
You can route the air flowing out into the vehicle 
interior via various programs, separately for the 
driver's and passenger's side:
>Upper body region
>Upper body region and footwell
>Footwell
>Driver's side: windows  and footwell
>Individual program
Selecting program
Press the button repeatedly until 
the desired air distribution of the 
respective program is shown on 
the Control Display.
Adjusting air distribution individually – 
individual program
Your settings are stored in this program.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Climate".
3.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
The driver's and front passenger side can 
be adjusted separately with the fields on the 
right or left side.
4.Select the driver's or front passenger side 
if necessary.
Move the controller to the right or left 
repeatedly until the driver's or front passen-
ger side is selected.
5.Select the desired field by moving the con-
troller. 

Reference 267
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Climate
To open "All stations"172{FM all stations}
To select radio station172{Station ...}, e.g. {Station WNYC}, or
{Choose station}
To open "Presets"172{FM presets} or
{AM presets}
To select preset radio station172{Preset ...}, e.g. {Preset 1}
To open "Manual"173{FM manual},
{AM manual} or
{Choose frequency}, 
{Frequency ... Megahertz}
To open strongest radio stations174{AM Autostore}
To open "WB"176{Weatherband menu}
To switch on weatherband 176{Weatherband on}
To select a weatherband station176{Choose weatherband station}
To open "SAT"180{SAT radio menu}
To switch on satellite radio179{SAT radio}
To open "Presets" of the satellite radio180{SAT radio presets}
To open "All channels" of the satellite radio180{SAT radio all channels}
To open "Categories" of the satellite radio180{SAT radio categories}
To open CD player
182{CD menu}
To switch on CD player182{CD}
To open CD changer182{CD changer menu}
To switch on CD changer182{CD changer}
To select a CD in the CD changer182{CD 1...6}
To select music track183{CD track ...}
To select a CD and music track in the CD 
changer183{CD 1...6 track ...}
To switch on audio playback with external audio 
device188{Audio Aux}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To adjust temperature distribution for front seat 
heating53{Seat heater distribution}
To open "Vent settings"116{Vent settings}
To open "Automatic programs"115{Automatic programs} 

Everything from A to Z
278 Head restraints51
– active front head 
restraints51
– removing52
– sitting safely47
Head-Up Display102,103
Heated
– mirrors55
– rear window116
– seats53
– steering wheel56
Heating114
– exterior mirrors55
– interior114
– rear window116
– residual heat117
– seats53
– steering wheel56
Heating with engine switched 
off, refer to Residual 
heat117
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing 
cargo138
Height, refer to 
Dimensions261
Height adjustment
– seats48
– steering wheel56
High-beam 
assistant110,112
High beams110
– headlamp flasher110
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs245
High Definition Radio176
High-pressure cleaning 
jets239,240
High water, refer to Driving 
through water136
Hill Descent Control HDC93
Hills136
Holder for cups125
"Home address" in 
navigation154
Homepage of BMW4
Hood232
Hooks for shopping bags, 
Sports Wagon130Horn10
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking separately36
Hot exhaust system135
"Hour memo"88
"House number" in 
destination entry
147
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to Brake assistant91
Hydroplaning135
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition 
Radio176
Ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning79
ID3 tag, refer to Information on 
track184
Identification mark
– recommended tire 
brands230
– run-flat tires229
– tire coding227
iDrive16
– assistance window21
– automatic climate control 
with expanded scope115
– changing date and time87
– changing language89
– changing menu page20
– changing settings87
– changing units of measure 
and display type89
– confirming selection or 
entry20
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus18
– operating principle18
– selecting menu item20
– setting brightness88
– start menu18
– status information21
– symbols19
Ignition62
– switched off63
– switched on62Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness62
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on62
Ignition lock62
– starting engine with comfort 
access42
i menu18
Imprint2
Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System94
– active steering100
– airbags102
– brake system94
– DSC13,92
– DTC13,92
– Flat Tire Monitor96
– fog lamps
13
– safety belt warning52
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor98
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure222
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor95
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor97
Info menu18
Information
– on another location150
– on current position150
– on destination location150
"Information" in 
navigation150
Information menu, refer to 
imenu18
"Information on 
destination"152
"Info sources"82 

Everything from A to Z
286 "State / Province" in 
destination entry145
"State inspection"83
Station, refer to Radio172
"Status"83
Status information on Control 
Display21
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners239,240
Steering wheel
– adjustment56
– automatic adjustment, refer 
to Steering wheel 
memory49
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– easy entry/exit56
– heating56
– lock, refer to Ignition lock62
– memory49
– programmable buttons56
– shift paddles67
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering99
Steptronic
– refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic64
– refer to Sport automatic 
transmission67
– refer to Sport program and 
manual mode65
"Stop" for stopwatch87
Stopwatch86,87
Storage area package, Sports 
Wagon129
Storage compartments124
"Store in address book" in 
navigation152
"Store" in radio 
mode175,181
Storing242
Storing current position152
Storing radio stations174
Storing sitting position, refer 
to Seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory49
Storing tires230Storing your vehicle242
"Street" in destination 
entry146
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires222
Sun blinds122
"Surround Settings", tone 
control170
,171
SW, waveband172
Swinging up floor panel, 
Sports Wagon129
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching automatically 
between high beams and 
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant110
Switching off engine63
Switching on
– audio168
– CD changer168
– CD player168
– radio168
Switching on hour signal88
Swiveling
– headlamps, refer to Adaptive 
Head Light110
Symbols4
– indicator/warning lamps13
– navigation system162
– status information21
– traffic information with 
navigation system160
T
Tachometer79
Tailgate36
– automatic operation38
– emergency operation, refer 
to Opening manually38
– locking and unlocking from 
inside35
– opening from inside37
Tail lamps246
– replacing bulbs246
Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities264
Target cursor for 
navigation149Technical alterations, refer to 
For your own safety5
Technical data260
– capacities264
– dimensions261
Telematics, refer to 
BMW Assist209
Telephone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest123
– refer to Mobile phone194
"Telephone list"57
Temperature
– adjusting in upper body 
region115
– adjusting with automatic 
climate control115
– changing units of 
measure89
– refer to Coolant 
temperature79
Temperature display
– changing units of 
measure89
– outside temperature79
– outside temperature 
warning79
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control70
"Text language"89
"Theater", tone control171
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp247
Through-loading system127
Tightening torque of the lug 
bolts, refer to After 
mounting250
Tilt alarm sensor40
– switching off40
Tilting down passenger-side 
exterior mirror55
"Time"88
"Time format"88
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
activation times119
"Timer 2" for parked-car 
ventilation119