
Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Select "Steering wheel buttons" and press 
the controller.
A list of various functions appears:
>"Navigation voice instructions"
Voice instructions for the navigation 
system
*
>"Air recirculation on / off"
To permanently shut off outside air, refer 
to AUC Automatic recirculated-air con-
trol on page117
>"Mute on / off" 
To mute the audio sources
>"Monitor on / off" 
To switch the Control Display on/off
>"Telephone list"
*
To show/hide the phone book or last dis-
played list of stored phone numbers
>"HDC on / off"
To switch HDC Hill Descent Control
* 
on/off
>"Next entertainment source"
To change the audio source
>"Night Vision on / off"
To switch BMW Night Vision
* on/off
5.Select the desired function and press the 
controller.6.Select the button if necessary and press the 
controller.
You can operate the selected function using the 
corresponding button.
Operating the function
Press the corresponding button on the steering 
wheel.
If you have programmed "Navigation voice 
instructions" for one of the buttons:
>Switch voice instructions on/off: 
Press button longer.
>To repeat the last voice instruction: 
Press the button. 

Driving
62
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition 
lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on.
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation.
Comfort access*
With comfort access, only insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock in exceptional 
cases, refer to page40.
Removing remote control from ignition 
lock
Do not pull the remote control out of the 
ignition lock using force, as otherwise 
damage may result.<
Before removing the remote control, first press 
it in as far as possible to release the locking 
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still 
switched on.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission
The remote control can only be removed when 
transmission position P is selected: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the 
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
The engine is started when you press the 
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch 
if the car has manual transmission or the brake if 
the car has automatic transmission.<
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation. The time and outside tempera-
ture are displayed in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off:
>when the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
>with comfort access
* by touching the sur-
face on the door handle, refer to Locking on 
page41
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for 
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer 
are displayed in the instrument cluster, refer to 
page79.
Please switch off the ignition and the 
electronic systems/consumers which are 
not required when the engine is not running to 
save the battery.< 

Driving
64 >if you remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Handbrake
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent 
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes 
the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The 
handbrake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to apply the handbrake 
while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it too 
firmly. In doing so, continuously press the but-
ton of the handbrake lever. Otherwise, too firm 
an application of the handbrake can lock up the 
rear wheels and cause the rear of the car to 
swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the hand-
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable. 
The brake lamps do not light up when the hand-
brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear lane, 
press the gearshift lever toward the right, 
otherwise accidental shifting into the 3rd or 4th 
gear could result in engine damage.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When pressing the gearshift lever to the left, 
overcome some resistance.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page65.
Transmission positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS S1* to S6* M1 to M6
The transmission position is indicated, and in 
the manual mode, the gear currently engaged. 

Driving
68
Activating system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT is 
displayed in the instrument cluster.
Deactivating system
>Press the SPORT button again
>Engage reverse gear
>Switch off engine
The LED in the button and SPORT in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the 
resistance point.
Atypically rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal bulb 
needs to be replaced.<
Signaling briefly
Press lever to resistance point and hold for as 
long as you wish to signal.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever to the resistance point; the turn 
signal flashes three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Lighting" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Triple turn signal" and press the 
controller.
 Triple turn signaling is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. 

Controls
 71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining, storing and increasing speed
2Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
decelerating
3Interrupting and deactivating system
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining, storing and increasing 
speed
Press lever to resistance point, arrow 1: 
The speed currently being driven is maintained 
and stored. The display1 in the speedometer, 
see below, indicates this regulated speed. 
Every time you press the lever, the vehicle's 
speed increases by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h.
Press lever to resistance point for a longer time: 
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system maintains 
and stores your current speed as soon as you 
release the lever.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point: 
The speed is increased to the next fives posi-
tion in the mph display or the next tens position 
in the km/h display.
Press and hold the lever beyond the resistance 
point: 
The vehicle accelerates more quickly.
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and 
decelerating
Pull the lever, arrow2: 
Functions are the same as1; the speed is 
reduced.
Interrupting system
Press the lever up or down, arrow3: the 
display1 in the speedometer changes color.
In addition, the system is interrupted:
>when you apply the brakes, even with the 
handbrake
>when you shift very slowly, when you shift 
the manual transmission into idling mode, 
or when you shift the automatic transmis-
sion into the N position
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when the DSC comes on
Resuming stored speed
Press button4: 
The stored speed is resumed and maintained.
Deactivating system
>Press the lever up or down twice, arrow3
>Switch off the ignition
The speed stored in the memory is deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
Active cruise control*
With active cruise control you can select a 
desired speed which is then automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways and 
is varied to maintain a selected distance setting 
to slower moving vehicles ahead. 

Controls
 73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
as snow, strong rain or fog; or when entering 
interchanges, service/parking areas or toll 
booths. It is also important to regulate your 
vehicle's speed and distance setting within 
applicable legal limits. Always be ready to take 
action or apply the brakes if necessary, espe-
cially when the system is actively following a 
vehicle in front of you. Otherwise, driving condi-
tions can result which lead to a violation of the 
law or elevated risk of an accident.
The minimum initial activation speed is 20 mph/
30 km/h, and the maximum speed is 110 mph/
180 km/h. However, you can also activate the 
system while stopped, refer to While stopped, 
page74.
One lever for all functions
1Storing and increasing desired speed
2Storing and reducing desired speed
3Interrupting, refer to page74,
or deactivating system, refer to page75
4Activating stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page74, or driving off, refer 
to While stopped, page74
5Selecting distance to vehicle driving ahead, 
refer to page73
Storing current speed
Tap the lever, arrow1, or briefly pull it, arrow2.The system stores the current vehicle speed. It 
is indicated on the speedometer and briefly in 
the instrument cluster.
Increasing desired speed
Press or tap the lever to the resistance point or 
beyond, arrow1, until the desired speed is dis-
played.
The speed then displayed is stored and 
achieved on a clear road.
>Each time the lever is tapped to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is tapped beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed 
increases to the next fives position in the 
mph speedometer display or the next tens 
position in the km/h speedometer display.
Reducing desired speed
Pull the lever, arrow2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
These functions are operated in the same man-
ner as increasing your desired speed.
Selecting distance
>Briefly press rocker switch downward: 
Increase distance. 

Driving
74 >Briefly press rocker switch upward:
Reduce distance.
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance, given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and State driving 
recommendations for safe following distance. 
Otherwise, a violation of the law or risk of an 
accident could result.<
Interrupting cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, and with 
the vehicle stopped also depress the brake 
pedal. The marking in the speedometer 
changes color and the distance indicator goes 
out.
In addition, the system is automatically inter-
rupted:>when you apply the vehicle brakes
>when you shift the transmission
>when DTC is activated or DSC is deacti-
vated
>when DSC comes on
>when you apply the handbrake
>when you release the safety belt and open 
the driver's door with the vehicle stopped
>when the system does not recognize any 
objects for an extended period of time, e. g. 
on infrequently traveled roads without a 
shoulder or guard rails, or if the radar sensor 
is covered with dirt, refer to page75
If the system is interrupted, then it is nec-
essary for the driver to actively intervene 
by braking and steering. Otherwise, there is a 
risk of an accident.<
Resuming stored desired speed and 
distance
While driving
Press button4.
The displays appear in the instrument cluster.
While stopped
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running, engage position P of the auto-
matic transmission and apply the handbrake. 
Otherwise the vehicle can roll.<
If a detected vehicle in front of you brakes to a 
complete stop and your vehicle has also been 
braked to a complete stop by the system:
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while 
the marking1 for the desired speed in the 
speedometer is green, your vehicle will 
accelerate without you having to do any-
thing.
>If the vehicle in front of you drives off while 
the marking1 is orange, you briefly depress 
the accelerator pedal or press button4. 
Rolling bars in the distance indicator3 
mean that the vehicle in front of you has 
driven off. Distance 1, closest
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4, farthest
This distance is set when you acti-
vate the system. 

Controls
 75Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
If you are stopped behind a vehicle with the 
brake pedal depressed and the system is inter-
rupted or deactivated:
1.Press button4 to activate a stored desired 
speed or select a desired speed with the 
lever, arrow1 or arrow2.
2.Release the brake pedal.
3.If the vehicle in front of you drives off, briefly 
depress the accelerator pedal or press 
button4.
Deactivating system
>Press the lever upward or downward twice 
while driving.
>When stopped, do the same with the brake 
pedal depressed.
>Switch off the ignition.
The displays turn off, and the stored desired 
speed and distance are deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
>Green: the system is active.
>Orange: the system is interrupted.
2Lights up yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Display also used for warnings, please read 
all information on warnings
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated
The bars roll: the vehicle in front of you has 
driven off
4Brief display of stored desired speedIf the display --- mph/--- km/h appears 
briefly, the conditions necessary for oper-
ation may currently not be met.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 continuously 
flashes yellow.
The prerequisites for operating the 
system are no longer met, e.g. as a 
result of ABS or DSC interven-
tions. The system brakes until you actively take 
over.
The indicator2 flashes red; a sig-
nal sounds.
The system indicates that you 
must brake and/or maneuver the 
vehicle yourself. The system can-
not automatically restore the distance to the 
vehicle driving ahead. 
However, this display cannot relieve the driver 
of the responsibility for adjusting the desired 
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
Radar sensors
1Long-range sensor
2Location of the short-range sensors behind 
the bumper
3Location of the short-range sensors behind 
the bumper with the M sports package
*
Heavy rain and also dirt, snow or ice can limit 
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed, 
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper 
as well as the bumper area covering the short 
range sensors. When doing so, be particularly 
careful in removing layers of snow and ice.