
Practical interior accessories
122 You can operate the device when the engine is 
running or when the ignition is switched on.
If the device fails to function even after 
repeated programming, check whether 
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the 
instructions for the original hand-held transmit-
ter or hold down the programmed memory 
button1 of the integrated universal remote 
control. If the LED2 on the integrated universal 
remote control flashes rapidly for a short time 
and then remains lit for approx. 2 seconds, this 
indicates that the original hand-held transmitter 
uses an alternating-code system. In the case of 
an alternating-code system, program the mem-
ory buttons1 as described at Alternating-code 
hand-held transmitters.<
Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters
To program the integrated universal remote 
control, consult the operating instructions for 
the equipment to be set. You will find informa-
tion there on the possibilities for synchroniza-
tion.
When programming hand-held transmitters 
that employ an alternating code, please observe 
the following supplementary instructions:
Programming will be easier with the aid of 
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the 
remote-controlled device.
2.Program the integrated universal remote 
control as described above in the section 
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set, e. g. on the drive unit.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set. After step 4, you have 
approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1 
of the integrated universal remote control 
three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.If you have any additional questions, 
please contact your BMW center.<
Deleting all stored programs
Press the left and right-hand memory button1 
for approx. 20 seconds until the LED2 flashes 
quickly:
All stored programs are deleted.
Individual programs cannot be deleted.
Rememorizing individual programs
1.Hold the original handheld remote control 
approx. 4 in/10 cm to 12 in/30 cm away 
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the relevant sys-
tem of the original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
2.Press the desired memory button1 of the 
integrated universal remote.
3.If the LED2 flashes slowly after approx. 
20 seconds, press the command button of 
the original hand-held transmitter. As soon 
as the LED2 flashes rapidly, release both 
buttons. If the LED2 does not flash rapidly 
after approx. 15 seconds, alter the distance 
and repeat the step.
Sun blinds*
Sun blind for rear window
Press the button on the driver's door. 

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Sun blinds for rear side windows
Pull the loop of the roller sun blind and hook 
onto bracket.
Do not open the window with the roller 
sun blind deployed. Otherwise, there is a 
risk of damage and injury at higher speeds.<
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle. The light in the glove compart-
ment switches on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Closing
Raise the lid into the closed position.
Locking
Lock with a key.
If you only hand over the remote control 
without the integrated key, e.g. for valet 
parking, refer to page30, the glove compart-
ment cannot be unlocked.<
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB-audio interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB-audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge 
external devices. 
Front center armrest
The compartment in the center armrest is 
divided into two sections.
Opening cover
Press the button. The cover opens somewhat 
and can be folded upwards.
Depending on vehicle equipment, the upper 
section contains a compartment with a mat that 
can be removed for cleaning or a telephone cra-
dle
*. 

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In rear center console
Depending on the equipment, the sockets in 
the rear are covered with caps or equipped with 
a lighter. Refer to Cigarette lighter, front, 
page125.
Access to socket:
Remove respective cap or lighter.
Center armrest, rear
Storage tray: 
Pull the cover upward, arrow1.
Access to cup holders: 
Press button2 and open the cover.
Sedan: 
Through-loading system*
Opening
1.Release the buckle of the center seat belt in 
the rear seat using the latch plate of one of 
the other safety belts. Insert the latch plate at the end of the belt into the socket pro-
vided for it on the rear window shelf.
2.Push the corresponding head restraint 
down as far as it will go, refer to page52.
3.To release the rear backrest, pull the corre-
sponding lever in the cargo bay.
4.The unlocked rear backrest moves forward 
slightly. Fold the backrest forward by the 
head restraint.
Closing
1.Fold the rear backrest into the seating posi-
tion and engage.
When you return the seat to its upright 
position, make sure that the catch 
engages properly. If it is not properly engaged, 
transported cargo could enter the vehicle dur- 

Practical interior accessories
128 ing braking or evasive maneuvers and endanger 
the vehicle occupants.<
2.Release the latch plate from the bracket on 
the rear window shelf and insert it into the 
buckle of the center safety belt. Make sure 
the latch plate audibly engages.
The lashing eyes in the cargo bay provide you 
with a way to attach cargo-bay nets
* or luggage 
straps for securing suitcases and luggage, refer 
to page138.
Sports Wagon: cargo bay
Roll-up cover
Pull out the roll-up cover and hook it into the 
brackets.
Do not place heavy or hard objects on the 
roll-up cover. If you do so, they may pose 
a danger to vehicle occupants during braking or 
evasive maneuvers. 
Do not allow the roll-up cover to snap back, oth-
erwise it can be damaged.<
Manual roll-up cover
When opening the tailgate or rear window, the 
roll-up cover is raised. Before closing the tail-
gate and rear window, press down the roll-up 
cover until it engages.
Automatic roll-up cover*
When the tailgate or rear window are opened, 
the roll-up cover is raised, and when the tailgate 
and rear window are closed, it is lowered.
Make sure that the closing area of the roll-
up cover is clear of obstructions, other-wise the payload or the roll-up cover may be 
damaged.<
Expanding cargo bay
The rear backrest is divided. You can fold down 
both sides separately in order to expand the 
cargo bay.
Reach into the recess and pull toward the front.
When you fold back the backrest, be sure 
that the catch engages securely. The red 
warning indicator disappears in the recess 
when the catch is engaged. If it is not properly 
engaged, transported cargo could enter the 
passenger compartment during braking or eva-
sive maneuvers and endanger the vehicle occu-
pants.<
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the safety belt information on 
page47.<
Partition net
Do not allow the partition net to snap 
back, otherwise there is a risk of injury 
and the partition net may be damaged.< 

Things to remember when driving
134
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds, 
however do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during 
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced 
after subsequent driving operation.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on various factors. Through a few simple steps, 
your driving style, and regular maintenance, you 
can have a positive influence on your fuel con-
sumption and environmental impact.
Removing unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Removing add-on parts after use
Remove unneeded auxiliary mirrors, roof or rear 
luggage racks after use. Add-on parts attached 
to the vehicle impede the aerodynamics and 
increase the fuel consumption.
Closing windows and glass sunroof
An open glass sunroof or open windows like-
wise increase the drag coefficient and therefore 
the fuel consumption.
Checking tire inflation pressures 
regularly
Check and correct the tire inflation pressure as 
needed at least twice a month and before long 
trips.
An insufficient tire inflation pressure increases 
the rolling resistance and thus increases the 
fuel consumption and tire wear.
Driving off immediately
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive at a moderate engine 
speed. This is the fastest way for the cold 
engine to reach its operating temperature. 

Driving tips
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Thinking ahead when driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking. 
To do so, maintain the appropriate distance 
from the vehicle in front of you. An anticipatory 
and smooth driving style reduces fuel con-
sumption.
Avoiding high engine speeds
Use 1st gear only for starting off. Accelerate 
rapidly in 2nd gear and above. Avoid high 
engine speeds in doing so and shift into the 
next gear early.
When you have reached the desired speed, 
shift into the highest possible gear and drive 
with the lowest possible engine speed while 
maintaining a constant a vehicle speed.
In general: driving at a low engine speed 
reduces fuel consumption and minimizes wear.
Taking advantage of coasting
When approaching a red light, let off the gas 
and allow the vehicle to coast to a stop in the 
highest possible gear.
On steep roadways, let off the gas and allow the 
vehicle to roll in the appropriate gear.
The flow of fuel is interrupted when coasting.
Switching off the engine during longer 
stops
Switch off the engine at longer stops such as 
traffic signals, railroad crossings, or in traffic 
jams. Even having the engine switched off for 
approx. 4 seconds results in fuel savings.
Switching off functions currently not 
required
Functions such as the cooling function of the 
automatic climate control, seat heating or rear 
window defroster draw large amounts of power 
and consume additional fuel. Their influence is 
particularly pronounced in city traffic and stop & 
go operation. For this reason, it is a good idea to 
switch these functions off when they are not 
really needed.
Having maintenance carried out
Have the vehicle serviced regularly in order to 
achieve the optimum economy and service life 
of your vehicle. BMW recommends having the 
maintenance performed by a BMW center. Also 
please pay attention to the BMW maintenance 
system, refer to page237.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could 
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If it is absolutely necessary to drive with the lug-
gage compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or 
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to 
page116.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle and while 
parking take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it 
the risk of serious property damage as well as 
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail 
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or 
complete loss of contact between the tires and  

Driving tips
 137Reference
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You can find valuable information on this topic 
under Care, starting on page239.
528i xDrive, 535i xDrive
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is a dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
Rear window wiper*
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car 
washes. Take appropriate protective measures; 
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission
Follow the instructions on page63 so that the 
vehicle can roll.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result 
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo 
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, as otherwise the vehicle may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the XXX amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs.: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage 
can be transported. 

Things to remember when driving
138
Stowing cargo
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low 
as possible, placing it directly behind the 
rear backrest.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
>Do not pile objects higher than the top edge 
of the backrest.
>Sports Wagon: 
Use the partition net to protect the occu-
pants, refer to page128. Make sure that 
objects cannot penetrate through the parti-
tion net. 
Wrap sharp-edged or pointed objects 
which could strike the rear window while 
driving.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net*, luggage straps, or 
securing straps to hold down small and 
lightweight luggage and cargo.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing 
larger and heavier objects are available at 
your BMW center. Four lashing eyes 
mounted in the cargo bay are used to 
secure these heavy-duty cargo straps, refer 
to illustration.
>Please observe the special instructions 
supplied with the heavy-duty cargo straps.
Position and secure the cargo as 
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the vehicle's occupants, for example if sud-
den braking or evasive maneuvers are neces-
sary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page263, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws. 
You should never transport unsecured heavy or 
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as 
they could fly around and pose a safety hazard 
to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt brak-
ing or evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes pictured to fasten the 
heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not secure cargo 
with the upper attachment points for LATCH, 
refer to page59; otherwise, you could damage 
them.<