
Navigation
Driving tips
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Communications
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Mobility
What to do if …
What to do if …
>a navigation DVD is inserted, but an instruc-
tion to insert the DVD appears on the Con-
trol Display?
The navigation DVD may not be the correct 
DVD for the navigation system. This infor-
mation is indicated on the DVD label.
>you request the current position of your 
vehicle, but do not receive a precise dis-
play?
The system is unable to receive enough 
GPS signals at your current position due to 
obstructions, your position is not yet avail-
able on your navigation DVD, or the system 
is in the process of calculating your posi-
tion. Reception is best when you have an 
unobstructed view to the sky.
>the destination guidance does not accept a 
destination?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. Select a 
destination that is as close as possible to 
the original.
>the destination guidance does not accept 
an address without the street name?
On the navigation DVD, no downtown area 
can be determined for the city or town 
entered. Enter any street, or a destination 
such as the railway station in the selected 
town, and then start the destination guid-
ance.
>you want to enter a destination for the des-
tination guidance, but it is not possible to 
select the letters for your desired entry?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. In this 
case, the system will not offer you any let-
ters to choose from. Select a destination 
that is as close as possible to the original.
>the system stops furnishing directions on 
which way to turn as you approach intersec-
tions?
You are driving in an area that has not yet 
been completely recorded on the naviga-tion DVD. Instead of an arrow indicating a 
turn, you will see an arrow which indicates 
the general direction of your planned route. 
Or you have left the recommended route 
and the system requires a few seconds to 
calculate a new recommended route.
>the navigation system does not react to 
entries?
If the battery was disconnected, it takes 
about 10 minutes before the system is once 
again operational. 

On/off and tone
160
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 near 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
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 
reception, store station, tone control, sam-
ple stations. 

Navigation
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 165Reference
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>"Manual":
To set stations that can be received in addi-
tion to those displayed, refer to Selecting 
frequency manually on page165.
Changing selection criteria
In addition to the stations currently displayed, 
you can have stations with another selection 
criterion displayed.
You can choose from the following selection 
criteria:
>"All stations":
Stations that can currently be received in 
the "FM" waveband.
>"Autostore":
Stations with the best reception on the 
"AM" waveband.
>"Presets":
Stations you have previously stored, refer to 
page166.
>"Manual":
To set stations that can be received in addi-
tion to those displayed, refer to Selecting 
frequency manually on page165.
1.Change into the second field from the top.
2.Turn the controller until the desired selec-
tion criterion is selected and press the con-
troller.
Buttons next to CD player
Press the   button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system changes to the next displayed sta-
tion.
You can also change stations with the buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
Sampling stations, scan
The system plays a brief sample from each of 
the stations on the current waveband.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
"Set" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
The stations are sampled.
To end sampling:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
This cancels sampling of the stations, and the 
radio remains on the current station.
Buttons next to CD player
To sample the stations, press and hold the 
 button for the corresponding direction.
To stop scanning, press the button again.
Selecting frequency manually
With "Manual" you can select stations that are 
received in addition to those displayed.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Change into the second field from the top. 

Navigation
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5.Select "Store" and press the controller.
"Presets" is displayed.
6.Turn the controller until the desired mem-
ory position is selected.
7.Press the controller.
The station is stored.
The stations of the last selection criterion are 
displayed once again after a short time.
From radio readiness, the stations are stored 
for the remote control currently in use.
About programmable memory buttons
You can also store a station on the programma-
ble memory buttons, also refer to page22.
1.Select a station.
2.Press and hold desired button   ... 
.
Changing a memory position
1.Select "Presets" and press the controller.
2.Select the desired station.
"Set" is selected.
3.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.4.Select "Store" and press the controller.
5.Turn the controller until the desired mem-
ory position is selected.
The number of the memory position 
appears beside the name or frequency of 
the station.
6.Press the controller.
The station is stored.
RDS Radio Data System
In the FM frequency range, additional informa-
tion is transmitted via RDS. If the reception con-
ditions are good, the station names are shown 
on the Control Display. If the reception is weak 
or disrupted, it can take some time before the 
station names are displayed.
Switching RDS on/off*
1.Select "FM" and press the controller.
"Set" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "RDS" and press the controller.
 RDS is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. 

Navigation
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 173Reference
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4.Turn the controller to select a memory loca-
tion and press the controller.
The channel is stored. The channels of the last 
selection criterion are displayed once again 
after a short time.
Changing channel with buttons next to 
CD player
Press the   button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system changes to the next enabled chan-
nel.
Notes
If no signal can be received for more than 4 sec-
onds, a message is displayed on the Control 
Display.
Reception may not be possible for certain 
reasons, e.g. environmental influences or 
topographical conditions. The satellite radio 
has no influence on this.
The signal may not be available in tunnels or 
underground garages, next to tall buildings, 
near trees, mountains or other sources of radio 
interference.
Reception is usually possible again as soon as 
the signal is available again.< 

Navigation
Entertainment
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At a glance
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USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio 
interface
You can connect audio devices, e. g. an iPod/
iPhone or a USB device (MP3 player, USB flash 
drive), to the USB-audio interface. You can then 
operate these via iDrive.
When using an iPhone / mobile phone as a 
music player, connect the device to the snap-in 
adapter, refer to the separate operating instruc-
tions. Playback is only possible if a device is not 
connected to the USB-audio interface.
The system can play back common audio files, 
e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM) and AAC, as well 
as playback lists in the M3U format.
Due to the large number of audio devices avail-
able on the market, operation via the vehicle 
cannot be ensured for every audio device.
Ask your BMW center which audio devices are 
suitable.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
1Connection for audio playback:
1/8 in/3,5 mm jack plug
2USB-audio interface
iPod/iPhone
To connect the iPod/iPhone, use the BMW 
cable adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone. For 
more information, please contact a BMW center 
or consult our website: bmwusa.comTo play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the iPod/iPhone to 
ports 1 and 2.
The iPod/iPhone menu structure is supported 
by the USB-audio interface.
USB device
To connect the device, use a flexible 
adapter cable to protect the USB-audio 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
For audio playback via the vehicle speakers, 
connect the USB device to the connection 1.
After connecting for the first time, the informa-
tion of all tracks (e.g. artist, music genre) and 
the playback lists of the USB device are trans-
ferred to the vehicle. This process can take 
some time. The time required is dependent on 
the USB device and on the number of tracks.
During the transfer you can select the tracks via 
the directories and file names.
Following the transfer you can call up the tracks 
via the information and playback lists.
Information from up to four USB devices can be 
stored in the vehicle, or a total of approx. 16 000 
tracks.
If a fifth USB device is connected, the informa-
tion of the tracks of the first USB device stored 
in the vehicle is deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.<
Starting audio playback
Via iDrive
If the audio device has a device name, this will 
be displayed if possible.
* 

 195
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
6.Select "Dial number" and press the control-
ler.
Dialing a phone number stored in a list
To select an entry and establish a connection:
1.Select "Phone" and press the controller.
2.Select list and press the controller:
>"Top 8"
>"Redial"
>"Missed calls"
>"Received calls"
3.Select the desired entry and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "Call" and press the controller.
The system dials the number.
Deleting individual entries
1.Select the desired entry from the list and 
press the controller.
2.Select "Delete" and press the controller.
The entry is deleted.
Deleting entire list
1.Select an entry from the list and press the 
controller.
2.Select "Delete all numbers" and press the 
controller.
3.If applicable, select "Yes" and press the 
controller.
The list is deleted.
BMW Contact*
If you are not enabled for BMW Assist, you can 
have several service phone numbers displayed:
>BMW Roadside Assistance
* when you 
require breakdown assistance
>BMW center, e.g. when you want to make 
an appointment for service
>BMW Customer Relations
* for information 
on all aspects of your vehicle
If BMW Assist is enabled, refer to page201. 

 197
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
For mobile phones that do not automatically 
change over to the hands-free mode:
Depending on the mobile phone model used, 
the conversation can be continued via the 
hands-free system if necessary. Refer to the 
display on your mobile phone and/or your 
mobile phone's operating instructions.
From hands-free system to mobile 
phone
When you telephone via the hands-free system, 
you can also continue the call via the mobile 
phone if necessary, depending on the mobile 
phone model. Act according to what is shown 
on the mobile phone display, refer to the oper-
ating instructions of your mobile phone.
As an alternative, you can deactivate the Blue-
tooth link.
Depending on your mobile phone model, poor 
reception of the wireless communications net-
work can result in the system changing from the 
hands-free system to the mobile phone.
Operation by voice*
The concept
You can operate your mobile phone without 
having to remove your hands from the steering 
wheel. When making your entries, you will be 
supported by announcements or questions in 
many cases.
The same prerequisites as for operation via 
iDrive apply, refer to page192.
Voice commands
Activating system
1.Briefly press the   button on the steering 
wheel.
An acoustic signal indicates that you can 
say commands.
2.Say the command.
Ending/canceling operation by voice
Press the   button on the steering wheel
or
In dialogs where text is spoken, not a command, 
e.g. a name, canceling is only possible using the 
button on the steering wheel.
Having possible commands read aloud
The system understands default commands 
that must be spoken word for word. 
You can have the possible commands spoken 
by the system at any point:
Using alternative commands
There are often a number of commands to run a 
function, e.g.: 
The system recognizes digits from zero to nine.
You can say each digit individually or group 
them into a sequence to accelerate the input.
Example: Dialing phone numbers
To start the dialog:
Press the   button on the steering wheel.{Cancel}.
{Help}.
{Dial name} or {Name}. 
You sayThe voice control answers
{Dial number}{{Please say the number}}
e.g. {123 456 7890}Depending on equipment:
{{123 456 7890. Continue?}} or
{{123 456 7890. And next?}}
{Dial}{{Dialing number}}