
Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Displaying the urgency of malfunctions
Depending on the equipment, the stored Check 
Control messages are also displayed with the 
following symbols:
No malfunctions detected in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems. Depending on the mal-
function, supplementary information is 
shown on the Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page79.
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip 
are shown consecutively when you switch off 
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display 
the messages once again. Press the CHECK 
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can continue to press 
the CHECK button to view them in succession.
The display goes out:
>after a short time
>when you press the CHECK button again 
for approx. 2 seconds
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.
You are only warned of reaching this speed a second time if your vehicle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: Open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is activated.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system adopts your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating/deactivating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
 The limit is activated.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*: Open "Car 
Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller. 

Everything under control
84 4.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting, stopping, or resetting
>Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it 
was running beforehand.
>Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" and press the controller. 
The interim time appears below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.
All of the other functions remain available 
even while the stopwatch is running. The 
stopwatch continues operation in the back-
ground.<
Settings on Control Display
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the  button once or twice until 
the start menu appears.
2.Press the controller to open the  menu.3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
Setting time
1.Turn the controller until "Time / Date" is 
selected and press the controller.
2.Move the controller forward once if neces-
sary to change to the first field from the top. 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
Adaptive brake assistant*
In conjunction with the active cruise control 
with the stop-and-go function, the adaptive 
brake assistant ensures that the brake 
responds even more quickly during braking 
with the brake assistant.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. The system 
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such 
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or 
sliding of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not restrict the additional 
safety margin with a risky driving style, as other-
wise there is a risk of an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together. 
Stabilizing and drive output promoting actions 
are no longer executed. The stability-promoting 
intervention of the active steering
* is also deac-
tivated, refer to page95.A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces. 
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snowy inclines, in slush, or 
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster lights up. 

Lamps
108 5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Lighting" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "High-beam assistant" and press 
the controller.
 High-beam assistant is switched off.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Fog lamps
First switch on the parking lamps or the low 
beams. The green indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up whenever the fog lamps 
are on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the 
high beams are switched on.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on when 
you switch on the fog lamps.<
Instrument lighting
You can control the lighting intensity by using 
the knurled wheel.
Interior lamps
Control of the interior lamps, footwell lamps, 
door entry lighting, courtesy lamps
* and sill 
panel lighting
* is automatic.
With the courtesy lamps,
 LED lights are pro-
vided in the outside rearview mirrors to illumi-
nate the exterior area around the doors.
To protect the battery, all lamps in the 
vehicle are switched off approx. 15 min-
utes after radio readiness is switched off, refer 
to Start/Stop button on page60.<
Switching interior lamps on and off 
manually
Press button 1.
If the interior lamps, footwell lamps, door entry 
lighting, courtesy lamps and sill panel lighting 
are to remain switched off continually, press the 
button for approx. 3 seconds. 

 187
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
mobile phone from the vehicle if you wish to 
place a call with the mobile phone.
Commissioning
Pairing mobile phone in vehicle
The following prerequisites must be met:
>Suitable mobile phone: the mobile phone is 
supported by the full mobile phone prepara-
tion package. Information on this subject is 
also provided on the Internet at: 
bmwusa.com
>The mobile phone is ready to operate.
>The Bluetooth link on the vehicle, refer to 
page191, and on the mobile phone is 
active.
>Depending on the mobile phone, the mobile 
phone may need presetting: e.g. using the 
following menu items:
>Bluetooth activated
>Connection must be allowed without 
requiring further confirmation
>Reconnect
>Depending on the mobile phone model, the 
setting energy saving mode can, for exam-
ple, result in vehicle failing to detect the 
paired mobile phone.
>For pairing purposes, define any 4-16-digit 
number as a Bluetooth passkey, 
e. g. 25081107. A long and complex num-
ber offers the best protection against unau-
thorized access. This Bluetooth passkey is 
no longer required after pairing is success-
ful.
>The ignition is switched on.
Only pair the mobile phone with the vehi-
cle stopped, otherwise the passengers 
and other road users can be endangered due to 
a lack of attentiveness on the part of the 
driver.<
Switching on ignition
1.Insert the remote control as far as possible 
into the ignition lock.
2.Switch on the ignition by pressing the Start/
Stop button without depressing the brake 
or clutch pedal.
Preparation via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
3.Press the  button to open the start 
menu.
4.Press the controller to open the   menu.
5.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
6.Select "Bluetooth" and press the controller. 

Under the hood
222
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic oil 
level check.
The condition for the most accurate indication 
of the oil level possible is measurement with the 
engine at operating temperature, i.e. following 
an uninterrupted drive of at least 6 miles/10 km. 
You can display the oil level on the Control Dis-
play while driving or when stopped on a level 
surface with the engine running.
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.Turn the controller until "Info sources" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Service Info" is 
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Service requirements" is 
selected and press the controller.6.Change to the second field from the top if 
necessary. Turn the controller until "Engine 
oil level" is selected and press the control-
ler. The oil level is displayed.
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level O.K."
>"No measurement available: Updating 
engine oil level measurement...":
The engine oil level is measured. This pro-
cess can take approx. 1 minute when 
stopped on a level surface with the engine 
running and approx. 5 minutes while driv-
ing.
If the engine oil has been topped off, the 
measurement of the oil level can take up to 
30 minutes.
>"Oil level at the minimum! Refill with 1 quart 
of engine oil.": 
Add a maximum of 1 US quart/liter of 
engine oil at the next opportunity, refer also 
to Adding engine oil below. Add at least 
0.5 US quart/liter of oil; otherwise, the oil 
level check cannot reliably display the new 
oil level.
If the oil level displayed is below minimum, 
add engine oil immediately. Failure to do so 
may lead to engine damage.
>"Engine oil level too high":
Have the vehicle checked immedi-
ately, otherwise engine damage may 
result if too much oil has been added.<
>"Please observe recalculated service inter-
val for engine oil":
Do not add engine oil. Before continuing to 
drive, note the recalculated remaining mile-
age until the next oil change service, refer to 
Service requirements on page79. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible. 

Everything from A to Z
252 BMW TeleServices services
– displaying204
– updating204
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup 
holders120
Bracket for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter199
Brake assistant88
– adaptive89
Brake force display95
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail 
lamps232
– two-stage95
Brake rotors
– breaking-in126
– refer to Braking safely128
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System88
– brake force display95
– breaking-in126
– CBC Cornering Brake 
Control88
– handbrake62
– refer to Braking safely128
Brake system126
– brake pads126
– brake rotors128
– breaking-in126
– warning lamp13,90
Braking
– electronic brake-force 
distribution88
Braking safely128
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance236
Breaking-in brake pads126
Breaking-in the clutch126
Breaking-in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential126
Break-in period126
"Brightness"86,99
Brightness of Control 
Display85"Brightness" with BMW Night 
Vision102
Button for starting engine, 
refer to Start/Stop button60
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
Call194,205
– accepting192
– displaying accepted195
– ending193
– in absence195
– rejecting193
– starting193
Calling
– by entering phone 
number193
– from phone book194
– from Top 8 list195
– redialing195
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders120
Capacities245
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery233
"Car Data"78Care227
– car-care products227
– carpets229
– car washes227
– CD/DVD player230
– chrome components229
– convertible top228
– displays230
– exterior227
– fine wooden 
components230
– hand washing228
– headlamps228
– high-pressure cleaning 
jets227
– interior229
– leather229
– light-alloy wheels229
– paint228
– plastic components230
– rubber gaskets229
– safety belts230
– sensors and cameras230
– upholstery and cloth-
covered paneling229
– windows228
– wiper blades228
Cargo bay
– capacity245
– emergency release37
– opening/closing, refer to 
Luggage compartment 
lid36
– opening from inside36
– opening from outside
36
– opening with remote 
control33
Caring for the vehicle 
finish228
Car key, refer to Keys/remote 
control30
Car phone186
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest119
– refer to Mobile phone186
– refer to separate operating 
instructions
Car radio, refer to Radio164
Car Shampoo230 

Everything from A to Z
264 "Set" on trip computer79
"Set service date"80
"Set time"85
Setting button, refer to 
Controls, controller16
Settings207
– BMW Night Vision102
– changing on Control 
Display84
– clock, 12h/24h mode85
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile30
– date85
– language86
– units of measure86
"Settings" in unlocking32
Settings menu, refer to 
imenu18
"Settings" with BMW 
Assist206
Setting time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
time115
Shifting, Sport automatic 
transmission63
Short commands of voice 
command system246
"Short route" in 
navigation147
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route146
"Show current position"142
"Show destination 
position"142
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer177
– CD player177
Side airbags95
Side-mounted turn signals, 
replacing bulbs232
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sill panel lighting, refer to 
Interior lamps108
Sitting safely49
– with airbags49
– with head restraint49
– with safety belts49
Ski bag121Sliding/tilt roof, refer to Glass 
sunroof, electric with raise 
function42
Slope assistant, refer to 
Starting assistant90
Snap-in adapter
– mounting/removing199
– using186
Snow chains219
Socket, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices121
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface
226
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock60
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing35
Song search on CD, refer to 
Sampling tracks176
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency request235
Sound distribution in audio 
mode
– front/rear fader162
– right/left balance162
Spare
– adapter for spare key30
– fuses234
– key30
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils223
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils223
Speed-dependent 
volume162
Speed dial, refer to 
Speedometer12
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit83
Speedometer12
"Speed volume", tone 
control162
Speed with winter tires219Sport automatic 
transmission62
– Dynamic Driving Control64
– kick-down63
– releasing transmission 
lock64
– towing238,239
– with comfort access40
Sport program in the Sport 
automatic transmission63
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems88
"Star button"57
Start/Stop button60
– starting the engine61
– switching off the engine61
"Start" for stopwatch84
"Start guidance"139,148
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine61
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting236
Starting assistant90
Starting difficulties, refer to 
Jump starting236
Starting off on slopes, refer to 
Starting assistant90
Start menu, iDrive18
"Start route guidance"142
"Start service"202
"Start service" with BMW 
Assist205
"State / Province" in 
destination entry137
"State inspection"80
Station, refer to Radio164
"Status"80
Status information on Control 
Display21
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners227,228