
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
*
>USB-audio interface* for external audio 
device
Climate
>Vent settings
>Automatic programs
>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
Basic operation
From radio readiness, refer to page60, 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 call up all the functions of iDrive 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
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 
page34
>Programming buttons on steering wheel, 
refer to page57
>Displays on Control Display:
>12h/24h clock mode, refer to page85
>Date format, refer to page85
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page85
>Units of measure for consumption, 
route/distances, temperature and pres-
sure, refer to page86
>Language on the Control Display, refer 
to page86
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page66
>Welcome lamps, refer to page104
>Pathway lighting, refer to page105
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to 
page105
>High-beam assistant
*, refer to page106
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page87
>Head-Up Display
*: selection and bright-
ness of display, refer to page98>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer 
to page102
>Automatic climate control: for AUTO pro-
gram and intensity, cooling function, and 
automatic recirculated air control/recircu-
lated air mode, temperature, air distribution, 
temperature in the upper body region, refer 
to page111
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for 
destination guidance, refer to page151
In addition, the following, most recently 
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page22
>Driver's seat, exterior-mirror and steering-
wheel position, refer to page51
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page161
>Radio: display of stored stations, refer to 
page164
>Phone: adjusting volume, refer to page192
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Compartment in the front center console
>Luggage compartment lid
>Fuel filler door
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Using door lock
>With comfort access
* via the door handles
These actions operate the anti-theft system
* at 
the same time. It prevents the doors from being 
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. The interior lamps and the courtesy 
lamps
* are also switched on and off with the  

Controls
 111Reference
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.
Convertible program*
When the convertible top is opened, the con-
vertible program can also be selected. In the 
convertible program, the automatic climate 
control is optimized for driving with the convert-
ible top open. In addition, the air volume is 
increased as the speed increases.
If the convertible program has been selected, 
it is automatically active every time the top is 
opened.
The effect of the convertible program can 
be greatly enhanced if the wind deflector 
is installed.<
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the driver's and front 
passenger side.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble at any time of year, if necessary with the 
maximum 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.< 

Climate
112 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.
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.
Convertible: the rear window 
defroster is only activated when the rear win-
dow is closed.
Depending 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.
Air distribution, manual
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. 

Controls
 113Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.
6.Turn the controller to adjust the air distribu-
tion.
Driver's side:
1Air directed toward the windshield and side 
windows
2Air for the upper body
3Air to footwell
Front passenger side:
4Air for the upper body
5Air to footwell
Pressing the AUTO button cancels the 
manual air distribution settings.<
The automatic mode for the air volume remains 
effective with manual air distribution.
Switching cooling function on and off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before also reheating it as 
required, according to the temperature setting. This function is only available when the engine 
is running.
The cooling function helps to avoid condensa-
tion on the window surfaces or to quickly 
remove them.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is also switched on with 
the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
Maximally cooled air is obtained as 
quickly as possible at an outside 
temperature above approx. 327/
06 and with the engine running.
At the lowest temperature, the automatic cli-
mate control switches into recirculating air 
mode. The maximum air volume flows out of the 
vents for the upper body. Therefore, open these 
vents for maximum cooling.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air 
control/recirculated-air mode
You can respond to pollutants or 
unpleasant odors in the immediate 
environment by suspending the 
supply of outside air. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle. During 
AUC operation, a sensor detects pollutants in 
the outside air and controls the shut-off auto-
matically.
By pressing the button repeatedly, you can 
request three operating modes:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Right LED on, AUC mode: the system 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
shuts off the supply as needed.
>Left LED on, recirculated-air mode: the 
supply of outside air is permanently shut off.
Should the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated-air mode, press the AUTO button or 
switch off the recirculated-air mode and 
increase the air volume if necessary.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time, as the air qual- 

Short commands of voice command system
248
Climate
To open "All stations"164{FM all stations}
To select radio station164{Station ...}, e.g. {Station WNYC}, or
{Choose station}
To open "Presets"164{FM presets} or
{AM presets}
To select preset radio station164{Preset ...}, e.g. {Preset 1}
To open "Manual"165{FM manual},
{AM manual} or
{Choose frequency}, 
{Frequency ... Megahertz}
To open strongest radio stations166{AM Autostore}
To open "WB"168{Weatherband menu}
To switch on weatherband 168{Weatherband on}
To select a weatherband station168{Choose weatherband station}
To open "SAT"171{SAT radio menu}
To switch on satellite radio171{SAT radio}
To open "Presets" of the satellite radio172{SAT radio presets}
To open "All channels" of the satellite radio171{SAT radio all channels}
To open "Categories" of the satellite radio171{SAT radio categories}
To open CD player174{
CD menu}
To switch on CD player174{CD}
To open CD changer174{CD changer menu}
To switch on CD changer174{CD changer}
To select a CD in the CD changer174{CD 1...6}
To select music track175{CD track ...}
To select a CD and music track in the CD 
changer175{CD 1...6 track ...}
To switch on audio playback with external audio 
device180{Audio Aux}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To open "Vent settings"112{Vent settings}
To open "Automatic programs"111{Automatic programs}
To open "Parked car ventilation"115{Parked car operation}
To open "Automatic ventilation"115{Automatic ventilation}
To display activation times115{Activation time} 

Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Arrow display" in 
navigation149
"Arrow display pop-up 
instructions"135
Ashtray121
Assist, refer to 
BMW Assist201
Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems88
Assistance window21
"Assist. window off"22
AUC
– Automatic recirculated-air 
control113
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control113
"Audio"161,163,168
Audio160
– controls160
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
Audio device, external119
Automatic
– air distribution111
– air volume111
– cruise control67,68
– headlamp control104
– service notification203
– steering wheel 
adjustment51
– storing stations166
Automatic car washes128
– also refer to Comfort 
access40
Automatic climate control110
– automatic air 
distribution111
– convertible program111
– switching on and off114
– ventilation with vehicle 
parked114
Automatic closing of doors, 
refer to Automatic soft 
closing35
Automatic curb monitor56Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp 
control104
– refer to Daytime running 
lamps105
– refer to High-beam 
assistant106
– refer to Interior lamps108
– refer to Pathway lighting105
– refer to Welcome lamps104
"Automatic programs"
111
Automatic soft closing35
Automatic station search165
"Automatic ventilation"115
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control111
"Auto Request"203
"Autostore" on the 
radio164,166
"AUX"160,180,182
AUX-IN connection119,180
"AUX IN" in audio mode180
Average fuel consumption77
– setting units86
Average speed77
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation147
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation147
Avoiding freeways for 
navigation146
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms38
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation147
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights245
"A - Z"194
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support50
Backrests, refer to Seats49
Backup lamps, replacing 
bulbs, refer to Tail 
lamps232
"Balance", tone control162Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
kit236
Bass, refer to Tone 
control161
"Bass", tone control161
Battery
– jump starting236
– refer to Vehicle battery233
Battery replacement, remote 
control for comfort 
access40
BC button, refer to 
Computer77
Being towed238
Belts, refer to Safety belts54
Beverage holder, refer to Cup 
holders120
Blower, refer to Air 
volume112
"Bluetooth"187
BMW
– Car Shampoo230
"BMW Assist"202,203
BMW Assist201
– activating206
– BMW TeleServices203
– concierge service204
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations204
– displaying vehicle data207
– offered services201
– roadside assistance202
– updating205
"BMW Contact"196
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"196
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance 
system225
BMW Night Vision100
– activating101
– cleaning camera102
– cleaning camera, refer to 
Wiper system67
– deactivating101
– making settings102
"BMW Service settings"206
BMW TeleServices203