
At a glance
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8Buttons on steering wheel
9Instrument cluster12
12Ignition lock60
13Horn, entire surface16Releasing hood220 Mobile phone
*186:
>Press: accepting and ending 
call, starting dialing
* for 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
>Press and hold: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice com-
mand system
* 24
Changing radio station164
Selecting music track175
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
Individually programmable
*57 
Individually programmable57 
Leaving lane warning
*102
10
Windshield wipers66
Rain sensor66
11Starting/stopping engine and 
switching ignition on/off 60
14
Steering wheel heater
*56
Steering wheel adjustment56
15
Cruise control*67
Active cruise control68
17Opening luggage compartment 
lid35
18
Head-Up Display
*98
BMW Night Vision
*100
19
Parking lamps104
Low beams104
Welcome lamps104
Automatic headlamp control104
Daytime running lamps
*105
Welcome lamps104
Adaptive Head Light
*106
20
Instrument lighting108
Fog lamps108 

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Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by 
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine 
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e. g. on the cause and 
elimination of a malfunction, can be opened via 
the Check Control system, refer to page81.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps signal particular 
functions:
High beams/headlamp flasher106
Fog lamps108
Handbrake applied62
Handbrake for Canadian models
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability89
DTC Dynamic Traction Control90
Exhaust-gas values226
Exhaust-gas values for Canadian 
models226 

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welcome relief from the constant adjustment of 
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on 
freeways or other high-speed thoroughfares. 
Especially on longer trips and in traffic conges-
tion, the system can reduce fatigue and tension, 
while increasing your enjoyment of driving. 
Please use it safely and responsibly.
In addition to holding a steady cruising speed, if 
you encounter slower vehicles ahead, active 
cruise control will, within limits, adjust your 
vehicle’s speed automatically so that you can 
flow with the traffic without having to make con-
stant adjustments. If, for example, while cruis-
ing at the selected speed, you begin to 
approach a slower vehicle ahead of you in the 
same lane, the system will reduce your vehicle’s 
speed to the same as that of the vehicle ahead 
to maintain your selected distance setting. You 
can vary the following distance, which will vary 
with speed. Based on your selected distance 
setting, the system automatically decreases the 
throttle setting and lightly applies the brakes if 
necessary. In addition, if the vehicle ahead of 
you slows to a complete stop, the system can 
follow this action within the given scope and 
can also accelerate from a complete stop if the 
vehicle ahead of you drives off again shortly 
thereafter. During braking, your vehicle brake 
lamps will automatically illuminate to alert a fol-
lowing driver to take action. In addition, it may 
be necessary for your vehicle to downshift the 
automatic transmission to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. As soon as the road in 
front of you has no moving vehicles, the system 
will accelerate to your desired speed. This set 
speed is also maintained on downhill grades, 
however the vehicle speed can drop below the 
set speed when driving uphill if the engine out-
put is not sufficient.
Active cruise control cannot detect stop 
signs, red lights, or any object that is 
stopped or is blocking the road.
Active cruise control is not and must not be 
used as a collision avoidance/warning system.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, it is necessary that you read all of the pages relating to this system before 
use. Carefully read and observe the information 
on the system limitations beginning on page73 
to obtain a good command of the system and its 
range of applications.<
Brake pedal feel
When the system brakes and you also depress 
the brake pedal, a somewhat different braking 
feel results.
Professional* navigation system
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to 
page134, within limits the system adjusts the 
accelerating and braking behavior of the vehicle 
to the road you are driving on.
To ensure that the system is informed of 
the current course of the road, always use 
the latest navigation DVD if possible.<
When the vehicle position is unknown, e. g. 
when you leave the map area, this influence of 
the navigation system is not available.
Applications
Please try the system first during sparse traffic 
and clear road conditions so that you can get 
used to the system. After you have experience 
and understand the system, only then use it 
during normal traffic.
As with conventional cruise control systems, 
active cruise control in no way reduces or sub-
stitutes for the driver’s own personal experi-
ence, responsibility, alertness and awareness in 
adjusting speed, braking or otherwise control-
ling the vehicle. The driver should decide when 
to use the system on the basis of road, traffic, 
visibility, and weather conditions. Active cruise 
control is intended for use on highway-type 
roadways where traffic is moving relatively 
smoothly as well as in slow-moving traffic. Do 
not use the system in city driving; in complex 
driving situations; heavy traffic such as during 
rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery 
roads or roads with sharp curves such as high-
way off-ramps; during inclement weather such 
as snow, strong rain or fog; or when entering 
interchanges, service/parking areas or toll  

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If the sensor is not aligned properly, e. g. due to 
damage, the active cruise control cannot be 
activated.
System limitations
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on free-
way-type roadways where traffic is moving rel-
atively smoothly. Do not use this system in city 
driving; in complex driving situations; on curvy, 
winding roads, slippery roads or roads with 
sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; during 
inclement weather such 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 nec-
essary, especially when the system is actively 
following a vehicle in front of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. For example, the system may not detect 
vehicles driving ahead if they suddenly brake 
heavily in stop-and-go traffic during accelera-
tion. The system will not apply the brakes or 
slow your vehicle when a very slow-moving 
vehicle, stopped vehicle or stationary object is 
in the lane ahead of you, for example when 
approaching a traffic light or parked vehicle or 
when a vehicle is stalled in your lane. Also, the 
system does not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types of potential traffic 
s u c h  a s  a  r i d e r  o n  a  h o r s e b a c k .  I t  i s  a l s o  p o s s i b l e  
that the system may not detect smaller moving 
objects such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be 
especially alert when encountering any of these 
situations as the system will neither automati-
cally brake, nor provide a warning to you. Also, 
be aware that every decrease in the distance 
setting allows your vehicle to come closer to a 
vehicle in front of you and requires a heightened 
amount of alertness.<
The system cannot allow the vehicle to drive off 
automatically in situations that make driving off 
considerably more difficult, e.g. on steep uphill 
grades, with a heavy trailer or before raised 
areas in the road.
Near radio astronomy stations, the system 
radar is deactivated at speeds under 20 mph/
30 km/h due to legal regulations.
Be certain to interrupt the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway 
offramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system’s 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
In addition, the system is interrupted 
whenever the driver applies the vehicle 
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to 
neutral/N, or deactivates DSC. After any inter- 

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used as a continuous viewing window for driv-
ing at night.
No system, no matter how sophisticated, can 
operate without limitations. BMW Night Vision 
operation is subject to physical and environ-
mental limitations that will reduce the ability of 
the system to detect and display a clear thermal 
image. Some of the situations in which these 
limitations can occur are:
>on steep hilltops or depressions and in tight 
curves
>in tunnels, as the contrast is inherently low
>when the camera lens is dirty
>in dense fog, heavy rain or snowfall
>when displaying very hot objects such as 
transformers, car exhausts etc.
>when the image briefly freezes during nor-
mal system adjustment.
BMW Night Vision's potential benefits 
can be limited by the driving style of the 
driver, the size and relative temperature of the 
detected objects, dirt or contamination on the 
camera lens, adverse weather like snow, rain or 
fog, and other factors not mentioned here. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to drive at a 
speed and in a manner that recognizes potential 
hazards and adjust accordingly. 
BMW Night Vision is not a substitute or replace-
ment for the driver's responsibility to adapt to 
visibility and traffic conditions. The forward view 
illuminated by the headlamps must always be 
the basis for making safe driving decisions, oth-
erwise a safety risk will result.
to page104.
2.With low beams switched on:
>Press the   button. Depending on the 
vehicle's equipment, the location of the 
button may differ somewhat.
>Press one of the programmable buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page57.
The image will be displayed on the Control Dis-
play after a few seconds. Depending on the last 
mode selected, either the normal or full screen 
image will be displayed.
Due to the system's need to adjust periodically, 
a still image is displayed at certain intervals for 
fractions of a second. This is normal and not an 
indication of a problem.
To prevent driving without headlamps, at a 
speed of more than approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and 
when dark, the thermal image on the Control 
Display is only shown when the low beams are 
on.
Deactivating BMW Night Vision
>Press the   button.
>Press the button on the steering wheel. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
102 >Press the   button.
>Via iDrive, refer to Selecting settings.
Selecting settings
iDrive, for explanation of principle, refer to 
page16.
1.Activate BMW Night Vision.
2.Press the controller to display the menu 
items.
3.Select the menu item and press the control-
ler:
>"Night Vision off":
Deactivate BMW Night Vision.
>"Zoom": 
At higher speeds, the image is zoomed 
in.
>"Curve mode": 
Depending on the steering angle and 
other parameters, the image section fol-
lows the course of the road to some 
degree.
>"Full screen": 
The image is shown on the entire Con-
trol Display.
>"Contrast": 
The contrast of the screen can be 
adjusted.
>"Brightness": 
The brightness of the screen can be 
adjusted.
"Curve mode" can only be activated with 
the "Zoom" function switched on. With 
"Full screen" activated, "Curve mode" and 
"Zoom" cannot be selected.
To exit the menu: 
The image automatically disappears after 
approx. 5 seconds.
Cleaning camera
The function of the camera may be affected by 
heavy rain and fog, dirt, snow or ice on the lens. 
When this occurs, the displayed image on the 
Control Display may become gray.
To minimize icing, the camera lens is automati-
cally heated. However, it may be necessary to 
clean the camera lens manually under severe 
weather conditions. When doing so, cautiously 
remove any debris, ice or snow. To avoid dam-
age to the lens, do not use sharp or abrasive 
instruments to clean ice, snow, or dirt off the 
lens.
When the windshield is cleaned with the head-
lamps on, the camera lens area is automatically 
sprayed as well. Refer to page66.
Leaving lane warning*
The concept
This system warns you from a speed of approx. 
40 mph/70 km/h when the vehicle is leaving the 
lane you are currently in on roads with lane limit 
lines. You feel this due to a slight vibration of the 
steering wheel. 
The system does not warn you if you signal 
before leaving the lane. 
It is best to use the system on well-developed 
roads and freeways. 

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Switching on/off
Press the button on the steering wheel.
>The two lines1 indicate that the system is 
activated.
>The two arrows2 mean that the system has 
detected one or two lane limit lines from a 
speed of approx. 40 mph/70 km/h and 
warns accordingly.
If you activate the system below a speed of 
approx. 40 mph/70 km/h, a message will appear 
stating that the system is not active until this 
speed is reached.
A warning will be canceled:
>after approx. 3 seconds
>if you return to your lane
>if you brake heavily
>if you signal
System limits
The leaving lane warning cannot serve as 
a substitute for your personal judgment in 
determining the course of the road. 
If the system issues a warning, do not move the 
steering wheel with unnecessary severity, as 
otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle.<
The function of the system may be limited in the 
following example situations:
>in heavy fog, rain or snowfall
>with worn-away, poorly visible limit lines, or 
lines that run together or apart or are 
unclear, e.g. in road construction areas
>when limit lines are covered by snow, ice, 
dirt or a great deal of water
>in tight curves or on narrow roads>when limit lines are not white
>when limit lines are covered by objects
>when driving up close behind a vehicle driv-
ing ahead
>with bright counter light
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or 
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the 
area of the inside rearview mirror 

Lamps
104
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control, daytime run-
ning lamps
*, welcome lamps, Adaptive 
Head Light
* and high-beam assistant*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition 
switched off, the exterior lighting is switched off 
when the light switch is in position2 or 3. The 
daytime running lamps have already been 
switched off at the same time as the ignition.
For this reason, switch on the side marker 
lamps as needed, switch position1; otherwise, 
the vehicle is not lit.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do 
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is preferable to 
switch on the roadside parking lamps on one 
side, refer to page106.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control
In switch position3, the system activates the 
low beams and switches them on or off in 
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk 
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Head 
Light
* is active. The LED next to the symbol 
lights up when the low beams are on.
You can also activate the daytime running 
lamps, refer to page105. In the situations 
described above, the lamps then switch to low 
beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can 
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams remain on independent of 
the ambient lighting conditions when you 
switch on the fog lamps.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors 
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in position2 or 3 
when parking the vehicle, then when you unlock 
the vehicle, the parking lamps and interior light-
ing remain illuminated for a brief time.
Activating/deactivating welcome 
lamps
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.