
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 

At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 

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 

iDrive
20
Operating principle at a glance
Basic operation via iDrive is described in this 
view.You can view the individual steps under Set-
tings on Control Display, Setting time, refer to 
page84.
1Selecting menu item:
>Turn the controller; the highlight moves
>Menu items shown in white can be 
selected by highlighting
2Activating menu item:
>Press the controller
>New menu items are displayed or the 
function is carried out
3Selecting menu item: refer to 14Changing between fields:
>Briefly move the controller to the left, 
right, front or back
>Release controller
>Active field appears lighter
5Adjusting settings:
>Turn controller
>Graphic display, numerical value or text 
displays can be changed
>Confirmation by changing field 

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  

Opening and closing
38
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: the 
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not properly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. However, the interior motion 
sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted into the 
ignition lock, however for a maximum of 
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been 
disturbed while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe:
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
* 
must be completely closed.
Convertible:
Monitors the interior up to the height of the seat 
cushions. This means that the alarm system, 
including the interior motion sensor, is armed 
even if the convertible top is open. Falling objects, e.g. leaves, can trigger false alarms, 
refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
>In two-level garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort access*
Comfort access allows you to access your vehi-
cle without having to hold the remote control in 
your hand. It is sufficient to carry the remote 
control with you, e.g. in your jacket pocket. The 
vehicle automatically detects the associated 
remote control in the immediate vicinity or in 
the interior.
Comfort access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Comfort closing with Coupe
>Opening luggage compartment lid sepa-
rately
>Starting engine
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment lid 
can only be locked if the vehicle detects that 
the remote control you are carrying is out-
side the vehicle. 

Controls
 39Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the comfort access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page30 
beforehand.
The special features when using comfort 
access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows, the glass sunroof 
or the convertible top, the system is checking 
whether a remote control is located in the vehi-
cle. Please repeat opening or closing if neces-
sary.<
Unlocking
Grasp a door handle fully, refer to arrow1, but 
do not touch the surfaces, arrow2 or 3 when 
doing so. This corresponds to pressing the   
button.
Locking
>On the driver's door, touch the highlighted 
surface, arrow2, with a finger for approx. 
1 second, but do not grasp the door handle.
>On the front passenger door, touch the 
highlighted surface, arrow3, with the back 
of your hand for approx. 1 second, but do 
not grasp the door handle.This corresponds to pressing the   but-
ton.
Please make sure that the ignition and all 
electronic systems/consumers are 
switched off before locking to save the bat-
tery.<
Coupe: Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of your hand against 
the surface, arrow2 or 3, but do not grasp the 
door handle while doing so.
The windows, the glass sunroof
* and the slid-
ing visor are closed.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle stops the closing 
process immediately.<
Opening luggage compartment lid 
separately
Press the upper half of the BMW emblem. 
This corresponds to pressing the   button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the 
luggage compartment is detected inside 
the locked vehicle after the luggage compart-
ment lid has been closed, then the luggage 
compartment lid opens again. The hazard warn-
ing flashers flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
By pressing the Start/Stop button, you switch 
on the radio readiness, refer to page60.
When doing so, do not depress the brake 
or clutch pedal, otherwise the engine will 
start immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page60.
If you take the remote control with you when 
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a 
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message 
appears on the Control Display. As long as no 
remote control is detected, it is only possible to  

Controls
 41Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
Convertible: Opening, closing
To close the side windows while the vehi-
cle is being driven, always close the rear 
windows first or all four windows simulta-
neously; otherwise, the windows cannot close 
tightly at higher speeds.<
Individually
>Press switch to resistance point:
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch. The rear windows cannot 
be closed automatically.
Together
1.Briefly press button1:
The LEDs in button1 and switch2 light up 
for approx. 10 seconds.
2.Press switch 2:
>Down to the resistance point:
All windows, including the rear window, 
continue to open as long as you press 
the switch.
You can close the windows in the same 
manner by pulling the switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
All windows open automatically. Press-
ing the switch again stops the opening 
movement.
Briefly press button 1 again to deactivate the 
function. The LEDs go out.
Rear window
1.Briefly press button1:
The LEDs in button1 and switch2 light up 
for approx. 10 seconds.
2.Press switch 2:
>Down to the resistance point:
The rear window continues to open for 
as long as you hold down the switch.