
Controls
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>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  

Adjusting
54 1.Pull lever 1 up and fold the backrest for-
ward.
2.Press and hold button 2 until the seat has 
moved into the desired position.
3.After passengers have entered the rear, fold 
the backrest back and lock it in place.
4.Press and hold button 3 until the seat has 
moved back into its previous position. If you 
release button3 before this, the seat stops 
in its current position.
You can lock the backrest in place when it 
is folded forward. This is useful, for exam-
ple, when you get into the vehicle while it is 
parked on a hill. Press the backrest until it audi-
bly locks into place. To fold it back, you do not 
need to use lever 1 to release it.<
Lock backrest warning lamp:
Lights up when the backrest is not 
locked. At the same time, a message is 
shown on the Control Display.
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page49.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Releasing
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be in 
the correct position for adults of every build if 
the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page49.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat*
The indicator lamp lights up and a sig-
nal sounds. A message also appears on 
the Control Display. Please check 
whether safety belts are being worn correctly.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat. 

Controls
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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  

Driving
72 If you are stopped behind a vehicle with the 
brake pedal depressed and the system is inter-
rupted or deactivated:
1.Press button4 to activate a stored desired 
speed or select a desired speed with the 
lever, arrow1 or arrow2.
2.Release the brake pedal.
3.If the vehicle in front of you drives off, briefly 
depress the accelerator pedal or press 
button4.
Deactivating system
>Press the lever upward or downward twice 
while driving.
>When stopped, do the same with the brake 
pedal depressed.
>Switch off the ignition.
The displays turn off, and the stored desired 
speed and distance are deleted.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
>Green: the system is active.
>Orange: the system is interrupted.
2Lights up yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Display also used for warnings, please read 
all information on warnings
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated
The bars roll: the vehicle in front of you has 
driven off
4Brief display of stored desired speedIf the display --- mph/--- km/h appears 
briefly, the conditions necessary for oper-
ation may currently not be met.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 continuously 
flashes yellow.
The prerequisites for operating the 
system are no longer met, e.g. as a 
result of ABS or DSC interven-
tions. The system brakes until you actively take 
over.
The indicator2 flashes red; a sig-
nal sounds.
The system indicates that you 
must brake and/or maneuver the 
vehicle yourself. The system can-
not automatically restore the distance to the 
vehicle driving ahead. 
However, this display cannot relieve the driver 
of the responsibility for adjusting the desired 
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
Radar sensors
1Long-range sensor
2Location of the short-range sensors behind 
the bumper
Heavy rain and also dirt, snow or ice can limit 
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed, 
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper 
as well as the bumper area covering the short 
range sensors. When doing so, be particularly 
careful in removing layers of snow and ice.
Do not apply adhesive labels etc. in the area of 
the short-range sensors. 

Everything under control
76
Everything under control
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, clock, 
date
1Time, outside temperature and date
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Press button:
>with ignition switched on, trip odometer 
is reset
>with ignition switched off, time, outside 
temperature, and odometer are briefly 
displayed.
From radio readiness the outside temperature 
and the time are displayed.
To request the date:
Press the CHECK button in the turn signal lever, 
refer to page82.
Time and date setting, refer to page84.
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the 
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on 
page86.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal 
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is 
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in the 
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident 
risk.<
Tachometer
Avoid engine speeds in the white-striped 
advance warning field, arrow1, if possible.
Be sure to avoid engine speeds in the red warn-
ing field, arrow2. At high revs in this range, the 
flow of fuel is interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine 
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In 
addition, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page224. 

Controls
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9.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
10.Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The year is selected.
11.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
12.Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The date entry is stored.
To exit from the menu:
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the 
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of 
Check Control message consists of indicator 
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster, 
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text 
messages at the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors. This symbol means that a Check Control 
message has been generated. The symbol con-
tinues to be visible even when the Check Con-
trol message disappears after a short time. The 
warning lamps and text messages are stored 
and can be displayed later, also refer to 
page82.
Explanatory text messages
Text message at the bottom edge of the Con-
trol Display explain the meaning of the dis-
played indicator and warning lamps.
For most Check Control messages, you can 
view more information later, e.g. regarding the 
cause of a malfunction and how to respond; 
refer to the information provided below.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp lights up. 

Controls
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Mobility
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sounds for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate the 
presence of objects when they are being 
approached slowly, as is usually the case when 
parking. Avoid approaching an object at high 
speed, otherwise the physical circumstances 
would mean that the system warning was too 
late.<
Switching on automatically
The system starts to operate approx. one sec-
ond after you shift into reverse or move the 
selector lever into position R with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short time before driving off.
Switching on manually
Press the button; the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ing jets for long periods and maintain a distance 
of at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
PDC with visual warning*
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. Objects that 
are farther away are already shown there before  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Malfunction in driving stability control 
systems
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up yellow, together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS, DSC, and for the 
Tire Pressure Monitor or Flat Tire Mon-
itor. A message appears on the Control 
Display. The driving stability control 
systems have failed. While you may 
continue, you should remember to pro-
ceed cautiously and drive defensively 
while avoiding full brake applications. 
The Tire Pressure Monitor or the Flat Tire Mon-
itor is also malfunctioning. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
The DSC indicator lamp lights up. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. A malfunction has occurred in the 
DSC and DTC. The stabilizing actions are no 
longer available. The vehicle remains opera-
tional. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
The brake system warning lamp lights 
up yellow. A message appears on the 
Control Display. The brake assistant is defective. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
Starting assistant
The starting assistant enables you to start off 
conveniently on slopes. The handbrake is not 
required for this purpose.
1.Hold the vehicle with the brake.
2.Release the brake and begin to drive imme-
diately.
After releasing the brake, begin to drive 
immediately; otherwise, the starting 
assistant no longer holds the vehicle after 
approx. 2 seconds and your vehicle will start to 
roll backward.<
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and 
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on 
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying 
from performance-oriented during cornering to 
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle 
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle 
operation, the system continuously runs 
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only 
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each 
time you start the engine.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.