
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to 
page238.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
53Transporting children safely
55Driving
68Everything under control
81Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
92Lamps
96Climate
101Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
116Things to remember when driving
121BMW M3 engineering
Navigation
126Navigation system
127Destination entry
137Destination guidance
143What to do if …
Entertainment
146On/off and tone
149Radio
152Satellite radio
154CD player and CD changer
161Music collection
165AUX-IN port
166USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio 
interface
Communications
172Telephone
183Contacts
185BMW Assist
Mobility
194Refueling
196Wheels and tires
202Under the hood
207Maintenance
209Care
213Replacing components
221Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
228Technical data
232Short commands for the voice activation 
system
238Everything from A - Z
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Controls
 97Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program7 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile 
settings on page26.
Adjusting air distribution manually
The air distribution can be 
switched on and off manually. The 
air is directed to the windshield, to 
the upper body area and to the 
footwell. Automatic air distribution adjustment 
is deactivated.
The current setting is briefly displayed on the 
Control Display when a button is pressed.
You can switch the automatic air distribution 
back on by pressing the AUTO button. This 
automatically switches on the cooling function 
as well.
Temperature
Set the desired temperatures indi-
vidually for the driver's and front 
passenger's sides.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble regardless of the season, using maximum 
cooling or heating power if necessary, and then 
maintains it.
When you switch between different tem-
perature settings in quick succession, the 
automatic climate control does not have 
enough time to achieve the set temperature.<
You can achieve maximum heating power with 
the highest setting, regardless of the outside 
temperature.
The lowest setting effects continuous cooling.
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above 
327/06 and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum 
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recir-
culated-air mode at the lowest temperature. Air 
flows at maximum rate from the vents for the 
upper body area. You should therefore open 
them for maximum cooling.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper 
body area and into the footwell for you. The air 
flow rate and your temperature specifications 
will be adapted to outside influences as a result 
of seasonal changes, e.g. sunlight or window 
condensation.
The cooling is switched on automatically with 
the AUTO program.
Intensity of the AUTO program
Press the AUTO button repeatedly to set the 
intensity of the AUTO program. The current 
setting is displayed on the Control Display 
when the button is pressed.
Select the intensity of the AUTO program:
>Low
>Medium
>High
Convertible program
The Convertible program is active when the 
hardtop is open and the AUTO program is 
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Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
Switch on the cooling function as well.
Switching cooling function on/off
The cooling function cools and 
dehumidifies the incoming air 
before reheating it as required, 
according to the temperature setting. This 
function is only available while the engine is 
running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time. 
Depending on your vehicle's 
equipment, the upper wires serve as an antenna 
and are not part of the rear window defroster.
Ventilation
1Use the knurled wheels to smoothly open 
and close the air vents
2Use the lever to change the direction of the 
airflow
3Knurled wheel for more or less cool air from 
the vents for the upper body area
Ventilation for cooling
Adjust the vent outlets to direct the flow of cool 
air in your direction, for instance if it has become 
too hot in the car.
Draft-free ventilation
Set the vent outlets so that the air flows past 
you and not straight at you.
Ventilation in the rear
1Use the knurled wheel to adjust the temper-
ature
>Turn toward blue: colder
>Turn toward red: warmer
2Use the knurled wheel to smoothly open 
and close the air vents
3Use the lever to change the direction of the 
airflow
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
The microfilter traps dust and pollen in the 
incoming air. The activated-charcoal filter pro-
vides additional protection by filtering gaseous 
pollutants from the outside air. Your BMW cen-
ter replaces this combined filter during routine 
maintenance.
Parked car ventilation
The concept
The parked car ventilation provides ventilation 
to the passenger compartment and lowers its 
temperature, if necessary.
It is ready for use at any outside temperature 
during parked car operation.
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Driving tips
 117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ing, take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the 
risk of serious personal injuries and property 
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust pipes, e. g. 
when loading the cargo bay, otherwise there is a 
risk of burn injuries.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, 
means that the tire can completely lose contact 
with the road surface, so that neither the car can 
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page199.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is 
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only 
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the 
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a 
lengthy period using the clutch; use the 
parking brake instead. Otherwise greater clutch 
wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page84.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most 
effective way of braking in situations in which 
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that 
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system.
M dual clutch transmission: never drive 
with the transmission in neutral or with 
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine 
braking action will not be present or there will be 
no power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the 
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise, 
engine braking action will not be present or 
there will be no power assistance to the brakes 
or steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
pedals, otherwise pedal function could be 
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
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Navigation system
126
Navigation system
General information
With the help of satellites, the navigation sys-
tem is able to ascertain the precise position of 
the vehicle and guide you reliably to any desti-
nation you enter.
The navigation data is stored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using navigation DVDs. 
Make all entries while the vehicle is sta-
tionary
Enter data only when the vehicle is stationary, 
and always give priority to the applicable traffic 
regulations in the event of any contradiction 
between traffic and road conditions and the 
instructions issued by the navigation system. 
Failure to take to this precaution can place you 
in violation of the law and put vehicle occupants 
and other road users in danger.<
Updating the navigation data
The navigation data is stored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using a navigation DVD. Please 
contact the BMW center if you have any ques-
tions.
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD into the DVD 
player with the labeled side facing up.
2.Follow the instructions on the display.
3.Enter the authorization code of the naviga-
tion DVD and change the DVD if needed.
Displaying information on the version
1."Navigation"
2.Open "Options".
3."Navigation system version". Information 
on the data version is displayed. 
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
If the DVD is not ejected, the drive may be 
blocked. In this case, a message will appear on 
the Control Display.
*
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Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 153Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Selecting a channel
Selecting a channel
1."Satellite radio"
2.Select "All Channels" or the desired cate-
gory.
3.Select the desired channel.
Storing a channel
1."Satellite radio"
2.Open "All Channels" or the desired cate-
gory.
3."Store Channel".
4.Call up the desired memory location.
The channel is stored. The channels of the last 
selection criterion are displayed again after a 
short time.
Displaying information about another 
channel
Information about a track currently being played 
on another channel can be displayed. 
1.Highlight the channel on which you wish to 
display information.
2.Open "Options".
3."Channel info"
Changing the channel using the 
buttons below the CD / DVD drive 
 Press the button for the corresponding 
direction.
The system switches to the next enabled chan-
nel.
Notes
If more than 4 seconds go by and no signal is 
received, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Under some circumstances, e.g. depend-
ing on environmental or topographic con-
ditions, it may not be possible to receive a sig-
nal. The satellite radio cannot influence this.
A signal may not be available in tunnels or 
underground garages, next to high-rise build-
ings, in the vicinity of trees, mountains or other 
strong sources of radio interference.
Reception usually resumes as soon as the sig-
nal becomes available again.<
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 175
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
can be used in combination with the mobile 
phone, e.g. a laptop.<
To temporarily deactivate the Bluetooth link 
between the vehicle and your mobile phone:
1."Telephone"
2."Bluetooth"
All paired mobile phones are listed.
3.Open "Options".
4."Bluetooth"
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired 
volume.
This volume for the hands-free system is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are set to 
minimum volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions using 
iDrive:
>Accepting/rejecting calls
>Dialing phone numbers>Selecting phone numbers from the phone 
book
>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from 
the list of received calls
>Ending a call
When the ignition is switched off or in radio 
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control 
out of the ignition lock, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talking to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to 
excessive background noise. The Full prepara-
tion package mobile phone can compensate for 
these noises to a certain extent. To optimize 
voice quality during a call, we recommend that 
you:
>Reduce background noise, e.g. by closing 
the windows, reducing air flow from the 
automatic climate control or pointing the 
open front air vents downward
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pairing data are stored 
by the vehicle and the mobile phone is oper-
ational.
>The engine is running or the ignition is 
switched on.
>The mobile phone is recognized by the 
vehicle.
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller 
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry 
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the   button on the steering wheel.
or
"Accept"
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Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
P
Paintwork care210
Park assistant, refer to Park 
Distance Control81
Park Distance Control PDC81
Parked car ventilation99
– preselecting switch-on 
times100
– switching on and off 
directly100
Parking
– vehicle56
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control PDC81
Parking brake57
– indicator lamp57
Parking lamps92
Parking lamps/low beams92
Passenger-side mirror tilt 
function49
Pathway lighting93
Personal Profile26
Phone book175
Phone numbers
– dialing176
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– windows36
Placing a call, refer to 
telephone owner's manual
Polish211
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control99
Position, refer to Current 
position, displaying143
Postal code, entering for 
navigation128
Power failure220
Power windows35
Power windows, refer to 
Windows35
Pressure, tires196
Pressure monitoring, tires84
– Flat Tire Monitor84Pressure monitoring of tires, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM85
Programmable buttons on the 
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to 
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– windows36
Providing medical assistance, 
refer to First aid pouch222
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor84
R
Radio
– controls146
– High Definition Radio150
– satellite radio152
– selecting a waveband149
– storing stations149
– switching on/off146
– tone control146
– volume146
Radio-operated key, refer to 
Remote control26
Radio position, refer to Radio 
readiness55
Radio readiness55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Rain sensor65
Reading lamps95
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps215
– replacing bulb215
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints45
– folding down backrests108
Rear turn signals
– replacing bulb215
Rear ventilation99
Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors48
Rear window defroster99
Rear window roller blind, refer 
to Roller sun blinds104Receiving level of mobile 
phone, refer to Status 
information19
Reception
– quality150
– radio station150
Recirculated-air mode98
Recirculation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode98
Reclining seat, refer to 
Backrest43
Refueling194
Releasing
– hood202
Remaining distance, refer to 
Cruising range70
Remote control26
– battery renewal35
– convenient access34
– garage door opener101
– luggage compartment lid28
– malfunction29,35
– removing from the ignition 
lock55
– service data207
Replacement remote 
control
26
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs213
Replacing tires199
Replacing tires, refer to New 
wheels and tires199
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge69
Reset, refer to Resetting tone 
settings148
Residual heat98
Restraint systems
– for children53
– refer to Safety belts47
Retractable hardtop38
– convenient operation28
– opening and closing39
– remote control28
Reverse
– CD changer156
– CD player156
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