
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
page228.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
37Adjustments
46Transporting children safely
49Driving
62Everything under control
75Technology for driving comfort and
safety
85Lamps
89Climate
94Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
106Things to remember when driving
111BMW M3 engineering
Navigation
116Navigation system
117Destination entry
127Destination guidance
133What to do if …
Entertainment
136On/off and tone
139Radio
142Satellite radio
144CD player and CD changer
151Music collection
155AUX-IN port
156USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio
interface
Communications
162Telephone
173Contacts
175BMW Assist
Mobility
184Refueling
186Wheels and tires
192Under the hood
197Maintenance
199Care
203Replacing components
210Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
218Technical data
221Short commands for the voice activation
system
228Everything from A - Z
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Practical interior accessories
98
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to
page26.
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to
page154.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains either a compartment or the cover for
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version. For more information about this
mobile phone base plate refer to the separate
Owner's Manual.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Settings*
Slide the center armrest into the desired posi-
tion on the driver's side.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-IN port, refer to page155
>USB-audio interface
*, refer to page156
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*.
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in
the rear passenger compartment.
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Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
155Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
AUX-IN port
You can connect an external audio device, for
instance an MP3 player, and play audio tracks
over the car's loudspeaker system. You can
adjust the tone using iDrive.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks over the car's loudspeaker
system, connect the headset or line-out port of
the external device to the AUX-IN port.
Starting audio playback
Connect the audio device, switch it on and
select a track. Operate the system on the audio
device.
Via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."AUX (front)"
Adjusting volume
The volume of the sound output depends on
the audio device. If the volume varies greatly
from the other audio sources, it makes sense to
adjust the volume to the same level.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."AUX (front)"3."Volume"
4.Turn the controller until the desired volume
is set and then press the controller.
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USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio interface
156
USB-audio interface/mobile phone audio
interface
Connectable devices
iPod / iPhone, mobile phone or USB devices
(MP3 player, USB flash drive). They can be
operated via iDrive.
Standard audio formats, e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV
(PCM) and AAC, and playlists in the M3U format
can be played.
Due to the large number of different audio
devices/mobile phones available on the market,
it cannot be ensured that every audio device/
mobile phone is operable on the vehicle.
Ask about suitable audio devices/mobile
phones at your BMW center.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
1AUX-IN port for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB-audio interface
iPod/iPhone
To connect the iPod/iPhone, use the BMW
cable adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone. For
more information, contact your BMW center or
go to the Internet: www.bmw.com
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the iPod/iPhone to
ports 1 and 2.The menu structure of the iPod/iPhone is sup-
ported by the USB-audio interface/mobile
phone audio interface.
USB storage device
To connect the device, use a flexible
adapter cable to protect the USB inter-
face and your USB device against physical
damage.<
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the USB device to
port1.
After the device is connected for the first time,
the information on all tracks (e.g. artist, type of
music) and the playlists are transferred from the
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may
take some time. The duration depends on the
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transfer, you can select the tracks using
the directories and file names.
After transfer, you can call up the tracks using
the information and playlists.
Information from up to four USB devices can be
stored in the vehicle, or a total of about 16,000
tracks.
If a fifth USB device is connected, the informa-
tion stored in the vehicle on the tracks of the
first USB device is deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be
played.<
Starting audio playback
If the audio device has a device name, the name
is displayed.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
*
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Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
157Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
3. Select the symbol.
The name of the audio device may appear.
If, for example, an iPhone is connected to the
USB interface at the same time that an audio
device is connected to the AUX-IN port, the
audio signal of the AUX-IN port is played.
Information about the track
If information about a track has been stored, it is
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks
>Track file name
Track search
You can call up the tracks using the playlists
and information. With USB devices you can also
call up tracks using the file directory.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol.
The name of the audio device may appear.
4.Select the desired category, "Genre", "Art-
ist".All entries are displayed in a list. The "A-Z
search" is available depending on the num-
ber of entries.
>Open "A-Z search" and enter the
desired entry.
>Select the desired entry from the list.
5.Select additional categories if desired.
The tracks found are listed. Not all catego-
ries need to be selected. For example, to
search for all tracks by a certain artist, call
up that artist only. All of the tracks by that
artist are then displayed.
6."Start play"
Restarting a track search
"New search"
Random play sequence
You can play the tracks in the selected list in
random order, e.g. all tracks of a single artist.
1.Open "Options".
2."Random"
Fast forward/reverse
Press and hold the button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to
extreme environmental conditions, e. g.
very high temperatures, refer to the operating
instructions of the audio device. Otherwise the
audio device may become damaged, which
could compromise safety while driving.<
Depending on the configuration of the audio
files, e. g. bit rates greater than 256 KBit/s, the
files may not play back correctly in every case.
Notes on connecting
>The USB-audio interface acts as the power
supply to the connected audio devices, pro-
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Everything from A - Z
228
Everything from A - Z
Index
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System76
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control57
Accident, refer to Sending an
Emergency Request210
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control92
Adaptive brake light
– brake force display82
Adaptive Head Light86
Additives
– coolant196
Address, entering117,123
Address for navigation
– entering117,123
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control90
Adjusting the thigh support38
Adjusting the tone during
audio operation, refer to
Tone control136
Airbags82
– indicator/warning lamp84
– sitting safely37
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control90
– ventilation92
Air distribution
– automatic90
Air flow rate91
Airing, refer to Ventilation92
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure186Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode91
Air supply
– automatic climate control90
– ventilation92
Air vents89
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications184
Alarm system31
– avoiding unintentional
alarms32
– interior motion sensor32
– switching off an alarm32
– tilt alarm sensor32
Album information for
music153
Albums of music
collection153
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires190
AM, waveband139
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode91
Antenna for mobile phone162
Antifreeze
– coolant196
– washer fluid60
Antilock Brake System
ABS
76
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system31
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights220
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights220
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest98
Arrival time, refer to
Computer64
Ashtray
– front99
– rear100Assistance systems, refer to
Driving stability control
systems76
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control91
Audio136
– controls136
– switching on/off136
– tone control136
– volume136
Audio device, external98
Automatic
– air distribution90
– air flow rate90
– cruise control60
– headlamp control85
Automatic car washes199
Automatic climate control89
– automatic air distribution90
Automatic curb monitor43
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC91
Automatic Service
Request179
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
– towing212
– tow-starting212
AUTO program for automatic
climate control90
AUX-IN port155
Average fuel consumption64
– setting the units65
Avoid highways in
navigation127
Avoiding unintentional
alarms32
Axle loads, refer to
Weights220
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Everything from A - Z
234
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio140
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature warning62
ID3 tag, refer to Information
about the track145
ID3 tags, refer to Album
information153
Identification marks, tire
coding188
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness73
– changing language73
– changing units of measure
and display format65
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time69
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition49
– switched off50
– switched on49
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control26
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness49
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on49
Ignition lock49
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– MDrive45
– M Dynamic Mode77
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM80
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure186
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM79Initializing
– after power failure209
– compass, refer to Digital
compass, calibrating96
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM78
– glass roof36
– radio, refer to Station,
storing139
– refer to Setting the time and
date69
Installation location
– CD changer148
– navigation DVD drive116
– telephone98
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instructions128
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting87
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Integrated key26
Integrated universal remote
control94
Interior lamps87
– remote control28
Interior motion sensor32
Interior rearview mirror43
– automatic dimming
feature43
– compass96
Intermittent mode of the
wipers59
Intersection, entering,
navigation118
iPod, connecting, refer to
AUX-IN port155
iPod, connecting, refer to
USB-audio interface156
J
Jacking points208
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting211
Jump starting211
K
Key, refer to Remote
control26
Keyless go, refer to
Convenient access32
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access32
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile26
Knock control184
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp
control85
– parking lamps/low beams85
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs203
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer
to Safety belts41
Lashing eyes, refer to
Securing cargo109
Last destinations120
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system47
Launch Control57
Leather care201
LED light-emitting diodes203
Length, refer to
Dimensions219
License plate lamp, replacing
bulb206
Light-alloy wheels200
Light-emitting diodes
LED203
Lighter99
– connecting electrical
appliances100
Lighting
– instruments87
– lamps and bulbs203
– vehicle, refer to Lamps85
Light switch85
Limit, refer to Speed limit72
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo109
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Reference 235
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lock buttons, doors, refer to
Locking30
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal28
– from inside30
– from outside28
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access32
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals28
– from inside29
– from outside27
Low-beam headlamps85
– automatic85
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support38
Luggage compartment lid30
– convenient access33
– emergency release31
– locking or unlocking
separately31
– opening from inside30
– opening from outside30
– remote control28
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack109
Lumbar support38
LW, waveband139
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires190
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system197
Malfunction
– tires79
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control70
Managing music153
Manual car wash200
Manual operation
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler door184
– glass roof36
– transmission lock54Manual transmission51
– tow-starting214
Map display129
Map for navigation
– changing scale129
– entering destination122
Master key, refer to Remote
control26
Maximum cooling90
Maximum speed
– with winter tires190
MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode76
"MDrive"44
MDrive44
M dual clutch transmission
with Drivelogic52
– kick-down53
– Launch Control57
– neutral53
– reverse gear53
– sequential mode53
– Shift Lights56
– shiftlock53
– tow-starting214
– unlocking transmission lock
manually54
M Dynamic Mode MDM76
– indicator lamp77
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions219
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory40
M Engine Dynamics
Control58
MENU button16
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System197
– for automatic climate
control92
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System197
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice commands14Mirror dimming feature43
Mirrors42
– automatic curb monitor43
– exterior mirrors42
– heating43
– interior rearview mirror43
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory40
Mirrors, folding in before
entering a car wash42
M Mobility System206
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume165
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing162
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest98
– operation via iDrive165
– pairing162
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest98
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone162
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor78
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port155
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB-audio interface156
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher58
– refer to Wiper system59
Multimedia screen, refer to
iDrive16
Music, playing152
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