Controls
51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in closed rooms,
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust
gases can cause unconsciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, otherwis e such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car wi th the engine running,
place the transmission in neutral or move the
selector lever to position P and set the parking
brake to prevent the car from moving. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeat ed start attempts in
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the
fuel is not burned or incompletely burned and
there is a danger of overheating and damaging
the catalytic converter. <
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 35.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch and shift to neutral
position.
3. Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 35.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Move the selector lever to position P.
3. Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
7-gear sport automatic transmission
with dual clutch
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with con-
venient access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 35.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Press the start/stop button.
The engine starts, regardless of the current
selector lever position.
Driving
56
The indicator lamp lights up yellow if
the transmission becomes too warm.
Avoid high engine loads and driving off
frequently. If the transmission overheats, the
indicator lamp lights up red and power flow to
the engine is interrupted. You can only continue
driving after the transmi ssion has cooled down.
Avoid driving off frequently with a high acceler-
ation and do not hold the vehicle on inclines by
depressing the accelerato r lightly and dragging
the clutch; otherwise, the transmission may
overheat.
Transmission positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
P, R, N, D1 to D7, S1 to S7, M1 to M7
The transmission position and the gear cur-
rently engaged are displayed.
Engaging a transmission position
> Transmission position P can only be disen-
gaged if the engine is running.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N
with the vehicle stat ionary, depress the
brake; otherwise, the transmission will not
shift.
Engaging N, D, R
Briefly push the selector lever in the desired
direction, beyond a resi stance point if neces-
sary. When shifting out of P or into R, press
button 1 at the same time.
The engaged transmission position is also dis-
played on the selector lever.
When you release the sele ctor lever, it returns
to its center position.
Engaging P
Press button P.
P Park
Select this only when th e vehicle is stationary.
The rear wheels are locked.
P engages when you open the driver's
door while the engine is running, your
safety belt is not fastened and you activate nei-
ther the brake pedal nor the accelerator.<
P is engaged automatically when you
switch off the engine, unless N is
engaged and the remote co ntrol is in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 50. As soon as you
remove the remote cont rol from the ignition
lock, P engages regardless of the position of the
selector lever. <
Things to remember when driving
112
The risk of hydroplaning
increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tire s, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 194.
Driving through water
Drive though calm water only if it is not
deeper than 1 ft/25 cm and at this height
no faster than walking speed, up to 6 mph/
10 km/h. 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. Ot herwise greater clutch
wear will result. <
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page 80.
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 pre ssure 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. Full
braking efficiency will th en 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 br aking is required. Even light but consistent brak
e 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. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page 54.
7-gear sport automatic transmission with
dual clutch: Never drive with the trans-
mission 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 a ssistance to the brakes
or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise peda l function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driv en only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to re spond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail
to cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms wh ile the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Everything from A to Z
234
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC 77
Door key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key 28
Door lock 31
Doors, emergency
operation 32
DOT Quality Grades 193
Draft-free ventilation 94,97
Drinks holders, refer to Cup holders 103
Drive mode 57
Drive-off assistance, refer to Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 78
Drive-off assistant 80
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 88
Driving notes 110
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant 80
Driving position, engaging, refer to Transmission
positions 56
Driving stability control systems 78,79
Driving through water 112
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes 110
DSC Dynamic Stability Control 78
Dual clutch transmission 55
– kick-down 57
DVD
– country codes 148
– settings 149
– video playback 148
DVD changer
– malfunctions 151
DVD menu 149
DVD video 148
Dynamic Brake Control DBC 78
Dynamic Driving Control 79
E
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player 138
Electrical malfunction
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 188
– M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic 58
Electric seat adjustment 42
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access 35
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV 78
Electronic oil level check 198
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 78
Emergency actuation, automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock 55
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release 188
Emergency operation, refer to Manual operation
– door lock 32
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside 33
Emergency Request 213
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 213
Energy, saving
– saving fuel 110
Engine
– breaking in 110
– data 220
– overheated, refer to Coolant temperature 65
– speed 220
– starting 51
– starting, convenient access 35
– switching off 52
Engine compartment 198Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant 200
Engine oil
– adding 200
– BMW Maintenance
System 202
– capacity 222
– checking level 198
– intervals between changes, refer to Service
requirements 69
Engine output, refer to Engine data 220
Engine speed, refer to Engine data 220
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine 51
Entering the address 119
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps 90
Entry map for destination 124
Equalizer, tone setting 139
Error messages, refer to Check C
ontrol73
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 111
Exterior mirrors 45
– adjusting 45
– automatic dimming feature 46
– automatic heating 46
– folding in and out 45
External audio device 102
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing away 215
– for tying down loads 114
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 73
Failure of an electrical
consumer 212
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm 34
– switching off an alarm 34
Everything from A to Z
238
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, te chnical, refer
to For your own safety 5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls 16
Monitoring system for tire pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 81
MP3 player, connecting, refer to AUX-IN port 158
MP3 player, connecting, refer to USB-audio interface 158
Multifunctional steering wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel 11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/ headlamp flasher 59
– refer to Wiper system 60
Multimedia screen, refer to iDrive 16
Music, playing 154
Music collection 153
– backup 156
– importing 157
Music player, connecting, refer to AUX-IN port 158
Music player, connecting, refer to USB-audio
interface 158
Music search 154
My Info 171
N
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off 129
Navigation data 118
Navigation drive, location 118
Navigation DVD 118 Navigation system
118
– address book 121
– bypassing a route section 129
– continuing destination
guidance 128
– destination entry 119
– displaying current
position 134
– entering a destination by voice 125
– entering a destination manually 119
– route list 129
– selecting destination via map 124
– selecting route criteria 128
– selecting the split screen 131
– special destinations 122
– starting destination guidance 128
– terminating destination guidance 128
– trip planner 126
– voice instructions 129
– volume adjustment 130
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments 102
Neutral 57
New tires 195
NORMAL program, Dynamic Driving Control 79,80
North-facing map 130
Number of cylinders, refer to Engine data 220
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope 216
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for On-Board Diagnosis 202
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel specifications 189
Odometer 64
Oil, refer to Engine oil 198Oil consumption
198
Oil level 198
Old batteries, refer to Disposal 212
Onboard tool kit 208
Opening and closing
– convenient access 35
– from inside 32
– from outside 29
– using the door lock 31
– via the remote control 29
Options, selecting for navigation 128
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation 94,97
Outlets, refer to Air vents 92
Output, refer to Engine data 220
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control 97
Outside-temperature display
– changing units of
measure 68
– in computer 68
Outside-temperature
display 64
Outside temperature warning 64
Overheated engine, refer to Coolant temperature 65
Overriding selector lever
lock 55
Overview
– radio control 138
P
Paintwork care 205
Park assistant, refer to Park Distance Control 77
Park Distance Control PDC 77
Parking
– vehicle 52
Parking aid, refer to Park Distance Control PDC 77
Parking brake 52
Parking lamps 88