
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 
page230.
Using this Owner's Manual
4 Notes
7 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16 iDrive
22 Letters and numbers
23 Voice activation system
Controls
28Opening and closing
41 Adjustments
48 Transporting children safely
50 Driving
64 Everything under control
77 Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
88 Lamps
92 Climate
98 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
110Things to remember when driving
Navigation
118Navigation system
119 Destination entry
128 Destination guidance
134 What to do if …
Entertainment
138On/off and tone
141 Radio
144 Satellite radio
146 CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
153 Music collection
158 External devices
Communications
164Telephone
176 Contacts
178 BMW Assist
Mobility
188Refueling
190 Wheels and tires
197 Under the hood
202 Maintenance
204 Care
208 Replacing components
213 Giving and rece iving assistance
Reference
220Technical data
223 Short commands for the voice activation 
system
230 Everything from A to Z 

Practical interior accessories
102
Observe the following when connecting:
>
Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect a USB hard disk.
> Do not use the USB in terface to recharge 
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest contains either two cup 
holders, a compartment  or the cover for the 
snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equipment 
version. For more details on this mobile phone 
cradle, see page  174.
Locking the storage compartment*
When you lock the vehicle from the outside, the 
storage compartment in the center armrest is 
locked as well.
Opening
Fold the center armrest up, see arrow.
Connection for exte rnal 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 page 158
> USB-audio interface
*, refer to page 158
Storage compartments inside 
the vehicle
The following compartments are available, 
depending on how your vehicle is equipped:
Compartments* in the doors
To open: fold open the cover.
Compartment* in the center console
There is an open storage compartment in the 
center console.
Storage compartment* in the partition
To open: pull the handle.
The inserts in the storage compartment can be 
removed individually.
Removing the storage compartment
The storage compartment can be removed 
completely to be able to  use other inserts, for 
example. 

Navigation system
118
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 st ored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using navigation DVDs.
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, and always give priority to the 
applicable traffic regulati ons in the event of any 
contradiction between traffic and road condi-
tions and the instructions  issued by the naviga-
tion system. Failure to ta ke 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 st ored in the vehicle and 
can be updated using a na vigation 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 labe led side facing up.
2. Follow the instructio ns 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.
* 

On/off and tone
138
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share 
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
> CD/DVD player
> CD/DVD changer
*
>Video
> External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled 
using the:
>Buttons near th e CD/DVD player
> iDrive
> Buttons on the steeri ng wheel, refer to 
page 11
> Programmable memory  keys, refer to 
page 21
> Voice activation system
Buttons near the CD/DVD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, 
volume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on the unit, the last set 
radio station or track is played.
> Turn: adjust volume.
2  Eject CD/DVD
3 CD/DVD drive
4FM/AM : change the radio station wave-
band 5MODE
: change the audio and video 
sources
6  Station scan/track search
> Change radio station.
> Select track for CD/DVD player and CD/
DVD changer.
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button 1 next to the CD/DVD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indicates 
that sound output is switched off.
The sound output is available for approx. 
20 minutes after the igni tion is switched off.
For sound output, switch the unit back on.
Adjusting volume
Turn button 1 next to the CD/DVD player until 
the desired volume is obtained.
You can also adjust the  volume with buttons on 
the steering wheel, refer to page 11.
The setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Tone control
You can alter various tone  settings, e.g. treble 
and bass or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are applied to all audio 
sources.
The settings are stored  for the remote control 
currently in use. 

CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
146
CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
CD/DVD playback
Inserting a CD/DVD
Insert the CD/DVD into the drive with the 
printed side up. The CD/D VD is drawn in auto-
matically.
Playback starts automatically if the sound out-
put is on. When playing CDs/DVDs with com-
pressed audio files, it  may take several minutes 
to read in the data, de pending on the directory 
structure.
Playable formats
> DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-
RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, 
DVD audio (video part only), DVD video
> CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, 
VCD, SVCD
> Compressed audio files: MP3, WMA, AAC
Start playback
Via iDrive
Fill the CD/DVD chan ger, refer to page150.
To start playback if a CD/DVD is already located 
in the player or changer:
iDrive, for operating pr inciple refer to page16. 1.
"CD/Multimedia"
2. "CD/DVD"
3. Select the desired CD or DVD.
Ejecting a CD/DVD
 Press the button next  to the CD/DVD player.
The CD/DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
Audio playback
Selecting a track
 Press the button for the appropriate 
direction as often as necessary until the desired 
track is reached.
*
SymbolFunction
CD / DVD player
CD/DVD changer 

CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
148
5.
"Random"
CDs/DVDs with compressed audio files: the 
directories and the tracks contained therein are 
played back in random sequence.
Random mode is switched off if the audio 
source is changed or the  ignition is switched off.
Fast forward/reverse
 Press and hold the button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Video playback*
Country codes
Only DVDs with the code of the home region 
can be played back; also refer to the information 
on your DVD.
Start playback
For your own safety, the video image is only dis-
played up to a vehicle speed of approx. 2 mph/
3 km/h and in some countries only with the  parking brake set or the automatic transmission 
in position P.
DVD video
1.
"CD/Multimedia"
2. "CD/DVD"
3. Select a DVD with video content.
4.  "DVD menu"
5. Start the DVD via the DVD menu.
VCD/SVCD
1."CD/Multimedia"
2. "CD/DVD"
3. Select a CD with video content.
4.  "Select track"
5. Select the desired track.
The CD is started.
Video menu
To open the Video menu:
1. Turn the controller during playback.
2. Press the controller when "Back" is dis-
played.
CodeRegion
1USA, Canada
2 Japan, Europe, Middle East, South 
Africa
3Southeast Asia
4 Australia, Central and South America,  New Zealand
5 Northwest Asia, North Africa
6China
0 All regions 

CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
150
4.
"Brightness", "Contrast" or "Color"
5. Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is displayed and then  press the controller.
Zoom
Display the video imag e on the full screen.
1. Turn the controller during playback.
2. Open "Options".
3. "Additional options"
4. "Zoom mode"
Selecting track
DVD video:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2. Open "Options".
3. "Additional options"
4. "Select chapter"
5. Select the desired track.
VCD/SVCD:
1.  "Select track"
2. Select the desired track.
Camera angle*
The camera angle depends on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2. Open "Options".
3. "Additional options"
4. "Viewing angle"
5. Select the desired camera angle.
Opening the main menu, back
These functions are not contained on every 
DVD. Therefore, they may not be available 
for use.
CD/DVD changer*
The BMW CD/DVD changer for six CDs/DVDs is 
located in the glove compartment.
Press the lever.
The CD/DVD chan ger drops down.
To close the CD/DVD changer, fold it back up. 

CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
152
Notes
BMW CD/DVD players and changers are 
officially designated Class 1 laser prod-
ucts. Do not operate if  the cover is damaged, 
otherwise severe eye damage can result.
Do not use self-recorded CDs/DVDs with labels 
applied as these can become detached during 
playback due to heat build-up and can cause 
irreparable damage  to the device.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard 
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play CDs/
DVDs with an adapter, e.g. Single-CDs, other-
wise the CDs or  the adapter can jam and will no 
longer eject.
Do not use a combined  CD/DVD, e.g. DVD
Plus, 
otherwise the CD/DVD  can jam and will no 
longer eject. <
General malfunctions
BMW CD/DVD changers and players have been 
optimized for performance in vehicles. In some 
instances they may be mo re sensitive to faulty 
CDs/DVDs than stationary devices would be.
If a CD/DVD cannot be pl ayed, first check if it 
has been inserted correctly.
Humidity
High levels of humidity  can lead to condensa-
tion on the CD/DVD or the laser's scan lens and 
temporarily prevent playback.
Malfunctions with individual CDs/DVDs
If malfunctions only occur with individual CDs/
DVDs, one of the following factors may be the 
cause.
Self-recorded CDs/DVDs
Possible reasons for malfunctions with self-
recorded CDs/DVDs are, e.g. inconsistent data-
creation or recording processes, or poor quality 
or high age of the CD/DVD blank.
Only label CDs/DVDs on  the top, with a pen 
designed for this purpose.
Damage
Avoid leaving fingerprints, as well as dust, 
scratches or moisture on the CDs/DVDs. 
Keep CDs/DVDs in protective sleeves or cases.
Do not subject CDs/DVDs to temperatures over 
506 , high levels of humidity or direct sunlight.
CDs/DVDs with copy protection
CDs/DVDs are often co py-protected by the 
manufacturer. This can  mean that some CDs/
DVDs cannot be played or  can only be played to 
a limited extent.
MACROVISION
This product contains  copyrighted technology 
that is based on multiple  registered US patents 
and the intellectual proper ty of the Macrovision 
Corporation and other manufacturers. The use 
of this copy protection  must be approved by 
Macrovision. Media protected by this product - 
unless otherwise agreed  with Macrovision - 
may only be used for private purposes. Copying 
of this technology is prohibited.