
Controls
 83Reference
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Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: head airbags
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
4Convertible: knee airbags
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page43 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and window on the front 
passenger side clear, i.e., do not cover with 
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach 
holders such as for navigation instruments and 
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other 
objects not specifically approved for seats with 
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not 
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets 
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do 
not modify the individual components of the 
system or its wiring in any way. This includes 
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel, 
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well 
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to 
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to repair 
procedures of BMW with correspondingly 
trained personnel and that has the required 
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to 
work on the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or to undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.< 

Practical interior accessories
102
Coupe: through-loading 
system
Opening
1.To release the rear seat backrest, pull the 
corresponding lever in the cargo area.
2.The unlocked rear seat backrest moves for-
ward slightly. Fold the backrest forward by 
the head restraint.
Closing
Return the rear seat backrest to the upright 
seating position and engage it.
When returning the backrest into the 
seating position, make sure that the 
seat's locking mechanism is properly engaged. 
Otherwise, cargo could be thrown around and 
endanger the occupants in the event of sharp 
braking or swerving.<
The lashing eyes in the cargo area provide you 
with a way to attach cargo area nets
* or draw 
straps for securing suitcases and luggage, refer 
to page110.
Convertible: cargo loading
Enlarging the cargo area
When the convertible top is closed you can 
enlarge the cargo area:
To do so, fold the cargo area partition upward.
Before opening the convertible top, pull the 
cargo area partition down until it engages.
Ensure that pointed objects do not press 
against the cargo area partition from below.
The convertible top can only be opened 
when the cargo area partition is folded 
down.<
Storage compartments inside 
the cargo area
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
following storage spaces can be found in the 
cargo area:
>Rubber strap
* on the left trim panel for 
securing small objects such as a folding 
umbrella
>Net
* for small objects on the right trim 
panel of the cargo area
>Retaining straps
* on cargo area floor: for 
securing smaller objects or as an anti-slip 
surface when you place objects on the 
straps
The lashing eyes in the cargo area provide you 
with a way to attach cargo area nets
* or draw 
straps
* for securing suitcases and luggage, 
refer to page112. 

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Coupe: ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport 
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to 
2snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length 
of up to 6.6ft/2.0m. When skis of 6.6ft/2.0m 
length are loaded, the overall capacity of the ski 
bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
Loading
Ensure that the skis are clean when they are 
loaded into the ski bag. Wrap sharp edges to 
prevent damage.
1.Fold down the center panel in the rear seat 
backrest.
2.Press the button, reach into the recess and 
fold down the cover. To stabilize the cover 
in the folded-down position, place the cen-
ter panel underneath it.
3.Open the Velcro fastener, spread the ski 
bag between the front seats and insert the 
skis or snowboards. 
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski 
bag easier to reach.
4.Attach the hook of the ski bag retaining 
strap to the eyelet on the side of the ski bag 
opening.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in the manner 
described; otherwise, it could endanger 
the car's occupants, e.g. in case of heavy brak-
ing or sudden swerving.<
To store the ski bag, perform the steps 
described for loading in reverse order.
Removing the ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for 
faster drying or to allow you to use other inserts.
1.Fold down the center panel in the rear seat 
backrest.
2.Pull the handle, arrow1.
3.Pull out the insert, arrow 2.
For more information on the various 
inserts available, contact your BMW cen-
ter.< 

Practical interior accessories
104
Convertible: through-loading 
opening with integrated 
transport bag*
The transport bag is designed for safe, clean 
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up 
to 2 snowboards.
With the transport bag you can stow skis up to a 
length of 6.6 ft /2.0 m. When skis of 6.6 ft/2.0 m 
length are loaded, the overall capacity of the ski 
bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
When using the transport bag, it is not 
permissible to transport passengers in 
the rear seats.<
Loading
1.Pull the grip in the filler piece of the rear 
backrest up and take out the filler piece.
2.Place the filler piece onto the seat cushion 
with the backrest side facing up.
3.In the cargo area: press the two recesses 
together and fold down the cover.
4.Release the strap, lay out the transport bag 
between the front seats and load it. The zip fastener makes objects in the ski 
bag easier to reach.
Ensure that the skis are clean when you load 
them into the transport bag. Wrap sharp edges 
to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the transport bag and its 
contents. Tighten the retaining strap on the 
tensioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the transport bag in the manner 
described; otherwise, it could endanger 
the car's occupants, e.g. in case of heavy brak-
ing or sudden swerving.<
To store the transport bag, perform the steps 
described for loading in reverse order. 

Driving tips
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area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
Coupe
Convertible
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the 
respective seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle. 

Things to remember when driving
112
Securing cargo
>Secure smaller and lighter items using 
retaining straps
*, a cargo area net* or draw 
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing 
larger and heavier objects are available at 
your BMW center. To attach the cargo 
straps, there are two lashing eyes, arrows 1, 
on the inside wall of the cargo area. 
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, 
there may be two additional lashing eyes, 
arrows2, on the cargo area sidewalls. 
Follow the information included with the 
cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as 
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden 
braking or swerving is necessary. 
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page225, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws. 
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried 
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown 
around, for example as a result of heavy braking, 
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.
Only attach the cargo straps using the lashing 
eyes shown in the illustration. Do not secure 
cargo with the anchors for tether straps, refer to 
page53, otherwise, these could be damaged.<
Coupe: roof-mounted 
luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option 
f o r  y o u r  B M W .  C o m p l y  w i t h  t h e  d i r e c t i o n s  g i v e n  
in the installation instructions.
Mounting points
Fold open the cover.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of 
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on 
vehicle handling and steering response. 
You should therefore always remember not to 
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the 
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads 
when loading the rack.
You can find the applicable data under Weights 
on page225.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and 
should not be too large in area. Heavy items 
should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure 
that adequate clearance is maintained for rais-
ing the glass roof, and that objects do not 
project into the opening path of the trunk lid.
Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off 
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and 
braking maneuvers. Take corners gently.
Rear luggage rack*
A rear luggage rack is available as a special 
accessory for your BMW. Comply with the 
directions given in the installation instructions. 

Telephone
168 sion is dependent on your mobile phone, 
refer to the operating instructions of the 
mobile phone if necessary, and can take 
several minutes.
>Four mobile phones can be paired.
>Specific settings may be necessary in some 
mobile phones, e.g. authorization or a 
secure connection, refer to the mobile 
phone operating instructions.
If not all phone book entries are displayed:
>Transfer all phone book entries from the 
SIM card to the mobile phone, if necessary.
>Phone book entries with special characters 
may not be displayed.
Checks to perform if pairing is 
unsuccessful
>Is the mobile phone supported by the 
mobile phone preparation package? You 
can obtain information on the Internet at: 
www.bmw.com/bluetooth
>Do the Bluetooth passkeys on the mobile 
phone and vehicle match? The same Blue-
tooth passkey must be entered on the 
mobile phone's display and via iDrive.
>Did it take you more than 30 seconds to 
enter the Bluetooth passkey? Then repeat 
the pairing procedure.
>Are too many Bluetooth devices connected 
to the mobile phone? If so, delete the con-
nections with other devices on the mobile 
phone.
>Is the mobile phone no longer responding? 
Switch the mobile phone off and on or 
briefly disconnect the power supply.
>Repeat the pairing procedure.
>If all items on the list have been checked 
and the mobile phone still cannot be paired, 
please contact Customer Relations.
Connecting a particular mobile phone
If more than one mobile phone is detected by 
the vehicle, the mobile phone at the top of the 
list is connected. A different mobile phone can 
be connected by selecting it.1."Telephone"
2."Bluetooth"
3.Select the desired mobile phone.
Unpairing the mobile phone from the 
vehicle
1."Telephone"
2."Bluetooth"
3.Highlight the mobile phone that is to be 
unpaired.
4.Open "Options".
5."Remove phone from list"
The unpaired mobile phone is deleted from 
the list.
The phone book entries and the lists of 
stored phone numbers are deleted as well.
Activating/deactivating the Bluetooth 
link
The use of Bluetooth technology is not 
permitted in all countries. Observe all 
applicable local regulations. Temporarily deac-
tivate the Bluetooth link between the vehicle 
and the mobile phone, if necessary.
If the Bluetooth link is deactivated, you can no 
longer operate the mobile phone via the vehicle, 
and other devices with a Bluetooth interface  

Under the hood
198
Under the hood
Do not work on the car unless you pos-
sess the necessary technical knowledge. 
If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide-
lines, have any work on the vehicle performed 
only by a BMW center or by a workshop that 
work according to BMW repair procedures with 
correspondingly trained personnel. If this work 
is not carried out properly, there is a danger of 
subsequent damage and related safety haz-
ards.<
Hood
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Opening
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the engine compartment. Do 
not open the engine hood before the engine has 
cooled down; otherwise, injuries may result.<
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood from a height of approx. 16 in/
40 cm with momentum. It must be clearly heard 
to engage.
Make sure that the closing path of the 
hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may 
result. 
If you see any signs while driving your vehicle 
that the hood is not completely closed, stop at 
once and close it securely.<