
Opening and closing
32
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the trunk lid is 
opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: interior 
motion sensor, refer to page32
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away: tilt alarm sensor, refer to 
page32
>When there has been an interruption of 
power supply from the battery
Depending on the market-specific version, the 
alarm system briefly signals unauthorized entry 
attempts by:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on
* the hazard warning flashers
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the trunk lid using the   button 
of the remote control even if the alarm system is 
armed, refer to page28. The lid is locked and 
monitored again as soon as it is closed.
Panic mode
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation.
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control, refer 
to page27, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
doors, hood or trunk lid are not properly 
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted 
area, the system begins to monitor the 
remaining areas, and the indicator lamp 
flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. The interior motion sensor and 
the tilt alarm sensor are not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
>If the indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted in the 
ignition, but for no longer than approx. 
5 minutes: your vehicle has been disturbed 
while you were away.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. to attempts to steal a wheel 
or tow the vehicle.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass roof must 
be completely closed
*.
Convertible
The interior of the car is monitored up to the 
height of the seat cushions. Thus the alarm sys-
tem is activated together with the interior  

Adjustments
44 accident.
On the front passenger seat as well, do not 
incline the backrest too far to the rear while the 
vehicle is being driven; otherwise, there is a 
danger in the event of an accident of sliding 
under the safety belt, eliminating the protection 
normally provided by the belt.<
Comply with the instructions on head restraint 
height on page45, and on damaged safety 
belts on page49.
Manual adjustment
Observe the adjustment instructions 
above to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Longitudinal direction
Pull lever 1 and slide the seat to the desired 
position.
After releasing the lever, move the seat gently 
forward or back to make sure it engages prop-
erly.
Height
Pull lever 2 and apply your weight to the seat or 
lift it off, as necessary.
Backrest
Pull lever 3 and apply your weight to the back-
rest or lift it off, as necessary.
Tilt*
Pull the lever and apply your weight to the seat 
or lift it off, as necessary.
Thigh support*
Pull the lever and move the thigh support for-
ward or back.
Electrical adjustment*
Observe the adjustment instructions 
above to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.< 

Controls
 45Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Longitudinal direction
2Height
3Angle
4Backrest
The head restraints are adjusted manually, refer 
to Head restraints on page45.
Lumbar support*
You can also adjust the contour of the backrest 
to obtain additional support in the lumbar 
region.
The upper hips and spinal column receive sup-
plementary support to help you maintain a 
relaxed, upright sitting position.
>Increase or decrease curvature: press the 
switch at the front or rear, respectively.>Shift curvature up or down: press the switch 
at the top or bottom, respectively.
Backrest width*
You can change the width of the backrest to suit 
your individual preferences by adjusting the lat-
eral-support pads.
Press the front or rear end of the switch.
Backrest width decreases or increases accord-
ingly.
To move the front seats forward or backward 
from outside or from one of the rear seats: with 
the door open, press the front end 1 or rear end 
2 of the switch.
Head restraints
Correctly adjusted head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident. Only remove a head 
restraint if no one will be sitting on the seat in 
question. Reinstall the head restraint before 
transporting anyone on that seat. Otherwise,  

Adjustments
46 the passenger will be without protection from 
the head restraint.<
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is 
approximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is 
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Front seats
Height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
slide the head restraint down.
Removing
1.Pull it up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
Rear seats
Coupe: height adjustment
>To raise: pull up.>To lower: press the button, arrow1, and 
slide the head restraint down.
Convertible: raising and lowering
Only lower the head restraints if there are 
no passengers in the rear. Raise all low-
ered head restraints before transporting pas-
sengers in the rear.<
>To raise: pull up.
>To lower: press the button, arrow 1, and 
slide the head restraint down, arrow 2.
Removing
1.Pull it up as far as it will go.
2.Press the button, arrow1, and pull the head 
restraint all the way out.
Coupe: folding head restraint down and 
up*
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, it may 
contain foldable head restraints.
Folding down: 
Press the button, arrow1.
Folding up:
Pull the head restraint.
Only fold down the head restraints if there 
are no passengers in the rear. Fold up the  

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion; otherwise, there 
is a risk of an accident due to unexpected move-
ment.<
1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up; otherwise, the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
The LED in the button lights up when the steer-
ing wheel heating is switched on. 

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.< 

Mobility
 205Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your 
vehicle with products that are approved by 
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on 
the products and services available for cleaning 
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been 
material tested, laboratory checked and 
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and 
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol 
or solvents as these may result in dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances 
that are dangerous or hazardous to your 
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety 
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning 
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or 
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products 
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months, 
ensure that the vehicle is washed more 
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead 
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise, 
water can reduce braking efficiency over the 
short term and brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.Do not use high-pressure car washes; 
otherwise, water may drip into the vehicle 
around the windows.<
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is 
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer to 
page223.
>If necessary, fold in the outside rearview 
mirrors, refer to page50.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights 
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is the 
danger of damaging chassis parts.<
>In Convertibles, do not treat the convertible 
top with wax. Ensure that a program is avail-
able that does not apply wax or is designed 
specifically for convertibles.
Preparations before driving into an automatic 
car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna
*.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock, even with Comfort Access.
2.Engage transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll. 

Reference 223
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Dimensions
Coupe
All dimensions given in inches/mm. 
Smallest turning circle dia.: 35.1 ft/10.7 m
135i: height 55.4 in/1,408 mm