Driving tips
109Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Drive defensively
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
maneuvers. To do so, keep an adequate dis-
tance between you and the vehicle in front of
you. A defensive and smooth driving style
keeps fuel consumption down.
Avoid high engine speeds
Only use first gear when setting off. In second
and higher gears, accelerate without hesitation
or pauses. When accelerating, shift up before
reaching high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con-
stant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and coast to a stop in the high-
est applicable gear.
O n a d o w n h il l s lo p e , t a k e y o u r f o o t o f f t h e a c c el -
erator and coast in a suitable gear.
The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings
or in traffic congestions. You achieve fuel sav-
ings even if standing time is as short as approx.
4 seconds.
Switch off functions you do not need at
the moment
Functions such as the air conditioner, seat
heating or rear window defroster draw large
amounts of power and consume additional fuel.
Especially in city traffic and in stop-and-go driv-
ing they have a considerable impact. Therefore,
switch these functions off when they are not
really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have the vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. BMW
recommends having the vehicle serviced at a
BMW center. Also note the BMW service sys-
tem, refer to page203.
General driving notes
Close the trunk lid
Operate the vehicle only when the trunk
lid is closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes
could enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If the vehicle must be driven with the trunk lid
open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to
page93.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed in
its vicinity, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the
risk of serious personal injuries and property
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes.
Otherwise, there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page195.
169
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
can be used in combination with the mobile
phone, e.g. a laptop.<
To temporarily deactivate the Bluetooth link
between the vehicle and your mobile phone:
1."Telephone"
2.Open "Options".
3."Bluetooth"
Adjusting the volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired
volume.
This volume for the hands-free system is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are set to
minimum volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions using
iDrive:
>Accepting/rejecting calls
>Dialing phone numbers
>Selecting phone numbers from the phone
book>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from
the list of received calls
>Ending a call
When the ignition is switched off or in radio
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control
out of the ignition lock, you can continue an
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talking to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to
excessive background noise. The full prepara-
tion package mobile phone can compensate for
these noises to a certain extent. To optimize
voice quality during a call, we recommend that
you:
>Reduce background noise, e.g. by closing
the windows, reducing air flow from the
automatic climate control or pointing the
open front air vents downward.
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem.
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pairing data are stored
by the vehicle and the mobile phone is oper-
ational.
>The engine is running or the ignition is
switched on.
>The mobile phone is recognized by the
vehicle.
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the button on the steering wheel
Wheels and tires
194
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 3209 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 32 of 2009.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 3209
Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contacts
BMW Assist
Vehicle information
Settings
Vehicle
Equipment
FunctionCommand
Opening the contacts{Contacts}
My contacts{My contacts}
New contact{New contact}
FunctionCommand
Opening BMW Assist*{B M W Assist}
Opening BMW Search
*{B M W Search}
FunctionCommand
Opening the computer{Onboard info}
Opening the trip computer{Trip computer}
Opening the vehicle information{Vehicle info}
Opening the vehicle status{Vehicle status}
FunctionCommand
Opening the main menu{Main menu}
Opening the settings{Settings}
Opening the options{Options}
Settings on the Control Display{Control display}
Opening the time and date settings{Time and date}
Opening the language and unit settings{Language and units}
Opening the speed limit settings{Speed}
Opening the light settings{Lighting}
Opening the door lock settings{Door locks}
FunctionCommand
Opening the air conditioning settings{Climate}
Everything from A - Z
232
Everything from A - Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System76
Accessories, refer to The
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request215
Activated-charcoal filter94
Active steering81
Adaptive light control87
Additives
– coolant201
– engine oil201
Address, entering117,123
Address for navigation
– entering117
Airbags83
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp84
Air conditioner91
Air distribution
– automatic92
Airing, refer to Ventilation94
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents91
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure190
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode93
Air vents91
Air volume93
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications188
Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional
alarms33
– interior motion sensor32
– switching off an alarm32
– tilt alarm sensor32
Albums of music
collection156ALL program93
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires197
AM, waveband139
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode93
Antenna for mobile phone166
Antifreeze
– coolant201
– washer fluid61
Antilock Brake System
ABS76
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights225
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights225
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest
100
Arrival time
– computer65
Ashtray101
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control93
Audio136
– controls136
– switching on/off136
– tone control136
– volume136
Automatic
– air distribution92
– air volume92
– cruise control61
– headlamp control86
Automatic car washes205
Automatic climate control91
– automatic air distribution92
Automatic curb monitor50Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant88
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps86
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC93
Automatic Service
Request184
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– selector lever lock58
– shiftlock58
– towing217
– tow-starting217
AUTO program for automatic
climate control92
AUX-IN port159
Available services184
Average fuel consumption65
– setting the units67
Average speed65
Avoid highways in
navigation126
Avoiding unintentional
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to
Weights225
B
Backrests, refer to Seats44
Backrest width adjustment45
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints46
Backup lamp, replacing
bulb212
Bag for skis, refer to Ski
bag103
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch215
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away218
Everything from A - Z
236 DTC Dynamic Traction
Control76
– indicator lamps76
DVD
– country codes149
– settings150
– video playback149
DVD menu150
DVD player, refer to CD
player147
DVD video149
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC76
Dynamic destination
guidance127
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator lamps77
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution76
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD / DVD player136
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap188
– glass roof37
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV76
Electronic oil level check199
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC76
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap188
– glass roof37
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission59
Emergency release, trunk
lid31
Emergency Request215
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance215Energy, saving
– saving fuel108
Engine
– breaking in108
– data222
– speed222
– starting56
– starting, Comfort Access33
– switching off56
Engine compartment199
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant201
Engine oil
– adding201
– additives201
– BMW Maintenance
System203
– checking level199
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements67
– specified engine oils201
Engine output, refer to Engine
data222
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data222
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine56
Entry map for destination122
Equalizer, tone setting137
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC76
Event data recorders204
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system109
Extended connectivity of the
music player in the mobile
phone159
Exterior mirrors49
– adjusting49
– automatic dimming
feature51
– automatic heating50
– folding in and out50
External devices
– random sequence161Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away217
– for tying down loads112
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control71
Failure of an electrical
consumer213
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms33
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts49
Fastest route for
navigation126
Fast forward
– CD changer149
– CD player149
Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter94
First aid pouch215
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock55
Flash when locking/
unlocking28
Flat tire
– run-flat tires196
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
Flat Tire Monitor FTM77
– indicating a flat tire78
– initializing the system77
– system limits77
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition195
FM, waveband139
Fog lamps89
– indicator lamp13,89
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely110
Footwell lamps90
For your own safety5
Free memory capacity, music
collection157
Front airbags83
Front seat setting43
Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Maintenance system203
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control71
Manual car wash206
Manual operation
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap188
– glass roof37
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission59
Manual operation with
automatic transmission58
Manual transmission57
Map for navigation
– changing scale129
– entering destination122
Map view128
Maximum cooling92
Maximum speed
– for winter tires197
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Messages172
Messages from the concierge
service173
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter for automatic climate
control94
Microphone for telephone14
Mirror dimming feature51
Mirrors49
– automatic curb monitor50
– exterior mirrors49
– heating50
– interior rearview mirror50
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume169
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing166
– operation via iDrive169
– pairing166
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest100
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone166
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor77
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port159
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB audio interface159
Multi-channel playback137
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher59
– refer to Wiper system60
Music, managing
157
Music collection154
– backup158
– deleting158
– random sequence157
– restoring158
Music player, connecting,
refer to AUX-IN port159
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB audio
interface159
Music search155
My Info173
N
Navigation
– starting destination
guidance after entering a
destination119
– storing a destination119
– storing current position119
– voice activation123
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off127
Navigation data116Navigation system116
– address book119
– bypassing a route
section127
– continuing destination
guidance126
– destination entry117
– dynamic destination
guidance127
– entering a destination by
voice123
– entering a destination
manually117
– frequently asked
questions133
– gas station
recommendations127
– planning a trip124
– route list127
– selecting destination via
map122
– selecting route criteria126
– special destinations120
– starting destination
guidance126
– terminating destination
guidance126
– traffic bulletins129
– voice instructions127
– volume adjustment128
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints45
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments100
New tires196
North-facing map128
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data222
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for Onboard Diagnosis204
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications188
Odometer63
Oil, refer to Engine oil199
Oil consumption199
Oil level199
Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Switching on
– audio136
– CD changer136
– CD player136
– radio136
Switching the cooling function
on and off93
Switch-on times of parked car
ventilation, preselecting95
Symbols4
– status information19
T
Tachometer63
Tailgate, refer to Trunk lid30
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps211
– replacing bulb212
Tail lamps211
– replacing bulb212
Tank contents, refer to
Capacities226
Technical changes5
Technical data222
Telephone166
– voice commands173
Telephone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest100
Telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
TeleService180
TeleService Diagnosis182
TeleService Help182
Temperature, setting for
automatic climate control92
Temperature display
– outside temperature63
– outside temperature
warning63
– setting the units67
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control61
Thigh support44
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp212
Three-point safety belt49
Through-loading system102Tilt alarm sensor32
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror50
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times95
Tire inflation pressure190
– loss78,79
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor77
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
– resetting the system79
– system limitations79
– warning lamp80
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor78
Tire Quality Grading194
Tires
– age194
– air loss80
– breaking in108
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels212
– condition195
– damage
195
– inflation pressure190
– labels194
– minimum tread depth195
– new tires196
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor77
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM79
– puncture78
– retreaded196
– run-flat tires196
– size194
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth195
– winter tires197
TMC station, refer to Traffic
bulletins129
Tone
– control136
– middle setting138
Tools, refer to Onboard
vehicle tool kit209Top 50 of music
collection156
Torque, refer to Engine
data222
Tow bar218
Tow fitting217
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away217
Towing217
– car with automatic
transmission217
– methods218
Towing and tow-starting217
Town/city, for navigation117
Tow rope218
Tow-starting217
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor79
Track
– selecting on CD147
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Traffic bulletins
– categories131
Traffic bulletins, filtering131
Traffic bulletins for
navigation129
– during destination
guidance131
– in map view131
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
bulletins129
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission57
Transporting children
safely52
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo112
Travel instructions, refer to
Voice instructions127
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread195
Trip, deleting125
Trip, storing124