Driving tips
117Reference
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 page223.
General driving notes
Close the trunk lid/tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the trunk
lid/tailgate and rear window are closed.
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the inte-
rior of the vehicle.<
If the vehicle must be driven with the trunk lid/
tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to
page98.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, 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.<
Diesel particulate filter*
The diesel particulate filter collects soot parti-
cles and burns them periodically at high tem-
peratures. This cleaning process takes several
minutes. During cleaning, you may notice that
the engine temporarily runs less smoothly and
that a somewhat higher engine speed is neces-
sary to achieve the accustomed performance.
Also, noises may be heard and a slight amount
of smoke may emerge from the exhaust, even
Things to remember when driving
118 for a short period after the engine is switched
off.
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 page215.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. 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. Otherwise, greater
clutch wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page84.
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 pressure 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 to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then 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 braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake 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 page57.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission 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.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants 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 respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
Driving tips
119Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. This can ultimately
result in a sudden blowout.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
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
>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.
Refueling
198 If you have refueled with the wrong fuel, contact
your BMW center.
The filler neck is designed for refueling at
diesel fuel pumps.
If the filler nozzle cannot be inserted into your
BMW's filler pipe, please ensure that you are
refueling at a diesel fuel pump and that it is
equipped with a diesel filler nozzle.<
In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel
fuel cannot be fully inserted into the fuel
filler neck, please contact BMW Roadside
Assistance for instructions on how to add fuel.
For more information on BMW Roadside Assis-
tance, refer to page237.<
Winter diesel
To ensure that the diesel engine remains oper-
ational in the winter, please use winter diesel,
which is available at gas stations during winter
months. The fuel filter heating system, included
a s a s t a n d a r d f e a t u r e , p r e v e n t s d i s r u p t i o n o f t h e
fuel supply while driving.
Do not add additives, including gasoline;
otherwise, engine damage may occur.<
BMW Advanced Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxide
in the diesel emissions of your vehicle by means
of a mechanism that injects diesel exhaust fluid,
a reduction agent, into the exhaust tract. A
chemical reaction occurs in the catalytic con-
verter that minimizes the nitrogen oxide con-
tent.
To be able to start the engine as usual, a suffi-
cient amount of diesel exhaust fluid must be
present in a separate reservoir.
Warming the system
To warm the system to its operating tempera-
ture after starting with a cold engine, the auto-
matic transmission delays shifting to the next
higher gear, if necessary.
Reserve display
A display in the instrument cluster informs you
about the remaining distance you can drive with
the fluid remaining in the reservoir.
-
The reserve display appears beginning at
approx. 1,000 miles/1,600 km before the sup-
ply is used up.
When this reserve display appears in the
instrument cluster, have diesel exhaust
fluid refilled to avoid not being able to start the
engine.<
Diesel exhaust fluid at the minimum
level
Even if the display indicates -- mls, the engine
continues running if it is not switched off and if
all other requirements continue to be met, e.g. a
sufficient supply of fuel.
Do not drive to the end of the indicated
distance. Otherwise, it will not be possible
to start the engine again after switching it off.<
Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps96
Entry map for destination130
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control70
Equalizer, tone setting145
Error messages, refer to
Check Control77
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Event data recorders224
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Expanding the cargo area110
Extended connectivity of the
music player in the mobile
phone167
Exterior mirrors47
– adjusting47
– automatic dimming
feature48
– automatic heating47
– folding in and out47
External audio device106
External devices
– random sequence169
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away239
– for tying down loads120
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control77
Failure of an electrical
consumer236
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm34
– switching off an alarm33
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts46
Fastest route for
navigation134Fast forward
– CD changer157
– CD player157
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
First aid pouch237
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock54
Flash when locking/
unlocking28
Flat tire
– run-flat tires216
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– indicator/warning lamp85
– initializing the system85
– snow chains84,217
– system limits84
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition215
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir60
FM, waveband147
Fog lamps95
– indicator lamp13,95
Folding rear seat backrest110
Folding up the floor panel112
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely118
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps96
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive83
Free memory capacity, music
collection165
Front airbags90
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84Fuel197
– additives198
– average consumption71
– gauge70
– high-quality brands197
– quality197
– specifications197
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities248
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control70
Fuel filler flap196
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction196
Fuses236
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control102
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption71
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel197
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge70
Gas station
recommendations135
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic57
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission56
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission56
General driving notes117
Everything from A - Z
260 Glass roof, electric37
– closing after electrical
malfunction37
– Convenient operation28,29
– initializing37
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system37
– power failure37
– raising37
– remote control28
Glove compartment105
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills97
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights247
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs231
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control83
HD Radio148
Head airbags90
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp cover231
Headlamp flasher58
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs231
Head restraints43
– rear, removing44
– sitting safely41
Heated
– mirrors47
– rear window99
– seats45
– steering wheel49
Heating
– mirrors47
– rear window99
– seats45
– steering wheel49Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate97
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo119
Height, refer to
Dimensions245
Height adjustment
– seats42
– steering wheel48
High-beam assistant94
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs231
High beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant94
High-pressure
washer225,226
High water, refer to Driving
through water118
Highways, refer to Route
criteria134
Hill Descent Control HDC83
Hills118
Holders for cups107
Homepage BMW4
Hood
218
Hooks for shopping
bags111,112
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to
Locking or unlocking
separately31
Hot exhaust system117
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC82
Hydroplaning118
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio148
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning69
Identification marks
– run-flat tires216
– tire coding214iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– changing language79
– changing settings79
– changing units of measure
and display format73
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time76
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition54
– switched off55
– switched on54
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness54
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on54
Ignition lock54
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM87
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure201
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Initializing
– after power failure236
– compass, refer to
Calibrating104
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
– radio, refer to Station,
storing147
– refer to Setting the time and
date76
Installation location
– telephone106
Everything from A - Z
262 Manual transmission56
Map for navigation
– changing scale137
– entering destination130
Map view136
Master key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Maximum cooling98
Maximum speed
– with winter tires217
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions245
Memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory45
MENU button16
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Messages180
Messages from the concierge
service181
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– for automatic climate
control100
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– BMW Maintenance
System223
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice commands14
Mirror dimming feature48
Mirrors47
– automatic curb monitor48
– exterior mirrors47
– heating47
– interior rearview mirror48
– memory, refer to Seat and
mirror memory45
Mirrors, folding in before
entering a car wash47Mobile phone
– adjusting volume177
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing174
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest106
– operation via iDrive177
– pairing174
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest106
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone174
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive
controls16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port167
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB audio interface167
Multi-channel playback145
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher58
– refer to Wiper system59
Multimedia screen, refer to
iDrive16
Music, managing165
Music collection162
– backup166
– deleting166
– random sequence165
– restoring166
Music player, connecting,
refer to AUX-IN port167
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB audio
interface167Music search163
My Info181
N
Navigation
– starting destination
guidance after entering a
destination127
– storing current position127
– voice activation131
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off135
Navigation data124
Navigation system124
– address book127
– bypassing a route
section135
– continuing destination
guidance134
– destination entry125
– dynamic destination
guidance135
– entering a destination by
voice131
– entering a destination
manually125
– frequently asked
questions140
– gas station
recommendations135
– planning a trip132
– route list135
– selecting destination via
map130
– selecting route criteria134
– special destinations128
– starting destination
guidance134
– terminating destination
guidance134
– traffic bulletins137
– voice instructions135
– volume adjustment136
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints43
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments106
Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
New tires216
North-facing map136
Nozzles97
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data244
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope240
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket
for Onboard Diagnosis224
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications197
Odometer69
Oil, refer to Engine oil219
Oil consumption219
Oil level219
Old batteries, refer to
Disposal236
Onboard vehicle tool kit229
Opening and closing
– Comfort Access34
– from inside30
– from outside27
– using the door lock29
– via the remote control27
Options, selecting for
navigation134
Orientation menu, refer to
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation100
Output, refer to Engine
data244
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control99
Outside temperature
display69
– changing units of
measure73
– in computer73
Outside temperature
warning69
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature70
Overriding selector lever
lock58Overview
– radio control144
P
Paintwork care226
Panorama glass roof38
– closing after electrical
malfunction39
– comfort position39
– Convenient operation28
– initializing39
– opening, closing38
– pinch protection system39
– power failure39
– raising38
– remote control28
Park assistant, refer to Park
Distance Control81
Park Distance Control PDC81
Parked car ventilation100
– preselecting switch-on
times101
– switching on and off
directly101
Parking
– vehicle55
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC81
Parking brake56
– indicator lamp56
Parking lamps92
– replacing bulbs230,232
Parking lamps/low beams92
Particulate filter, refer to
Diesel particulate filter117
Partition net111
Passenger side mirror tilt
function48
Pathway lighting93
Personal Profile26
Phone book177
Phone numbers
– dialing178
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– panorama glass roof39
– windows36Placing a call, refer to
telephone owner's manual
Playing music163
Polish227
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control100
Postal code, entering for
navigation126
Power failure236
Power windows36
– safety switch36
Power windows, refer to
Windows36
Preheating, refer to Diesel
engine
55
Pressure, tires201
Pressure monitoring, tires84
– Flat Tire Monitor84
Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Programmable buttons on the
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric37
– panorama glass roof39
– windows36
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First aid pouch237
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor84
R
Radio
– controls144
– HD Radio148
– satellite radio150
– selecting a waveband147
– storing stations147
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Radio position, refer to Radio
readiness54