
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 
page248.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
52Transporting children safely
55Driving
69Controls overview
81Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
93Lamps
98Climate
103Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
118Things to remember when driving
Navigation
126Navigation system
127Destination entry
136Destination guidance
142What to do if …
Entertainment
146On/off and tone
149Radio
152Satellite radio
157CD/DVD player and CD changer
164Music collection
169External devices
Communications
176Telephone
188Contacts
190BMW Assist
Mobility
198Refueling
200Wheels and tires
212Under the hood
217Maintenance
219Care
223Replacing components
230Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
238Technical data
242Short commands for the voice activation 
system
248Everything from A - Z 

On/off and tone
146
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share 
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
>CD/DVD player
>CD changer
*
>Video*
>External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled 
using the:
>Buttons near the CD/DVD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to 
page10
>Programmable memory keys, refer to 
page20
>Voice activation system
Buttons in the area of the CD/DVD 
player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off
When you switch on the unit, the last set 
radio station or track is played.
>Turn: adjusting the volume
2 Eject the CD/DVD
3CD/DVD drive
*
4FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band
5MODE: change the audio and video 
sources
6 Station scan/track search
>Change the radio station
>Select the track for the CD/DVD player, 
CD changer and certain multimedia 
devices
Switching on/off
To switch the entertainment audio output on or 
off:
Press button1 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 ignition was switched off.
For sound output, switch the unit back on.
Adjusting volume
Turn button1 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 page10.
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.
Treble, bass, balance, fader
>"Balance": left/right volume distribution 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 157Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
CD/DVD player and CD changer
CD/DVD playback
Inserting a CD/DVD
Insert the CD/DVD into the drive with the 
labeled side facing up. The CD/DVD is drawn in 
automatically.
Playback starts automatically if the sound out-
put is on. For CDs/DVDs with compressed 
audio files, it can take several minutes to read in 
the data, depending on the directory structure.
Playable formats
CD/DVD player
>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
CD changer
*
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA
Starting playback
Via iDrive
Fill the CD/DVD magazine and insert it, refer to 
page161.To start playback if a CD is already located in 
the player or changer:
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 using the button
 Press the button for the appropriate 
direction as often as necessary until the desired 
track is reached.
*
SymbolFunction
CD/DVD player
CD changer 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
158
Selecting a track using iDrive
Audio CDs
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Select the desired track to begin playback.
CDs / DVDs with compressed audio 
files*
Depending on the data, some letters and num-
bers of the CD/DVD may not be displayed cor-
rectly.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Select the directory, if necessary.
To change to a higher level directory: move 
the controller to the left.5.Select a track and press the controller.
Displaying information about the 
track*
If information about a track has been stored, it is 
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks on the CD/DVD
>Track file name
Random play sequence
The tracks on the current CD/DVD are played 
once in random sequence.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Open "Options". 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
160
Video menu
To open the Video menu:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Press the controller when "Back" is dis-
played.
The Video menu is displayed:
In fast forward/reverse: the speed increases 
every time the controller is pressed. To stop, 
start playback.
DVD menu
1.If necessary, turn the controller to open the 
Video menu.
2. "DVD menu"
The DVD menu is displayed. The display 
depends on the contents of the DVD.
>To select menu items: move and press the 
controller.
>To change to the Video menu: turn the con-
troller and select "Back".
DVD/VCD settings
For some DVDs, settings can only be made via 
the DVD menu; refer also to the information on 
your DVD.
Language*
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".3."Audio/language"
4.Select the desired language.
The languages that are available depend on the 
DVD.
Subtitles*
Subtitles can be selected if they are contained 
on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Subtitles"
4.Select the desired language or "Do not dis-
play subtitles".
Brightness, contrast, color
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Display settings"
SymbolFunction
Open the DVD menu
*
Starting playback
Pause
Stop
Next chapter/next track
Previous chapter/previous 
track
Fast forward
Reverse 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 161Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
4."Brightness", "Contrast" or "Color"
5.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is displayed, and then press the controller.
Zoom
Display the video image 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 title"
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 changer*
The BMW CD changer for six CDs is behind the 
left side panel in the cargo area.
Coupe
Convertible
Removing the CD magazine
T o  i n s e r t  o r  r e m o v e  C D s  f r o m  t h e  C D  m a g a z i n e ,  
you must first remove it from the CD changer: 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
162 1.Push the cover to one side, arrow 1.
2.Press the button, arrow 2.
The CD magazine is ejected.
Push the magazine back in after at least 
2 seconds have passed so that the inserted 
CDs can be read in again.
Inserting/removing CDs from the CD 
magazine
When loading CDs into or removing them from 
the CD magazine, hold them at their edges and 
do not touch the reflective signal-sensing area.
Inserting CDs:
Insert one CD per compartment with the 
labeled side up.
Removing CDs:
Pull out the desired compartment and take out 
the CD.
Inserting the CD magazine
Insert the CD magazine all the way in the direc-
tion of arrow 1 and close the cover, arrow 2.
The CD changer automatically reads in the 
loaded CDs and is then ready for operation.
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. CD singles; other-
wise, the CDs or the adapter might jam and 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 more sensitive to faulty 
CDs/DVDs than stationary devices would be.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played, 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. 

Everything from A - Z
250 Care219
– automatic car washes219
– care products219
– carpets221
– CD/DVD drives222
– chrome parts220
– displays221
– exterior219
– fine wood parts221
– headlamps220
– high-pressure washer219
– interior221
– leather221
– light-alloy wheels221
– paintwork220
– plastic parts221
– retractable hardtop220
– rubber seals220
– safety belts221
– sensors and cameras221
– upholstery and cloth 
trim221
– washing the car 
manually220
– windows220
Cargo, securing122
Cargo area
– capacity241
– Comfort Access34
– folding up the floor 
panel112
– lamp, refer to Interior 
lamps97
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
Cargo loading120
– securing cargo122
– stowing cargo121
– vehicle120
Car jack
– jacking points228
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest107
– refer to separate Owner's 
ManualCar phone, refer to 
Telephone176
Car radio, refer to Radio149
Car shampoo221
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system119
CD, audio playback157
CD changer157,161
– controls146
– fast forward/reverse159
– filling or emptying the 
magazine162
– random play sequence158
– selecting a track157
– switching on/off146
– tone control146
– volume146
CD player157
– controls146
– fast forward/reverse159
– random play sequence158
– selecting a track157
– switching on/off146
– tone control146
– volume146
Center armrest107
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb227
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
Central locking
– from inside30
– from outside27
Central locking system27
– Comfort Access33
– hotel function31
– setting unlocking 
characteristics27
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs223
Changing the language on the 
Control Display79
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display72
Changing wheels227Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment213
Check Control77
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH53
Child restraint systems52
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely52
Chrome parts221
Chrome polish221
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter109
Cleaning headlamps61
– washer fluid61
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care219
Clock69
– 12h/24h mode76
– setting the time and date
76
– setting time75
Closing
– from inside30
– from outside27
Clothes hooks108
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine56
Combined instrument, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Comfort Access33
– replacing the battery35
Comfort access, refer to 
Comfort Access33
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock55
Compass105
Computer70
– displays on Control 
Display71
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service191
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked120
Condition Based Service 
CBS217