
Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to 
page168.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard drives.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge 
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats 
contains either a compartment or the cover for 
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Settings*
Slide the center armrest on the driver's side into 
the desired position.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-IN port, refer to page169
>USB audio interface
*/additional connection 
of the music player in the mobile phone
*, 
refer to page169
Storage compartments inside 
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you 
will find compartments beside the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*. 
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Storage compartments in the rear 
console
Depending on your vehicle's equipment ver-
sion, the following storage compartments can 
be found in the rear console: 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 165Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
3."Storing..."
4."Cancel storing"
The storage process is interrupted and can be 
continued at any time.
Continuing the storage process
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3. Select the symbol for the CD/DVD 
player.
4."Continue storing"
Storage of the CD continues at the beginning of 
the track at which storage was interrupted.
Album information
During storage, information such as the name 
of the artist is stored with the track, if this infor-
mation is available in the vehicle database or on 
the CD.
To update the database, contact your service 
center.
Storing from a USB device
To store music, a suitable device must be con-
nected to the USB interface in the glove com-
partment.
>Suitable devices: USB mass storage 
devices, such as USB flash drives or MP3 
players with a USB interface.
>Unsuitable devices: USB hard drive, USB 
hubs, USB memory card readers with multi-
ple inserts, Apple iPod/iPhone.
Music from a USB device can be stored 
only via the USB interface in the glove 
compartment.<1.Connect the USB device to the USB inter-
face in the glove compartment.
2."CD/Multimedia"
3."Music collection"
4.Open "Options".
5."Music data import/export"
6."Import music (USB)"
Playing music
Music search
All tracks for which additional information has 
been stored can be accessed by the music 
search. Tracks without additional information 
can be called up via the corresponding album.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3."Music search" 

Music collection
168
Music collection
Backing up the music collection
The entire music collection can be stored on a 
USB medium. Make sure there is enough free 
memory capacity on the USB device.
Depending on the number of tracks, backing up 
the music collection may take several hours. 
Therefore, it is best to perform the backup dur-
ing a long trip.
1.Start the engine.
2.Connect the USB device to the USB inter-
face in the glove compartment.
3."CD/Multimedia"
4."Music collection"
5.Open "Options".
6."Music data import/export"
7."Backup music on USB"
Restoring the music collection in the 
vehicle
When storing from the USB device, the 
music collection existing in the vehicle is 
replaced.<
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"3.Open "Options".
4."Music data import/export"
5."Restore music from USB"
Deleting the music collection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Delete music collection" 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 169Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
External devices
AUX-IN port
You can connect an external audio device, for 
instance an MP3 player, and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system. You can 
adjust the tone using iDrive.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks over the car's loudspeaker 
system, connect the headset or line-out port of 
the external device to the AUX-IN port.
Starting audio playback
Connect the audio device, switch it on and 
select a track. Operate the system on the audio 
device.
Via iDrive
1."CD/Multimedia"
2.If applicable, "External devices"
3. "AUX front"
Adjusting the volume
The volume of the sound output depends on 
the audio device. If this volume differs markedly 
from the volume of the other audio sources, it is 
advisable to adjust the volumes.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2.If applicable, "External devices"3. "AUX front"
4."Volume"
5.To adjust: turn the controller.
6.To store: press the controller.
USB audio interface*/
extended connectivity of the 
music player in the mobile 
phone*
It is possible to connect external audio devices/
mobile phones. They can be operated via iDrive. 
Sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Options for connecting external 
devices
>Connection via USB audio interface: Apple 
iPod / iPhone, USB devices, e. g. MP3 
player, USB flash drive, or mobile phones 
that are supported by the USB audio inter-
face.
>Connection via snap-in adapter
*, refer to 
page186, when equipped with additional 
connection of music player in the mobile 
phone: Apple iPhone / mobile phones. Play-
back is possible only if no audio device/
mobile phone is connected to the USB 
audio interface.
Due to the large number of different audio 
devices/mobile phones available on the market, 
it cannot be ensured that every audio device/
mobile phone is operable on the vehicle. 

External devices
170 Ask about suitable audio devices/mobile 
phones at your BMW center.
Audio files
Standard audio formats, e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV 
(PCM) and AAC, and playlists in the M3U format 
can be played.
Connecting via USB audio interface
Lift up the center armrest.
1AUX-IN port for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB interface
Apple iPod/iPhone
To connect the device, use the special cable 
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available 
from your BMW center. The cable adapter is 
required for a flawless connection.
Connect the Apple iPod/iPhone with the AUX-
IN port and USB interface1 using the cable 
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone. 
The Apple iPod/iPhone menu structure is sup-
ported by the USB audio interface.
USB device
When connecting the device use a flexi-
ble adapter cable, to protect the USB 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
Connect the USB device to connector 2, using 
a flexible adapter cable.
After the device is connected for the first time, 
the information on all tracks (e.g. artist, type of 
music) and the playlists are transferred from the 
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may take some time. The duration depends on the 
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transmission, the tracks can be called up 
via the file directory.
Information from up to four USB devices can be 
stored in the vehicle, or a total of about 
16,000 tracks.
If a fifth USB device is connected or if more than 
16,000 tracks are stored, information on exist-
ing tracks may be deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.<
Starting audio playback
If the audio device has a device name, the name 
is displayed.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol. 
The name of the audio device may appear.
Playback begins with the first track. When an 
Apple iPhone is connected via the snap-in 
adapter and an audio device is connected to the 
AUX-IN port at the same time, the audio signal 
of the AUX-IN port is played.
Information about the track
If information about a track has been stored, it is 
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks
>Track file name 

External devices
172 device supports this. Therefore, do not con-
nect the device to the power socket in the 
vehicle.
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB 
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard drives.
>Do not use the USB audio interface to 
charge external devices. 

Everything from A - Z
254 Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control83
HD Radio150
Head airbags90
Headlamp control, 
automatic93
Headlamp flasher59
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints44
– rear, removing46
– sitting safely42
Heated
– mirrors50
– rear window100
– seats47
– steering wheel51
Heating
– mirrors50
– rear window100
– seats47
– steering wheel51
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate98
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo121
Height, refer to 
Dimensions239
Height adjustment
– seats43
– steering wheel51
High-beam assistant95
High beams95
– headlamp flasher95
– indicator lamp13
High beams and low beams, 
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant95
High-pressure 
washer219,220
High water, refer to Driving 
through water120
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria136
Hill Descent Control HDC83
Hills120
Holders for cups108
Homepage BMW4
Hood212Hooks for shopping bags111
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking or unlocking 
separately31
Hot exhaust system
119
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC82
Hydroplaning119
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio150
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature
warning69
Identification marks
– run-flat tires210
– tire coding208
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– changing language79
– changing settings79
– changing units of measure 
and display format72
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time76
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key26
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness55
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on55
Ignition lock55
Imprint2Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM87
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure200
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM86
Initializing
– after power failure228
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating105
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof37
– radio, refer to Station, 
storing149
– refer to Setting the time and 
date76
Installation location
– telephone107
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions137
Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting96
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key26
Integrated universal remote 
control103
Interactive map132
Interior lamps97
– remote control28
Interior motion sensor33
Interior rearview mirror51
– automatic dimming 
feature51
– compass105
Interlock, refer to Disengaging 
the remote control57
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers60
Intersection, entering, 
navigation128
iPod, connecting, refer to 
AUX-IN port169
iPod, connecting, refer to USB 
audio interface169 

Everything from A - Z
256 Mirrors50
– automatic curb monitor50
– exterior mirrors50
– heating50
– interior rearview mirror51
– memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory47
Mirrors, folding in before 
entering a car wash50
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume179
– connecting, refer to Mobile 
phone, pairing176
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest107
– operation via iDrive179
– pairing176
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Mobile phone, installation 
location, refer to Center 
armrest107
Mobile phone, refer to 
Telephone176
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 port169
MP3 player, connecting, refer 
to USB audio interface169
Multi-channel playback147
Multifunctional steering 
wheel, refer to Buttons on 
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher59
– refer to Wiper system60
Multimedia screen, refer to 
iDrive16
Music, managing167Music collection164
– backup168
– deleting168
– random sequence167
– restoring168
Music player, connecting, 
refer to AUX-IN port169
Music player, connecting, 
refer to USB audio 
interface169
Music search165
My Info183
N
Navigation
– starting destination 
guidance after entering a 
destination129
– storing current position129
– voice activation133
Navigation announcements, 
refer to Switching voice 
instructions on/off137
Navigation data126Navigation system126
– address book129
– bypassing a route 
section137
– continuing destination 
guidance136
– destination entry127
– dynamic destination 
guidance137
– entering a destination by 
voice133
– entering a destination 
manually127
– frequently asked 
questions142
– gas station 
recommendations137
– planning a trip134
– route list137
– selecting destination via 
map132
– selecting route criteria136
– special destinations130
– starting destination 
guidance136
– terminating destination 
guidance136
– traffic bulletins139
– voice instructions137
– volume adjustment138
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints44
Nets, refer to Storage 
compartments107
New tires210
North-facing map138
Nozzles98
Number of cylinders, refer to 
Engine data238
Nylon rope, refer to Tow 
rope233
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for Onboard Diagnosis218
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications199
Odometer69