
Controls
 83Reference
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads, 
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered 
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button; the indicator lamps for DTC in 
the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC is regulating the drive and brak-
ing forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator 
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive*
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system. 
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to 
further optimize traction and driving dynamics. 
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes 
driving power variably to the front and rear axles depending on the driving situation and road 
conditions.
Hill Descent Control HDC*
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that controls 
your speed on steep downhill gradients and 
makes it even easier to control your BMW's 
handling under these conditions. The vehicle 
then moves slightly faster than double walking 
speed without the driver needing to intervene.
HDC can be activated as long as you are driving 
under approx. 20 mph or 35 km/h. When driving 
downhill at a speed of under approx. 20 mph or 
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically 
reduced to slightly more than double walking 
speed and maintained.
Increasing or decreasing speed
By accelerating or braking you can change this 
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph, 
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range using the cruise control
* lever on the 
steering column.
1To increase speed
2To decrease speed 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing 
intervention is simultaneously deactivated 
when DSC is switched off, refer to page82.
Malfunction
The warning lamps light up and a 
message is displayed on the Control 
Display. Active steering is malfunc-
tioning or is temporarily deactivated. 
At low speeds, greater steering wheel move-
ments are required, whereas at higher speeds 
the vehicle reacts more sensitively to steering 
wheel movements. The stability-enhancing 
feature may also be deactivated. Drive cau-
tiously and think well ahead.
Deactivation
Active steering is deactivated to perform an ini-
tialization. A message indicates that the feature 
is deactivated. Initialization may take several 
minutes.
If the message does not disappear during the 
current trip, have the system checked.
Defect
If there is a defect, a corresponding text mes-
sage appears. Have the system checked.
Servotronic*
The concept
The Servotronic varies the steering force 
required to turn the wheels relative to the vehi-
cle speed.
At low speeds, the steering force is strongly 
assisted, i.e. less force is needed for steering. 
As the vehicle speed increases, the steering 
assisting power is reduced.
Malfunction
Malfunctions are displayed via Check Control, 
refer to page77.
Brake Force Display
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: sharp braking. 

Lamps
94 3."Welcome light"
 Welcome lamps are activated and are 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after 
switching off the ignition with the lamps 
switched off, the low beams come on and 
remain on for a certain time.
Setting the duration or deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Pathway light.:"
4.Set a time of duration, or 0 s to deactivate 
the function.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Daytime running lights
The daytime running lights light up in switch 
position 0, 1 and 3. They are less powerful than 
the low beams.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
running lights
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Daytime running lamps"
 Daytime running lights are activated and 
are stored for the remote control currently in 
use.
Adaptive light control*
The concept
Adaptive light control is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves at speeds up to 40 mph/70 km/h, 
e.g. on mountainous roads or when turning, an 
additional, corner-illuminating lamp is switched 
on that lights up the inside area of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Light Control
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page93. 
The corner-illuminating lamp is switched on 
automatically, depending on the steering wheel 
angle or turn signal indicator.
Standstill function
*: to avoid blinding oncoming 
traffic, the adaptive light control directs light 
towards the front passenger side when the 
vehicle is at a standstill.
When you are reversing, only the corner-illumi-
nating lamps are active and switched on on 
both sides. 

Climate
100 automatic climate control is optimized for driv-
ing with the hardtop open. In addition, the air 
volume is increased as vehicle speed increases.
The effectiveness of the Convertible pro-
gram can be enhanced considerably by 
installing the wind deflector.<
Adjusting air volume manually
To be able to manually adjust the air volume, 
switch off the AUTO program first.
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce the air volume. Press the 
right side of the button to increase 
it.
The air volume may be reduced or the blower 
may be switched off entirely to save on battery 
power. The display remains the same.
Automatic recirculated-air control 
AUC/Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors or pollut-
ants in the immediate environment by tempo-
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The 
system then recirculates the air currently within 
the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to 
select an operating mode:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
controls the shut-off automatically.
>Right-hand LED on, recirculated-air mode: 
the supply of outside air is permanently 
shut off. If the windows fog over, switch off 
recirculated-air mode and increase the air 
volume, if necessary. Make sure that air can 
flow onto the windshield.
The recirculated-air mode should not be 
used over an extended period of time; 
otherwise, the air quality inside the car will dete-
riorate continuously.<
Via the button on the steering wheel
You can switch quickly between the recircu-
lated-air mode and the previous mode using a 
button
 on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
ALL program
Press the button.
The current temperature setting 
on the driver's side is transferred to 
the front passenger side.
If the temperature setting on the driver's side is 
changed, the temperature on the front passen-
ger side is changed as well.
The program is switched off when the setting is 
adjusted on the front passenger side or the but-
ton is pressed again.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Press the button.
Quickly removes ice and conden-
sation from the windshield and 
front side windows.
For this purpose, also switch on the cooling 
function.
Switching cooling function on/off
The passenger compartment can only be 
cooled while the engine is running.
Press the button.
The air is cooled and dehumidified 
and – depending on the tempera-
ture setting – warmed again.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog up briefly when the engine is started.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
Rear window defroster
Press the button.
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time. 
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
upper wires serve as an antenna and are not 
part of the rear window defroster. 

Practical interior accessories
106 >The compass direction shown does not 
change although the direction of travel 
does.
>Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or 
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of 
your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2.Set the currently valid compass zone.
3.Convertible: ensure that the retractable 
hardtop is fully closed.
4.Press the adjustment button for approx. 
6-7 seconds to call up C. Then drive in at 
least one full circle at a speed of no more 
than 4mph or 7km/h.
If calibration is successful, the display 
changes from C to a compass direction.
5.Convertible: open the retractable hardtop 
fully and repeat step 4.
Setting right-hand/left-hand steering
Your digital compass is factory-set to right-
hand or left-hand steering, in accordance with 
your vehicle.
Set the language
You can set the language of the display:
Press the adjustment button for approx. 
12-13 seconds. Briefly press the adjustment 
button again to switch between English, "E", 
and German, "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx. 
10 seconds.
Coupe:
Roller sun blind*
Tap the button in the center console to raise or 
lower the roller sun blind.
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle. 
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Closing
Fold the cover up.
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to 
page26.
Convertible: when you lock the vehicle from the 
outside, the glove compartment is locked as 
well. 

Things to remember when driving
120 The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page209.
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 page58.
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.
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  

Replacing components
228
Jack mounting points
The jacking points are at the positions shown in 
the illustration.
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
ma te. Your BM W center will be glad to advise in 
all matters concerning the battery.
Replacing the battery
Only use vehicle batteries that have been 
approved for your vehicle by the manu-
facturer; otherwise, the vehicle could be dam-
aged and systems or functions may not be fully 
available.<
After a battery replacement, have the battery 
registered on the vehicle by your service center 
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully 
available.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the 
terminals in the engine compartment with the 
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump-starting 
on page231.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your 
BMW center or bring them to a recycling 
center. Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Always secure the battery against tipping over during trans-
port.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of 
some equipment may be limited and require 
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise 
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date 
These values must be updated, refer to 
page75.
>Radio 
In some cases, stations may have to be 
stored again, refer to page149.
>Navigation system 
Operability must be waited for, refer to 
page126.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be 
raised. The system must be initialized. 
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to 
page47.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to 
page105.
>Active steering
The system automatically initializes itself 
briefly during a trip. The system is deacti-
vated during this time, refer to page88.
>xDrive
The system automatically initializes itself 
during a trip. Indicator lamps light up during 
this time. If the lamps do not go out during 
the current trip, have the system checked.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and 
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating; oth-
erwise, this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.< 

Mobility
 233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit 
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of 
the cargo area, refer to page223.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard vehicle 
tool kit underneath the cargo area floor, refer to 
page223.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the 
tow fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page55; otherwise, the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort. Active 
steering is not active and it will be necessary to 
turn the steering wheel further.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page58.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph 
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.