
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 

Controls
 63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press the button, arrow4. The last stored 
speed is resumed and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are 
intervening
>In ca rs  with manua l transmiss ion: when you 
shift gears very slowly or shift to neutral
>In cars with automatic transmission: when 
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2Selected speed is displayed briefly
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page78.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp comes on when 
the system has failed. A message 
appears on the Control Display. More 
information can be found beginning on 
page77.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control, you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automatically maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control is a technological advance 
over the familiar cruise control and is a welcome 
relief from the constant adjustment of speed 
that can accompany driving in traffic on high-
ways or other high-speed thoroughfares. Espe-
cially on longer trips, the system can reduce 
fatigue and tension, while increasing your 
enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely and 
responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adapts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be maintained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setting, the system automat-
ically decreases the throttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending on the kind of trans-
mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, you are strongly urged to 
read all of the pages relating to this system 
before use. Pay special attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page67.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, pedal sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
>Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal. 

Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program7 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air volume for almost all conditions, refer to 
AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile 
settings on page26.
Adjusting air distribution manually
The air distribution can be 
switched on and off manually. The 
air is directed to the windshield, to 
the upper body area and to the 
footwell.
The automatic air distribution can be switched 
back on by pressing the AUTO button. The 
cooling function is switched on automatically 
and the manual air distribution setting is 
cleared.
Temperature
Turn to set the desired tempera-
ture.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as 
quickly as possible regardless of the season, 
using maximum cooling or heating power if nec-
essary, and then maintains it.
Avoid rapid switching between different tem-
perature settings. The automatic climate con-
trol will not have sufficient time to adjust the set 
temperature.
Maximum heating power can be obtained with 
the highest setting, regardless of the outside 
temperature.
The system cools steadily in the lowest setting, 
regardless of the outside temperature.
Maximum cooling
Press the  button.
The system is set to the lowest 
temperature, maximum air volume 
and recirculated-air mode.
Air flows out of the vent outlets for the upper 
body region. Open them for this purpose.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:
>Above an outside temperature of approx. 
327/06
>When the engine is running
AUTO program
Press the  button.
Air volume, air distribution and 
temperature are controlled auto-
matically.
Depending on the selected temperature, AUTO 
intensity and outside influences, the air is 
directed toward the windshield, the side win-
dows, the upper body and the footwell.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
At the same time, a condensation sensor con-
trols the program so as to prevent window con-
densation as much as possible.
The program is switched off when the air distri-
bution is set manually or the button is pressed 
again.
Intensity of the AUTO program
With the AUTO program switched on, auto-
matic control of the air volume and air distribu-
tion can be adjusted:
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce the intensity. Press the 
right side of the button to increase 
it.
The selected intensity is shown on the display 
of the automatic climate control.
Convertible program
The Convertible program is active when the 
hardtop is open and the AUTO program is 
switched on. In the Convertible program, the  

Navigation system
126
Navigation system
General information
With the help of satellites, the navigation sys-
tem is able to ascertain the precise position of 
the vehicle and guide you reliably to any desti-
nation you enter.
Enter data only when the vehicle is sta-
tionary, and always give priority to the 
applicable traffic regulations in the event of any 
contradiction between traffic and road condi-
tions and the instructions issued by the naviga-
tion system. Failure to take to this precaution 
can place you in violation of the law and put 
vehicle occupants and other road users in dan-
ger.<
Navigation data
General information
Navigation data are stored in the vehicle and 
can be updated.
Navigation data and authorization codes are 
available from your BMW center.
Depending on the data volume, a data update 
may take several hours.
>The data are updated while you are driving.
>The update is resumed automatically when 
a trip is continued after an interruption.
>All functions are available during the trip.
>The data are stored in the vehicle.
>After the update, the system restarts.
>The medium that holds the navigation data 
can be removed after the update is com-
pleted.
Updating the navigation data
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD into the DVD 
player with the labeled side facing up.
2.Follow the instructions on the Control Dis-
play.3.Enter the authorization code of the naviga-
tion DVD and change the DVD if needed.
Removing navigation DVD
1. Press button 1.
The DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
2.Remove the DVD.
Displaying information on the version
1."Navigation"
2.Open "Options".
3."Navigation system version":
Information on the data version is displayed.
* 

Navigation
Driving tips
 139Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Press the controller.
Changing the map section
Select the interactive map.
>To shift the map: move the controller in the 
required direction.
>To shift the map diagonally: move the con-
troller in the required direction and turn it.
Changing scale
1.Select the  symbol.
2.Turn the controller to adjust the scale.
Automatic scaling of the map
In the map view facing north, turn the controller 
in any direction until AUTO is displayed as the 
map scale.
The map shows the entire range from your loca-
tion to the destination.
Settings for the map view
The map is shown on the Control Display.
1.Open "Options".
2."Settings"
3.Set the optimized map view.
>"Day/night mode"
Select and create the necessary settings 
depending on the light conditions. When 
the traffic bulletin map is activated, this 
setting is disregarded.
>"Satellite images"
Satellite images
* are displayed depend-
ing on availability and resolution.
>"Perspective view in 3D"
Displays a spatial view. Prominent areas 
that are contained in the navigation data 
are displayed on the map in 3D.
>"Traffic Info map"
The map is optimized for displaying traf-
fic bulletins. Symbols for the special 
destinations are no longer displayed.
Map view for the split screen display
The map view for the split screen can be 
selected separately from the main screen.1.Open "Options".
2."Split screen"
The split screen is switched on.
3.Move the controller to the right repeatedly 
until the split screen content is selected.
4.Select the map view:
>"Arrow display"
>"Map facing north"
>"Map direction of travel"
>"Map view with perspective"
>"Exit ramp view"
Changing scale
1.Move the controller to the right until the 
split screen is selected.
2.Turn the controller.
Traffic bulletins*
You can display the traffic bulletins from radio 
stations that broadcast the TMC (Traffic Mes-
sage Channel) of a traffic information service. 
This information from the traffic information 
service is continuously updated on the basis of 
measurement data from traffic control centers 
and information on traffic congestion. 
During destination guidance, traffic bulletins 
that are relevant to areas along the route are 
automatically displayed and taken into account 
in the route planning. You can open all traffic 
bulletins manually via iDrive.
The traffic bulletins are shown in the map view.
Real Time Traffic Information End-User 
Provisions
Certain BMW models equipped with navigation 
have the capability to display real-time traffic 
information. If your system has this capability 
the following additional terms and conditions 
apply:
An End-User shall no longer have the right to 
use the Traffic Data in the event that the End-
User is in material breach of the terms and con-
ditions contained herein. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 149Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Radio
Your radio is designed for reception of the fol-
lowing stations:
>FM and AM
>HD Radio
*
>Satellite radio*
Selecting a station
Press the button if the sound output is switched 
off.
1."Radio"
2."FM" or "AM"
3.Select the desired station.The selected station is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
Changing stations
Turn the controller and press it
or
 press the button for the corresponding 
direction
or
press the buttons on the steering wheel, refer to 
page10.
Selecting a station manually
Station selection using the frequency.
1."Radio"
2."FM" or "AM"
3."Manual"
4.Select the frequency: turn the controller.
To store the station: press the controller for an 
extended period.
Storing stations
Via iDrive
1."Radio"
2."FM" or "AM" 

Satellite radio
152
Satellite radio
General information
The channels are offered in predefined pack-
ages. The packages must be enabled by tele-
phone.
Navigation bar overview
The functions of the navigation bar symbols can 
also be stored on the programmable memory 
buttons, refer to page20.
Managing a subscription
To be able to enable or unsubscribe from the 
channels, you must have reception. It is usually 
at its best when you have an unobstructed view 
of the sky. The channel name is displayed in the 
status line.
Enabling the channels
The Unsubscribed Channels category contains 
all disabled channels.
1."Radio"
2."Satellite radio"3."Categories"
4.Select the Unsubscribed Channels cate-
gory.
5.Select the desired channel.
The phone number and an electronic serial 
number, ESN, are displayed.
6.Select the phone number to have the chan-
nel enabled.
You can also unsubscribe from the channels via 
this phone number.
Unsubscribing from channels
1."Radio"
2."Satellite radio"
3.Open "Options".
*
SymbolFunction
Changing the list view
Selecting a category
Direct channel entry
Timeshift
  Opening the favorites, opening 
the My Favorites category
Managing the favorites
Traffic Jump 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 153Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
4."Manage subscription"
The phone number and an electronic serial 
number, ESN, are displayed.
5.Call Sirius to unsubscribe from the chan-
nels.
Selecting a channel
You can only listen to enabled channels.
The selected channel is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
Via iDrive
1."Radio"
2."Satellite radio"
3.Select "All Channels" or the desired cate-
gory.
4.Select the desired channel.
Via the button in the area of the CD/
DVD player
 Press the button for the corresponding 
direction.
The next channel is selected.
Via direct channel entry
1."Radio"
2."Satellite radio"
3."Select channel"
4.Turn the controller until the desired channel 
is reached and press the controller.
Storing a channel
1."Radio"
2."Satellite radio"
3.If necessary, open "All Channels" or the 
desired category.
4.Select the desired channel.
5.Press the controller again.
6.Press the controller again to confirm the 
highlighted channel.
7.Select the desired memory location.
The channels are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
You can also store the channels on the pro-
grammable memory keys, refer to page20.
Changing the list view
The list view changes every time the first sym-
bol on the navigation bar is pressed.
Information on the channel is displayed.
SymbolFunction
Channel name
Artist
Track