
Adjustments
42
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page52.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing should come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard; 
otherwise, leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag deploys.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean 
against the cover of the head airbag; otherwise, 
serious injuries can result if the airbag 
deploys.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page90.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page44.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats, each of which is 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits 
low across the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. 
The safety belt must not rest against the throat, 
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt 
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the 
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise, the belt could slide over your hips and 
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal 
collision. 
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull 
the belt in the upper-body area taut; otherwise, 
its restraining effect could be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page48.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
the vehicle is moving. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement, and the 
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an  

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Interior rearview mirror
Turn the knob to reduce glare from the head-
lamps of cars behind you when driving at night.
Interior and exterior mirrors, automatic 
dimming feature*
The automatic dimming feature of the interior 
and exterior mirrors
* is controlled by two photo 
cells in the interior rearview mirror. One photo 
cell is in the mirror frame, see arrow; the other is 
on the back of the mirror.
In order to ensure that the system functions 
correctly, keep the photo cells clean, do not 
cover the area between the interior rearview 
mirror and windshield, and do not affix adhesive 
labels or stickers of any kind to the windshield 
directly in front of the mirror.
Steering wheel
Adjustments
Do not adjust the steering wheel position 
while the car is in motion; otherwise, there 
is a risk of an accident due to unexpected move-
ment.<1.Fold the lever down.
2.Move the steering wheel to the preferred 
height and angle to suit your seated posi-
tion.
3.Swing the lever back up.
Do not use force to swing the lever 
back up; otherwise, the mechanism 
will be damaged.<
Steering wheel heating*
Press the button.
The LED in the button lights up when the steer-
ing wheel heating is switched on. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
90
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Coupe: head airbags
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
4Convertible: knee airbags
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page42 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and windows on the front 
passenger side clear, i.e. do not cover with 
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach 
holders such as for navigation instruments or 
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other 
objects not specifically approved for seats with 
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not 
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove 
the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do 
not modify the individual components of the 
system or its wiring in any way. This includes 
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel, 
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well 
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to 
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to repair 
procedures of BMW with correspondingly 
trained personnel and that has the required 
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to 
work on the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or to undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or  

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 

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units72
Average speed71
Avoid highways in 
navigation136
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights241
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats46
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb225,226,227
Bag holder111
Band-aids, refer to First aid 
pouch230
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods233
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter186
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment107
Bass, tone setting146
Battery228
– charging228
– disposal35,228
– jump-starting231
– remote control26
– replacing228
– temporary power failure228
Battery for mobile phone187
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed233
Belt hand-over49
– pinch protection system49
Belts, refer to Safety belts48Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts48
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cupholders108
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds106
Blower, refer to Air 
volume100
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating178
BMW
– car shampoo221
BMW Assist190
BMW Assist, 
activating192,194
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System217
BMW Search192
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders
108
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC82
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements73
Brake Force Display89
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display89
– replacing bulb225,226,227
Brake pads118
– breaking in118
Brake rotors120
– brakes118
– breaking in118
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance 
System217
– Brake Force Display89
– breaking in118
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely120Brake system118
– BMW Maintenance 
System217
– breaking in118
– disc brakes120
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance230
Breaking in the clutch118
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential118
Break-in period118
Brightness of the Control 
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs223
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11C
California Proposition 65 
warning5
Call
– accepting179
– ending180
– rejecting180
Calling, refer to Phone 
numbers, dialing180
Can holders, refer to 
Cupholders108
Capacities241
Capacity of the cargo area241
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery228
Car care, refer to Care219 

Everything from A - Z
252 Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting96
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument 
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant215
– remote control battery35
– vehicle battery228
Distance control, refer to 
Active cruise control63
Distance remaining to service, 
refer to Service 
requirements73
Distance warning, refer to 
Park Distance Control 
PDC81
Door key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key26
Door lock29
Doors, emergency 
operation30
DOT Quality Grades208
Draft-free ventilation101
Drinks holders, refer to 
Cupholders108
Drive-off assistance, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC82
Drive-off assistant84
Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/low beams93
Driving notes118
Driving off on hills, refer to 
Drive-off assistant84
Driving stability control 
systems82
Driving through water120
Driving tips, refer to Driving 
notes118
Dry air, refer to Cooling 
function100
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control82DTC Dynamic Traction 
Control82
– indicator/warning lamp82
DVD
– country codes159
– settings160
– video playback159
DVD menu160
DVD player, refer to CD 
player157
DVD video159
Dynamic Brake Control 
DBC82
Dynamic destination 
guidance137
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC82
– indicator/warning lamp82
Dynamic Traction Control 
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp83
E
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution82
Eject button, refer to Buttons 
on the CD/DVD player146
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap198
– glass roof37
Electric seat adjustment43
Electric steering wheel lock
– with Comfort Access34
Electronic brake-force 
distribution EBV82
Electronic oil level check213
Electronic Stability Program 
ESP, refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency actuation, 
automatic transmission, 
refer to Overriding selector 
lever lock59
Emergency operation
– fuel filler flap, manual 
release198Emergency operation, refer to 
Closing manually
– glass roof37
Emergency operation, refer to 
Manual operation
– door lock30
Emergency release
– trunk lid from inside31
Emergency Request230
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance230
Energy, saving
– saving fuel118
Engine
– breaking in118
– data238
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature70
– speed238
– starting56
– starting, Comfort Access33
– switching off56
Engine compartment213
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant215
Engine oil
– adding215
– alternative oil types215
– BMW Maintenance 
System217
– capacity241
– checking level213
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements73
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data238
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data238
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine56
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps97
Entry map for destination132
Equalizer, tone setting147
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control77 

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