
Opening and closing
32 Make sure that the closing path of the 
trunk lid is clear; otherwise, injuries may 
result.<
Coupe
Convertible
To close the trunk lid, press it down 
lightly. The lid is closed automatically.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the trunk lid is 
opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to page33
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away
>When there has been an interruption of 
power supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the trunk lid even when the alarm 
system is armed, by pressing the   button on 
the remote control, refer to page28. The lid is 
locked and monitored again as soon as you 
close it.
Panic mode*
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control, refer 
to page27.
>Insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp under the inside rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: 
doors, hood or trunk lid are not properly 
closed. Even if you do not close the alerted 
area, the system begins to monitor the 
remaining areas, and the indicator lamp 
flashes continuously after approx.  

Driving tips
 121Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
develops inside the tires. This can ultimately 
result in a sudden blowout.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or 
leak from their containers in the cargo 
area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the 
respective seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
Coupe 

Giving and receiving assistance
232
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other 
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and 
approximately the same capacitance in Ah. 
This information can be found on the bat-
tery.
2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi-
cle.
3.Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise, 
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct 
order, so that no sparks which could 
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in 
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine 
compartment overview on page213. The cap is 
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+ 
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the 
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal 
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of 
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/– 
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the 
battery or to an engine or body ground of 
the assisting vehicle. Your BMW has a special nut as body ground 
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.< 

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. 

Giving and receiving assistance
234 To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Manual and automatic transmission:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle 
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just 
the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the 
wheels could lock up and the transfer case 
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface 
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to 
page231. Vehicles with a catalytic converter 
should only be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission 
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page55.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
depressed and slowly release the clutch. 
After the engine starts, immediately 
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent 
Control HDC when the vehicle is being 
tow-started, page83.< 

Everything from A - Z
248
Everything from A - Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System82
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control63
Accident, refer to Sending an 
Emergency Request230
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control101
Active cruise control63
– indicator lamps66
– malfunction67
– selecting distance65
– sensor66
Active steering88
Adaptive brake light
– Brake Force Display89
Adaptive light control94
Additives
– coolant215
Address, entering127,133
Address for navigation
– entering127
Adjusting temperature inside 
the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control99
Adjusting the thigh support43
Airbags90
– indicator/warning lamp91
– sitting safely42
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control99
– ventilation101
Air distribution
– automatic99
Airing, refer to Ventilation101
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure200
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode100Air supply
– automatic climate control99
– ventilation101
Air vents98
Air volume100
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications199
Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms33
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm32
– tilt alarm sensor33
Albums of music 
collection166
ALL program100
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires211
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive83
AM, waveband149
Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode100
Antenna for mobile phone176
Antifreeze
– coolant215
– washer fluid61
Antilock Brake System 
ABS82
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights241
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights241
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest107
Arrival time, refer to 
Computer71
Ashtray109Assistance systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems82
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control100
Audio146
– controls146
– switching on/off146
– tone control146
– volume146
Audio device, external107
Automatic
– air distribution99
– air volume99
– cruise control61,63
– headlamp control93
Automatic car washes219
Automatic climate control98
– automatic air distribution99
Automatic curb monitor50
Automatic high beams and 
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant95
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC100
Automatic Service 
Request194
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– interlock57,58
– overriding selector lever 
lock59
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position58
– sport program58
– towing232
– tow-starting232
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control
99
AUX-IN
– port107
AUX-IN port169
Available services194 

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
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