
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Buttons on steering wheel
8Instrument cluster12
11Ignition lock5712Horn, entire surface
15Releasing hood211 Mobile phone
*178:
>Press: accepting and ending a 
call, starting dialing
* of 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
* 22
Changing radio station155
Selecting music track160
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
Changing entertainment source
Switching recirculated-air mode 
on/off107
HDC
*86
Lane Departure Warning
*99
9
Windshield wipers63
Rain sensor64
Sports Wagon: rear window 
wiper64
10Starting/stopping engine and 
switching ignition on/off 57
13
Steering wheel heater*52
Steering wheel adjustment
*52
14
Cruise control
*65
Active cruise control66
16Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate31, 33
17
Head-up Display
*95
BMW Night Vision
*96
18Parking lamps100
Daytime running lamps
*101
Low beams100
Welcome lamps100
Automatic headlamp control
*100 
Daytime running lamps
*101
Welcome lamps100 
Adaptive Light Control
*101  
High-beam Assistant
*102
19
Instrument lighting104
Fog lamps
*104 

At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by 
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine 
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the upper edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e. g. on the cause and 
elimination of a malfunction, can be opened via 
the Check Control system, refer to page79.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps signal particular 
functions:
High beams/headlamp flasher102
Fog lamps
*104
Parking brake applied59
Parking brake applied for Canadian 
models
Lamp flashes: 
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability86
DTC Dynamic Traction Control86
Exhaust-gas values216
Exhaust-gas values for Canadian 
models216 

At a glance
 19Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Turn the controller until "Time:" is high-
lighted, and then press the controller.
5.Turn the controller to set the hours and 
press the controller.
6.Turn the controller to set the minutes and 
press the controller.
Status information
1Time
2Display for:
>Reception strength of the wireless 
network, depends on the mobile phone
>Incoming, outgoing or missed call
>SMS
* received
>Phone book
* loading
>Roaming
* active
3Display for:
>Entertainment:
Radio, CD/DVD, external devices
>Phone book
*:
Name of the mobile phone paired with 
the vehicle4Sound output is switched off or
 traffic bulletin display
*:
>"TI": 
Traffic bulletins are switched on.
>No display: 
Traffic bulletins are switched off.
Other displays: 
The status information is temporarily hidden 
when there are Check Control instructions or 
inputs via the voice activation system
*.
Switching the control display 
on/off
1.Press the OPTION button.
2."Switch off display"
Press the controller to switch on.
Split screen
Additional information can be displayed on the 
right side of the split screen, e.g., information 
from the computer.
In the divided screen view, the so-called split 
screen, this information remains visible even 
when you change to another menu.
Switching the split screen on and off
1.Press the OPTION button.
2."Split screen"
 The split screen is activated. 

iDrive
20
Selecting the display for the split 
screen content
When the split screen is switched on, you can 
select the content displayed on the screen.
1.Move the controller to the right repeatedly 
until the split screen content is selected.
2.Select the display.
Programmable memory 
buttons
Certain iDrive functions can be stored on the 
programmable memory keys and called up 
directly, e.g., radio stations, navigation destina-
tions, phone numbers and entry points into the 
menu.
Storing functions
1.Highlight the function via the iDrive.
2....  Press the desired button 
longer than 2 seconds.
Example for programmable memory 
keys
Switch the voice instructions for the navigation 
on/off.
1."Navigation"
2."Map"
3. Select the   symbol using the controller.
4....  Press the desired button 
longer than 2 seconds.
Executing a function
 ...   Press the button.The function is executed immediately. This 
means, for example, that the number is dialed 
when a phone number is selected.
Displaying button assignment
Touch the button with a finger. Do not wear 
gloves or use objects.
Displaying short info
 ...   Touch the button.
The key assignment is displayed at the top 
edge of the screen.
Displaying detailed information
 ...   Touch the button longer. 

Controls
 27Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use without you having to do anything. When 
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding 
remote control is detected and the settings 
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW 
set to your own personal settings even if 
another person with his/her own remote control 
and settings has used the vehicle since the last 
time you drove it. The individual settings are 
stored for a maximum of four remote controls, 
for two with Comfort Access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the 
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system 
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page28
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page30
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page83
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure, 
refer to page76
>12h/24h clock format, refer to page79
>Date format, refer to page79
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page82
>Lighting settings:
>Triple turn signal activation, refer to 
page63
>Welcome lamps, refer to page100
>Pathway lighting, refer to page101
>Daytime running lamps
*, refer to 
page101
>High-beam Assistant
*, refer to 
page102
>PDC Park Distance Control
*: optical warn-
ing, refer to page84
>Head-up Display
*: selection and brightness 
of display, refer to page96>BMW Night Vision
*: display settings, refer 
to page98
>Automatic climate control: AUTO program 
and intensity, cooling function, and auto-
matic recirculated air control/recirculated-
air mode, temperature, air distribution, tem-
perature in the upper body region, refer to 
text starting on page106
>Navigation system
*: voice instructions for 
destination guidance, refer to page143
In addition, the following, most recently 
selected settings are recalled during unlocking:
>Programmable memory buttons: selecting 
stored functions, refer to page20
>Positions of driver's seat, outside mirrors, 
and steering wheel
*, refer to page45
>Audio sources: volume and tone settings, 
refer to page152
>Radio:
>Display of stored stations, refer to 
page157
>Switching RDS Radio Data System on/
off
*, refer to page156
>Phone: volume setting, refer to page181
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Luggage compartment lid or tailgate and 
rear window
>Fuel filler flap
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Using door lock
>With Comfort Access
* via the door handles 

Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Sedan: opening luggage 
compartment lid
Press the   button for approx. 1 second.
The luggage compartment lid opens, regard-
less of whether it was previously locked or 
unlocked.
During opening, the luggage compart-
ment lid pivots back and up. Make sure 
that adequate clearance is available before 
opening. 
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out, 
never lay the remote control in the cargo bay. A 
previously locked luggage compartment lid is 
also locked again after closing.<
Sports Wagon: unlocking tailgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.
The tailgate will open slightly, regardless of 
whether it was previously locked or unlocked.
During opening, the tailgate pivots back 
and up. Make sure that adequate clear-
ance is available before opening. 
To prevent accidentally locking yourself out, 
never lay the remote control in the cargo bay. A 
previously locked tailgate is also locked again 
after closing. 
When opening the tailgate, the luggage com-
partment roller cover is raised.<
If pointed or sharp-edged objects could 
strike the rear window while driving, be 
sure to provide protection around all edges. 
Failure to do so could result in damage to the 
heating conductors of the rear window.<
Confirmation signals
You can activate or deactivate the confirmation 
signals.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"3."Flash when lock/unlock"
4.Press the controller.
 Flashing when locking/unlocking the vehi-
cle is switched on.
Malfunction
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. Should the remote control fail 
to operate due to interference of this kind, 
unlock and lock the vehicle via the door lock 
using a key.
If it is no longer possible to lock the vehicle 
using the remote control, then the battery is 
discharged. Use this remote control during an 
extended drive; this will recharge the battery, 
refer to page26.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
LX8CAS2
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation. 

Opening and closing
36
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g., in case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and glass sunroof
* 
must be completely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g., in the following 
situations:
>In two-level garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access*
Comfort Access allows you to access your vehi-
cle without having to hold the remote control in 
your hand. It is sufficient to carry the remote 
control with you, e.g., in your jacket pocket. The 
vehicle automatically detects the associated 
remote control in the immediate vicinity or in 
the interior.
Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Comfort closing
>Opening luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
separately>Sports Wagon: opening rear window sepa-
rately
>Starting engine
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate can only be locked if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control you are car-
rying is outside the vehicle.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the Comfort Access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page26 
beforehand.
The special features when using Comfort 
Access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the glass sun-
roof, the system is checking whether a remote 
control is located in the vehicle. Please repeat 
opening or closing if necessary.<
Unlocking
Grasp a door handle fully, refer to arrow1, but 
do not touch the surfaces, arrow2 or 3 when 
doing so. This corresponds to pressing the   
button. 

Controls
 37Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking
>On the driver's door, touch the highlighted 
surface, arrow2, with a finger for approx. 
1 second, but do not grasp the door handle.
>On the remaining doors, touch the high-
lighted surface, arrow3, with the back of 
your hand for approx. 1 second, but do not 
grasp the door handle.
This corresponds to pressing the   but-
ton.
To preserve the battery, please make 
sure that the ignition and all electrical 
consumers are switched off before locking the 
vehicle.<
Comfort closing
Hold a finger or the back of your hand against 
the surface, arrow2 or 3, but do not grasp the 
door handle while doing so.
The windows and the glass sunroof
* are 
closed.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Removing the 
hand from the door handle stops the closing 
process immediately.<
Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate separately
Press the button on the luggage compartment 
lid/tailgate. This corresponds to pressing the 
 button.
If a remote control accidentally left in the 
cargo bay is detected in the locked vehi-
cle after closing the luggage compartment lid/
tailgate or the rear window, the lid or rear win-
dow opens again. The hazard warning flashers 
flash and a signal
* sounds.<
Sports Wagon: opening rear window 
separately
Press the button on the rear window, refer to 
page32.
Switching on radio readiness
By pressing the Start/Stop button, you switch 
on the radio readiness, refer to page57.When doing so, do not depress the brake 
or clutch pedal, otherwise the engine will 
start immediately.<
Starting engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion if a remote control is located in the interior 
of the vehicle. It need not be inserted in the igni-
tion lock, refer to page57.
If you take the remote control with you when 
leaving the vehicle with the engine running, a 
warning lamp lights up. In addition, a message 
appears on the Control Display. As long as no 
remote control is detected, it is only possible to 
restart the engine within approx. 10 seconds 
after it is switched off.
Switching off engine with automatic 
and sport automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off in trans-
mission position P, refer to page58.
To switch off the engine in transmission posi-
tion N, the remote control must be inserted in 
the ignition lock.
Before driving into a car wash with 
automatic and sport automatic 
transmission
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Engage transmission position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
The Comfort Access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
When unlocking or locking/comfort closing do 
not simultaneously grasp the door handle and 
touch the surfaces, arrow2 or 3. Otherwise, you 
may limit the function.