
Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Indicator lamps for turn signals
2Speedometer
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for
>Active cruise control
*70
>Lane Departure Warning
*99
5Tachometer74
6Energy Control75
7Display for
>Clock/date74
>Outside temperature74
>Indicator and warning lamps80
>Speed of cruise control
*66
>Desired speed for active cruise 
control
*708Display for
>Odometer and trip odometer74
>Computer75
>Date and remaining travel distance 
for service requirements77
>Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic
*59
>Sport automatic transmission
*62
>Hill Descent Control HDC
*86
>High-beam Assistant
*102
> Check Control message present79
9Fuel gauge75
10Resetting trip odometer74 

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. 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition 
lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into 
the ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on.
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation.
Comfort Access*
With Comfort Access, only insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock in exceptional 
cases, refer to page36.
Removing remote control from ignition 
lock
Do not pull the remote control out of the 
ignition lock using force, as otherwise 
damage may result.<
Before removing the remote control, first press 
it in as far as possible to release the locking 
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still 
switched on.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission
The remote control can only be removed when 
transmission position P is selected: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the 
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
The engine is started when you press the 
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch 
if the car has manual transmission or the brake if 
the car has automatic transmission.<
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation. The time and outside tempera-
ture are displayed in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off:
>when the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
>with Comfort Access
* by touching the sur-
face on the door handle, refer to Locking on 
page37
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for 
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer 
are displayed in the instrument cluster, refer to 
page74.
Please switch off the ignition and the 
electronic systems/consumers which are 
not required when the engine is not running to 
save the battery.< 

Driving
58
Radio readiness and ignition switched 
off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas, 
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause loss of consciousness and 
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly 
toxic gas. 
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard. 
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, select the idling position, or shift the trans-
mission into position P and firmly apply the 
parking brake, otherwise the vehicle can begin 
to roll.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or inadequately burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive at a moderate engine 
speed.
Manual transmission
Remote control in ignition lock or with Comfort 
Access in vehicle, refer to page36.1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and shift into 
idling position.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission*
Remote control in ignition lock or with Comfort 
Access in vehicle, refer to page36.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
Switching off engine
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you. 
When parking, firmly apply the parking brake, as 
otherwise the vehicle could roll.<
Manual transmission
1.Press the Start/Stop button with the vehicle 
stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Firmly apply the parking brake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page57.
Automatic and sport automatic 
transmission*
1.Shift transmission into position P with the 
vehicle stopped.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
3.Firmly apply the parking brake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page57.
Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.With Comfort Access: insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Shift into transmission position N. 

Controls
 59Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Switch off the engine.
Transmission position P will be engaged:
>after approx. 30 seconds
>if you remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal also sounds when starting off. The 
parking brake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to apply the parking 
brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it 
too firmly. In doing so, continuously press the 
button of the parking brake lever. Otherwise, 
too firm an application of the parking brake can 
lock up the rear wheels and cause the rear of the 
car to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking 
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable. 
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied.<
Manual transmission
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear lane, 
press the gearshift lever toward the right, 
otherwise accidental shifting into the 3rd or 4th 
gear could result in engine damage.<
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When pressing the gearshift lever to the left, 
overcome some resistance.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic*
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can 
also manually shift with the Steptronic, refer to 
page61.
Transmission positions
P R N D M/S + – 

Driving
60
Displays in instrument cluster
P R N D DS S1* to S6* M1 to M6
The transmission position is indicated, and in 
the manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Engaging transmission position
>Do not leave the transmission position P 
until the engine is running: interlock.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the 
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N; 
otherwise the shift command will not be 
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until 
you are ready to start.<
Engaging N, D, R
Briefly press the selector lever in the desired 
direction, beyond a resistance point if neces-
sary. Press button1 simultaneously out of P or 
into R.
The engaged transmission position is also dis-
played on the selector lever.
The selector lever immediately returns to the 
center position when released.
Engaging P
Press buttonP.
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The 
rear wheels are locked.
P  i s  e n g a g e d  a s  s o o n  a s  y o u  s w i t c h  o f f  t h e  
engine unless N is engaged and with 
Comfort Access, the remote control is inserted 
in the ignition lock, refer to Before driving into a 
car wash, page58.<
N Neutral
Can, for example, be engaged in automatic car 
washes. The vehicle can roll.
N remains engaged even after the engine 
is switched off whenever you leave the 
remote control in the ignition lock. This function 
is useful, for example, in automatic car washes, 
refer to page58.<
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are available.
Kick down
Kick down enables you to achieve maximum 
performance. 
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the 
increased resistance at full throttle. 

Controls
 61Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Press selector lever toward the left from trans-
mission position D: 
The sport program is activated, and DS is dis-
played in the instrument cluster; with the sport 
automatic transmission
* also S1 to S6. This 
position is recommended for a performance-
oriented driving style.
When the selector lever is pressed forward or 
back, the manual mode is activated and the 
Steptronic shifts the gear. The instrument clus-
ter shows M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are only carried out at a 
suitable engine and vehicle speed, e.g., a down-
shift is not carried out at excessively high 
engine speeds. The selected gear is briefly dis-
played in the instrument cluster, followed by the 
current gear.
To resume automatic mode, press the selector 
lever to the right.
Manually unlocking and locking 
transmission lock
In case of a power failure, e.g., when the battery 
is drained or disconnected, or an electrical fault, 
manually release the transmission lock, as oth-
erwise the rear wheels are blocked and the 
vehicle cannot be towed.
Only manually release the transmission lock for 
towing and firmly apply the parking brake 
beforehand so that the vehicle cannot roll. 
Reengage the transmission lock after parking 
the vehicle at its destination.
Unlocking
1.Reach into the trim-piece opening, arrow1, 
and firmly pull the trim piece upward, 
arrow2.
2.Remove cover over the opening, refer to 3.
3.Insert a screwdriver from the onboard tool 
kit, refer to page221, into the opening, 
arrow1.
4.Pull the screwdriver toward the rear until it is 
heard to engage, arrow2, and leave it 
inserted in the opening. The transmission 
lock is released.
Releasing on sport automatic 
transmission*
1.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2.Pull the sleeve over the selector lever. 

Driving
62 3.Reach into the trim-piece opening, arrow1, 
and firmly pull the trim piece upward, 
arrow2.
4.Remove cover over the opening, refer to 5.
5.Insert a screwdriver from the onboard tool 
kit, refer to page221, into the opening, 
arrow1.
6.Pull the screwdriver toward the rear until it is 
heard to engage, arrow2, and leave it 
inserted in the opening. The transmission 
lock is released.
Locking
1.Pull out the screwdriver upward. 
The transmission lock is locked again.
2.Reinstall the cover and the trim piece.
Information on jump starting and towing from 
page232.
Sport automatic 
transmission*
You can also shift manually with two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel.
You can also choose between two driving pro-
grams: Normal or Sport, refer to Dynamic Driv-
ing Control.
Shift paddles on steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears 
quickly, as both hands can remain on the steer-
ing wheel.
>When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the gearshift system switches into 
the manual mode.
>If you do not shift with the shift paddles and 
do not accelerate for a certain time, the sys-
tem switches into the automatic mode 
again when the selector lever is in D.
>To shift up: pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down: press one of the shift pad-
dles.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible 
for your BMW to react in an even more perfor-
mance-oriented manner at the push of a button:
>The speed range of the engine is optimally 
utilized.
>Gearshifts are faster.
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to accelerator pedal movements.
>The steering will operate in an even sportier 
mode.