
At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Calling up functions immediately via 
short commands
Short commands enable you to perform certain 
functions immediately, irrespective of which 
menu item is selected, refer to page243.
Example: selecting the track of a CD
1.Switch on entertainment sound output if 
necessary.
2.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system should use the 
standard dialog or a shorter variant. In the 
shorter variant of the voice dialog, the prompts 
and responses from the system are abbrevi-
ated.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"
4.Select a setting:
>"Default"
>"Short"
Notes
To operate the phone by voice, refer also 
to page185.<
For voice commands, bear in mind the follow-
ing:>Do not use the voice activation system to 
initiate an Emergency Request. In stressful 
situations, the voice and vocal pitch can 
change. This can unnecessarily delay the 
establishment of a telephone connection.
>Say the commands and numbers smoothly 
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive 
emphasis and pauses. This also applies 
when spelling out and saying a full word 
during destination entry.
>When selecting a radio station, use the 
common pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice activation system and no abbrevia-
tions.
>Keep the doors, windows and glass sun-
roof
* or panorama glass sunroof* closed to 
prevent interference from ambient noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle 
while speaking. 3.Select the music track, for instance: 
{CD track 4}
System says: 
{{Track 4}} 

Navigation
Driving tips
 139Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
addition, pressing the controller makes further 
functions available:
> Select a symbol and "Start guid-
ance", if necessary.
>"Exit interactive map"
>Map view
>"Display destination"
The map section around the destination 
is displayed.
>"Display current location"
The map section around your current 
location is displayed.
>"Find points of interest", refer to 
page136.
Entering a destination by 
voice commands*
General information
You can enter a desired destination via the 
voice activation system. When entering the 
destination, it is possible to change between 
voice command and iDrive at any time. Reacti-
vate the voice command function for this pur-
pose if necessary.
You can have the possible commands 
read aloud via {Voice commands}.<
Saying the entries
>Countries, towns and cities, streets and 
intersections can be said as whole words or 
spelled in the system language, refer to 
page82.Example: to enter a destination in a US state 
as a complete word, the system language 
must be English.
>The town/city, street and house number 
can be said as a single sentence.
*
>Spell the entry if the language region and 
the system language differ.
>Say the letters smoothly, and avoid exag-
gerating the pronunciation and inserting 
lengthy pauses between the letters.
Entering an address*
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
3.Wait for a request from the system.
4.Say the town or city, street and house num-
ber in a single sentence.
5.Continue making the entry as prompted by 
the system.
6.If necessary, individually name the separate 
components of the address, e.g., the town/
city.
Entering a town/city
The town/city can be spelled or entered as a 
complete word
*.
The methods of entry depend on the nav-
igation data in use and the country and 
language settings.<
2.Wait for the system to prompt you for the 
town/city.
3.Say the name of the town/city, or name at 
least the first three letters.
Depending on the entry, up to 20 towns/cit-
ies may be suggested.
2.{Enter address}
1.{City} or {Spell city}.
4.Select town/city:
>Select a recommended town/city: 
{Yes}
>Select other town/city: {New entry}
>Select an entry, e.g., {Entry 2}
>Spell an entry: {Spell city} 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 163Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Video menu
To open the Video menu:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Press the controller when "Back" is dis-
played.
The Video menu is displayed:
In fast forward/reverse: the speed increases 
every time the controller is pressed. To stop, 
start playback.
DVD menu
1.If necessary, turn the controller to open the 
video menu.
2. "DVD menu"
The DVD menu is displayed. The display 
depends on the contents of the DVD.
>To select menu items: move and press the 
controller.
>To change to the Video menu: turn the con-
troller and select "Back".
DVD/VCD settings
For some DVDs, settings can only be made via 
the DVD menu; refer also to the information on 
your DVD.
Language*
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".3."Audio/language"
4.Select the desired language.
The languages that are available depend on the 
DVD.
Subtitles*
Subtitles can be selected if they are contained 
on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Subtitles"
4.Select the desired language or "Do not dis-
play subtitles".
Brightness, contrast, color
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Display settings"
SymbolFunction
Open the DVD menu
*
Start playback
Pause
Stop
Next chapter/next track
Previous chapter/previous 
track
Fast forward
Reverse 

Telephone
188
Selecting an entry
The connection to the phone number of the 
selected entry is established. 
Notes
Notes on Emergency Requests
Do not use the voice activation system to ini-
tiate an Emergency Request. In stressful situa-
tions, the voice and vocal pitch can change. 
This can unnecessarily delay the establishment 
of a telephone connection. Use the SOS but-
ton
* instead, refer to page231.
Important for voice commands
For voice commands, keep the following in 
mind:
>Say the commands, numbers and letters 
smoothly and with normal volume, empha-
sis and speed.
>Always say commands in the language of 
the voice activation system.
>Keep the doors, windows, glass sunroof
*/
panorama glass sunroof
* closed to prevent 
interference from ambient noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle 
while speaking.
Inserting/removing the snap-
in adapter*
1.Press button1 and remove the cover.
2.Insert the snap-in adapter in the front and 
press it downward until it engages.
To remove the snap-in adapter:
Press button 1.
Inserting mobile phone
1.Remove the protective cap from the mobile 
phone's antenna connector if necessary, so  1.{Dial name}.
The dialog for selecting an entry is 
opened.
2.Say the name when prompted.
3.Confirm the query with {Yes}. 

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
CD changer160,164
– controls152
– fast forward/reverse162
– filling or emptying the 
magazine164
– random sequence161
– selecting a track160
– switching on/off152
– tone control152
– volume152
CD player160
– controls152
– fast forward/reverse162
– random sequence161
– selecting a track160
– switching on/off152
– tone control152
– volume152
Center armrest
– front112
– rear116
Center brake lamp225
Center console14
Central locking
– from inside30
– from outside28
Central locking system27
– Comfort Access36
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changes, technical, refer to 
Parts and accessories6
Changing language on 
Control Display82
Changing scale for 
navigation145
Changing trips141
Changing units of measure on 
Control Display76
Changing wheels208,226
CHECK button80
Check Control79
Check Gas Cap201
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure202
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH54
Child restraints53Child restraint systems53
Child-safety lock56
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely53
Chime, refer to Check 
Control
79
Chock227
Chrome-plated parts219
Chrome polish219
Cigarette lighter114
Cigarette lighter socket, refer 
to Connecting electrical 
devices115
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care217
Clock74
– 12h/24h format79
– setting time78
– setting time and date79
Closing
– from inside30
– from outside28
Closing fuel filler cap201
Clothes hooks113
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Engine, 
starting58
Combination instrument, refer 
to Instrument cluster12
Comfort Access36
Comfort access
– observe in car wash37
– replacing battery, remote 
control38
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Comfort seat44
Compact wheel
– inflation pressure203
– wheel change228
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock57Compartments
– in cargo bay, Sports 
Wagon118
– refer to Storage area loading 
options, Sports Wagon119
– refer to Storage 
compartments113
Computer75
– displays on Control 
Display76
Concierge service193
Condensation, refer to When 
vehicle is parked126
Condition Based Service 
CBS215
Confirmation signals for 
locking and unlocking29
Connecting car vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices115
Consumption, refer to 
Average consumption75
Consumption indicator
– Energy Control75
Consumption statistics, refer 
to Average fuel 
consumption75
Contacts
– creating190
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– setting brightness83
– switching off/on19
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenient opening and 
closing
– glass sunroof28
– windows28
– windows and glass sunroof 
with Comfort Access37
Coolant214
– checking level214
– temperature74
Cooling, maximum107
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant214 

Everything from A to Z
262 Route information, refer to 
Destination guidance with 
voice instructions143
Route map, refer to Displaying 
map view144
Route selection142
Run-flat tires
– continuing driving with 
damaged tire89,91
– flat tire89,91
– Flat Tire Monitor88
– inflation pressure89
– tire inflation pressure202
– Tire Pressure Monitor90
S
Safety5
Safety belts48
– damage48
– sitting safely43
– warning lamp48
Safety belt tensioners
– refer to Airbags93
– refer to Safety belts48
Safety systems
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System85
– airbags93
– driving stability control 
systems85
– safety belts48
Satellite radio158
– enabling or disabling 
channel158
– selecting channel159
– storing channel159
Screen, refer to iDrive16
Screw thread for tow 
fitting234
SDARS, refer to Satellite 
radio158Seats44
– active backrest width 
adjustment45
– adjusting the seats44
– comfort seat44
– easy entry/exit45
– heating49
– lumbar support45
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror 
and steering wheel 
memory45
– shoulder support44
– sitting safely43
– storing the setting45
– thigh support44
– ventilation, refer to Active 
seat ventilation50
Securing load
– refer to Securing cargo128
– with ski bag, refer to 
Securing cargo120
Selecting a detour147
Selecting distance with active 
cruise control68
Selecting route142
Selection options with 
navigation system142
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic59,60
Selector lever lock, refer to 
Selecting transmission 
positions60
Self-leveling suspension88
Sequential Manual 
Transmission with 
Drivelogic
– towing234
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance232
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for 
US models215
Service Interval Display
– refer to CBS Condition 
Based Service215
– refer to Service 
requirements77
Service Request195Service requirements77
– refer to CBS Condition 
Based Service215
Services status196
Setting button, refer to 
Controls, controller16
Settings
– BMW Night Vision98
– changing on Control 
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode79
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile26
– DVD163
– language82
Settings for the map view145
Setting time, refer to 
Preselecting activation 
times109
Shifting gears, Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic61
Shift paddles on steering 
wheel62
Short commands for the voice 
activation system243
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route142
Shoulder support44
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer161
– CD player161
Side airbags93
Side marker lamps, replacing 
bulbs224
Side-mounted turn signals, 
replacing bulbs224
Side window blinds, refer to 
Sun blinds111
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely43
– with airbags43
– with head restraint43
– with safety belts43
Ski bag119