
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
 67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
follow this action within the given scope and 
can also accelerate from a complete stop if the 
vehicle ahead of you drives off again shortly 
thereafter. During braking, your vehicle brake 
lamps will automatically illuminate to alert a fol-
lowing driver to take action. In addition, it may 
be necessary for your vehicle to downshift the 
automatic transmission to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. As soon as the road in 
front of you has no moving vehicles, the system 
will accelerate to your desired speed. This set 
speed is also maintained on downhill grades, 
however the vehicle speed can drop below the 
set speed when driving uphill if the engine out-
put is not sufficient.
Active cruise control cannot detect stop 
signs, red lights, or any object that is 
stopped or is blocking the road.
Active cruise control is not and must not be 
used as a collision avoidance/warning system.
Since this active cruise control system is a new 
technology and operates differently from con-
ventional cruise control systems which you may 
be accustomed to, it is necessary that you read 
all of the pages relating to this system before 
use. Carefully read and observe the information 
on the system limitations beginning on page71 
to obtain a good command of the system and its 
range of applications.<
Brake pedal feel
When the system brakes and you also depress 
the brake pedal, a somewhat different braking 
feel results.
Professional* navigation system
If a navigation DVD is in the drive, refer to 
page132, within limits the system adjusts the 
accelerating and braking behavior of the vehicle 
to the road you are driving on.
To ensure that the system is informed of 
the current course of the road, always use 
the latest navigation DVD if possible.<
When the vehicle position is unknown, e. g. 
when you leave the map area, this influence of 
the navigation system is not available.
Applications
Please try the system first during sparse traffic 
and clear road conditions so that you can get 
used to the system. After you have experience 
and understand the system, only then use it 
during normal traffic.
As with conventional cruise control systems, 
active cruise control in no way reduces or sub-
stitutes for the driver's own personal experi-
ence, responsibility, alertness and awareness in 
adjusting speed, braking or otherwise control-
ling the vehicle. The driver should decide when 
to use the system on the basis of road, traffic, 
visibility, and weather conditions. Active cruise 
control is intended for use on highway-type 
roadways where traffic is moving relatively 
smoothly as well as in slow-moving traffic. Do 
not use the system in city driving; in complex 
driving situations; heavy traffic such as during 
rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery 
roads or roads with sharp curves such as high-
way off-ramps; during inclement weather such 
as snow, strong rain or fog; or when entering 
interchanges, service/parking areas or toll 
booths. It is also important to regulate your 
vehicle's speed and distance setting within 
applicable legal limits. Always be ready to take 
action or apply the brakes if necessary, espe-
cially when the system is actively following a 
vehicle in front of you. Otherwise, driving condi-
tions can result which lead to a violation of the 
law or elevated risk of an accident.
The minimum initial activation speed is 20 mph/ 
30 km/h, and the maximum speed is 110 mph/
180 km/h. However, you can also activate the 
system while stopped, refer to While stopped, 
page69. 

Driving
70
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
>Green: the system is active.
>Orange: the system is interrupted.
2Lights up yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Display also used for warnings, please read 
all information on warnings
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated
The bars roll: the vehicle in front of you has 
driven off
4Brief display of stored desired speed
If the display --- mph/--- km/h appears 
briefly, the conditions necessary for oper-
ation may currently not be met.<
Warning lamps
The indicator2 continuously 
flashes yellow.
The prerequisites for operating the 
system are no longer met as a 
result of ABS or DSC interven-
tions. The system brakes until you actively take 
over.
The indicator2 flashes red; a sig-
nal sounds.
The system indicates that you 
must brake and/or maneuver the 
vehicle yourself. The system can-
not automatically restore the distance to the 
vehicle driving ahead. 
However, this display cannot relieve the driver of the responsibility for adjusting the desired 
speed and driving style to the traffic conditions.
Radar sensors
1Long-range sensor
2Location of the short-range sensors behind 
the bumper
3Location of the short-range sensors behind 
the bumper with the M Sport Package
*
Heavy rain and also dirt, snow or ice can limit 
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed, 
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper 
as well as the bumper area covering the short 
range sensors. When doing so, be particularly 
careful in removing layers of snow and ice.
Do not apply adhesive labels, etc., in the area of 
the short-range sensors.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, e. g. due to 
damage, the active cruise control cannot be 
activated.
Malfunction
The system cannot be activated if the sensor is 
incorrectly aligned. 
A message is displayed if the system fails.
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:
>’’NF3 ACC2SCU 003YK04001 0000
>BV8SRS24
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC  

Controls Overview
74
Controls Overview
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, clock, 
date
1Time, outside temperature and date
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Press button:
>with ignition switched on, trip odometer 
is reset
>with ignition switched off, time, outside 
temperature, and odometer are briefly 
displayed.
From radio readiness the outside temperature 
and the time are displayed.
Date retrieval: 
Press CHECK button on turn signal lever, refer 
to page81.
Time and date setting, refer to page78.
You can set the unit of measure 7 or 6 on the 
Control Display, refer to Units of measure on 
page76.
Outside temperature warning
If the display drops to +377/+36, a signal 
sounds and a warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. There is 
an increased danger of ice.
Even at temperatures above +377/
+36 ice can form. Therefore, drive care-
fully, e.g., on bridges and sections of road in the 
shade, otherwise there is an increased accident 
risk.<
Tachometer
Avoid engine speeds in the white-striped 
advance warning field, arrow1, if possible.
Never force the engine speed up into the red 
warning field, see arrow2. Never operate the 
engine with the needle in the red overspeed 
z o n e  o f  t h e  g a u g e .  A t  h i g h  r e v s  i n  t h i s  r a n g e ,  t h e  
flow of fuel is interrupted to protect the engine.
Coolant temperature
Should the coolant, and with it the engine 
become too hot, a warning lamp lights up. In 
addition, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Checking coolant level, refer to page214. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
84
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sounds for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late.<
Automatic activation
The system starts to operate approx. one sec-
ond after you shift into reverse or move the 
selector lever into position R with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short time before driving off.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ing jets for long periods and maintain a distance 
of at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
PDC with visual warning*
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are already shown there before a 
signal tone sounds. The display appears on the 
Control Display as soon as PDC is activated. 

Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
down steep hills with a speed below approx. 
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed 
automatically down to approximately twice nor-
mal walking speed, approx. 7 mph/12 km/h, and 
then keeps this speed constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary 
this automatically controlled speed within a 
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range by using the lever of the cruise control
*.
Activating HDC
Use the button on the steering wheel.
Deactivating HDC
Use the button on the steering wheel; the HDC 
display goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds 
greater than approximately 37 mph/60 km/h.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and reverse gear.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Displays in instrument cluster
1Display for target speed
2HDC display
Malfunction in driving-stability control 
systems
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up yellow, together with the indi-
cator lamps for ABS, DSC and Tire 
Pressure Monitor or Flat Tire Monitor. 
A message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The driving-stability control sys-
tems have failed. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed 
cautiously and drive defensively while 
avoiding full brake applications. The 
Tire Pressure Monitor or the Flat Tire Monitor is 
also malfunctioning. Have the system checked 
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
The DSC indicator lamp lights up. A 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. A malfunction has occurred in the 
DSC and DTC. The stabilizing actions are no 
longer available. The vehicle remains opera-
tional. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
The brake system warning lamp lights 
up yellow. A message appears on the 
Control Display. The brake assistant is 
defective. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described 
malfunction in Canadian models.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to start off 
conveniently on slopes. The parking brake is 
not required for this purpose. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
88 1.Hold the vehicle with the brake.
2.Release the brake and begin to drive imme-
diately.
After releasing the brake, begin to drive 
immediately; otherwise, the drive-off 
assistant no longer holds the vehicle after 
approx. 2 seconds and your vehicle will start to 
roll backward.<
Dynamic Drive*
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and opti-
mizes vehicle stability during cornering and 
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic Drive is based on active stabilizers on 
the front and rear axles. Suspension compli-
ance adapts to suit driving conditions, varying 
from performance-oriented during cornering to 
smooth and comfort-oriented when the vehicle 
is proceeding in a straight line. During vehicle 
operation, the system continuously runs 
through closed-loop control cycles lasting only 
fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each 
time you start the engine.
Sports Wagon: self-leveling 
suspension
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message 
is shown on the Control Display. A mal-
function has occurred in the self-leveling sus-
pension. Stop and check the vehicle. If it is con-
siderably lower at the rear than at the front, and 
possibly also on one side – rear left compared to 
rear right – go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Drive with appropriate caution in the 
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance and driving comfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if the position of the vehicle is normal, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change 
in the rolling circumference and therefore the 
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The 
system detects this change and reports it as a 
flat tire.
Functional requirement
The system must have been initialized when the 
tire inflation pressure was correct; otherwise, 
reliable signaling of a flat tire is not ensured.
The initialization must be repeated after 
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn 
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage 
caused by external factors, nor can it identify 
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably 
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of 
time.<
In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
When you are driving with the compact wheel* 
the Flat Tire Monitor is unable to function. 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. The system is initialized 
after this activation phase.
The initialization process adopts the set infla-
tion tire pressures as reference values for the 
detection of a flat tire. Initialization is started by 
confirming the inflation pressures.<
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16:
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Reset"
4.Start the engine - do not drive away.
5.Start the initialization using "Reset".
"Activating…" is displayed on the Control 
Display.
6.Start to drive.
The initialization finishes during driving, which 
can be interrupted at any time. "Flat Tire Moni-
tor active" is displayed on the Control Display.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. 
In addition, an acoustic signal sounds. 
There is a flat tire or extensive inflation pressure 
loss.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire. 
If identification is not possible, con-
tact a BMW center.<3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to 
Changing wheels on page226.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid severe braking and steering 
maneuvers and do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page208, do not 
continue driving. Continuing to drive with a 
flat tire could cause severe accidents.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guide values:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 or more persons, cargo bay full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed 
50 mph/80 km/h or else you run the risk of 
causing an accident. In the event of pressure 
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes 
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended 
braking distance and altered natural steering 
characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while 
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final 
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and 
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible, 
otherwise pieces of the tire could become 
detached and cause an accident. Do not con-