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Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the sitting position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page53.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing should come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
front airbags are triggered. 
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbags, otherwise injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page93.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page46.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Your vehicle is provided with five seats, which 
are all equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt must not lie across 
the neck, rub against sharp edges, be routed 
over solid or breakable objects or be pinched. 
Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly 
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the 
body as possible. Otherwise the belt can slip 
over the hips in the lap area in a frontal impact 
and injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing 
that prevents the belt from fitting properly and 
pull the belt in the upper body area periodically 
to readjust the tension, in order to avoid a 
reduction in the restraint of the safety belt. 
Sports Wagon: if the center safety belt in the 
rear is used, the larger backrest half must be 
locked, refer to page117, otherwise the middle 
safety belt has no restraining action.<
Safety belts, refer to page48. 

Adjusting
48
Safety belts
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page43.<
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat*
The indicator lamp lights up and a sig-
nal sounds. A message also appears on 
the Control Display. Please check 
whether the safety belt is correctly positioned.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page44.
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated into 
the rear seat are for passengers sitting on the 
left and right. The belt buckle embossed with 
the word CENTER is intended exclusively for 
use by passengers riding in the center position.
Damage to safety belts
When subjected to strain due to an acci-
dent or in the event of damage, replace 
the safety belts, the belt tensioners, and any 
child restraint systems and have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have this work carried out 
at a BMW center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise cor-
rect operation of this safety equipment is not 
guaranteed.<
Rear center safety belt
With through-loading system*:
Before using the center rear seat, release the 
latch plate from the fixture on the rear window 
shelf and insert it into the belt lock of the center 
safety belt. Make sure you hear the latch plate 
engage in the belt buckle. 

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Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g., by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child 
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk 
of injury if the airbags are deployed, even with a 
child restraint system.
Before installing a child restraint system, move 
the front passenger seat as far back and up as 
possible to obtain the best possible position for 
the belt. Do not change the seat position after 
this.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page94.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection, 
installation and use of the child restraint sys-tems. Otherwise the degree of protection may 
be reduced.<
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated, as otherwise there is 
an increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move 
the front passenger seat as far back and up as 
possible to obtain the best possible position for 
the belt. Do not change the seat position after 
this.
Backrest width* on front passenger 
seat
Open the backrest width setting of the 
front passenger seat all the way. After 
mounting the child seat, deactivate the active 
backrest width adjustment and do not call up 
any memory position. Otherwise this limits the 
stability of the child seat on the front passenger 
seat.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit on the front 
passenger seat and close the door to call up 
the memory position.
2.Completely open the backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page44.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page45.
4.Install child seat. 

Transporting children safely
54
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract and pull 
taut against the child restraint system. The 
safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the 
way.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's 
instructions on installation and use of 
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to 
impair their protective function.<
Before attaching the LATCH child seat, pull the 
belt away from the region of the child restraint 
fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have 
properly clicked into place and that the 
child restraint system is resting snugly against 
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action 
may be impeded.<
Sedan: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located at the positions indicated by arrows in 
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Sedan: rear seats with through-loading 
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps. 
Remove the cover caps before mounting the 
child seat.
Sports Wagon: rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps 
and are covered again after the child seat is 
removed. 

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Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting 
points to secure child restraint systems, 
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.<
Sedan
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows. Fold the corresponding mounting 
point upward before using.
Sports Wagon
Three additional mounting points for child 
restraint systems with a tether strap are pro-
vided under covers in the cargo bay floor, refer 
to arrows. Remove the corresponding covers 
before use.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap 
is not routed over sharp edges and does 
not twist on its way to the upper mounting point; 
otherwise, the belt may not properly secure the 
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.<
Outer rear seat, Sedan
Outer rear seats, Sports Wagon
1Direction of travel
2Head restraints
3Hook of upper retaining strap
4Mounting point
5Rear window shelf/luggage compartment 
floor
6Backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint sys-
tem
Fold upward or remove covers before using the 
mounting points.
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Thread the upper retaining strap between 
the head restraint supports. 

Transporting children safely
56 3.Sports Wagon: thread the retaining strap 
between the backrest and the luggage 
compartment roller cover. Make sure that 
the rear backrest is locked in position.
4.Attach the retaining strap hook to the 
mounting point.
5.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
6.Pull the retaining strap taut.
Center rear seat
1.Fold the center armrest somewhat toward 
the front.
2.Guide retaining strap through the opening.
3.Fold back the center armrest.
4.Sports Wagon: thread the retaining strap 
between the backrest and the luggage 
compartment roller cover. Make sure that 
the rear backrest is locked in position.5.Attach the retaining strap hook to the 
mounting point.
6.Pull the retaining strap taut.
On journeys
If the vehicle is equipped with rear side 
airbags, make sure that children do not 
lean out of the child seat towards the door pan-
els. Otherwise injuries can be caused if the side 
airbags are triggered.<
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors: 
the door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power 
windows, refer to page39, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94 impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e. g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way. Do not attempt to 
remove the airbag restraint system from the 
vehicle. Do not modify or tamper with either the 
wiring or the individual components in the air-
bag system. This category includes the uphol-
stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the 
instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars 
along with the sides of the headliner. Do not 
attempt to remove or dismantle the steering 
wheel. Do not touch the individual components 
immediately after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns. 
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to 
service the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or undesired airbag triggering, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e., deactivated or activated, is indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, observe the safety infor-
mation and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely refer to page53.
The front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side can be deactivated for teenagers and 
adults in certain sitting positions; then the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbags lights 
up. In these cases, change the sitting position 
so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be produced by changing 
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the  

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purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child seats are detected by the sys-
tem, especially the child seats required by 
the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is manufac-
tured. After installing a child seat, make sure 
that the indicator lamp for the front passenger 
airbags lights up. This indicates that the child 
seat has been detected and the front passenger 
airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up if, for 
example, the system detects a person of 
sufficient size seated correctly on the seat. 
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From radio readiness, refer to page57, the 
warning lamp lights up briefly, indicating the 
operational readiness of the entire airbag sys-
tem and the safety belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up from radio 
readiness.
>Warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately in case of a malfunction, otherwise 
there is a danger that the airbag system may not 
respond in the expected manner in an accident 
despite an impact of corresponding intensity.<
Head-up Display*
The concept
With the Head-up Display important informa-
tion is projected into the driver's field of view, 
e.g., navigation instructions. This enables you 
to take in this information without looking away 
from the road.
Switching on/off
Press the button.
1Navigation instructions
2Display
>Cruise control
>Active cruise control
>Lane Departure Warning
3Speed