
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find specific topics is to use 
the index, refer to page250.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
43Adjusting
53Transporting children safely
57Driving
74Controls Overview
84Technology for comfort, convenience 
and safety
100Lamps
105Climate
110Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
124Things to remember when driving
Navigation
132Navigation system
133Destination entry
142Destination guidance
148What to do if...
Entertainment
152On/off and tone
155Radio
158Satellite radio
160CD/DVD player and CD changer
167Music collection
172External devices
Communications
178Telephone
190Contacts
192BMW Assist
Mobility
200Refueling
202Wheels and tires
211Under the hood
215Maintenance
217Care
221Replacing components
231Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
238Technical data
243Short commands of voice activation 
system
250Everything from A to Z 

On/off and tone
152
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share 
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
>CD/DVD player
>CD changer
*
>Video*
>External devices, e.g., MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled 
using the:
>Buttons in the area of the CD/DVD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on the steering wheel; refer to 
page11
>Programmable memory buttons, refer to 
page20
>Voice activation system
Buttons in the area of the CD/DVD 
player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off
When the system is switched on, the 
most recently selected radio station or 
track is played.
>Turn: adjusting volume2 Station scan/track search
>Change the radio station
>Select the track for the CD/DVD player, 
CD changer and certain multimedia 
devices
3 Eject the CD/DVD
4CD/DVD drive
*
5MODE: change the audio and video 
sources
6FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band
Switching on/off
To switch the entertainment sound output on 
and off:
Press knob1 next to the CD/DVD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indicates 
that sound output is switched off.
Sound output is available for approx. 
20 minutes after the ignition is switched off.
Switch on the sound output again for this pur-
pose.
Adjusting volume
Turn knob1 next to the CD/DVD player until the 
desired volume is set.
You can also adjust the volume with the buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g., treble 
and bass or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at 
once.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use. 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
160
CD/DVD player and CD changer
CD/DVD playback
Inserting a CD/DVD
Insert the CD/DVD into the drive with the 
printed side up. The CD/DVD is drawn in auto-
matically.
Playback starts automatically if the sound out-
put is on. For CDs/DVDs with compressed 
audio files, it can take several minutes to read in 
the data, depending on the directory structure.
Playable formats
CD/DVD player
>DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-
RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, DVD 
audio (video part only), DVD video
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, 
VCD, SVCD
>Compressed audio files: MP3, WMA, AAC
CD changer
*
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA
Start playback
Via iDrive
Fill the CD/DVD magazine and insert it, refer to 
page164.
To start playback if a CD is already located in 
the player or changer:1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD:
Ejecting the CD/DVD
Press the   button next to the CD/DVD player.
The CD/DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
Audio playback
Selecting a track using the button
Press the  button for the corresponding 
direction repeatedly until you reach the desired 
track.
*
SymbolFunction
CD/DVD player
CD changer 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
162 5."Random"
CDs/DVDs with compressed audio files: the 
directories and the tracks contained therein are 
played back in random sequence.
Random mode is switched off if the audio 
source is changed or the ignition is switched off.
Fast forward/reverse
Press and hold the   button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Automatic repeat*
Selected tracks, directories or CDs/DVDs are 
repeated automatically.
Video playback*
Country codes
Only DVDs with the code of the home region 
can be played back; also refer to the information 
on your DVD.
Start playback
For your own safety, the video image is only dis-
played up to approx. 2 mph/3 km/h, and in some 
national-market versions only with the parking 
brake applied.
DVD video
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select a DVD with video content.
4. "DVD menu"
5.Start the DVD via the DVD menu.
VCD/SVCD
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select a CD/DVD with video content.
4. "Select track"
5.Select the desired track.
The CD/DVD is started.
CodeRegion
1USA, Canada
2 Japan, Europe, Middle East, South 
Africa
3Southeast Asia
4 Australia, Central and South Amer-
ica, New Zealand
5 Northwest Asia, North Africa
6China
0All regions 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
164 4."Brightness", "Contrast" or "Color"
5.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is displayed, and then press the controller.
Zoom
Display the video image on the full screen.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Zoom mode"
Selecting track
DVD video:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Select title"
5.Select the desired track.
VCD/SVCD:
1. "Select track"
2.Select the desired track.
Camera angle*
The camera angle depends on the DVD.1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Viewing angle"
5.Select the desired camera angle.
Opening the main menu, back
These functions are not contained on every 
DVD. Therefore, they may not be available for 
use.
CD changer*
The BMW CD changer for six CDs is installed in 
the glove compartment.
Removing CD magazine
To insert CDs into the CD magazine 1 or 
remove them from it, you must first remove the 
magazine from the CD changer:
Press button2: the CD magazine1 slides out.
Wait at least 2 seconds before pushing in the 
magazine again so that the inserted CDs can be 
read in again.
Inserting/removing CDs into/from the 
CD magazine
When inserting or removing CDs, remember to 
hold them by their edges, taking care to avoid 
touching the data side with its reflective CD 
memory surface. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 165Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Inserting CDs:
Insert one CD into each compartment of the 
magazine with the labeled side up.
Removing CDs:
Pull out the desired tray and remove the CD.
Inserting CD magazine
Push in the CD magazine as far as possible in 
the direction of the arrow.
The CD changer reads in the loaded CDs and is 
then ready for operation.
Notes
BMW CD/DVD players and changers are 
officially designated Class 1 laser prod-
ucts. Do not operate if the cover is damaged, 
otherwise severe eye damage can result.Do not use self-recorded CDs/DVDs with labels 
applied as these can become detached during 
playback due to heat buildup and can cause 
irreparable damage to the device.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard 
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play CDs/
DVDs with an adapter, e.g., Single-CDs, other-
wise the CDs or the adapter may jam and no 
longer eject.
Do not use a combined CD/DVD, e. g. DVD
Plus, 
otherwise the CD/DVD may jam and no longer 
eject.<
General malfunctions
BMW CD/DVD changers and players have been 
optimized for performance in vehicles. In some 
instances they may be more sensitive to faulty 
CDs/DVDs than stationary devices would be.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played, first check 
whether it has been inserted correctly.
Humidity
High levels of humidity can lead to condensa-
tion on the CD/DVD or the laser's scan lens and 
temporarily prevent playback.
Malfunctions with individual CDs/DVDs
If malfunctions occur only with particular CDs/
DVDs, this may be due to one of the following 
reasons.
Self-recorded CDs/DVDs
Possible reasons for malfunctions with self-
recorded CDs/DVDs are inconsistent data-cre-
ation or recording processes, or poor quality or 
old age of the CD/DVD blank.
Only label CDs/DVDs on the upper side with a 
pen intended for this purpose.
Damage
Avoid fingerprints, dust, scratches and mois-
ture. 
Store CDs/DVDs in a sleeve.
Do not subject CDs/DVDs to temperatures over 
1227/506, high levels of humidity or direct 
sunlight. 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
166
CDs/DVDs with copy protection
CDs/DVDs are often provided with a copy pro-
tection feature by the manufacturer. This can 
m e a n  t h a t  s o m e  C D s / D V D s  c a n n o t  b e  p l a y e d  o r  
can only be played to a limited extent.
MACROVISION
This product contains copyrighted technology 
that is based on multiple registered US patents 
and the intellectual property of the Macrovision 
Corporation and other manufacturers. The use 
of this copy protection must be approved by 
Macrovision. Media protected by this product - 
unless otherwise agreed with Macrovision - 
may only be used for private purposes. Copying 
of this technology is prohibited. 

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