
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
7Buttons on steering wheel
8Instrument cluster12
11Ignition lock5712Horn, entire surface
15Releasing hood211 Mobile phone
*178:
>Press: accepting and ending a 
call, starting dialing
* of 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
* 22
Changing radio station155
Selecting music track160
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
Changing entertainment source
Switching recirculated-air mode 
on/off107
HDC
*86
Lane Departure Warning
*99
9
Windshield wipers63
Rain sensor64
Sports Wagon: rear window 
wiper64
10Starting/stopping engine and 
switching ignition on/off 57
13
Steering wheel heater*52
Steering wheel adjustment
*52
14
Cruise control
*65
Active cruise control66
16Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate31, 33
17
Head-up Display
*95
BMW Night Vision
*96
18Parking lamps100
Daytime running lamps
*101
Low beams100
Welcome lamps100
Automatic headlamp control
*100 
Daytime running lamps
*101
Welcome lamps100 
Adaptive Light Control
*101  
High-beam Assistant
*102
19
Instrument lighting104
Fog lamps
*104 

Opening and closing
30 Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment.<
Opening and closing: 
Using door lock
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
persons are inside, as unlocking from the 
inside is not possible without special knowl-
edge.<
When unlocking
1.Turning the key once unlocks the driver's 
door and the fuel filler flap.
2.Turning the key a second time unlocks the 
remaining doors and the luggage compart-
ment lid/tailgate.
Convenient opening and closing
You also have the option of operating the win-
dows and the glass sunroof
* from the driver's 
door lock.
Turn and hold the key in the positions for 
unlocking or locking.
Watch during the closing process to be 
sure that no one is injured. Releasing the 
key stops the operation.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
turn a key all the way to the right or left in the 
door lock to lock or unlock the driver's door.
Opening and closing: from 
inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the luggage compartment lid or tailgate and 
rear window with the front doors closed, but 
does not activate the anti-theft system. The fuel 
filler flap remains unlocked.
Automatic locking
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3.Select the desired function:
>"Lock if no door is opened" 
The central locking system locks again 
after a short time if no door has been 
opened.
>"Lock after start. to drive" 
The central locking system locks the 
vehicle as soon as you start to drive.
 Automatic locking is switched on and is 
stored for the remote control currently in use.
Unlocking and opening
>Either unlock the doors together with the 
button for the central locking system and  

Controls
 37Reference
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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
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Communications
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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. 

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 59Reference
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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
72 reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle that is actually in 
the lane next to yours. Always be ready to take 
action or apply the brakes if necessary.
In addition, the system is interrupted 
whenever the driver applies the vehicle 
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to 
neutral/N, or deactivates DSC. After any inter-
ruption, the system will no longer automatically 
activate the vehicle brakes, which means the 
driver must intervene and resume manual brak-
ing. You should then reactivate the system only 
when you are fully aware of the prior speed and 
distance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you 
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the 
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition, 
active cruise control is fully switched off, too, 
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Unexpected lane change
If a vehicle in front of you is behind a stopped 
vehicle and unexpectedly changes lanes, you 
must react yourself, as the system does not 
react to stopped vehicles.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle swerves out of adjacent lanes 
into your lane, the system does not detect the 
vehicle until it is completely in your lane.
When a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves 
into your lane, the system may not be able 
to restore the selected distance automatically. 
This also applies to great differences in speed 
between your vehicle and vehicles ahead, e. g. 
when quickly approaching a truck. Once the 
system has established that a vehicle is indeed 
in front of you, it will indicate that you must 
brake and/or maneuver the vehicle yourself. 
Take action yourself, otherwise there is a risk of 
an accident.<
Behavior in curves
If the selected desired speed for a curve is too 
high, the system reduces the speed within a 
curve. However, it cannot detect curves in 
advance. Therefore, select a suitable speed at 
the start of a curve.
Because of the limited range of the system, it is 
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to 
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in 
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway. 

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 85Reference
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System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, or thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. 
Low objects already displayed, e. g. curbs, can 
also disappear from the detection area of the 
sensors again before or after a continuous tone 
already sounds. Higher, protruding objects, 
e.g., ledges, cannot be detected. For this rea-
son, drive with care; otherwise, there is a danger 
of personal injury or property damage.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the 
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely refer to page126.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking 
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
produces maximum braking force boosting and 
thus helps to achieve the shortest possible 
braking distance during full braking maneuvers. 
This system exploits all of the benefits provided 
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the 
duration of the full brake application.
Adaptive brake assistant*
In conjunction with the active cruise control 
with the stop-and-go function, the adaptive 
brake assistant ensures that the brake 
responds even more quickly during braking 
with the brake assistant.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. The system 
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such 
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or 
sliding of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not restrict the additional 
safety margin with a risky driving style, as other-
wise there is a risk of an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer