
Notes
6
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, use genuine parts 
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested and 
approved by BMW and Genuine BMW Parts, 
you simultaneously acquire the assurance that 
they have been thoroughly tested by BMW to 
ensure optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free from 
defects in material and workmanship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for damage 
resulting from installation of parts and accesso-
ries not approved by BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made by other 
manufacturers to verify if it can be used on a 
BMW safely and without risk to either the vehi-
cle, its operation or its occupants. 
Genuine BMW Parts, BMW Accessories and 
other products approved by BMW, together 
with professional advice on using these items, 
are available from all BMW centers. 
Installation and operation of non BMW 
approved accessories such as alarms, radios, 
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension 
components, brake dust shields, telephones, 
including operation of any mobile phone from 
within the vehicle without using an externally 
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment 
such as CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or the 
like may cause extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with the vehi-
cle's electrical system, or affect the validity of 
the BMW Limited Warranty. See your BMW 
center for additional information.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of 
the emission control devices and sys-
tems may be performed by any automotive 
repair establishment or individual using any cer-
tified automotive part.<
California Proposition 65 Warning
California law requires us to issue the following 
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of 
automobile components and parts, 
including components found in the interior fur-
nishings in a vehicle, contain or emit chemicals 
known to the State of California to cause cancer 
and birth defects and reproductive harm. In 
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and 
certain products of component wear contain or 
emit chemicals known to the State of California 
to cause cancer and birth defects or other 
reproductive harm. 
Battery posts, terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash 
your hands after handling. 
Used engine oil contains chemicals that have 
caused cancer in laboratory animals. Always 
protect your skin by washing thoroughly with 
soap and water.< 

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. 

Wheels and tires
208
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged 
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed 
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth 
of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less 
suitable for winter conditions. For the sake of 
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer 
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire 
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread 
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a 
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been 
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazards and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These 
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other 
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong 
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary, 
have the vehicle towed there. Otherwise, tire 
damage can be extremely dangerous to vehicle 
occupants and other road users.<
Run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by the circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire. 
Run-flat tires consist of partially self-contained 
tires and special rims. The sidewall reinforce-
ment ensures that the tire retains some residual 
safety in the event of pressure drop and driving 
remains possible to a restricted degree.
To continue driving with a damaged tire:
>With Flat Tire Monitor, refer to Indication of 
a flat tire, page89
>With Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to Notifi-
cation of low tire inflation pressure, page91
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only 
by your BMW center or tire shop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this  

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 

Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Electric glass 
sunroof39
– refer to Panorama glass 
sunroof40
Slope assistant, refer to Drive-
off assistant87
Snap-in adapter
– mounting/removing188
– using178
Snow chains210
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface216
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock57
Sockets, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices115
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing31
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency request231
Spare
– adapter for spare key26
– fuses230
– key26
– wheel, refer to Compact 
wheel228
Spare wheel, refer to 
Changing wheels226
Special destinations136
Special destinations, 
displaying138
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils213
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils213
Speed
– limit81
– with compact wheel229
Speed dial, refer to 
Speedometer12
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit81
Speedometer12
Speed Volume153
Speed with winter tires209
Split screen, refer to Control 
Display, switching on/off19Split screen content, refer to 
Display for split screen 
content, selecting20
Sport automatic 
transmission62
– Dynamic Driving Control62
– kick down60
– towing234
– with Comfort Access37
Sport program, Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic61
Sports Wagon
– automatic luggage 
compartment roller 
cover117
– automatic tailgate 
operation34
– compartments in cargo 
bay118
– expanding cargo bay117
– luggage compartment roller 
cover117
– luggage compartment roller 
cover for cargo bay117
– opening rear window32
– opening tailgate33
– panorama glass sunroof40
– partition net118
– rear window wiper64
– rear window wiper, changing 
wiper blade221
– releasing fuel filler flap in 
event of electrical 
malfunction200
– self-leveling suspension88
– socket in cargo bay115
– storage area loading 
options119
– tail lamps, replacing 
bulbs225
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems85
Start/Stop button57
– starting the engine58
– switching off the engine58
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine58Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting232
Starting difficulties, refer to 
Jump starting232
Starting off on slopes, refer to 
Drive-off assistant87
Start menu17
Station, refer to Radio155
Station, selecting
– radio155
Stationary ventilation
– preselecting activation 
times109
Status information on Control 
Display19
Status of this Owner's Manual 
at time of printing5
Steam cleaners217,218
Steering wheel
– adjustment52
– automatic adjustment, refer 
to Steering wheel 
memory45
– easy entry/exit52
– heating52
– lock, refer to Ignition lock57
– memory45
– shift paddles62
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering92
Steptronic
– refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic59
– refer to Sport automatic 
transmission62
– refer to Sport program and 
manual mode61
Storage area loading options, 
Sports Wagon119
Storage compartments113
Stored trip, calling up141
Storing220
Storing a destination in the 
address book135
Storing a trip140
Storing music167