
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 

At a glance
 13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by 
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine 
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the upper edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e. g. on the cause and 
elimination of a malfunction, can be opened via 
the Check Control system, refer to page79.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps signal particular 
functions:
High beams/headlamp flasher102
Fog lamps
*104
Parking brake applied59
Parking brake applied for Canadian 
models
Lamp flashes: 
DSC or DTC controls the drive and 
braking forces for maintaining vehicle 
stability86
DTC Dynamic Traction Control86
Exhaust-gas values216
Exhaust-gas values for Canadian 
models216 

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
 71Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and>this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user’s authority to operate this equipment.<
System limitations
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling 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. Do not use this system in 
city driving; in complex driving situations; on 
curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or roads 
with sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; 
during inclement weather such as snow, strong 
rain or fog; or when entering interchanges, ser-
vice/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, especially when the sys-
tem is actively following a vehicle in front of 
you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. For example, the system may not detect 
vehicles driving ahead if they suddenly brake 
heavily in stop-and-go traffic during accelera-
tion. The system will not apply the brakes or 
slow your vehicle when a very slow-moving vehicle, stopped vehicle or stationary object is 
in the lane ahead of you, for example when 
approaching a traffic light or parked vehicle or 
when a vehicle is stalled in your lane. Also, the 
system does not react to oncoming traffic, 
pedestrians or other types of potential traffic 
such as a rider on horseback. It is also possible 
that the system may not detect smaller moving 
objects such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be 
especially alert when encountering any of these 
situations as the system will neither automati-
cally brake, nor provide a warning to you. Also, 
be aware that every decrease in the distance 
setting allows your vehicle to come closer to a 
vehicle in front of you and requires a heightened 
amount of alertness.<
The system cannot allow the vehicle to drive off 
automatically in situations that make driving off 
considerably more difficult, e.g., on steep uphill 
grades, with a heavy trailer or before raised 
areas in the road.
Near radio astronomy stations, the system 
radar is deactivated at speeds under 20 mph/
30 km/h due to legal regulations.
Be certain to interrupt the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway 
offramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's  

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. 

Controls Overview
80 and warning lamps in the instrument cluster, 
and if necessary an acoustic signal and text 
messages at the bottom of the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in 
different combinations and colors.
 means that a Check Control message has 
been generated. The symbol continues to be 
visible even when the Check Control message 
disappears after a short time. The warning 
lamps and text messages are stored and can be 
displayed later, also refer to page81.
Explanatory text messages
For most Check Control messages, you can 
view more information later, e.g., regarding the 
cause of a malfunction and how to respond; 
refer to the information provided below.In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
To hide the information temporarily: 
Move the controller to the left.
To hide the information: 
Confirm the information.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the CHECK button on turn signal lever.
Some Check Control messages are displayed 
until the malfunctions have been rectified. They 
cannot be hidden. If a number of malfunctions 
occur simultaneously, they are displayed in 
succession.
Other messages are hidden after approx. 
20 seconds, but remain stored.