Things to remember when driving
118 for a short period after the engine is switched
off.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page215.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a
lengthy period using the clutch; use the
parking brake instead. Otherwise, greater
clutch wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page84.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page57.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine
braking action will not be present or there will be
no power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
BMW Assist
190 3."Start service"
TeleService Diagnosis*
TeleService Diagnosis enables the wireless
transmission of detailed vehicle data that are
important for vehicle diagnosis. TeleService
Diagnosis can be started after a prompt by
Roadside Assistance and termination of the
voice connection.
TeleService Help*
TeleService Help enables an in-depth diagno-
sis of the vehicle by Roadside Assistance via
wireless transmission. TeleService Help can be
started after a prompt by Roadside Assistance
and termination of the voice connection.
Starting TeleService Help
1.Park the vehicle in a safe place.
2.Set the parking brake.
3.The engine is running.
4."TeleService Help"
After completion of TeleService Help, a voice
connection is established to Roadside Assis-
tance.
Activating BMW Assist*
If the services included in a valid BMW Assist
subscription are not displayed, they may need
to be activated.
1.Make sure that the vehicle can determine its
current position. Reception is usually best
when you have an unobstructed view to the
sky.
2.Switch on the ignition.3."Activate BMW Assist"
Activation may take several minutes. If another
menu is opened, activation continues running in
the background.
BMW Search*
BMW Search is an online portal that makes cer-
tain services available for use in your vehicle,
e.g. information on restaurants along your
route.
License conditions:
This product contains NetFront Browser soft-
ware of ACCESS Co., Ltd. Copyright © 2007
ACCESS Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. NetFront
is a trademark or registered trademark of
ACCESS Co., Ltd., in Japan and other coun-
tries.
T h i s s o f t w a r e is b a s e d in p a rt o n t he w o r k o f t h e
Independent JPEG Group.
Requirements
>Subscription to the optional Convenience
Plan.
>The vehicle is located within wireless net-
work coverage.
>The date setting on the Control Display is
current.
Starting BMW Search
1."BMW Assist"
2."BMW Search"
3.Select "OK", if necessary.
The BMW Search start page is displayed.
Mobility
227Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Outside sensors/cameras
Keep the sensors and cameras on the
outside of the vehicle, e.g. those for Park
Distance Control, clean and free of ice to ensure
that they remain fully functional.<
Interior care
Upholstery fabrics/cloth trims/
Alcantara fabrics
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner to
remove superficial dirt.
To remove severe spots such as stains from
beverages, use a soft sponge or lint-free
microfiber cloth and suitable interior cleaners.
Follow the instructions on the packaging.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams
using a sweeping motion. Avoid strong
rubbing.<
Opened Velcro fasteners on pants or
other articles of clothing can damage the
seat covers. Ensure that Velcro fasteners are
closed.<
Leather/leather trim
The leather used by BMW is a high quality
natural product. Slight irregularities in the
leather are a typical characteristic of natural
leather.<
Dust and road grit in the pores and folds of the
leather have an abrasive effect, leading to
increased wear and causing the leather surface
to become brittle prematurely. Therefore, fre-
quently clean the leather of dust using a cloth or
vacuum cleaner.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Treat the leather at least once every two
months using a leather lotion as dirt and grease
will gradually attack the leather's protective
layer.
Carpets/cargo area
You can vacuum the carpets and floor mats or
clean them with interior cleaner if heavily soiled.The floor mats can be removed for cleaning.
When replacing the mats, ensure that the seat
rails do not extend over the floor mats, as this
may damage the mats.
Lint on the floor mats occurs for technical rea-
sons and can be removed by vacuuming
repeatedly.
Interior plastic parts
>Imitation leather surfaces
>Lamp glasses
>Display pane of instrument cluster
>Matte parts
Clean with water and solvent-free plastic
cleaner if necessary.
Fine wood parts
Clean fine wood trim and fine wood parts with a
damp cloth. Wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Do not clean chemically, as this may
destroy the webbing.<
Interior sensors/cameras
To clean interior sensors and cameras, e.g. of
the high-beam assistant, use a lint-free cloth
moistened with glass cleaner.
Displays
To clean displays, e.g. of the radio or instrument
cluster, use a cleaning cloth for displays or a
soft, non-abrasive, lint-free cloth.
Avoid applying excessive pressure when
cleaning the displays; otherwise, damage
may occur.<
Do not use chemical or abrasive house-
hold cleaning agents. Keep all types of
fluid away from the device. Otherwise, surfaces
or electrical components may be corroded or
damaged.<
Mobility
239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur.<
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page219. The cap is
marked with +.
1.Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle.
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the
usual way.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit
underneath the cover on the right-hand side of
the cargo area, refer to page229.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard vehi-
cle tool kit underneath the cover on the left-
hand side of the cargo area, refer to page229.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed71
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms34
Axle loads, refer to
Weights247
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support43
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment42
Backrest width adjustment43
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats44
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb233,234
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing
methods240
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter184
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment106
Bass, tone setting144
Battery235
– charging235
– disposal35,236
– jump-starting238
– remote control26
– replacing235
– temporary power failure236
Battery for mobile phone185
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed240
Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts46
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders107Blower, refer to Air volume98
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating176
BMW
– car shampoo227
BMW Advanced Diesel198
BMW Assist188
BMW Assist,
activating190,192
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System223
BMW Search190
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders107
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC82
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements73
Brake Force Display89
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display89
– replacing bulb233,234
Brake pads116
– breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– Brake Force Display89
– breaking in116
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely118
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance237
Breaking in the clutch116Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential116
Break-in period116
Brightness of the Control
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs229
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button54
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Call
– accepting177
– ending178
– rejecting178
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing178
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders107
Capacities248
Capacity of the cargo area247
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery235
Car care, refer to Care225
Reference 257
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Computer71
– displays on Control
Display71
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service189
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked119
Condition Based Service
CBS223
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile26
Confirmation signals for
locking/unlocking the
vehicle28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing
sections135
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting
electrical appliances108
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption71
Consumption display
– average consumption71
– Energy Control70
Contacts
– creating186
Control Center, refer to
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– switching on/off19
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient operation
– glass roof28
– windows28
Coolant222
– checking level222
Coolant temperature70
Cooling, maximum98
Cooling fluid, refer to
Coolant222
Cooling system, refer to
Coolant222
Copyright2Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs231
Corner-illuminating lamps,
refer to Adaptive light
control93
Cornering lamps, refer to
Adaptive light control93
Correct tires216
Country codes DVD157
Courtesy lamps, refer to
Interior lamps96
Criteria for route134
Cross-hairs in navigation130
Cruise control61
– active62
– malfunction62
Cruising range71
Cupholders107
Curb weight, refer to
Weights247
Current fuel consumption,
refer to Energy Control70
Current playback
– external devices169
– of music collection164
Customer Relations191
D
Dashboard, refer to
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting95
Data, technical244
– capacities248
– dimensions245
– engine244
– weights247
Data transfer192
Date
– date format77
– setting76
Daytime running lights93
– replacing bulbs230
DBC Dynamic Brake
Control82Deactivating front passenger
airbags90
Deadlocking, refer to
Locking28
Defect
– door lock29
– fuel filler flap196
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
Destination, entering by town/
city name125
Destination address
– entering125,131
Destination entry via BMW
Assist129
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice131
– entering via map130
– entry125
– home address128
– manual entry125
Destination guidance134
– bypassing a route
section135
– changing specified
route134
– continuing134
– starting134
– voice instructions135
– volume of voice
instructions136
Diesel exhaust fluid199
Diesel fuel197
Diesel particulate filter117
Digital clock69
Digital compass104
Digital radio, refer to HD
Radio148
Dimensions245
Dipstick, engine oil219
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals58
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions135
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book127
Displacement, refer to Engine
data244
Everything from A - Z
258 Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting95
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant222
– remote control battery35
– vehicle battery236
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control62
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements73
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC81
Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Door lock29
Doors, emergency
operation29
DOT Quality Grades214
Draft-free ventilation100
Drinks holders, refer to
Cupholders107
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
Drive-off assistant84
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams92
Driving notes116
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant84
Driving stability control
systems82
Driving through water118
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function99
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control82DTC Dynamic Traction
Control82
– indicator/warning lamp82
DVD
– country codes157
– settings158
– video playback157
DVD menu158
DVD player, refer to CD
player155
DVD video157
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC82
Dynamic destination
guidance135
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC82
– indicator/warning lamp82
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp83
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution82
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player144
Electrical malfunction
– door lock29
– driver's door29
– fuel filler flap196
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
– trunk lid31
Electric seat adjustment42
Electric steering wheel lock
– with Comfort Access34
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV82
Electronic oil level check220
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC82
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock58Emergency operation
– fuel filler flap, manual
release196
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock29
Emergency release
– trunk lid from inside32
Emergency Request237
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance237
Energy, saving
– saving fuel116
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control70
Energy Control70
Engine
– breaking in116
– data244
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature70
– speed244
– starting55
– starting, Comfort Access34
– switching off55
Engine compartment219
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant222
Engine oil
– adding221
– alternative oil types222
– BMW Maintenance
System223
– capacity248
– checking level219
– dipstick219
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements73
Engine output, refer to Engine
data244
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data244
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine55
Everything from A - Z
260 Glass roof, electric37
– closing after electrical
malfunction37
– Convenient operation28,29
– initializing37
– opening, closing37
– pinch protection system37
– power failure37
– raising37
– remote control28
Glove compartment105
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills97
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights247
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs231
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake56
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control83
HD Radio148
Head airbags90
Headlamp control,
automatic92
Headlamp cover231
Headlamp flasher58
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs231
Head restraints43
– rear, removing44
– sitting safely41
Heated
– mirrors47
– rear window99
– seats45
– steering wheel49
Heating
– mirrors47
– rear window99
– seats45
– steering wheel49Heating and ventilation, refer
to Climate97
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo119
Height, refer to
Dimensions245
Height adjustment
– seats42
– steering wheel48
High-beam assistant94
High beams94
– headlamp flasher94
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs231
High beams and low beams,
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant94
High-pressure
washer225,226
High water, refer to Driving
through water118
Highways, refer to Route
criteria134
Hill Descent Control HDC83
Hills118
Holders for cups107
Homepage BMW4
Hood
218
Hooks for shopping
bags111,112
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to
Locking or unlocking
separately31
Hot exhaust system117
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC82
Hydroplaning118
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio148
Ice warning, refer to Outside
temperature
warning69
Identification marks
– run-flat tires216
– tire coding214iDrive16
– adjusting brightness80
– changing language79
– changing settings79
– changing units of measure
and display format73
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– setting the date and time76
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition54
– switched off55
– switched on54
Ignition key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness54
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on54
Ignition lock54
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM87
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure201
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM86
Initializing
– after power failure236
– compass, refer to
Calibrating104
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM85
– glass roof37
– panorama glass roof39
– radio, refer to Station,
storing147
– refer to Setting the time and
date76
Installation location
– telephone106