
Controls
 43Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the sitting position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page54.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
panel, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
front airbags are triggered. 
Make sure that occupants do not rest their head 
on the side or head airbags, otherwise injuries 
can occur if the airbags are triggered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page88.
Head restraints
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page46.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Your vehicle is provided with five seats, which 
are all equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt must not lie across 
the neck, rub against sharp edges, be routed 
over solid or breakable objects or be pinched. 
Wear the safety belt without twisting, snugly 
across the lap and shoulders, as close to the 
body as possible. Otherwise the belt can slip 
over the hips in the lap area in a frontal impact 
and injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing 
that prevents the belt from fitting properly and 
pull the belt in the upper body area periodically 
to readjust the tension, in order to avoid a 
reduction in the restraint of the safety belt.<
Safety belts, refer to page47.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
the vehicle is moving. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement, and the  

Adjusting
48 tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
Fastening
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for driver's seat 
and passenger seat*
The indicator lamp lights up and a sig-
nal sounds. A message also appears on 
the Control Display. Please check 
whether the safety belt is correctly positioned.
The safety belt reminder is operative at speeds 
above approx. 5 mph/8 km/h. It can also be acti-
vated if objects are placed on the passenger 
seat.
Releasing
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
The shoulder strap's anchorage point will be 
correct for adult seat occupants of every build if 
the seat is correctly adjusted, refer to page43.
The two rear safety belt buckles integrated into 
the rear seat are for passengers sitting on the left and right. The belt buckle embossed with 
the word CENTER is intended exclusively for 
use by passengers riding in the center position.
Damage to safety belts
When subjected to strain due to an acci-
dent or in the event of damage, replace 
the safety belts, the belt tensioners, and any 
child restraint systems and have the belt anchor 
points checked. Only have this work carried out 
at a BMW center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise cor-
rect operation of this safety equipment is not 
guaranteed.<
Seat heating
Front
The appearance and arrangement of the but-
tons may vary depending on the equipment.
1Seat heating, three LEDs
2Seat heating, one LED
3Seat heating with active seat ventilation
*
Press the respective button once per tempera-
ture level. The temperature level is shown on  

Transporting children safely
54
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported in the rear in child restraint sys-
tems which correspond to the age, weight and 
height of the child. Otherwise there is an 
increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
system can no longer be used due to their age, 
size and weight.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it ever be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must first be deactivated. Otherwise, 
there is an increased risk of injury for the child if 
the airbags are triggered, even with a child 
restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page89.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions for selection, 
installation and use of the child restraint sys-
tems. Otherwise the degree of protection may 
be reduced.<
Backrest width on front passenger seat
Open the backrest width setting of the 
front passenger seat all the way. After 
mounting the child's seat, deactivate the active 
backrest width adjustment and do not call up 
any memory position. Otherwise this limits the 
stability of the child's seat on the front passen-
ger seat.<
1.After unlocking the vehicle, sit on the front 
passenger seat and close the door to call up 
the memory position.
2.Completely open the backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page44.
3.Deactivate active backrest width adjust-
ment, refer to page44.
4.Install child's seat.
Child seat security
All rear safety belts and the safety belt for the 
front passenger can be locked against pulling 
out to secure child restraint systems.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract and pull 
taut against the child restraint system. The 
safety belt is locked. 

Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the belt webbing to retract com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's 
instructions on installation and use of 
LATCH child restraint systems in order not to 
impair their protective function.<
Before attaching the LATCH child's seat, pull 
the belt away from the region of the child 
restraint fixing system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have 
properly clicked into place and that the 
child restraint system is resting snugly against 
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action 
may be impeded.<
Rear seats
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located at the positions indicated by arrows in 
the gap between the seat and the backrest.
Rear seats with through-loading 
system*
The anchor points for the LATCH anchors are 
located behind the indicated protective caps. 
Remove the cover caps before mounting the 
child's seat.
Child restraint system with tether strap
Only use the tether-strap mounting 
points to secure child restraint systems, 
otherwise the mounting points could be dam-
aged.<
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint systems with a tether strap, refer 
to arrows. Fold the corresponding mounting 
point upward before using.
Placement of tether strap
Make sure that the upper retaining strap 
is not routed over sharp edges and does 
not twist on its way to the upper mounting point; 
otherwise, the belt may not properly secure the 
child restraint system in the event of an acci-
dent.< 

Transporting children safely
56
Outer rear seat
1Direction of travel
2Head restraints
3Hook of upper retaining strap
4Mounting point
5Rear window shelf
6Backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint sys-
tem
Fold upward or remove covers before using the 
mounting points.
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Thread the upper retaining strap between 
the head restraint supports.
3.Attach the retaining strap hook to the 
mounting point.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
5.Pull the retaining strap taut.
Center rear seat
1.Fold the center armrest somewhat toward 
the front.
2.Guide retaining strap through the opening.
3.Fold back the center armrest.4.Attach the retaining strap hook to the 
mounting point.
5.Pull the retaining strap taut.
On trips
If the vehicle is equipped with rear side 
airbags, make sure that children do not 
lean out of the child's seat towards the door 
panels. Otherwise injuries can be caused if the 
side airbags are triggered.<
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors: 
the door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power 
windows, refer to page40, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle. 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
emergency or undesired airbag triggering, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, observe the safety infor-
mation and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely refer to page54.
The front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side can be deactivated for teenagers and 
adults in certain sitting positions; then the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbags lights 
up. In these cases, change the sitting position 
so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be produced by changing 
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-
ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is 
manufactured. After installing a child's seat, 
make sure that the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbags lights up. This indicates that 
the child's seat has been detected and the front 
passenger airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up if, for 
example, the system detects a person of 
sufficient size seated correctly on the seat. 
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not light up when 
the seat is empty.
However, the front and side airbags on the 
front passenger side are not activated. 

Reference 247
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
CD player164
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse168
– random sequence167
– repeating a track167
– sampling a track166
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off150
– tone control151
– volume151
Center armrest
– front107
– rear111
Center brake lamp224
Center console14
Central locking
– from inside34
– from outside32
Central locking system32
– comfort access38
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changes, technical, refer to 
Parts and accessories6
Changing language on 
Control Display78
Changing scale for 
navigation140
Changing units of measure on 
Control Display77
Changing wheels207,227
CHECK button73
Check Control72
"Check Control 
messages"74
Check Gas Cap202
Checking the air pressure, 
refer to Tire inflation 
pressure204
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH55
Child restraint systems54
Child-safety lock56
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely54
Chime, refer to Check 
Control72
Chock228Chrome-plated parts220
Chrome polish220
Cigarette lighter109
Cigarette lighter socket, refer 
to Connecting electrical 
devices110
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care218
"Climate"49,
99
Clock68
– 12h/24h format76
– hour signal76
– setting time and date76
Closing
– from inside34
– from outside32
Closing fuel filler cap202
Clothes hooks108
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting 
engine58
Comfort access38
– replacing battery, remote 
control39
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
"Comfort" with EDC83
"Communication"182,192,1
93,195
Compact Disc
– refer to CD changer164
– refer to CD player164
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock57
Compartments, refer to 
Storage compartments108
Compressed audio files164
Computer68
– clock68
– displays on Control 
Display69
– hour signal76
"Concert hall", tone 
control153
"Concierge"195
Concierge service194
Condensation, refer to When 
vehicle is parked117Condition Based Service 
CBS216
"Confirmation"33
Confirmation signals for 
locking and unlocking33
Connecting car vacuum 
cleaner, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices110
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption69
Consumption statistics, refer 
to Average fuel 
consumption69
"Continue guidance to 
destination?"139
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– setting brightness77
– switching off/on22
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls, refer to Cockpit10
Convenient operation
– glass sunroof33
– windows33
– windows and glass sunroof 
with comfort access39
Coolant215
– checking level215
– temperature67
Cooling, maximum101
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant215
Cooling function, automatic 
climate control101
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant215
Copyright2
Cornering Brake Control 
CBC80
Country of destination for 
navigation127
Courtesy lamps97
Cradle for telephone or mobile 
phone107
Cruise control65
Cruising range69 

Everything from A to Z
252 Indicator/warning lamps
– ABS Antilock Brake 
System82
– airbags90
– brake system82
– DSC13,81
– Flat Tire Monitor85
– high beams13
– MDrive13,53
– M Dynamic Mode13,81
– parking lamps/low beams13
– safety belt warning48
– TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor86
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure204
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor84
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to TPM Tire Pressure 
Monitor85
Info menu18
Information
– on another location132
– on current position132
– on destination location132
"Information" in 
navigation132
Information menu, refer to 
imenu18
"Information on 
destination"134
"Info sources"71
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor84
– radio, refer to Storing 
stations156
– refer to Power failure230
– refer to Setting time and 
date76
– seat, mirror and steering 
wheel memory45
"Input map"131
Installation location
– CD changer168
– drive for navigation DVD124
– mobile phone107Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions141
Instrument cluster12
Instrument illumination, refer 
to Instrument lighting97
Instrument lighting97
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to 
Instrument cluster12
Integrated key30
Integrated universal remote 
control105
Interesting destination for 
navigation132
"Interim time"75
Interior lamps97
– switching on with remote 
control33
Interior motion sensor37
– switching off38
Interior rearview mirror51
– automatic dimming 
feature51
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers64
J
Jacking points228
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump 
starting232
Jump starting232
K
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort 
access38
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Comfort access38
Key Memory, refer to Personal 
Profile31
"Keypad"186Keys30
– key-related settings, refer to 
Personal Profile31
– spare key30
Knock control203
L
Lamps
– refer to High-beam 
assistant95
– refer to Parking lamps/low 
beams93
Lamps and bulbs222
"Language / Units"77,78
"Language / Units" in 
navigation125,141
"Languages"78
"Languages" in 
navigation125,141
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing cargo119
Last destinations, refer to 
Destination list133
"Last seat pos."46
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system55
Leather care220
LEDs light-emitting 
diodes222
Length, refer to 
Dimensions238
License plate lamp, replacing 
bulbs225
Light-emitting diodes 
LEDs222
Lighter109
"Lighting"64
Lighting
– instruments97
– lamps and bulbs222
– of the vehicle, refer to 
Lamps93
Light switch93
"Limit"74