Driving tips
117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
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 phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, refer also to Mini-
mum tire tread on page206.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the
ABS is controlling braking.
In certain braking situations the perforated
brake rotors can cause operating noises which,
however, have not effect on the performance
and operating safety of the brake system.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
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 pressure on the brake can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and pos-
sibly even brake failure.<
Sequential Manual Transmission: do not
drive in idle or with the engine switched
off, otherwise there will be no engine braking
action or support of the braking force and steer-
ing.
Manual transmission: do not drive with the
clutch depressed, in idle or with the engine
switched off, otherwise there will be no engine
braking action or support of the braking force
and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
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.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
Things to remember when driving
118 vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
You can find valuable information on this topic
under Care, starting on page218.
Ground clearance
Make sure that sufficient ground clear-
ance is available. To drive down curbs,
select the "Sport" program of the EDC Elec-
tronic Damping Control, refer to page83, to
keep the ground clearance as uniform as possi-
ble. Otherwise the vehicle may be damaged.<
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Make sure that no fluids leak in the cargo
bay; otherwise the vehicle could be dam-
aged.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, as otherwise the vehicle may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX lbs. or YYY kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage
can be transported.
Short commands of voice command system
242
Climate
To open "All stations"154{FM all stations}
To select radio station154{Station ...}, e.g. {Station WNYC}, or
{Choose station}
To open "Presets"154{FM presets} or
{AM presets}
To select preset radio station154{Preset ...}, e.g. {Preset 1}
To open "Manual"155{FM manual},
{AM manual} or
{Choose frequency},
{Frequency ... Megahertz}
To open strongest radio stations156{AM Autostore}
To open "WB"158{Weatherband menu}
To switch on weatherband 158{Weatherband on}
To select a weatherband station158{Choose weatherband station}
To open "SAT"162{SAT radio menu}
To switch on satellite radio161{SAT radio}
To open "Presets" of the satellite radio162{SAT radio presets}
To open "All channels" of the satellite radio162{SAT radio all channels}
To open "Categories" of the satellite radio162{SAT radio categories}
To open CD player164{
CD menu}
To switch on CD player164{CD}
To open CD changer164{CD changer menu}
To switch on CD changer164{CD changer}
To select a CD in the CD changer164{CD 1...6}
To select music track165{CD track ...}
To select a CD and music track in the CD
changer165{CD 1...6 track ...}
To switch on audio playback with external audio
device170{Audio Aux}
FunctionCommand
FunctionCommand
To adjust temperature distribution for front seat
heating49{Seat heater distribution}
To open "Vent settings"100{Vent settings}
To open "Automatic programs"99{Automatic programs}
Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Doors
– manual operation34
– remote control32
DOT Quality Grades206
Draft-free ventilation102
Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders109
Drivelogic62
Drive mode61
"Driver's door only"32
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams93
Driving programs, refer to
Drivelogic62
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route139
Driving stability control
systems80
Driving through water117
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function101
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function101
"DSC"53,81
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control81
– indicator lamp13,81
– malfunction82
DVD for navigation124
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
– warning lamp82
"Dynamic route" in
navigation137
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC81
– M Dynamic Mode MDM81
E
Easy entry/exit51
– backrest width45
"EDC"53
EDC Electronic Damping
Control83Eject button, refer to Buttons
in area of CD player150
Electrical malfunction
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door202
– glass sunroof, electric41
– luggage compartment lid36
Electric steering wheel
adjustment51
Electronic brake-force
distribution80
Electronic Damper Control
EDC
– "Comfort"83
– "Normal"83
– "Sport"83
Electronic Damping Control
EDC83
Electronic oil level check212
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door202
– luggage compartment lid36
Emergency operation, refer to
Moving manually
– glass sunroof41
Emergency release for
luggage compartment lid in
cargo bay36
Emergency request231
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance232
"Enabled services"197
"Enabled TeleServices"194
"Enable services"197
"End call"184
Engaging drive position, refer
to Selector lever
positions60Engine
– breaking-in116
– data238
– M Engine Dynamic
Control59
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature67
– speed238
– starting58
– starting, with comfort
access38
– switching off58
Engine compartment211
Engine coolant215
Engine oil
– adding214
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils214
– approved engine oil214
– checking oil level212
– electronic oil level check212
– fast measurement213
– interval between changes,
refer to Service
requirements70
– oil change214
– oil grades, refer to Approved
engine oils214
– possible displays212
– temperature68
– temperature gauge68
"Engine oil level"213
Engine output, refer to Engine
data238
Engine overheating, refer to
Coolant temperature67
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data238
Engine starting, refer to
Starting engine58
"Enter address"126,134
Entering destination via town/
city name127
Entering intersection,
navigation128
Entering the
address126,129
Entering town/city for
navigation127
Everything from A to Z
250 Entering zip code for
navigation128
"Entertainment"150
Entertainment sound output
on/off151
Entry map for destination131
Equalizer, refer to Tone
control153
"Equalizer", tone control153
"ESN"161
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control81
Event Data Recorders217
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system116
Exterior mirrors50
– adjusting50
– automatic dimming
feature51
– automatic heating50
– folding in and out50
– tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror50
External audio device108
Eye for tow-starting and
towing, refer to Tow
fitting233
F
Fader, refer to Tone
control152
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control72
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms37
– refer to Switching off
alarm37
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts47
– warning lamp48
Fastest route for
navigation136
"Fast route" in navigation137
Filler neck for washer fluid65Filling bottle, refer to
M Mobility System225
Filling sealant into wheel226
Filter, refer to Microfilter/
activated-charcoal filter102
First aid, refer to First-aid
kit232
First-aid kit232
Flashing
– during locking/unlocking,
refer to Setting confirmation
signals33
– triple turn signal
activation63
Flat tire
– changing wheels227
– Flat Tire Monitor84,85
– M Mobility System85,225
– refer to Tire condition206
– spare wheel228
– TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor85
– warning lamp85,86
Flat Tire Monitor84
– false alarms84
– initializing system84
– snow chains208
– system limits84
– warning lamp85
Fluid reservoir, refer to Filler
neck for washer fluid65
"FM", reception
range150,154
FM, waveband154
Folding rear backrest111
Fold-over rear backrest111
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely117
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps97
Forward, fast
– CD changer
168
– CD player168
For your own safety5
Freeway, refer to Route
criteria136
Front airbags88
Front armrest, refer to Center
armrest, front107Front passenger airbags
– deactivating89
Front seat adjustment43
"FTM"85
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
Fuel203
– average consumption69
– display68
– high-quality brands203
– quality203
– specifications203
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities239
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel consumption display,
refer to Computer, average
fuel consumption69
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Fuel filler door202
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction202
Full mobile phone preparation
package176
Full screen display, refer to
Switching assistance
window off22
Fuses230
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control105
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel203
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge68
Gear changes62
Gear display, refer to Displays
in instrument cluster61
Gearshift lever60
– manual transmission59
General driving notes116
Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Glass sunroof, electric40
– convenient operation from
outside34
– convenient operation with
comfort access39
– moving manually41
– remote control33
Glove compartment107
– lighting107
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system124
Grills, refer to Ventilation102
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights239
Ground clearance118
H
Handbrake59
– indicator lamp13,59
Hands-free system, refer to
Microphone14
Hand washing219
Hazard warning flashers15
"HD radio"158
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio158
Head airbags88
Headlamp
– cleaning tank, refer to
Capacities239
Headlamp control,
automatic93
Headlamp flasher63
Headlamps93
– cleaning, refer to Wiper
system64
– filler neck for washer
fluid211
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Head Light95
Head restraints46
– active front head
restraints46
– removing47
– sitting safely43
"Head-Up Display"53,90Head-Up Display90
– default view91
– M view90
– shift lights63
Heated
– mirrors50
– rear window100
– seats48
– steering wheel51
Heating98
– exterior mirrors50
– interior98
– rear window100
– residual heat101
– seats48
– steering wheel51
Heating with engine switched
off, refer to Residual
heat101
Heavy cargo, refer to Securing
cargo119
Height, refer to
Dimensions238
Height adjustment
– seats44
– steering wheel51
High-beam assistant95,97
High beams95
– headlamp flasher95
– indicator lamp13
High Definition Radio158
High-pressure cleaning
jets218,219
High water, refer to Driving
through water117
Hills117
Holder for cups109
"Home address" in
navigation136
Homepage of BMW4
Hood210
Horn10
Hot exhaust system116
"Hour memo"76
"House number" in
destination entry129
Hydraulic brake assistant,
refer to Brake assistant80
Hydroplaning117
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio158
Ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning68
ID3 tag, refer to Information on
track166
Identification mark
– recommended tire
brands208
– tire coding205
Idle61
iDrive16
– assistance window21
– automatic climate control
with expanded scope99
– changing date and time76
– changing language78
– changing menu page20
– changing settings75
– changing units of measure
and display type77
– confirming selection or
entry20
– controller16
– controls16
– displays, menus18
– operating principle18
– selecting menu item20
– setting brightness77
– start menu18
– status information21
– symbols19
Ignition57
– switched off58
– switched on57
Ignition key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness57
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on57
Ignition lock57
– starting engine with comfort
access39
i menu18
Imprint2
Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Loading
– securing cargo119
– stowing cargo119
– vehicle118
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo119
"Lock after driving"35
Lock buttons in the doors,
refer to Lokking35
Locking33
– confirmation signals33
– from inside35
– from outside33
– without key, refer to Comfort
access38
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals33
– from inside34
– from outside32
Low beams93
– automatic93
– indicator lamp13
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support44
Lug bolts228
– tightening torque, refer to
After mounting229
– wrench228
Luggage compartment lid35
– emergency release36
– locking with remote
control33
– opening from inside35
– opening from outside36
– opening with remote
control33
– unlocking and locking from
inside34
Luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
– comfort access39
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack119
Lumbar support44LW, waveband154
M
M Dynamic Mode MDM81
– indicator lamp13,81
M Engine Dynamic Control59
– "P 400"60
– "P 500"60
– "P 500 Sport"60
M Mobility System225
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires208
Maintenance216
– refer to Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models216
– refer to Service
requirements70
– refer to Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models216
Maintenance system216
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control72
Manual air distribution100
"Manual" in radio mode155
Manual operation
– door lock34
– driver's door34
– fuel filler door202
– glass sunroof41
– luggage compartment lid36
Manual transmission59
– tow-starting234
"Map direction of travel"140
Map display140
"Map facing north"140
Map for navigation
– changing scale140
– destination entry131
Map view facing north140
Master key, refer to Keys/
remote control30
Maximum cooling101
Maximum speed with winter
tires208MDM, refer to M Dynamic
Mode81
MDrive52
"M Dynamic Mode"81
Measurements, refer to
Dimensions238
Memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory45
MENU, button refer to Start
menu18
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Message list for traffic
information143
Microfilter102
Microphone
– for telephone14
– for voice command
system14
Mirror dimming feature51
Mirrors50
– automatic curb monitor50
– folding in and out50
– heating50
– memory, refer to Seat, mirror
and steering wheel
memory45
"Missed calls"184
Missed calls185
Mobile phone
– accepted calls185
– adjusting volume182
– calling183
– ending call183
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest107
– missed calls185
– operation by voice187
– operation via iDrive182
– redialing185
– refer to separate operating
instructions107
– Top 8185
– touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method186
Mobile phone battery190
Mobility System225
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Everything from A to Z
256 "Random", random play
sequence167
"Random all" in audio
mode168
"Random directory" in audio
mode168
"RDS"157
Reading lamps97
Rear armrest, refer to Center
armrest, rear111
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps224
– replacing bulbs224
Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints47
– folding over backrest111
– heating49
– removing head restraints47
Rear socket110
Rear ventilation102
Rearview mirror50
Rear window
– heating100
– roller sun blind, refer to Sun
blinds106
Rear window safety switch40
"Received calls"184
Reception
– quality157
– radio stations157
– regional station156
Reception level of mobile
phone, refer to Status
information21
Recirculated-air mode101
– air recirculation101
– AUC Automatic
recirculated-air control101
Reclining seat, refer to
Seats43
Recording times, refer to
Stopwatch75
Redialing with mobile
phone189
"Redial" in mobile phone
mode184
Reflectors, refer to Tail
lamps224
Refueling202Releasing
– hood210
Releasing the locks, refer to
Unlocking38
"Relock door if not
opened"35
Remaining distance, refer to
Cruising range69
Remaining distance to
destination, refer to
Computer69
Remote control30
– comfort access38
– garage door opener
105
– luggage compartment lid33
– malfunction33,39
– replacing battery39
Removing condensation on
the windows100
"Repeat directory" in audio
mode167
"Repeat" in audio mode167
"Repeat track" in audio
mode167
Replacement fuses230
Replacement of tires, refer to
Changing wheels227
Replacement remote control,
refer to New remote
controls30
Replacing bulbs, refer to
Lamps and bulbs222
Replacing tires207
Replacing wheels/tires, refer
to New wheels and tires207
Reporting safety defects7
Reserve
– warning, refer to Fuel
gauge68
"Reset"85,86
Reset, refer to Resetting tone
settings153
"Reset" the stopwatch75
"resetting FTM …"85
"Reset to default" with
MDrive53
"Reset" tone settings153
Residual heat101Restraint systems
– for children54
– refer to Safety belts47
Retreaded tires207
Reverse, fast
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Reverse gear61
– manual transmission59
Road map140
Roadside
Assistance186,192,232
Roadside parking lamps95
Roof load capacity239
Roof-mounted luggage
rack119
Rope, refer to Tow-starting
and towing233
Rotary/pushbutton, refer to
iDrive16
Route136
– bypassing sections142
– changing142
– changing criteria136
– displaying139
– displaying arrow display139
– displaying map view140
– displaying streets or towns/
cities141
– selecting136
Route information, refer to
Destination guidance with
voice instructions141
Route map, refer to Displaying
map view140
"Route preference",
changing136
Route selection136
S
Safety5