
Controls
 55Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting remote control into ignition 
lock
Insert the remote control as far as possible into 
the ignition lock.
Radio readiness switches on.
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation.
Comfort Access*
With Comfort Access, only insert the remote 
control into the ignition lock in exceptional 
cases, refer to page34.
Removing remote control from ignition 
lock
Do not pull the remote control out of the 
ignition lock using force, as otherwise 
damage may result.<
Before removing the remote control, first press 
it in as far as possible to release the locking 
device.
The ignition is switched off if it was still 
switched on.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the 
radio readiness or the ignition on and off.
Manual transmission: the engine starts 
when you depress the clutch while press-
ing the Start/Stop button.
Sequential Manual Transmission: the engine 
starts when you press the Start/Stop button 
with the brake depressed and the selector lever 
in position P or N.<
Radio readiness
Some electronic systems/consumers are ready 
for operation. The last information of the com-
puter selected is displayed in the instrument 
cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off:
>when the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
>with Comfort Access
* by touching the sur-
face on the door handle, refer to Locking on 
page35
Ignition on
All electronic systems/consumers are ready for 
operation. The odometer and the trip odometer 
are displayed in the instrument cluster, refer to 
page65.
Please switch off the ignition and the 
electronic systems/consumers which are 
not required when the engine is not running to 
save the battery.< 

Driving
56
Radio readiness and ignition switched 
off
All indicator and warning lamps in the instru-
ment cluster go out.
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas, 
otherwise the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause loss of consciousness and 
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly 
toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, as such a vehicle represents a 
potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, shift into neutral
* or move the selector 
lever into position N and firmly apply the park-
ing brake, otherwise the vehicle can begin to 
roll.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated starting attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or inadequately burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up by leaving it 
running while the vehicle remains stationary. 
Instead, begin to drive at a moderate engine 
speed.
Manual transmission*
Remote control in ignition lock or with Comfort 
Access in vehicle, refer to page34.1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Depress the clutch pedal and shift into 
idling position.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Sequential Manual Transmission with 
Drivelogic
Remote control in ignition lock or with Comfort 
Access in vehicle, refer to page34.
1.Depress brake pedal.
2.Place selector lever in position N.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
If the engine does not start, shift back to 
the last selector lever position selected, 
refer to the instrument cluster display or the 
selector lever. Then select position N.
You cannot start off with the hood open.
When the engine is cold, the exhaust system 
has a slightly metallic undertone due to the sys-
tem design.<
After every engine start, as soon as the selector 
lever is pushed to the right into the drive 
positionΒ and the brake pedal is pressed, the 
Sequential mode is activated.
Switching engine off
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
remote control with you.
When parking, firmly apply the parking brake, as 
otherwise the vehicle could roll.<
Manual transmission*
1.Press the Start/Stop button with the vehicle 
stopped.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Firmly apply the parking brake.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page55.
Sequential Manual Transmission with 
Drivelogic
1.Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Shift into a driving position. 

Controls
 57Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
If N is engaged when switching off the 
engine, this will be pointed out to you visu-
ally and acoustically.
4.Remove the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page55.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp lights up, and a sig-
nal sounds when you drive away. The 
parking brake is applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
If exceptional circumstances should 
make it necessary to apply the parking 
brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull it 
too firmly. In doing so, continuously press the 
button of the parking brake lever. Otherwise, 
too firm an application of the parking brake can 
lock up the rear wheels and cause the rear of the 
vehicle to swerve.<
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally engage the park-ing brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly com-
ing to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied.<
Manual transmission*
While shifting in the 5th/6th gear lane, 
press the gearshift lever toward the right, 
otherwise accidental shifting into the 3rd or 4th 
gear could result in engine damage.<
When shifting into 1st gear, you may feel a 
slight jolt. This part of normal operation and no 
reason for concern.
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When pressing the gearshift lever to the left, 
overcome some resistance.
Shift lights
To achieve the best vehicle acceleration with a 
sporty driving style, shift lights in the Head-up 
Display
* indicate the optimum shifting point 
briefly before reaching the maximum rpm. Refer 
to Shift lights, page60. 

Driving
62 4. Triple turn signal activation is activated 
and is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once. 
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. The system reverts to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The wiper operation is controlled automatically 
as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sen-
sor is located on the windshield, directly in front 
of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the thumbwheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes 
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing 
through an automatic car wash. Failure to 
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper activation.<
Cleaning windshield and headlamps
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
When the vehicle lighting is switched on, the 
headlamps are simultaneously washed at 
appropriate intervals.
Do not use the washing mechanisms if 
there is any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield. If you do so, your 
vision could be obscured. To avoid freezing, 
use a washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer  

Controls Overview
68
Resetting the Trip computer
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Trip computer"
3."Reset"
All values are reset.
Units of measure
Setting the units of measure
You can change the units of measure for con-
sumption, distances, temperature and pres-
sure.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3.Select the desired menu item.
4.Select the desired unit.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date for 
the next maintenance are displayed briefly with 
the ignition switched on.Your BMW Service Advisor can deter-
mine your vehicle's current service 
requirements by reading out the data stored in 
the remote control.<
Additional information
You can select a display of more detailed infor-
mation on the maintenance scope on the Con-
trol Display. For operating principle refer to 
page16.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Service required"
Required maintenance procedures and legally 
mandated inspections are displayed.
You can request more detailed information on 
every entry.
Select the entry and press the controller.
To exit from the menu:
Move the controller to the left.
Symbols
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or an official 
inspection is approaching. Please 
arrange a service appointment.
The service deadline has already passed.
Entering deadlines for legally required 
inspections*
Make sure the date on the Control Display is set 
correctly, refer to page70; otherwise, the effec-
tiveness of CBS Condition Based Service is not 
ensured. 

Controls
 69Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Service required"
4."§ Vehicle inspection"
5.Open the menu for entering the deadline.
6."Date:"
7.Turn the controller until the desired month 
is displayed, and then press the controller.
8.Set the year in the same manner.
The date is stored.
To exit the menu: 
Move the controller to the left.
More information on the BMW Maintenance 
System can be found on page197.
Automatic Service Request*
Data regarding the maintenance status or 
legally mandated inspections of the vehicle are 
automatically transmitted to your BMW center 
prior to a service due date.
You can check when your BMW center was 
notified.iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Options"
4."Last Service Request"
Clock
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile on 
page26.
Setting the time
To set the 12h/24h mode, refer to Setting the 
time format below.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the MENU button.
The main menu is displayed. 

Controls Overview
70 2."Settings"
Setting the time
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Time:"
4.Turn the controller until the desired hours 
are displayed, and then press the controller.
5.Turn the controller until the desired minutes 
are displayed, and then press the controller.
The time is stored.
Setting the time format
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Format:"
4.Select the desired format and press the 
controller.
The time format is stored.
Date
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile on 
page26.
Setting date
To set the dd/mm or mm/dd date format, refer 
to Setting the date format below.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Date:"
4.Turn the controller until the desired day is 
displayed, and then press the controller.
5.Create the necessary settings for the 
month and year.
The date is stored.
Setting the date format
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Format:"
4.Select the desired format.
The date format is stored.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors functions in the 
vehicle and issues a message if there is a mal-
function in the monitored systems. This kind of 
Check Control message consists of indicator  

Controls
 73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3."Limit warning"
4.Press the controller.
 The limit warning is switched on.
Settings on Control Display
Language on Control Display
Setting the language
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Language:"
4.Select the desired language.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting the voice dialog
Switch between a standard dialog and a short 
dialog.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"4.Select the desired dialog.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Warning signal volume
You can raise or lower the volume of the warn-
ing signals, e.g. the 'Fasten safety belt' 
reminder, relative to the entertainment sound 
output. The warning signals have a fixed mini-
mum and maximum volume that cannot be 
dropped below or exceeded.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Tone"
3."Volume settings"
>"Speed volume": speed-dependent vol-
ume control
>"PDC": volume of the PDC
* signal tone 
relative to the entertainment sound out-
put
>"Gong": volume of the signal tone, e.g. 
for the 'Fasten safety belt' reminder, rel-
ative to the entertainment sound output