
Controls Overview
74
Brightness of Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the basic setting.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Control display"
3."Brightness"
4.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
5.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. In bright conditions, for example, 
the brightness control may not be clearly visi-
ble. 

Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
view appears on the Control Display in gray and 
cannot be selected.
 "M View": the default view is displayed.
The M view for the Head-up Display can also be 
selected with the   button on the steering 
wheel, refer to MDrive on page50.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Default view
1Navigation instructions
2Stored desired speed of cruise control
3Speed
M view
1Current engine speed, highlighted
2Advance warning field of tachometer
3Red warning field of tachometer, also refer 
to Tachometer on page65
4Speed
5Gear display
For information on the shift lights in the 
tachometer, refer to page60.
Setting brightness
The brightness of the display is adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the base setting.
With the low beams switched on, the brightness 
can also be adjusted with the thumbwheel of 
the instrument lighting.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Head-Up display"
3."Brightness"
4.Turn the controller.
The brightness is adjusted.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Notes
The visibility of the displays in the Head-up Dis-
play is influenced by:
>Sunglasses with certain polarization filters
>Certain seating positions
>Objects on the cover of the Head-up Dis-
play
>Wet road surface and unfavorable lighting 
conditions
 If the image is distorted, please have the basic 
setting checked at a BMW center.
Special windshield
The windshield is part of the system. The shape 
of the windshield complies with the require-
ments of the Head-up Display to enable a pre-
cise display. A film in the windshield prevents 
double images from being displayed.
Windshield replacement should be carried out 
by a BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Care instructions
You can find valuable information on this topic 
under Care, starting on page199. 

Lamps
90 3."Welcome light"
 The welcome lamps are switched on.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after 
switching off the ignition with the lamps 
switched off, the low beams come on and 
remain on for a certain time. You can set the 
duration or deactivate the function via iDrive.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Pathway lighting:"
4.Set or deactivate the duration.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Daytime running lamps*
The daytime running lamps light up in 
position0, 1 and 3. If the light switch remains in 
position1, the parking lamps light up after the 
ignition is switched off.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
running lamps*
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Daytime running lamps"
 The daytime running lamps are 
switched on.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Adaptive Light Control*
The concept
Adaptive Light Control is a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Light Control
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch into position 3, refer to page89.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Light Control is not active when driving in 
reverse and points toward the passenger side 
when the vehicle is stopped. 

Lamps
92
System limits
The High-beam Assistant is designed to 
maximize the amount of time that high 
beams can be safely used and to quickly switch 
back to low beams when traffic approaches. 
The system cannot completely replace driver 
intervention when unusual conditions are 
encountered. For this reason, switch to low 
beams when circumstances so dictate. Failure 
to do so can pose a safety risk.<
Below are a few examples of situations in which 
the system may not react or may only function 
to a limited degree, requiring personal interven-
tion:
>in extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>in sensing road users with poor inherent 
illumination such as pedestrians, cyclists, 
equestrians, horse-drawn vehicles, railroad 
or shipping traffic close to the road, and at 
deer crossings
>in tight curves, on steep crests or dips, with 
cross-traffic, or with partially hidden 
oncoming traffic on divided highways
>in poorly illuminated areas and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>in the low speed range
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or 
covered with stickers, decals etc. in the area 
of the inside rearview mirror
>when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor 
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth slightly moistened with glass 
cleaner
Moreover, no system can operate without limi-
tations. High-beam Assistant operation is sub-
ject to conditions that may reduce the system's 
ability to recognize the difference between 
actual vehicle head lamps or tail lamps and, for 
example, highly reflective signs, markers, and 
streetlights. To be on the safe side, the system 
may periodically interpret these situations as 
conditions that require low beams. Below are 
some of the situations in which premature 
switching to low beams can occur:>approaching large and/or highly reflective 
signs
>approaching certain lights, such as drive-
way lighting and porch lights
>approaching certain traffic signals
>approaching large reflective markers
In these situations, the system may interpret 
the above conditions as a vehicle ahead requir-
ing a switch to low beams. When the conditions 
return to normal, the system will reactivate the 
high beams.
The High-beam Assistant cannot replace the 
driver's responsibility for complying with state 
laws on high-beam switching or for adapting to 
visibility and traffic conditions.
Switching off via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."High beam assistant"
 High beam assistant is activated and is 
stored for the remote control currently in use. 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
16Air grill for interior temperature sensor – 
please keep clear and unobstructed
The current setting for air distribution is dis-
played on the Control Display.
A congenial climate
The AUTO program offers the optimum air dis-
tribution and air volume for virtually all condi-
tions, refer to AUTO program below. Now you 
only need to select an interior temperature 
comfortable for you.
The following sections contain more detailed 
information on the available setting options.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, also refer to Personal Profile 
settings on page27.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the 
adjustment of air volume and air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, in the direction of 
the upper body and in the footwell. 
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling function is switched on along with 
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such 
a way that window condensation is prevented 
as much as possible.
Intensity of AUTO program
You can adjust the intensity of the AUTO pro-
gram by repeatedly pressing the AUTO button. 
The respective current setting is briefly dis-
played on the Control Display when the button 
is pressed.Select the intensity of the AUTO program using 
the AUTO button:
>–Low
>–Medium
>–High
Convertible program*
When the convertible top is open, the convert-
ible program is active in addition. In the convert-
ible program, the automatic climate control is 
optimized for driving with the convertible top 
open. In addition, the air volume is increased as 
the speed increases.
The effect of the convertible program can 
be greatly enhanced if the wind deflector 
is installed.<
Temperature
Set the desired temperature indi-
vidually on the driver's and front 
passenger side.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as quickly as possi-
ble at any time of year, if necessary with the 
maximum cooling or heating capacity, and then 
keeps it constant.
When changing between different tem-
perature settings in rapid succession, the 
automatic climate control does not have suffi-
cient time to adjust the set temperature.<
In the highest setting you activate the maximum 
heating output, regardless of the outside tem-
perature. 

Practical interior accessories
100
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote 
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control can 
replace as many as three hand-held transmit-
ters for various remote-controlled accessories, 
such as garage and gate or lighting systems. 
The integrated universal remote control regis-
ters and stores signals from the original hand-
held transmitters.
The signal of an original hand-held transmitter 
can be programmed on one of the three mem-
ory buttons1. After this, the programmed 
memory button1 will operate the system in 
question. The LED2 flashes to confirm trans-
mission of the signal.
Should you sell your vehicle one day, be sure to 
delete the stored programs beforehand for your 
safety, refer to page101.
To prevent possible damage or injury, 
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always inspect 
the immediate area to make certain that no peo-
ple, animals or objects are within the travel 
range of the device. Also, comply with the 
safety precautions of the original hand-held 
transmitter.<
Checking compatibility
If you see this symbol on the packaging 
or in the manual supplied with the orig-
inal hand-held transmitter, it is safe to 
assume that it is compatible with the integrated 
universal remote control.
If you have additional questions, please 
contact your BMW center or call: 
1-800-355-3515.
Information is also provided on the Internet at:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com.
HomeLink is a registered trademark of Johnson 
Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory buttons
2LED
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters
1.Switch on ignition, refer to page55.
2.When starting operation for the first time: 
Press the left and right-hand memory 
button1 for approx. 20 seconds until the 
LED2 flashes quickly. All stored programs 
are deleted.
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter at a 
distance of approx. 4 in/10 cm to 12 in/
30 cm from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the relevant sys-
tem of the original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit button 
on the original hand-held transmitter and 
the desired memory button 1 on the inte-
grated universal remote control. The LED 2 
flashes slowly at first. As soon as the LED2 
flashes rapidly, release both buttons. If the 
LED2 does not flash rapidly after approx. 
15 seconds, alter the distance and repeat 
the step.
5.To program other original hand-held trans-
mitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter. 

Controls
 101Reference
At a glance
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Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
You can operate the device when the engine is 
running or when the ignition is switched on.
If the device fails to function even after 
repeated programming, check whether 
the original hand-held transmitter uses an alter-
nating-code system. To do so, either read the 
instructions for the original hand-held transmit-
ter or hold down the programmed memory 
button1 of the integrated universal remote 
control. If the LED2 on the integrated universal 
remote control flashes rapidly for a short time 
and then remains lit for approx. 2 seconds, this 
indicates that the original hand-held transmitter 
uses an alternating-code system. In the case of 
an alternating-code system, program the mem-
ory buttons1 as described at Alternating-code 
hand-held transmitters.<
Alternating-code hand-held 
transmitters
To program the integrated universal remote 
control, consult the operating instructions for 
the equipment to be set. You will find informa-
tion there on the possibilities for synchroniza-
tion.
When programming hand-held transmitters 
that employ an alternating code, please observe 
the following supplementary instructions:
P r o g ra m m in g  w i ll  b e  ea s i er  w it h  t h e  a i d  o f  
a second person.<
1.Park your vehicle within the range of the 
remote-controlled device.
2.Program the integrated universal remote 
control as described above in the section 
Fixed-code hand-held transmitters.
3.Locate the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set, e. g. on the drive unit.
4.Press the button on the receiver of the 
device to be set. After step 4, you have 
approx. 30 seconds for step 5.
5.Press the programmed memory button1 
of the integrated universal remote control 
three times.
The corresponding memory button 1 is now 
programmed with the signal of the original 
hand-held transmitter.If you have any additional questions, 
please contact your BMW center.<
Deleting all stored programs
Press the left and right-hand memory button1 
for approx. 20 seconds until the LED2 flashes. 
All stored programs are deleted.
Individual programs cannot be deleted.
Rememorizing individual programs
1.Hold the original hand-held remote control 
approx. 4 in/10 cm to 12 in/30 cm away 
from the memory buttons1.
The required distance between the 
hand-held transmitter and the mem-
ory buttons1 depends on the relevant sys-
tem of the original hand-held transmitter 
used.<
2.Press the desired memory button1 of the 
integrated universal remote.
3.If the LED2 flashes slowly after approx. 
20 seconds, press the command button of 
the original hand-held transmitter. As soon 
as the LED2 flashes rapidly, release both 
buttons. If the LED2 does not flash rapidly 
after approx. 15 seconds, alter the distance 
and repeat the step.
Glove compartment
Opening
Press the button. The glove compartment 
opens automatically and the lamps come on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven,  

Practical interior accessories
104 The removable cupholder can be inserted into 
the side of the center console.
Ashtray*
Opening
Press the trim strip of the cover.
Emptying
Press the opened cover beyond the resistance 
point, refer to arrow: the ashtray lifts up for 
removal.
Cigarette lighter*
Press in the lighter with the engine running or 
the ignition switched on.The lighter can be removed as soon as it pops 
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns.
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, use the lighter and burn themselves.<
Connecting electrical devices
Socket
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the cigarette lighter socket can be used as a 
power outlet for hand flashlights, car vacuum 
cleaners, etc., with power ratings of up to 
approx. 200 W at 12 V. Avoid damaging the 
socket due to inserting plugs of different 
shapes or sizes.
In front passenger footwell
Access to the socket: 
Fold open the cover.
Ski bag*
The ski bag permits safe and clean transport of 
up to two pairs of standard skis or one snow-
board.
You can use the ski bag to stow skis up to 6.9 ft/
2.10 m long.