
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. 

Driving tips
 109Reference
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Mobility
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle and while 
parking take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
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 page189.
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 thus reduced 
efficiency of the brake system, downshift 
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or 
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pressure on the brake can lead to high tem-
peratures, brake wear and possibly 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  

Navigation
Driving tips
 123Reference
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Mobility
addition, pressing the controller makes further 
functions available:
> Select a symbol and "Start guid-
ance", if necessary.
>"Exit interactive map"
>Map display
>"Display destination"
The map section around the destination 
is displayed.
>"Display current location"
The map section around your current 
location is displayed.
>"Find points of interest", refer to 
page120.
Entering a destination by 
voice commands*
General information
You can enter a desired destination via the 
voice activation system. When entering the 
destination, it is possible to change between 
voice command and iDrive at any time. Reacti-
vate the voice activation function for this pur-
pose if necessary.
You can have the possible commands 
read aloud via {Voice commands}.<
Saying the entries
>Countries, towns and cities, streets and 
intersections can be said as whole words or 
spelled in the system language, refer to 
page73.Example: to enter a destination in a US state 
as a complete word, the system language 
must be English.
>The town/city, street and house number 
can be said as a single sentence.
*
>Spell the entry if the language region and 
the system language differ.
>Say the letters smoothly, and avoid exag-
gerating the pronunciation and inserting 
lengthy pauses between the letters.
Entering an address*
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
3.Wait for a request from the system.
4.Say the town or city, street and house num-
ber in a single sentence.
5.Continue making the entry as prompted by 
the system.
6.If necessary, individually name the separate 
components of the address, e.g. the town/
city.
Entering a town/city
The town/city can be spelled or entered as a 
complete word
*.
The methods of entry depend on the nav-
igation data in use and the country and 
language settings.<
2.Wait for the system to prompt you for the 
town/city.
3.Say the name of the town/city, or name at 
least the first three letters.
Depending on the entry, up to 20 towns/cit-
ies may be suggested.
2.{Enter address}
1.{City} or {Spell city}.
4.Select town/city:
>Select a recommended town/city: 
{Yes}
>Select other town/city: {New entry}
>Select an entry, e.g. {Entry 2}
>Spell an entry: {Spell city} 

On/off and tone
136
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share 
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
>CD/DVD player
>CD changer
*
>Video*
>External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled 
using the:
>Buttons in the area of the CD/DVD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to 
page11
>Programmable memory buttons, refer to 
page20
>Voice activation system
Buttons in the area of the CD/DVD 
player
1Entertainment sound output on/off, volume
>Press: switch on/off
When the system is switched on, the 
most recently selected radio station or 
track is played.
>Turn: adjust volume2 Station scan/track search
>Change the radio station
>Select the track for the CD/DVD player, 
CD changer and certain multimedia 
devices
3 Eject the CD/DVD
4CD/DVD drive
*
5MODE: change the audio and video 
sources
6FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band
Switching on/off
To switch the Entertainment sound output on 
and off:
Press knob1 next to the CD/DVD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indicates 
that sound output is switched off.
Sound output is available for approx. 
20 minutes after the ignition is switched off.
Switch on the sound output again for this pur-
pose.
Adjusting volume
Turn knob1 next to the CD/DVD player until the 
desired volume is set.
You can also adjust the volume with the buttons 
on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g. treble 
and bass or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at 
once.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 139Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Radio
Your radio is designed for reception of the fol-
lowing stations:
>FM and AM
>HD Radio
*
>Weather Band*
>Satellite radio*
Selecting a station
Press the knob if the sound output is switched 
off.
1."Radio"
2."FM" or "AM"3.Select the desired station.
The selected station is stored for the remote 
control currently in use.
Changing stations
Turn and press the controller
or
Press the   button for the corresponding 
direction
or
Press the buttons on the steering wheel, refer 
to page11.
Selecting a station manually
Station selection using the frequency.
1."Radio"
2."FM" or "AM"
3."Manual"
4.Select the frequency: turn the controller.
To store the station: Press the controller for an 
extended period. 

Navigation
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 153Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
4.Select the desired category.
5.To select the desired entry:
>Open "A-Z search" and enter the 
desired entry.
or
>Select the desired entry from the list.
6.Select additional categories if desired.
The tracks found are listed in alphabetical 
order.
Not all categories need to be selected. For 
example, to search for all tracks by a certain 
artist, call up that artist only. All of the tracks 
by that artist are then displayed.
7."Start play"
Restarting the music search
"New search"
Music search by voice*
For instructions on the voice activation system, 
refer to page22.
1.Press the   button on the steering wheel.
To select a track directly:
Say the voice command and the name of the 
desired track in one sentence.
Current playback
The list of tracks that was generated last by the 
music search or the album selected last.
1."Current playback"
2.Select the desired track, if necessary.
Top 50
List of the 50 most frequently played tracks.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3."Top 50"
4.Select the desired track, if necessary.
Albums
All stored albums, listed in order of their storage 
dates. Symbols indicate the format.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Select the desired album. 2.{Music search}
3.Open the desired category, e.g. {Select 
artist}.
4.Say the desired entry in the list.
5.Select additional categories if desired.
{Title …}
SymbolFormat
Audio CD
Compressed audio files 

Telephone
162
Telephone
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full preparation 
package mobile phone. After pairing a suitable 
mobile phone with the vehicle once, you can 
operate the mobile phone via the iDrive, the 
buttons on the steering wheel or using voice 
commands
*.
A mobile phone that has been paired once is 
automatically detected again with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on as soon as 
it is in the vehicle interior. The logon data of up 
to four mobile phones can be stored simulta-
neously. If several mobile phones are detected 
simultaneously, the respective last mobile 
phone paired can be operated via the vehicle.
Using a phone in your vehicle
Using snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a mobile phone 
cradle, enables the battery to be charged and 
the mobile phone to be connected to the exter-
nal antenna of your vehicle. This ensures 
improved network reception and a consistent 
voice reproduction quality. Ask your BMW cen-
ter which mobile phones snap-in adapters are 
offered for.
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in 
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your mobile 
phone's separate operating instructions for a 
detailed description of safety precautions and 
information, we request that you direct your 
particular attention to the following:
Only make entries when traffic conditions 
allow you to do so. Do not hold the mobile 
phone in your hand while you are driving; use 
the hands-free system instead. If you do not 
observe this precaution, your being distracted can endanger vehicle occupants and other road 
users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Ask your BMW center which mobile phones 
with a Bluetooth interface are supported by the 
mobile phone preparation package or which 
mobile phones snap-in adapters are available 
for. These mobile phones support the functions 
described in this Owner's Manual with a certain 
software version. Malfunctions can occur with 
other mobile phones.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone using:
>Buttons on steering wheel, refer to page11
>iDrive, refer to page16
>Voice commands
*, refer to page169
>Programmable memory buttons, refer to 
page20
Avoid operating a mobile phone recognized by 
the vehicle via the mobile phone's keypad, oth-
erwise malfunctions may result.
Commissioning
Pairing mobile phone in vehicle
The following prerequisites must be met:
>Compatible mobile phone: The mobile 
phone is supported by the full preparation 
package mobile phone. Information on this 
subject is also provided on the Internet at: 
www.bmw.com/bluetooth
>The mobile phone is ready to operate.
>Bluetooth is activated in the vehicle, refer to 
page164, and on the mobile phone.
* 

 165
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
To temporarily deactivate the Bluetooth link 
between the vehicle and your mobile phone:
1."Telephone"
2.Open "Options".
3."Bluetooth"
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob during a call to select the desired 
volume.
This volume for the hands-free system is main-
tained, even if the other audio sources are set to 
minimum volume.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions via 
iDrive:
>Accepting/refusing a call
>Dialing phone numbers
>Dialing phone numbers from the phone 
book
>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from 
the list of received calls
>Ending a callWhen the ignition is switched off or in radio 
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control 
out of the ignition switch, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Speech quality
If the person you are talking to cannot under-
stand you well, this may be due to excessively 
loud background noises. The full preparation 
package mobile phone can compensate for 
these noises to a certain extent.  To optimize 
voice quality during a call, we recommend that 
you:
>Reduce background noises, e.g. by closing 
the windows, reducing the air volume of the 
automatic climate control or pointing the 
opened front vent outlets downward
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem.
Requirements
>The logon data of the mobile phone are 
stored in the vehicle and the mobile phone 
is ready to operate.
>The engine is running or the ignition is 
switched on.
>The mobile phone is detected by the vehi-
cle.
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller 
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry 
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the   button on the steering wheel