
At a glance
 11Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
8Shift paddles59
9Buttons on steering wheel
10Instrument cluster12
13Ignition lock55
14Horn, entire surface17Releasing hood192
Mobile phone
*162:
>Press: accepting and ending a 
call, starting dialing
* of 
selected phone number and 
redialing if no phone number is 
selected
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
* 22
Changing radio station139
Selecting music track144
Scrolling in phone book and in lists 
with stored phone numbers
MDrive, call up individual 
settings50
Changing entertainment source
11
Windshield wipers62
Rain sensor62
12Starting/stopping engine and 
switching ignition on/off 55
15
Steering wheel heater
*50
Steering wheel adjustment50
16
Cruise control63
18Opening luggage compartment 
lid31
19
Head-up Display
*86
20
Parking lamps89
Low beams89
Welcome lamps89
Automatic headlamp control89 
Daytime running lamps
*90
Welcome lamps89 
Adaptive Light Control
*90 
High-beam Assistant
*91
21
Instrument lighting93 

Controls
 33Reference
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Convertible: increasing luggage 
compartment capacity
With the convertible top closed, you can 
increase the luggage compartment capacity:
To do so, unfold the handle and press it down-
ward in the direction of travel, refer to arrow. 
This moves the convertible top compartment 
floor into the raised position.
Before opening the convertible top, carry out 
this procedure in reverse order.
The convertible top cannot be opened if 
the convertible top compartment floor is 
in the raised position.<
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>To the opening of a door, the hood, or the 
luggage compartment lid
>To movements in the vehicle interior: inte-
rior motion sensor, refer to page34
>To changes in the vehicle's tilt if someone 
attempts to steal the wheels or tow the 
vehicle
>To interruptions in battery voltage
Unauthorized operations are briefly signaled by 
the alarm system:
>with an acoustic alarm
>by switching on
 the hazard warning flashers
>by flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming alarm system
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
You can open the luggage compartment lid, 
even with the system armed, by using the 
button of the remote control, refer to 
page29. When the luggage compartment lid is 
closed, it is once again locked and monitored.
Switching off alarm
>Unlock the vehicle using the remote control, 
refer to page28, or
>insert the remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Indicator lamp displays
>The indicator lamp below the interior rear-
view mirror flashes continuously: the sys-
tem is armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes after locking: the 
doors, hood or luggage compartment lid are 
not properly closed. Even if you do not close 
the alerted area, the system begins to mon-
itor the remaining areas, and the indicator 
lamp flashes continuously after approx. 
10 seconds. However, the interior motion 
sensor is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
your vehicle has not been disturbed while 
you were away.
>The indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote control is inserted into the 
ignition lock, however for a maximum of 
approx. 5 minutes: your vehicle has been 
disturbed while you were away. 

Opening and closing
34
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
Coupe:
The condition for proper operation of the inte-
rior motion sensor is closed windows.
Convertible:
Monitors the interior up to the height of the seat 
cushions. This means that the alarm system, 
including the interior motion sensor, is armed 
even if the convertible top is open. Falling 
objects, e.g. leaves, can trigger false alarms, 
refer to Avoiding unintentional alarms.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
>In two-level garages
>When transporting on car-carrying trains, 
by sea or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote control 
again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access*
Comfort Access allows you to access your vehi-
cle without having to hold the remote control in 
your hand. It is sufficient to carry the remote 
control with you, e.g. in your jacket pocket. The 
vehicle automatically detects the associated 
remote control in the immediate vicinity or in 
the interior.Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
>Unlocking/locking vehicle
>Convenient closing with Coupe
>Opening luggage compartment lid sepa-
rately
>Starting engine
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the luggage compartment lid 
can only be locked if the vehicle detects that 
the remote control you are carrying is out-
side the vehicle.
>The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started if the vehicle 
detects that the remote control is located in 
the vehicle.
Comparison with ordinary remote 
control
You can control the functions mentioned previ-
ously with the Comfort Access or by pressing 
the buttons on the remote control. Therefore, 
please familiarize yourself with the information 
on opening and closing beginning on page26 
beforehand.
The special features when using Comfort 
Access are described in the following.
Should a short delay occur when opening 
or closing the windows or the convertible 
top, the system is checking whether a remote 
control is located in the vehicle. Please repeat 
opening or closing if necessary.< 

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
 75Reference
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Mobility
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sounds for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late.<
Switching on automatically
The system starts to operate approx. one sec-
ond after you shift into reverse or move the 
selector lever into position R with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short time before driving off.
Switching on manually
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ing jets for long periods and maintain a distance 
of at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
Exhaust gases near the rear sensors can cause 
a signal tone to sound.
PDC with visual warning*
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are already shown there before a  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
76 signal tone sounds. The display appears on the 
Control Display as soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstacles always remains with 
the driver. Even when sensors are provided, 
there is a blind spot in which objects can no 
longer be detected. The system is also subject 
to the physical limits that apply to all forms of 
ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, or thin and wedge-shaped objects etc. 
Low objects already displayed, e. g. curbs, can 
also disappear from the detection area of the 
sensors again before or after a continuous tone 
already sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. 
ledges, cannot be detected. For this reason, 
drive with care; otherwise, there is a danger of 
personal injury or property damage.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the 
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page109.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking 
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
produces maximum braking force boosting and 
thus helps to achieve the shortest possible 
braking distance during full braking maneuvers. 
This system exploits all of the benefits provided 
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC optimizes vehicle stability and traction. It 
also detects unstable driving states such as 
understeering and oversteering, and helps 
keep the vehicle on course within the physical 
limits by reducing the engine output and by 
braking at the wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the 
engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin further by taking risks.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly 
after the engine is started. 
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con-
trols the drive forces and brake forces. 
The indicator lamp stays lit: DSC is deactivated.
M Dynamic Mode MDM
The M Dynamic Mode is a mode of the DSC 
Dynamic Stability Control. It enables driving 
with greater longitudinal and lateral accelera-
tion on dry road surfaces, however with limited 
vehicle stability. The system does not provide 
stabilizing intervention by reducing the engine 
output and braking at the wheels until the abso-
lute driving limit is reached. Steering correc-
tions by the driver may also be required in this 
driving state. 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams and welcome lamps
3Automatic headlamp control, daytime run-
ning lamps
*, welcome lamps, Adaptive 
Light Control
* and High-beam Assistant*
If you open the driver's door with the ignition 
switched off, the exterior lighting is switched off 
when the light switch is in position2 or 3. The 
daytime running lamps have already been 
switched off at the same time as the ignition.
For this reason, switch on the side marker 
lamps as needed, switch position1; otherwise, 
the vehicle is not lit.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side 
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the 
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do 
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is preferable to 
switch on the roadside parking lamps on one 
side, refer to page91.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is 
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control
In switch position3, the system activates the 
low beams and switches them on or off in 
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk 
and in case of precipitation. Adaptive Light 
Control
* is active. The LED next to the symbol 
lights up when the low beams are on.
You can also change to the daytime running 
lamps, refer to page90. In the situation 
described above, the lamps switch to the low 
beams.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can 
cause the lights to be switched on.
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors 
cannot detect fog of hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should always switch on the 
low beams manually under these conditions.<
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in position2 or 3 
when parking the vehicle, then when you unlock 
the vehicle, the parking lamps and interior light-
ing remain illuminated for a brief time.
Activating/deactivating welcome 
lamps
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting" 

Controls
 91Reference
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Mobility
High beams/
roadside parking lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one 
side of your vehicle when parking.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the resistance point, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not leave them switched on for 
long periods of time, otherwise it may no longer 
be possible to start the engine.<
Switching off
Briefly press the lever in the opposite direction 
up to the resistance point, arrow3.
High-beam Assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off. A sensor on the front side of 
the inside rearview mirror controls the process. 
The assistant makes sure that the high beams 
are switched on whenever traffic conditions 
permit. This relieves you of the burden of con-
stantly switching back and forth and simulta-
neously provides you with the best possible vis-
ibility. Naturally, you can intervene at any time to 
switch the high beams on and off as usual.
Activating system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer to 
page89.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly 
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam 
direction.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the High-beam 
Assistant is activated. The system 
automatically switches between high beams 
and low beams, reacting to oncoming traffic, 
vehicles ahead of you, and sufficiently lit areas, 
e.g. in built-up zones.
Manually switching between high 
beams and low beams
If you wish or the situation requires, you can 
intervene at any time.
>If the High-beam Assistant has switched on 
the high beams, but you wish to use the low 
beams, just switch on the low beams with 
the turn signal lever. This deactivates the 
High-beam Assistant. 
In order to reactivate the system, briefly 
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam 
direction.
>If the High-beam Assistant has switched on 
the low beams, but you wish to use the high 
beams, simply switch on the high beams as 
usual. This deactivates the system and it is 
up to you to switch back to low beams.
In order to reactivate the system, briefly 
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam 
direction.
>When the low beams are on, use the head-
lamp flasher as usual.