
At a glance
 21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Letters and numbers
Entering letters and numbers
1.Turn the controller: select the letters or 
numbers.
2.Select additional letters or numbers if 
needed.
3."OK": confirm entry.
Switching between letters and 
numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch 
between entering letters and numbers:
Wordmatch concept during navigation
Entry of names and addresses: the selection is 
narrowed down every time a letter is entered 
and letters may be added automatically.
Destination search: the entries are continuously 
compared to the data stored in the vehicle.
>The only letters offered for entering 
addresses are those for which data are 
available.
>Town/city names can be entered with the 
spelling used in any of the languages avail-
able on the Control Display.
SymbolFunction
Press the controller: delete 
one letter or number
Press the controller for an 
extended period: delete all 
letters or numbers
Enter a blank space
SymbolFunction
Entering letters
Entering numbers
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Voice activation system
22
Voice activation system
The concept
The voice activation system allows you to con-
trol operation of various vehicle systems with-
out ever removing your hands from the steering 
wheel.
Individual menu items on the Control Display 
can be spoken as commands. This frees you of 
having to use the controller.
The voice activation system transforms your 
oral commands into control signals for the 
selected systems and provides support in the 
form of instructions or questions.
The voice activation system uses a special 
microphone located in the area of the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to page14.
Precondition
Using iDrive, set the language that applies for 
the voice activation system in order to enable 
identification of the spoken commands. To set 
the language of iDrive, refer to page81.
Symbols in Owner's Manual
Voice commands
Activating voice command system
1.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
 This symbol on the Control Display and 
an acoustic signal tell you that the voice 
activation system can respond to com-
mands.2.Say the command. 
The command is displayed on the Control 
Display.
 This symbol appears on the Control Display 
when you can enter additional commands. 
If no other commands are possible, then oper-
ate the equipment via iDrive.
Terminating or canceling voice 
command system
Press the  button on the steering wheel 
or
In dialogs that call for a text of your choice, the 
procedure can only be canceled using the but-
ton on the steering wheel.
Possible commands
The commands available in each case depend 
on the menu item selected on the Control Dis-
play.
To have the available commands read aloud:
For example, if "CD/DVD" is selected, the com-
mands for operating CD/Multimedia are read 
aloud.
Running functions directly with short 
commands
With short commands you can carry out certain 
functions directly, regardless of which menu 
item is selected, refer to page273.
*
{...} Say the specified commands word for 
word. 
{{...}} Indicates responses of the voice acti-
vation system.
{Cancel}
{Voice commands}
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At a glance
 23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Example: selecting the track of a CD
1.Switch on Entertainment sound output if 
necessary.
2.Press the  button on the steering wheel.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system should use the 
standard dialog or a shorter variant. In the 
shorter variant of the voice dialog, the prompts 
and responses from the system are abbrevi-
ated.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"
4.Select a setting:
>"Default"
>"Short"
Notes
To operate the phone by voice, refer to 
page209.<
For voice commands, bear in mind the follow-
ing:
>Do not use the voice activation system to 
initiate an Emergency Request. In stressful 
situations, the voice and vocal pitch can 
change. This can unnecessarily delay the 
establishment of a telephone connection.>Say the commands and numbers smoothly 
and at normal volume, avoiding excessive 
emphases and pauses. This also applies 
when spelling out and saying a full word 
during destination entry.
>When selecting a radio station, use the 
common pronunciation of the station name.
>For entries in the voice-activated phone 
book, only use names in the language of the 
voice activation system and no abbrevia-
tions.
>Keep doors, windows, and glass sunroof
*/
panorama glass sunroof
* closed in order to 
avoid unpleasant outside noise.
>Avoid making other noise in the vehicle 
while speaking. 3.Select the music track, e.g.: 
{C D track 4}
System says: 
{{Track 4}}
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Opening and closing
26
Opening and closing
Keys/remote control
Each remote control contains a battery which is 
automatically charged in the ignition lock while 
driving. Drive a longer distance with each 
remote control at least twice a year to keep the 
battery charged. For comfort access
*, the 
remote control contains a replaceable battery, 
refer to page37.
Depending on which remote control is detected 
by the vehicle during unlocking, different set-
tings are called up and carried out in the vehicle, 
refer to Personal Profile, page26.
Information on the required maintenance is also 
stored in the remote control, refer to Service 
data in remote control, page244.
Integrated key
Press button1 to unlock the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
>Driver's door, refer to page29
>Floor panel flap in cargo bay, refer to 
page124
New remote controls
To obtain additional or replace lost keys, new 
remote controls with an integrated key are 
available at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set a number of functions of your BMW 
individually according to your preferences. Per-
sonal Profile ensures that most of these set-
tings are stored for the remote control currently 
in use without you having to do anything. When 
the vehicle is unlocked, the corresponding 
remote control is detected and the settings 
stored for it are called up and carried out.
This means that you will always find your BMW 
set to your own personal settings even if 
another person with his/her own remote control 
and settings has used the vehicle since the last 
time you drove it. The individual settings are 
stored for a maximum of four remote controls, 
for two with comfort access
*.
Personal Profile settings
Details on the settings are provided on the 
specified pages.
>Behavior of the central locking system 
when unlocking vehicle, refer to page28
>Automatic locking of the vehicle, refer to 
page30
>Displays on Control Display:
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page80
>Measuring units for consumption, route/
distances, temperature, and pressure, 
refer to page80
>Language on Control Display, refer to 
page81
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Everything under control
80
Setting time format
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Format:"
4.Select the desired format and press the 
controller.
The time format is stored.
Setting date
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Date:"
4.Turn the controller until the desired day is 
displayed, and press the controller.
5.Create the necessary settings for the 
month and year.
The date is stored.
Setting the date format
1."Settings"
2."Time/Date"
3."Format:"
4.Select the desired format.
The date format is stored.
Brightness of Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the basic setting.
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.
Setting the units of measure
You can change the units of measure for con-
sumption, distances, temperature and pres-
sure.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3.Select the desired menu item.
4.Select the desired unit.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
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Controls
 81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Language on Control Display
set language
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.
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.
Volume of warning tones
You can raise or lower the volume of the warn-
ing signals, e.g. the safety belt reminder, in rela-
tion to the entertainment sound output. The 
warning tones have a specified minimum and 
maximum volume that cannot be dropped 
below or exceeded.
1."Settings"
2."Tone"
3."Volume settings"
>"Speed volume": adaptation of the vol-
ume as a function of vehicle speed
>"PDC": volume of the PDC
* signal tone 
in comparison to entertainment sound 
output
>"Gong": volume of the signal tone, e.g. 
for the safety belt reminder, in compari-
son to entertainment sound output
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Controls
 117Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
The display indicates the cardinal or intercardi-
nal direction in which you are currently driving.
Operating principle
You can run various functions by pressing the 
adjustment button with a pointed object, e.g. a 
ball-point pen etc. The following setting options 
are displayed consecutively, depending on how 
long the adjustment button is pressed:
>Press briefly: switch display on/off
>3 to 6 seconds: set compass zone
>6 to 9 seconds: calibrate compass
>9 to 12 seconds: set left/right-hand drive 
vehicle
>12 to 15 seconds: set language
Setting compass zones
Set the respectively applicable compass zone 
in your vehicle so that the compass functions 
properly, refer to the map of the world with 
compass zones.
To set the compass zones, press the adjust-
ment button for approx. 3-4 seconds. The dis-
play indicates the number of the currently set 
compass zone.To change the zone setting, briefly press the 
adjusting button repeatedly until the number of 
the compass zone that applies to your current 
position is displayed.
The compass will be operational again after 
approx. 10 seconds.
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Practical interior accessories
118
Calibrating digital compass
Calibrate the digital compass In the following 
situations:
>The wrong cardinal direction appears on 
the display.
>The cardinal direction displayed does not 
change despite a change in the direction of 
travel.
>Not all cardinal directions are displayed.
Procedure
1.Make sure that there are no large metal 
objects or overhead power lines in the vicin-
ity of your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2.Enter the currently applicable compass 
zone.
3.Press the adjustment button for approx. 
6-7 seconds to display C. Then drive in a 
complete circle at least once at a maximum 
speed of 4 mph/7 km/h.
If the calibration is successful, display C is 
replaced with the points of the compass.
Setting right/left-hand drive vehicle
Your digital compass is already set to right or 
left-hand drive vehicle to match your vehicle at 
the factory.
Setting language
You can set the language of the display.
Press the adjustment button for approx. 
12-13 seconds. Briefly press the adjustment 
button again to change between English "E" 
and German "O".
The setting is automatically stored after approx. 
10 seconds.
Roller sun blinds for rear side 
windows*
Pull the loop of the roller sun blind and hook 
onto bracket.
Do not open the window with the roller 
blind raised, as otherwise there is a dan-ger of damage, and therefore a danger of inju-
ries at higher speeds.<
Glove compartment
Opening
Press the button. The covers open upward and 
downward and the lighting in the glove com-
partment switches on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Closing
Press one of the two covers closed.
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to 
page178.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB audio interface.
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