
Controls
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Opening from outside
Press on the top half of the BMW emblem or, for 
approx. 1 second, on the   button of the 
remote control: 
The luggage compartment can be opened.
Emergency release*
Pull the lever in the cargo area. The luggage 
compartment lid is unlocked.
Closing
The handle recesses on the interior trim of the 
luggage compartment lid make it easier to 
pull down.Make sure that the closing path of the 
luggage compartment lid is clear; other-
wise, injuries may result.<
To close the luggage compartment lid, 
press it down lightly. The lid is closed 
automatically.<
Alarm system*
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the luggage com-
partment lid is opened
>To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to page34
>When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or to raise it prior to 
towing away
>When there is an interruption in the power 
supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
>Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
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 
using the   button of the remote control even 
if the alarm system is armed, refer to page30. 
The lid is locked and monitored again as soon 
as it is closed.
Panic mode*
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the   button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button. 

Controls
 59Reference
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Mobility
4.Turn the cap with the Allen wrench, arrow 1, 
and remove it, arrow 2.
5.Insert the Allen wrench into the opening, 
arrow 1.
6.Turn the Allen wrench as far as it will go, 
arrow 2. The transmission lock is released.
Do not turn the Allen wrench in the 
opposite direction as this may dam-
age the mechanism.<
7.Draw the Allen wrench out of the opening.
After parking the vehicle, lock the trans-
mission lock again, refer to Locking man-
ually. Otherwise, there is a danger of the vehicle 
rolling.
The transmission lock is locked again.
2.Clip the sleeve of the selector lever back in 
place.
3.Set the parking brake.
Jump-starting and towing, refer to page 219.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the 
resistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that a turn signal indicator 
has failed.<
Indicating a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn. 

Driving tips
 115Reference
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Mobility
Before driving into a car wash
General information on caring for your BMW 
can be found on page208.
With Comfort Access and automatic 
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the selec-
tor lever is in position N. Refer also to page208.
With Comfort Access and 7-gear sport 
automatic transmission with dual 
clutch
Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
The engine can be switched off when the trans-
mission is in position N. Refer also to page209.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. This can ultimately 
result in a sudden blowout.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or 
leak from their containers in the cargo 
area, as this could result in damage to the 
vehicle.<
Always position and secure the cargo as 
described so that it cannot endanger the 
car's occupants, for example if sudden braking 
or swerving is necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page228, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried 
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown 
around, for example as a result of heavy braking, 
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs and there will be five 150 lbs 
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of 
available cargo and luggage load capacity 
is 650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs minus 750 lbs = 650 lbs
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle. 

Things to remember when driving
116
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The 
greater the weight of the occupants, the less 
cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
Cargo area
>Load heavier cargo as far forward as possi-
ble, directly behind the cargo area partition, 
and as low as possible.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
Before opening the hardtop, fold down 
the cargo area partition. Make sure the 
cargo area is loaded correctly; otherwise, 
parts of the hardtop can be damaged, refer 
to page38.<
Lateral storage shelf
When storing objects on the lateral stor-
age shelf, do not move both seats all the 
way forward while moving them to their upper-
most position and leaning the backrests for-
ward. Otherwise, the seats could hit and dam-
age the seal on the windshield, the sun visor 
and the headliner.<
Light and small objects can be stored on the lat-
eral storage shelf.
Securing cargo
Cargo area
Secure smaller and lighter items using retaining 
straps, a cargo area net
* or draw straps*.
Lateral storage shelf
You can obtain cargo straps* from your BMW 
center. Four lashing eyes are provided behind 
the seats for attaching the cargo straps.
Adhere to the information included with the 
cargo straps. 

Giving and receiving assistance
220 2.Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+ 
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the 
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal 
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of 
the vehicle to be started.
4.Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/– 
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the 
battery or to an engine or body ground of 
the assisting vehicle. 
Your BMW has a special nut as body ground 
or negative pole.
5.Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1.Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2.Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3.Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4.Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine.<
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing 
vehicles.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
It is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit under-
neath the floor panel in the cargo area, refer 
to page212.
Use only the towing eyelet supplied with 
the vehicle and screw it in firmly until it 
stops. Use the tow fitting for towing on paved 
roads only. Avoid lateral loading of the tow fit-
ting, e.g., do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting. 
Otherwise, the tow fitting and the vehicle could 
be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Front
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the recess at the bottom left in the 
cover panel. 

Mobility
 221Reference
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Rear
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the recess at the bottom center in the 
cover panel.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page50; otherwise, the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
If the electrical system fails, do not tow-start or 
tow the vehicle. The electrical steering wheel 
lock cannot be released and the vehicle cannot 
be steered. Jump-starting, refer to page219.
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer 
to page54.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 31 mph 
or 50 km/h and a towing distance of 
31 miles/50 km; otherwise, the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.<
7-gear sport automatic transmission 
with dual clutch
Ensure that transmission lock P is not 
engaged as the rear wheels will otherwise 
be blocked.
When using the car wash function, refer to 
page209, note that the parking lock P is 
engaged automatically after approx. 30 min-
utes, blocking the rear wheels.
If an electrical malfunction occurs or if towing 
takes longer than approx. 20 minutes, manually 
release the parking lock, refer to page58.<
Do not exceed a towing speed of 31 mph 
or 50 km/h and a towing distance of 
31 miles/50 km; otherwise, the 7-gear sport 
automatic transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.< 

Giving and receiving assistance
222
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
With a tow truck
Manual and automatic transmission:
7-gear sport automatic transmission with dual 
clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to 
page219. Vehicles with a catalytic converter 
should only be tow-started when the engine 
is cold. 
Vehicles with an automatic transmission or 7-
gear sport automatic transmission with dual 
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page50.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
depressed and slowly release the clutch. 
After the engine starts, immediately 
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked. 

Reference 237
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic high beams and 
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant90
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC98
Automatic Service 
Request188
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic53
– interlock53,54
– overriding selector lever 
lock55
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position54
– sport program54
– towing220
– tow-starting220
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control97
AUX-IN port104,163
Available services188
Average fuel consumption66
– setting the units68
Average speed66
Avoid highways in 
navigation130
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms34
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights228
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support43
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment42
Backrest width adjustment43
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb214
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps214
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch219
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods221Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter180
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment104
Bass, tone setting140
Battery216
– charging216
– disposal36,216
– jump-starting219
– remote control28
– temporary power failure216
Battery for mobile phone181
Battery renewal
– remote control36
– remote control for vehicle36
Being towed221
Belts, refer to Safety belts44
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts44
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cupholders105
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate94,97
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating173
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo211
BMW Assist, 
activating186,188
BMW Assist184
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System206
BMW Search186
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders105
Brake
– parking brake52
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC78Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements69
Brake Force Display85
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display85
– replacing bulb214
Brake pads112
– breaking in112
Brake rotors114
– brakes112
– breaking in112
Brakes
– ABS78
– BMW Maintenance 
System206
– breaking in112
– service requirements69
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely114
Brake system112
– BMW Maintenance 
System206
– breaking in112
– disc brakes114
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance218
Breaking in the clutch112
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential112
Break-in period112
Brightness of Control 
Display76
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs212
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button50
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6