
At a glance
 13Reference
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Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Some lamps are checked for proper functioning 
and thus come on briefly when the engine is 
started or the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the upper edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
You can call up more information, e.g., on the 
cause of a malfunction and on how to respond, 
via Check Control, refer to page73.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps notify you that 
certain functions are active:
High beams/headlamp flasher90
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability78
Parking brake set52
Canada: Parking brake set52
Engine malfunction with adverse 
effect on exhaust emissions207
Canada: Engine malfunction with 
adverse effect on exhaust 
emissions207 

Opening and closing
36
Before driving a vehicle with automatic 
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert the remote control into the ignition 
switch.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Comfort Access may malfunction due to local 
radio waves. If this happens, open or close the 
vehicle via the buttons on the remote control or 
using the integrated key. To start the engine 
afterward, insert the remote control into the 
ignition switch.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning. Take the remote 
control with you inside the vehicle or have it 
checked. If necessary, insert another remote 
control into the ignition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page28.
2.Remove the cover.
3.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car; otherwise, children could operate 
the electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.< 

Controls
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Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and 
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. In addi-
tion, a message will appear on the Control 
Display.
Check coolant level, refer to page204.
Engine oil temperature*
When the engine is at normal operating 
temperature, the engine oil temperature is 
between approx. 2107/1006 and approx. 
3007/1506.
If the engine oil temperature is too high, a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 14.5 US gallons/
55 liters.
You can find information on refueling 
on page192.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period, 
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for 
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve 
zone, a message briefly appears on the Control 
Display and the cruising range for the remaining 
amount of fuel is displayed on the computer. 
Under a cruising range of approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains in the Control 
Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your 
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km; otherwise, engine functions are not 
ensured and damage can occur.<
Computer
Displays in the instrument cluster
Calling up information
Press the button in the turn indicator lever.
The following items of information are dis-
played in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
>Current fuel consumption
*
>No information
To set the corresponding units of measure, 
refer to Units of measure on page68. 

Controls overview
68
Settings and information
Operating principle
1Button for:
>Selecting display
>Setting values
2Button for:
>Confirming selected display or set 
values
>Calling up computer information65
3When the lights are on: instrument lighting 
brightness91
4Calling up Check Control73
5Checking engine oil level202
6Setting the time71
7Setting the date72
8Viewing service requirement display69
Exiting displays
The outside temperature reading and the time 
reappear when you press button2 or if you 
make no entries within approx. 15 seconds. If 
required, complete the current setting first.
Units of measure
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. 

Telephone
172
Following the initial pairing
>The mobile phone is detected/connected in 
the vehicle within 2 minutes if the engine is 
running or the ignition is switched on.
>As soon as a mobile phone is detected by 
the vehicle, the phone book entries stored 
on the SIM card or on your mobile phone are 
transmitted to the vehicle. This transmis-
sion is dependent on your mobile phone, 
refer to the operating instructions of the 
mobile phone if necessary, and can take 
several minutes.
>Four mobile phones can be paired.
>Specific settings may be necessary in some 
mobile phones, e.g., authorization or a 
secure connection, refer to the mobile 
phone operating instructions.
If not all phone book entries are displayed:
>Transfer all phone book entries from the 
SIM card to the mobile phone, if necessary.
>Phone book entries with special characters 
may not be displayed.
Checks to perform if pairing is 
unsuccessful
>Is the mobile phone supported by the 
mobile phone preparation package? You 
can obtain information on the Internet at: 
www.bmw.com/bluetooth.
>Do the Bluetooth passkeys on the mobile 
phone and vehicle match? The same Blue-
tooth passkey must be entered on the 
mobile phone's display and via iDrive.
>Did it take you more than 30 seconds to 
enter the Bluetooth passkey? Then repeat 
the pairing procedure.
>Are too many Bluetooth devices connected 
to the mobile phone? If so, delete the con-
nections with other devices on the mobile 
phone.
>Is the mobile phone no longer responding? 
Switch the mobile phone off and on or 
briefly disconnect the power supply.>Repeat the pairing procedure.
>If all items on the list have been checked 
and the mobile phone still cannot be paired, 
please contact Customer Relations.
Connecting a particular mobile phone
If more than one mobile phone is detected by 
the vehicle, the mobile phone at the top of the 
list is connected. A different mobile phone can 
be connected by selecting it.
1."Telephone"
2."Bluetooth"
3.Select the desired mobile phone.
Unpairing the mobile phone from the 
vehicle
1."Telephone"
2."Bluetooth"
3.Highlight the mobile phone that is to be 
unpaired.
4.Open "Options".
5."Remove phone from list"
The unpaired mobile phone is deleted from 
the list.
The phone book entries and the lists of 
stored phone numbers are deleted as well. 

Under the hood
204 >"Measurement inactive. Have this 
checked."
Do not add engine oil. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page69. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Adding engine oil
Do not add 1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until 
a corresponding message is shown on the 
Control Display.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km; 
otherwise, the engine damage could 
occur.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the relevant 
warnings on the containers. Otherwise, health 
hazards may result.<
Oil change
Have oil changed only at your BMW center or at 
a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel.
Oil types
Do not use oil additives as these may 
cause engine damage.<
Specified engine oils
Your service center can advise you on which 
engine oils have been approved by the manu-
facturer of your vehicle.
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the 
engine.Approved oils can be identified by the following 
specification:
Approved oils belong to the following viscosity 
classes: SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40 
and SAE 5W-30.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up 
to 1 US quart/1 liter of another oil with the fol-
lowing specification may be used:
API SM or higher
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of half water and half additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your BMW. Ask your BMW center for 
suitable additives.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, 
engine damage may result. Because 
additives are harmful to your health, it is 
important to follow the instructions on the con-
tainers.<
Comply with the appropriate environ-
mental protection regulations when dis-
posing of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the engine hood before the 
engine has cooled down.
2.Turn the expansion tank cap counterclock-
wise slightly to allow any accumulated pres-
sure to escape, then continue turning 
to open.
Preferred: BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Alternative: BMW Longlife-98 

Mobility
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Socket for Onboard 
Diagnosis OBD
Primary components that make up exhaust 
emissions can be checked by a device via the 
OBD socket.
This socket is located under a cover on the left 
on the driver's side.
Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp lights up:
The vehicle emissions are raised. The 
trip can be continued. Have the car 
checked as soon as possible.
Canadian models display this warn-
ing lamp.
The lamp flashes under certain condi-
tions. This indicates excessive misfiring in the 
engine. If this happens, you should reduce your 
speed and visit your nearest BMW center as 
soon as possible. Severe engine misfiring can 
quickly lead to serious damage of emissions-
related components, especially the catalytic 
converter.
The warning lamp comes on if the gas 
cap is not properly tightened and the 
OBD system assumes that fuel vapor 
is escaping. If the gas cap is then tightened, the 
warning lamp should go out within a few days.
Data recorders
Your vehicle may be equipped with one or sev-
eral measuring or diagnostic modules or a 
device for recording or sending certain vehicle 
data or information. In addition, if you have 
signed a service contract for BMW Assist, cer-
tain vehicle data may be transmitted or 
recorded in order to facilitate the corresponding 
services. 

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.