Technology for driving comfort and safety
86 vidual components of the system or its wiring in
any way. This includes the upholstered covers
of the steering wheel, the dashboard and the
seats. Do not attempt to remove or dismantle
the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of BMW with correspondingly
trained personnel and that has the required
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to
work on the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or to undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the
passenger airbags
The system determines whether the passenger
seat is occupied by measuring the resistance of
the human body. Front, knee and side airbags
on the passenger side are activated or deacti-
vated accordingly.
Make sure that the passenger keeps his
or her feet in the footwell; otherwise, the
passenger airbags may not function properly.<
The indicator lamp above the interior rearview
mirror shows the current status of the passen-
ger airbags, deactivated or activated, refer to
Status of passenger airbags below.
Before transporting a child on the front
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, see page48.
Malfunction of the automatic
deactivation system
The front, knee and side airbags can also be
deactivated by adolescents and adults sitting in
certain positions; the indicator lamp for the pas-
senger airbags comes on. In such cases, the
passenger should change his or her sitting
position so that the passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by
changing the sitting position, do not transport
the passenger in the vehicle.
To make sure that occupation of the seat cush-
ion can be detected correctly:
>Do not attach seat covers, seat cushion
padding, ball mats or other items to the pas-
senger seat unless they are specifically rec-
ommended by BMW.
>Do not place any items under the seat which
could press against the seat from below.<
Status of passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the passenger airbags
shows the functional status of the passenger's
front, knee and side airbags in accordance with
whether and how the passenger seat is occu-
pied. The indicator lamp shows whether the
passenger airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child
who is properly seated in a child restraint
system intended for that purpose is
detected on the seat or the seat is empty.
The front, knee and side airbags for the pas-
senger are not activated.
Lamps
90
High beams/roadside parking
lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
There is an additional option of switching on the
lamps on the side of the car facing the road
when parked.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or
down beyond the pressure point for a longer
period, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the
engine.<
Switching off
Press the lever in the opposite direction to the
pressure point, arrow 3.
High-Beam Assistant*
The concept
This system automatically switches the high
beams on and off. The procedure is controlled
by a sensor on the front of the interior rearview
mirror. The assistant ensures that the high
beams are switched on whenever the traffic sit-uation allows. It handles this task for you and
gives you the benefit of the best possible view.
You can intervene at any time and switch the
high beams on and off as usual.
Activating the system
1.Turn the light switch to position3, refer
to page88.
2.With the low beams switched on, briefly
push the turn indicator lever in the direction
of the high beam.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high beams
are activated. The system automati-
cally switches from high beams to low beams
and vice versa in response to oncoming traffic,
traffic ahead of you, and adequate ambient
lighting, e.g., on city streets.
Switching the high beams on and off
manually
Whenever you wish, or when the situation
requires, you can intervene:
>If the high-beam assistant switches on the
high beams, but you would like to drive with
the low beams, simply switch off the high
beams using the turn indicator lever. This
deactivates the high-beam assistant.
To reactivate the system, briefly push the
turn indicator lever toward the high beams
again.
>If the high-beam assistant switches on the
low beams, but you would like to drive with
the high beams, switch on the high beams
as usual. This deactivates the system and
the high beams need to be switched off
manually, if necessary.
To reactivate the system, briefly push the
turn indicator lever toward the high beams
again.
>Use the headlamp flasher as usual with the
low beams switched on.
Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
System limitations
The high-beam assistant cannot serve as
a substitute for the driver's personal judg-
m e n t o f w h e n t o u s e t h e high beams. Therefore,
manually switch off the high beams in situations
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.<
The system is not fully functional in situations
such as the following, and driver intervention
may be necessary:
>In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation
>In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and
wagons; when driving close to train or ship
traffic; and at animal crossings
>In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming
traffic on highways
>In poorly lit towns and cities and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>At low speeds
>When the windshield in front of the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov-
ered with stickers, etc.
>If the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor on
the front of the interior rearview mirror using
a cloth moistened with a small amount of
glass cleaner.
Switching off via iDrive
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."High beam assistant"
The high-beam assistant is activated and
is stored for the remote control currently in use.
Instrument lighting
You can adjust the brightness of the instrument
lighting only when the parking lamps or the low
beams are switched on.
1.Push button 1 up or down repeatedly until
the appropriate symbol appears in the dis-
play, accompanied by the brightness set-
ting and scale the word "SET".
2.Press button 2.
3.Push button 1 up or down to select the
desired brightness level.
4.Press button 2.
The display again shows the outside tem-
perature and the time.
Things to remember when driving
112
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Do not drive with full-throttle operation, and do
not use the transmission's kickdown mode or
Launch Control.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking
certain measures, adjusting your driving style
and having the vehicle serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you
have finished using them
Remove additional mirrors and the luggage rack
when they are no longer in use. Mounted parts
affect the vehicle's aerodynamics and increase
fuel consumption.
Close both windows
An open window causes higher air resistance
and thus increases fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check the tire inflation pressure at least twice a
month and before embarking on a long journey,
and correct it if necessary.
Low tire inflation pressure causes higher rolling
resistance and thus increases fuel consumption
and tire wear.
Set off immediately
Do not let the engine warm up while the car is
still standing, but set off immediately at moder-
ate engine speed. This is the fastest way for the
cold engine to reach its operating temperature.
Care
208
Care
Care products
Regular cleaning and care contributes signifi-
cantly to the value retention of your BMW.
BMW recommends cleaning and caring for your
vehicle with products that are approved by
BMW for this purpose.
Your BMW center will be happy to advise you on
the products and services available for cleaning
and caring for your BMW.
Original BMW CareProducts have been
material-tested, laboratory-checked and
proven in the field, and offer optimal care and
protection for your vehicle.<
Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol
or solvents as these may result in
damage.<
Cleaning agents can contain substances
that are dangerous or hazardous to your
health. Therefore, follow the warning and safety
instructions on the packaging. When cleaning
inside the vehicle, always open the doors or
windows of the vehicle. In enclosed areas, pro-
vide for sufficient ventilation. Only use products
designed for cleaning vehicles.<
Exterior care
Washing the vehicle
Especially during the winter months,
ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently. Heavy soiling and road salt can lead
to vehicle damage.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise,
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and brake discs can corrode.<
Automatic car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use high-pressure car washes;
otherwise, water may drip into the vehicle
around the windows.<
Before driving into a car wash, ensure that it is
suitable for your BMW. Check the following:
>Dimensions of your vehicle, refer
to page227.
>If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors,
refer to page45.
>Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with guide rail heights
over 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, there is dan-
ger of damaging chassis parts.<
Preparations before driving into an automatic
car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna
*.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to avoid unin-
tentional activation of the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g., spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control, even with Com-
fort Access, into the ignition lock.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Mobility
209Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
7-gear sport automatic transmission
with dual clutch
Before driving into an automatic car wash, per-
form the following steps to ensure that the vehi-
cle can roll:
1.Insert the remote control, even with Com-
fort Access, into the ignition lock.
2.Engage transmission position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Leave the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Transmission position P is engaged:
>Automatically after approx. 30 minutes
>When you take the remote control out of the
ignition lock
Steam jets / high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain suffi-
cient clearance to the vehicle and do not exceed
a temperature of 1407/606.
Insufficient clearance or excessive pressure or
temperature can lead to component damage or
water penetration. Follow the operating instruc-
tions of the high-pressure washer.<
When using high-pressure washers, do
not spray against the seals of the retract-
able hardtop, the sensors and the cameras, e.g.,
of the Park Distance Control or Rear View Cam-
era, for an extended period and maintain a dis-
tance of at least 12 in/30 cm.<
Manual car wash
When washing the vehicle by hand, use large
quantities of water and car shampoo if neces-
sary. Clean the vehicle with a sponge or wash-
ing brush, applying light pressure only.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or switch off the igni-
tion to prevent unintentional activation of the
wipers.<
Observe local regulations pertaining to
washing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not rub them dry and do not use abrasive or
corrosive cleaning agents.
Loosen dirt, e.g., insects, with shampoo or
insect remover and wash away with copious
quantities of water.
Thaw ice with a windshield deicer and do not
use an ice scraper.
Windows
Clean the inside and outside surfaces of the
windows and the mirrors with window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners
containing quartz.<
Retractable hardtop
Proceed as you would in a normal car wash.
When you open a wet hardtop, water
drops may run into the cargo area. If nec-
essary, remove items from the cargo area
beforehand to avoid water stains or soiling.<
Paintwork care
Regular care contributes to value retention and
protects the paintwork against the long-term
effects of damaging substances.
Region-specific environmental influences can
damage the vehicle paintwork. Therefore, it is
important to adapt the frequency and scope of
car care accordingly.
Immediately remove aggressive materials such
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap
or bird droppings to prevent damage to the
paintwork.
Repairing paintwork damage
Immediately repair scratches or similar
damage, such as that caused by stones
hitting the vehicle, where necessary to prevent
rusting.<
BMW recommends having paintwork damage
repaired by a professional paint repair work-
shop according to BMW specifications using
original BMW paint materials.
Replacing components
216
Vehicle battery
Battery care
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate cli-
mate. Your BMW center will be glad to advise in
all matters concerning the battery.
Battery replacement
Only used approved batteries.
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manufacturer;
otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged
and systems or functions may not be fully
available.<
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your service center
to ensure that all comfort functions are fully
available.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via the
terminals in the engine compartment with the
engine off. Connections, refer to Jump-starting
on page219.
Disposal
Have old batteries disposed of by your
BMW center or bring them to a recycling
center. Maintain the battery in an upright posi-
tion for transport and storage. Always secure
the battery against tipping over during
transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer
to page71.
>Radio
In some cases, stations may have to be
stored again, refer to page144.
>Navigation system
Operability must be waited for, refer
to page120.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer
to page43.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer
to page103.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating; oth-
erwise, this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
1.Remove the screws 1 using the screwdriver
from the onboard vehicle tool kit.
2.Remove the cover2, unwinding the cable to
the footwell lamp
*, if necessary.
Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system113
Exterior mirrors45
– adjusting45
– automatic dimming
feature46
– automatic heating46
– folding in and out45
External audio device104
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away220
– for tying down loads116
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control73
Failure of an electrical
consumer216
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm34
– switching off an alarm34
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts44
Fastest route for
navigation130
Fast forward
– CD changer153
– CD player153
Fault
– parking brake53
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control98
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner95
First aid pouch219
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock50
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– run-flat tires199
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM82Flat Tire Monitor FTM81
– indicating a flat tire81
– indicator/warning lamp81
– initializing the system81
– snow chains81,200
– system limits81
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition198
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir61
FM, waveband143
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash45
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely114
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps92
Forward gear, engaging, refer
to Transmission
positions56
For your own safety5
Free memory capacity, music
collection161
Front airbags85
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor81
Fuel193
– average consumption66
– gauge65
– high-quality brands193
– quality193
– specifications
193
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities228
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge65
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge65
Fuel filler flap192
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction192
Fuses216
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control100Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption66
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel193
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge65
Gas station
recommendations131
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster56
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic53
Gears, changing57
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic54
– manual transmission53
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic54
– manual transmission53
General driving notes113
Glove compartment103
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system120
Grills, refer to Air vents93
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights228
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake52
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD Radio144
Head airbags85
Headlamp control,
automatic88
Headlamp flasher59
– indicator lamp11,13
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window95,98
– seats43