Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a partic-
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer
to page236.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
22Letters and numbers
23Voice activation system
Controls
28Opening and closing
41Adjustments
48Transporting children safely
50Driving
64Controls overview
77Technology for driving comfort and
safety
88Lamps
93Climate
100Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
112Things to remember when driving
Navigation
120Navigation system
121Destination entry
130Destination guidance
137What to do if…
Entertainment
140On/off and tone
143Radio
146Satellite radio
151CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
158Music collection
163External devices
Communications
170Telephone
182Contacts
184BMW Assist
Mobility
192Refueling
194Wheels and tires
201Under the hood
206Maintenance
208Care
212Replacing components
218Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
226Technical data
229Short commands for the voice activation
system
236Everything from A to Z
On/off and tone
140
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
>CD/DVD player
>CD/DVD changer
*
>Video*
>External devices, e.g., MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled
using the:
>Buttons near the CD/DVD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer
to page10
>Programmable memory keys, refer
to page21
>Voice activation system
Buttons near the CD/DVD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off,
volume
>Press: switch on/off
When the system is switched on, the
most recently selected radio station or
track is played.
>Turn: Adjusting volume
2 Ejecting a CD/DVD
3CD/DVD drive4FM/AM: change the radio station
waveband
5MODE: change the audio and video
sources
6 Station scan/track search
>Change the radio station
>Select the track for the CD/DVD player,
CD/DVD changer and certain multimedia
devices
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button1 next to the CD/DVD player.
This symbol on the Control Display indicates
that sound output is switched off.
The sound output is available for approx.
20 minutes after the ignition is switched off.
For sound output, switch the unit back on.
Adjusting volume
Turn button1 next to the CD/DVD player until
the desired volume is obtained.
You can also adjust the volume with buttons on
the steering wheel, refer to page10.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g., treble
and bass or the speed-dependent volume
increase.
The tone settings are applied to all audio
sources.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
151Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
CD/DVD playback
Inserting a CD/DVD
Insert the CD/DVD into the drive with the
printed side up. The CD/DVD is drawn in auto-
matically.
Playback starts automatically if the sound out-
put is on. When playing CDs/DVDs with com-
pressed audio files, it may take several minutes
to read in the data, depending on the directory
structure.
Playable formats
CD/DVD player
>DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-
RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, DVD
audio (video part only), DVD video
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA,
VCD, SVCD
>Compressed audio files: MP3, WMA, AAC
CD changer
*
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA
DVD changer
*
>DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-
RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, DVD
audio (video part only), DVD video, CD: CD-
ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, VCD, SVCD
Starting playback
Via iDrive
Fill the CD/DVD magazine and insert it, refer
to page155.
To start playback if a CD is already located in
the player or changer:
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD:
Ejecting a CD/DVD
Press the button next to the CD/DVD player.
The CD/DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
*
SymbolFunction
CD/DVD player
CD/DVD changer
CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
152
Audio playback
Selecting a track using the button
Press the button for the appropriate
direction as often as necessary until the desired
track is reached.
Selecting a track using iDrive
Audio CDs
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Select the desired track to begin playback.
CDs/CDs/DVDs with compressed audio
files*
Depending on the data, some letters and num-
bers of the CD/DVD may not be displayed cor-
rectly.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Select the directory, if necessary.
To change to a higher level directory: Move
the controller to the left.5.Select a track and press the controller.
Displaying information about the
track*
If information about a track has been stored, it is
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks on the CD/DVD
>Track file name
Random play sequence
The tracks on the current CD/DVD are played
once each in random order.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Open "Options".
CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
154
Video menu
To open the Video menu:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Press the controller when "Back" is dis-
played.
The Video menu is displayed:
In fast forward/reverse: the speed increases
every time the controller is pressed. To stop,
start playback.
DVD menu
1.If necessary, turn the controller to open the
video menu.
2. "DVD menu"
The DVD menu is displayed. The display
depends on the contents of the DVD.
>To select menu items: move and press the
controller.
>To change to the Video menu: turn the con-
troller and select "Back".
DVD/VCD settings
For some DVDs, settings can only be made via
the DVD menu; refer also to the information on
your DVD.
Language*
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Audio/language"
4.Select the desired language.
The languages that are available depend on
the DVD.
Subtitles*
Subtitles can be selected if they are contained
on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Subtitles"
4.Select the desired language or "Do not dis-
play subtitles".
Brightness, contrast, color
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Display settings"
SymbolFunction
Open the DVD menu
*
Start playback
Pause
Stop
Next chapter/next track
Previous chapter/previous
track
Fast forward
Reverse
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
155Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
4."Brightness", "Contrast" or "Color"
5.Turn the controller until the desired setting
is displayed, and then press the controller.
Zoom
Display the video image on the full screen.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Zoom mode"
Selecting track
DVD video:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Select title"
5.Select the desired track.
VCD/SVCD:
1. "Select track"
2.Select the desired track.
Camera angle*
The camera angle depends on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Viewing angle"
5.Select the desired camera angle.
Opening the main menu, back
These functions are not contained on every
DVD. Therefore, they may not be available
for use.
CD/DVD changer*
The BMW CD/DVD changer for six CDs/DVDs is
located in the glove compartment.
Press the lever.
The CD/DVD changer drops down.
To close the CD/DVD changer, fold it back up.
CD/DVD player and CD/DVD changer
156
Controls and displays
1Empty CD/DVD compartments
2LEDs on the CD/DVD slot
flash when a CD/DVD can be inserted.
3Buttons for the CD/DVD compartments
LED lights up when the CD/DVD compart-
ment is filled.
4CD/DVD slot
5Load CD/DVD compartments
Filling the CD/DVD changer
1. Press the button.
The LED on the first empty compartment
flashes.
2.Select a different CD/DVD compartment, if
needed:
... Press the button.
3.When the LEDs 2 on the CD/DVD slot4
flash, insert a single CD/DVD in the middle.
The CD/DVD is drawn in automatically and
placed into the selected CD/DVD com-
partment.
Do not insert a CD/DVD until the
LEDs2 on the CD/DVD slot4 flash, as
otherwise the CD/DVD or the CD/DVD
changer could be damaged.
Do not continue to push on the CD/DVD;
this may cause it to jam and prevent it from
being able to eject again.<
4.To fill additional CD/DVD compartments:
Repeat steps 1 to 3.
Filling empty CD/DVD compartments
1. Press the button for a longer period.
The LEDs on the empty CD/DVD compart-
ments flash.
2.When the LEDs 2 on the CD/DVD slot4
flash, insert a single CD/DVD in the middle.
The CD/DVD is drawn in automatically and
placed into the first empty CD/DVD com-
partment.
Do not insert a CD/DVD until the
LEDs2 on the CD/DVD slot4 flash, as
otherwise the CD/DVD or the CD/DVD
changer could be damaged.
Do not continue to push on the CD/DVD;
this may cause it to jam and prevent it from
being able to eject again.<
3.Wait until the CD/DVD is drawn in.
4.To fill additional CD/DVD compartments:
Repeat steps 2 and 3.
After they are inserted, it may take several min-
utes for the CDs/DVDs to be read in.
Removing the CDs/DVDs individually
1. Press the button.
2. ... Press a button to select a CD/
DVD compartment.
The CD/DVD is partially ejected from the
CD/DVD changer.
3.Remove the CD/DVD.
If the CD/DVD is not removed, it is drawn
in again after approx. 10 seconds.<
Removing all CDs/DVDs
1. Press the button for a longer period.
One after the other, the CDs/DVDs are par-
tially ejected out of the CD/DVD changer.
2.Remove the CDs/DVDs.
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
157Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Malfunctions
If all LEDs on the CD/DVD changer flash rapidly,
the system is malfunctioning.
To correct the malfunction:
1.Press the or button.
The CD/DVD inserted last is ejected.
2.Remove the CD/DVD.
If the LEDs stop flashing rapidly, the CD/DVD
changer is functional again.
Notes
BMW CD/DVD players and changers are
officially designated Class 1 laser prod-
ucts. Do not operate if the cover is damaged;
otherwise, severe eye damage can result.
Do not use self-recorded CDs/DVDs with labels
applied as these can become detached during
playback due to heat build-up and can cause
irreparable damage to the device.
Only use round CDs/DVDs with a standard
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play CDs/
DVDs with an adapter, e.g., Single-CDs; other-
wise, the CDs or the adapter can jam and will no
longer eject.
Do not use a combined CD/DVD, e.g., DVD
Plus;
otherwise, the CD/DVD can jam and will no
longer eject.<
General malfunctions
BMW CD/DVD changers and players have been
optimized for performance in vehicles. In some
instances they may be more sensitive to faulty
CDs/DVDs than stationary devices would be.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played, first check if it
has been inserted correctly.
Humidity
High levels of humidity can lead to condensa-
tion on the CD/DVD or the laser's scan lens and
temporarily prevent playback.
Malfunctions with individual CDs/DVDs
If malfunctions occur only with particular CDs/
DVDs, this may be due to one of the following
reasons.
Self-recorded CDs/DVDs
Possible reasons for malfunctions with self-
recorded CDs/DVDs are inconsistent data-cre-
ation or recording processes, or poor quality or
old age of the CD/DVD blank.
Only label CDs/DVDs on the top, with a pen
designed for this purpose.
Damage
Avoid leaving fingerprints, as well as dust,
scratches or moisture on the CDs/DVDs.
Keep CDs/DVDs in protective sleeves or cases.
Do not subject CDs/DVDs to temperatures over
1227/506, high levels of humidity or direct
sunlight.
CDs/DVDs with copy protection
CDs/DVDs are often copy-protected by the
manufacturer. This can mean that some CDs/
DVDs cannot be played or can only be played to
a limited extent.
MACROVISION
This product contains copyrighted technology
that is based on multiple registered US patents
and the intellectual property of the Macrovision
Corporation and other manufacturers. The use
of this copy protection must be approved by
Macrovision. Media protected by this product -
unless otherwise agreed with Macrovision -
may only be used for private purposes. Copying
of this technology is prohibited.