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Controls
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Mobility
Digital compass*
1Adjustment button
2Display
The display shows you the main or secondary 
compass direction in which you are driving.
Operating principle
You can call up various functions by pressing 
the adjustment button with a pointed object 
such as a pen or similar item. The following 
adjustment options are displayed one after the 
other, depending on how long you keep the 
adjustment button 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-hand/right-hand 
steering
>12 to 15 seconds: set the language
Setting compass zones
Set the compass zone corresponding to your 
vehicle's geographic location so that the com-
pass can function correctly; refer to the world 
map with compass zones.
To set the compass zone, press the adjustment 
button for approx. 3-4 seconds. The number of 
the compass zone set is shown in the display.
To change the zone setting, briefly press the 
adjustment button repeatedly until the display 
shows the number of the compass zone corre-
sponding to your current location.
The compass is operational again after approx. 
10 seconds. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Practical interior accessories
104
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the 
following situations:
>An incorrect compass direction is shown.
>The compass direction shown does not 
change although the direction of travel 
does.
>Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or 
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of 
your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2.Set the currently valid compass zone.
3.Convertible: ensure that the convertible top 
is fully closed.
4.Press the adjustment button for approx. 
6-7 seconds to call up C. Then drive in at 
least one full circle at a speed of no more 
than 4 mph/7 km/h.
If calibration is successful, the display 
changes from C to a compass direction.
5.Convertible: open the convertible top fully 
and repeat step 4.
Setting right-hand/left-hand steering
Your digital compass is factory-set to right-
hand or left-hand steering, in accordance with 
your vehicle.
Set the 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 switch between English, "E", 
and German, "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx. 
10 seconds.
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle. 
The light in the glove compartment comes 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
Fold the cover up.
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to 
page26.
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to 
page162.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB 
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB interface. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Controls
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>Do not connect USB hard drives.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge 
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats 
contains a credit card holder and, depending on 
the equipment version, a compartment or a 
snap-in adapter
*.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-IN port, refer to page163
>USB audio interface
*/additional connection 
of the music player in the mobile phone
*, 
refer to page163
Storage compartments inside 
the vehicle
Compartments are located next to the steering 
column
*, on the doors and in the center con-
sole. 
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Coupe: clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks in the rear.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks 
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do 
not hang heavy objects from the hooks; other-
wise, they could endanger the car's occupants, 
e.g. in case of heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<
Cupholders
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages; 
otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in 
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result.<
There is one cupholder in the center console.
You can mount an attachable cupholder
* on the 
side of the center console. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Practical interior accessories
106
Ashtray*
Opening
Push the ridge on the cover.
Emptying
Lift out the insert.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be pulled out as soon as it pops 
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by 
the knob only. Holding or touching it in 
other areas could result in burns. 
When leaving the car, always remove the 
remote control so that children cannot operate 
the cigarette lighter and burn themselves.<
Connecting electrical 
appliances
In your BMW, when the engine is running or the 
ignition is switched on, you can use electrical 
devices such as a hand lamp, car vacuum 
cleaner, etc., up to approx. 200 watts at 
12 volts, as long as one of the following sockets 
is available. Avoid damaging the socket by 
attempting to insert plugs of unsuitable shape 
or size.
Cigarette lighter socket*
To access the socket:
Open the ashtray at the front and pull out the 
lighter to use the socket.
In the cargo area*
To access the socket:
Fold open the cover.
In the center console
To access the socket, refer to External devices 
on page163.
Coupe: through-loading 
system
Opening
1.To release the rear seat backrest, pull the 
corresponding lever in the cargo area.
2.The unlocked rear seat backrest moves for-
ward slightly. Fold the backrest forward by 
the head restraint. 
         
        
        
     
        
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Closing
Return the rear seat backrest to the upright 
seating position and engage it.
When returning the backrest into the 
seating position, make sure that the 
seat's locking mechanism is properly engaged. 
Otherwise, cargo could be thrown around and 
endanger the occupants in the event of sharp 
braking or swerving.<
The lashing eyes in the cargo area provide you 
with a way to attach cargo area nets
* or draw 
straps for securing suitcases and luggage, refer 
to page114.
Convertible: cargo loading
Enlarging the cargo area
When the convertible top is closed you can 
enlarge the cargo area:
To do so, fold the cargo area partition upward.
Before opening the convertible top, pull the 
cargo area partition down until it engages.
Ensure that pointed objects do not press 
against the cargo area partition from below.The convertible top can only be opened 
when the cargo area partition is folded 
down.<
Storage compartments inside 
the cargo area
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
following storage spaces can be found in the 
cargo area:
>Rubber strap
* on the left trim panel for 
securing small objects such as a folding 
umbrella
>Net
* for small objects on the right trim 
panel of the cargo area
 
>Retaining straps* on cargo area floor: for 
securing smaller objects or as an anti-slip 
surface when you place objects on the 
straps
The lashing eyes in the cargo area provide you 
with a way to attach cargo area nets
* or draw 
straps
* for securing suitcases and luggage, 
refer to page116.
Coupe: ski bag*
The ski bag is designed for safe, clean transport 
of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up to 
2snowboards.
With the ski bag you can stow skis with a length 
of up to 6.6ft/2.0m. When skis of 6.6ft/2.0m 
length are loaded, the overall capacity of the ski 
bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
Loading
Ensure that the skis are clean when they are 
loaded into the ski bag. Wrap sharp edges to 
prevent damage.
1.Fold down the center panel in the rear seat 
backrest.
2.Press the button, reach into the recess and 
fold down the cover. To stabilize the cover  
         
        
        
     
        
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Practical interior accessories
108 in the folded-down position, place the cen-
ter panel underneath it.
3.Open the Velcro fastener, spread the ski 
bag between the front seats and insert the 
skis or snowboards. 
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski 
bag easier to reach.
4.Attach the hook of the ski bag retaining 
strap to the eyelet on the side of the ski bag 
opening.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the ski bag and its con-
tents. Tighten the retaining strap on the ten-
sioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the ski bag in the manner 
described; otherwise, it could endanger 
the car's occupants, e.g. in case of heavy brak-
ing or sudden swerving.
described for loading in reverse order.
Removing the ski bag
The ski bag can be completely removed, e.g. for 
fa ster drying or to allow you to use other inserts.
1.Fold down the center panel in the rear seat 
backrest.
2.Pull the handle, arrow1.
3.Pull out the insert, arrow 2.
For more information on the various 
inserts available, contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Convertible: through-loading 
opening with integrated 
transport bag*
The transport bag is designed for safe, clean 
transport of up to 4 pairs of standard skis or up 
to 2 snowboards.
With the transport bag you can stow skis up to a 
length of 6.6 ft /2.0 m. When skis of 6.6 ft/2.0 m 
length are loaded, the overall capacity of the ski 
bag is reduced due to its tapered design.
When using the transport bag, it is not 
permissible to transport passengers in 
the rear seats.< 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 111 of 256

Controls
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Loading
1.Pull the grip in the filler piece of the rear 
backrest up and take out the filler piece.
2.Place the filler piece onto the seat cushion 
with the backrest side facing up.
3.In the cargo area: press the two recesses 
together and fold down the cover.
4.Release the strap, lay out the transport bag 
between the front seats and load it. 
The zip fastener makes objects in the ski 
bag easier to reach.
Ensure that the skis are clean when you load 
them into the transport bag. Wrap sharp edges 
to prevent damage.
Securing cargo
After loading, secure the transport bag and its 
contents. Tighten the retaining strap on the 
tensioning buckle for this purpose.
Secure the transport bag in the manner 
described; otherwise, it could endanger 
the car's occupants, e.g. in case of heavy brak-
ing or sudden swerving.<
To store the transport bag, perform the steps 
described for loading in reverse order. 
         
        
        
     
        
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