2011 BMW 3 SERIES Owners Manual

Deleting an album
An album cannot be deleted while a track from
that album is being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Highlight the desired album.
4.Open "Options".
5."Delete album"
Deleting a track and directory
A track cannot be deleted while it is being
played.
A directory cannot be deleted while a track from
that directory is being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Highlight the directory or track.
4.Open "Options".
5."Delete folder" or "Delete track"
Free memory capacity
Display the free memory capacity in the music
collection.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Free memory"
Music collection
Backing up the music collection
The entire music collection can be stored on a
USB device. Make sure there is enough free
memory capacity on the USB device.
Depending on the number of tracks, backing up
the music collection may take several hours.
Therefore, it is best to perform the backup dur‐
ing a long trip.
1.Starting the engine.
2.Connect the USB device to the USB inter‐
face in the glove compartment.
3."CD/Multimedia"
4."Music collection"
5.Open "Options".
6."Music data import/export"
7."Backup music on USB"
Storing the music collection in the vehicle
When storing from the USB device, the existing
music collection in the vehicle is replaced.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Music data import/export"
5."Restore music from USB"
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Deleting the music collection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Delete music collection"
External devices
At a glance
Symbol Meaning
AUX-IN port
USB audio interface
Mobile phone audio interface
Bluetooth audio
AUX-IN port
At a glance
▷For connecting audio devices, e.g., MP3
player. The sound is output on the vehicle
loudspeakers.
▷Recommendation: use medium tone and
volume settings on the audio device. The
tone depends on the quality of the audio
files.
Connecting
The AUX-IN port is located in the center armrest.
Connect the headphones or line-out connector
of the device to the jack plug.
Playback
1.Connect the audio device, switch it on and
select a track on the audio device.
2."CD/Multimedia"
3.If necessary. "External devices".
4. "AUX front"
The sound is played back on the vehicle loud‐
speakers.
Volume
The volume of the sound output is dependent
on the audio device. If this volume differs mark‐
edly from the volume of the other audio sources,
it is advisable to adjust the volumes.
Adjusting the volume
1."CD/Multimedia"
2.If necessary. "External devices".
3. "AUX front"
4."Volume"
5.Turn the controller until the desired volume
is set and press the controller.
USB audio interface/mobile phone
audio interface
At a glance
It is possible to connect external audio devices.
Operation can be performed via iDrive. The
sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
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Connectors for external devices
▷Connection via USB audio interface: Apple
iPod/iPhone, USB devices, e.g., MP3 play‐
ers, USB flash drives, or mobile phones that
are supported by the USB audio interface.
▷Connection via snap-in adapter when equip‐
ped with extended connectivity of the music
player in the mobile phone: Apple iPhone or
mobile phones.
Playback is only possible when there is no
audio device attached to the AUX-IN port.
Due to the large number of different audio devi‐
ces available on the market, it cannot be ensured
that every audio device/mobile phone is opera‐
ble on the vehicle.
Ask your service center about suitable audio de‐
vices/mobile phones.
Audio files
Standard audio files can be played back:
▷MP3.
▷WMA.
▷WAV (PCM).
▷AAC, M4A.
▷Playback lists: M3U, WPL, PLS.
File systems
Popular file systems for USB devices are sup‐
ported. FAT 32 is the recommended format.
Connection of Apple iPod/iPhone via
USB audio interface
USB audio interface is located in the center arm‐
rest.
To connect the device, use the special cable
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available
from your service center, or a flexible adapter
cable.
Connect the Apple iPod/iPhone
with the AUX-IN port and USB in‐
terface using the special cable
adapter or with the USB interface
using the flexible adapter cable.
The Apple iPod/iPhone menu structure is sup‐
ported by the USB audio interface.
Connection of a USB device via the
USB audio interface
USB audio interface is located in the center arm‐
rest.
Connect using a flexible adapter cable to protect
the USB audio interface and the USB device
against physical damage.
Connect the USB device to the
USB interface.
After connecting for the first time
Information on all music tracks, e.g. artist or type
of music, as well as playback lists are transmit‐
ted into the vehicle. This may take some time,
depending on the USB device and the number
of tracks.
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During transmission, the tracks can be called up
via the file directory.
Number of tracks
Information from up to four USB devices or for
approx. 16,000 or 36,000 tracks can be stored
in the vehicle. If a fifth device is connected or if
more than 16,000 or 36,000 tracks are stored,
information on existing tracks may be deleted.
Copy protection
Music tracks with integrated Digital Rights Man‐
agement (DRM) cannot be played.
Playback
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
The playback starts with the first track.
On the split screen, the CD cover for the music
track might be displayed after a few seconds.
Track search
Selection is possible via:
▷Playback lists.
▷Information: type of music, artist, and, if
available, composer, album, track.
▷In addition, for USB devices: file directory
and, if available, composer.
Tracks are displayed if they have been saved in
the Latin alphabet.
Starting the track search
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Search"
5.Select the desired category, e.g., "Genre" or
"Artist".
All entries are displayed in a list.
▷Open "A-Z search" and input the de‐
sired entry. When a letter is entered, the
results are filtered using this letter as the
first letter. If multiple letters are entered,
all results that contain that sequence are
displayed.
▷Select the desired entry from the list.
6.Select other categories if you wish.
Not all categories need to be selected. For
example, if all of the tracks by a certain artist
are to be displayed, call up that artist only.
All of the tracks by that artist are then dis‐
played.
7."Start play"
Restarting a track search
"New search"
Playback lists
Calling up playback lists.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Playlists"
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Current playback
List of tracks currently being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Current playback"
Random playback
The current list of tracks is played back in ran‐
dom order.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3."Options" Open.
4."Random"
Fast forward/reverse
Press and hold the button.
Video playback
At a glance
Video playback via snap-in adapter is possible.
Operation can be performed via iDrive. The
sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Playback
The video image is displayed on the front Con‐
trol Display up to a speed of approx. 2 mph/3 km/
h; in some countries, it is only displayed if the
parking brake is set or if the automatic trans‐
mission is in position P.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol.
4. "Video"
5.Select the directory if necessary.
To go up a level in the directory: move the
controller to the left.
6.Select the desired video file to begin play‐
back.
Video menu
Symbol Function
Next video file
Previous video file
Double-click on an icon to play back
previous video file.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to extreme en‐
vironmental conditions, such as very high tem‐
peratures; refer to the audio device operating
instructions.
Depending on the configuration of the audio
files, e.g., bit rates greater than 256 kbit/s, the
files may not play back correctly in each case.
Information on connection
▷The connected audio device is supplied with
a max. power of 500 mA if supported by the
device. Therefore, do not additionally con‐
nect the device to a socket in the vehicle;
otherwise, playback may be compromised.
▷Do not use force when plugging the con‐
nector into the USB interface.
▷Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB audio interface.
▷Do not connect USB hard drives.
▷Do not use the USB audio interface to re‐
charge external devices.
Bluetooth audio
At a glance
▷Music files on external devices such as audio
devices or mobile phones can be played
back via Bluetooth.
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Use of a mobile phone as an audio source,
refer to page 229.
▷The sound is output on the vehicle loud‐
speakers.
▷The volume of the sound output is depend‐
ent on the device. If necessary, adjust the
volume on the device.
▷Up to four external devices can be paired
with the vehicle.
Requirements
▷The device is suitable. Information under
www.bmwusa.com/bluetooth.
▷The device is ready for operation.
▷The ignition is switched on.
▷Bluetooth is activated on the vehicle, refer to
page 229, and on the device.
▷Bluetooth presettings must be made on the
device, such as for a connection without
confirmation or visibility; refer to the device
operating instructions.
▷A number with at least four and a maximum
of 16 digits is defined as the Bluetooth pass‐
key. It is only required once for pairing.
Pairing and connecting
Pairing a device
To avoid becoming distracted and posing
an unnecessary hazard both to your own vehi‐
cle's occupants and to other road users, only
pair the device while the vehicle is stationary.◀
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4."Add new phone"
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle is dis‐
played.
5.Perform additional steps on the device, refer
to the device operating instructions: e.g.
search for or connect the Bluetooth device
or a new device.
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle appears
on the device display.
6.Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle on
the device display.
Prompt via iDrive or the device to enter the
same Bluetooth passkey.
7.Enter the passkey and confirm.
8.Select the desired functions with which the
device is to be connected, e.g. "Audio".
9."OK"
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If pairing was successful, the device is displayed
as connected.
White symbol : the device is active as an audio
source.
If pairing was unsuccessful: What to do if..., refer
to page 216.
Connecting a specific device
A device that has already been paired can be
connected as an active audio source.
Connecting is not possible when data is ex‐
changed via a mobile phone connected via Blue‐
tooth.
Requirements
If necessary, activate the audio connection of
the desired device from the list of paired devi‐
ces.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4.Select the desired device from the list of
paired devices.
5."Options" Open.
6."Configure phone"
7."Audio"
8."OK"
Connecting the device
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4.Select the desired device from the list of
paired devices.
White symbol : the device is active as an audio
source.
Playback
General information
▷The display of music track information de‐
pends on the device.
▷Operation can takes place on the device or
iDrive.
▷Playback is interrupted when data is ex‐
changed via a mobile phone connected via
Bluetooth.
Starting playback
1.Connect the device.
2."CD/Multimedia"
3."External devices"
4. Select the symbol.
5.Select the desired track from the list, if nec‐
essary.
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Playback menu
Depending on the particular device, some of the
functions may not be available.
Symbol Function
Next track
Fast forward: press and hold the
symbol.
Previous music track
Reverse: press and hold the symbol.
Disconnecting the audio connection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.Highlight the desired device.
4.Open "Options".
5."Configure phone"
6."Audio"
7."OK"
Unpairing a device
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4.Highlight the device that is to be unpaired.
5.Open "Options".
6."Remove phone from list"
What to do if...
Information on suitable devices can be found at
www.bmwusa.com/bluetooth.
Suitable mobile phones, refer to page 228.
The device is not supported by the vehicle.
▷Perform a software update, refer to
page 217, if needed.
The device could not be paired or connected.
▷Do the Bluetooth passkeys on the device
and the vehicle match? Enter the same
passkey on the device and via iDrive.
▷Did it take longer than 30 seconds to enter
the passkey? Repeat the pairing procedure.
▷Are too many Bluetooth devices connected
to the device or vehicle? Delete connections
with other devices if necessary.
▷Is the mobile phone in power-save mode or
does it have only a limited remaining battery
life? Charge the mobile phone in the snap-
in adapter or via the charging cable.
▷Depending on the mobile phone, it is possi‐
ble that only one device can be connected
to the vehicle. Unpair the connected device
from the vehicle and pair and connect only
one device.
▷The device no longer reacts? Switch the de‐
vice off and on again.
▷Repeat the pairing procedure.
Music cannot be played back.
▷Start the program for playing back music
data on the device and select a track on the
device if necessary.
▷Switch the radio off and on again.
Music files can only be played back softly.
▷Adjust the volume settings on the device.
Playback is disturbed when buttons are pressed
or by other messages on the device.
▷Switch off the button tones and other signal
tones on the device.
Playback is interrupted by a telephone call or
traffic bulletin and is not resumed automatically.
▷Switch the radio off and on again.
Playback is not possible if the mobile phone is
connected both via Bluetooth Audio and via the
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