
Driving tips
 123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Drive defensively
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking 
maneuvers. To do so, keep an adequate dis-
tance between you and the vehicle in front of 
you. A defensive and smooth driving style 
keeps fuel consumption down.
Avoid high engine speeds
Only use first gear when setting off. In second 
and higher gears, accelerate without hesitation 
or pauses. When accelerating, shift up before 
reaching high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into 
the highest applicable gear and drive with the 
engine speed as low as possible and at a con-
stant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers 
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot off 
the accelerator and coast to a stop in the high-
est applicable gear.
On a downhill slope, take your foot off the accel-
erator and coast in a suitable gear.
The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy 
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy 
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings 
or in traffic congestions. You achieve fuel sav-
ings even if standing time is as short as approx. 
4 seconds.
Switch off functions you do not need at 
the moment
Functions such as the air conditioner, seat 
heating or rear window defroster draw large 
amounts of power and consume additional fuel. 
Especially in city traffic and in stop and go driv-
ing they have a considerable impact. Therefore, 
switch these functions off when they are not 
really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have the vehicle serviced regularly to achieve 
good economy and a long vehicle life. BMW 
recommends having the vehicle serviced at a 
BMW center. Also note the BMW service sys-
tem, refer to page231.
General driving notes
Close the trunk lid/tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the trunk 
lid/tailgate and rear window are closed. 
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the inte-
rior of the vehicle.<
If the vehicle must be driven with the trunk lid/
tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to 
page104.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them. 
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the 
risk of serious personal injuries and property 
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes. 
Otherwise, there is a risk of burns.< 

Telephone
184
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions using 
iDrive:
>Accepting/rejecting calls
>dialing phone numbers
>Selecting phone numbers from the phone 
book
>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from 
the list of received calls
>Ending a call
When the ignition is switched off or in radio 
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control 
out of the ignition lock, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talking to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to 
excessive background noise. The full prepara-
tion package mobile phone can compensate for 
these noises to a certain extent. To optimize 
voice quality during a call, we recommend that 
you:
>Reduce background noise, e.g. by closing 
the windows, reducing air flow from the 
automatic climate control or pointing the 
open front air vents downward.
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem.
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pairing data are stored 
by the vehicle and the mobile phone is oper-
ational.
>The engine is running or the ignition is 
switched on.
>The mobile phone is recognized by the 
vehicle.
Receiving calls
If you have the phone number of the caller 
stored in the phone book and the phone num-
ber has been transmitted, the name of the entry 
is displayed.
Accepting a call
Press the  button on the steering wheel
or
"Accept"
Rejecting a call
"Reject"
The caller is diverted to your mailbox if the mail-
box was activated.
Ending a call
Press the  button on the steering wheel
or
1."Telephone"
2."Active calls"
3.Select an active call. 

Mobility
 221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 1010 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2010.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as 
well on the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's 
code for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1010 

Short commands for the voice activation system
264
Settings
Vehicle
Equipment
FunctionCommand
Opening the main menu{Main menu}
Opening the settings{Settings}
Opening the options{Options}
Settings on the Control Display{Control display}
Opening the time and date settings{Time and date}
Opening the language and unit settings{Language and units}
Opening the speed limit settings{Speed}
Opening the light settings{Lighting}
Opening the door lock settings{Door locks}
FunctionCommand
Opening the air conditioning settings{Climate} 

Everything from A to Z
266
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System85
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control64
Accident, refer to Sending an 
Emergency Request246
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control105
Active Cruise Control
– indicator lamp67
– malfunction68
– selecting distance66
– sensor68
Active cruise control64
Active steering92
Adaptive brake light
– Brake Force Display93
Adaptive light control98
Additives
– coolant230
Address, entering131,137
Address for navigation
– entering131
Adjusting temperature inside 
the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control103
Adjusting the thigh support43
Airbags94
– indicator/warning lamp96
– sitting safely42
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate 
control103
– ventilation105
Air distribution
– automatic103
Airing, refer to Ventilation105
Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure208Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode104
Air supply
– automatic climate 
control103
– ventilation105
Air vents102
Air volume104
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications203
Alarm system33
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms34
– interior motion sensor34
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor34
Albums of music 
collection170
ALL program104
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires224
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive86
AM, waveband153
Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode104
Antenna for mobile phone180
Antifreeze
– coolant230
– washer fluid62
Antilock Brake System 
ABS85
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system33
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights257
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights257
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest111
Arrival time, refer to 
Computer74Ashtray112
Assist systems, refer to 
Driving stability control85
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control104
Audible instructions, refer to 
Spoken instructions142
Audio150
– controls150
– switching on/off150
– tone control150
– volume150
Audio device, external111
Automatic
– air distribution103
– air volume103
– cruise control62,64
– headlamp control97
Automatic car washes233
Automatic climate control102
Automatic curb monitor49
Automatic high beams and 
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC104
Automatic Service 
Request199
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– interlock58
– overriding selector lever 
lock60
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position58
– sport program59
– towing248
– tow-starting248
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control103
AUX-IN
– port111
AUX-IN port173 

Everything from A to Z
268 Care233
– automatic car washes233
– care products233
– carpets235
– CD/DVD drives236
– chrome parts234
– displays236
– exterior233
– fine wood parts235
– headlamps234
– high-pressure washer234
– interior235
– leather235
– light-alloy wheels235
– paintwork234
– plastic parts235
– rubber seals234
– safety belts235
– sensors and cameras235
– upholstery and cloth 
trim235
– washing the car 
manually234
– windows234
Cargo, securing126
Cargo area115
– capacity257
– Comfort Access35
– folding up the floor 
panel117
– lamp, refer to Interior 
lamps101
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
– partition net116
– roller cover115
Cargo area lid, refer to Trunk 
lid/tailgate31
Cargo area net, refer to 
Partition net116
Cargo loading125
– securing cargo126
– stowing cargo126
– vehicle125
Car jack
– jacking points244
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control26Car phone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest111
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car phone, refer to 
Telephone180
Car radio, refer to Radio153
Car shampoo235
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system123
CD, audio playback162
CD changer161,166
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse163
– filling or emptying the 
magazine166
– random play sequence162
– selecting a track162
– switching on/off150
– tone control150
– volume150
CD player161
– controls150
– fast forward/reverse163
– random play sequence162
– selecting a track162
– switching on/off150
– tone control150
– volume150
Center armrest111
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb243
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
Central locking
– from inside30
– from outside27
Central locking system27
– Comfort Access34
– hotel function32
– setting unlocking 
characteristics28
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs238Changing the language on the 
Control Display83
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display76
Changing wheels244
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment226
Check Control80
Check Gas Cap202
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH52
Child restraint systems51
Child safety locks54
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely51
Chrome parts235
Chrome polish235
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter113
Cleaning headlamps61
– washer fluid62
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care233
Climate control
– automatic air 
distribution103
Clock71
– 12h/24h mode79
– setting the time and date79
– setting time79
Closing
– from inside30
– from outside27
Clothes hooks112
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine56
Comfort Access34
– replacing the battery36
Comfort access, refer to 
Comfort Access34
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock55
Compass109 

Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Entering special destinations 
by name136
Entering the postal code for 
navigation132
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps101
Entry map for destination136
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control72
Equalizer, tone setting151
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control80
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC85
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system123
Expanding the cargo area115
Extended connectivity of the 
music player in the mobile 
phone174
Exterior mirrors48
– adjusting48
– automatic dimming 
feature49
– automatic heating48
– folding in and out48
External audio device111
External devices
– random sequence176
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away249
– for tying down loads126
F
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control80
Failure of an electrical 
consumer245
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional 
alarm34
– switching off an alarm34
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts47Fastest route for 
navigation140
Fast forward
– CD changer163
– CD player163
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control105
First aid pouch247
Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock55
Flash when locking/
unlocking28
Flat tire
– run-flat tires223
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM89
Flat Tire Monitor FTM88
– indicating a flat tire89
– indicator/warning lamp89
– initializing the system88
– snow chains88,224
– system limits88
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition222
Fluid reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir62
FM, waveband153
Fog lamps100
– indicator lamp13,100
Folding rear seat backrest115
Folding up the floor panel117
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely124
Footwell lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps101
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive86
Free memory capacity, music 
collection171
Front airbags94
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor88Fuel203
– additives204
– average consumption73
– gauge72
– high-quality brands
203
– quality203
– specifications203
– tank contents, refer to 
Capacities258
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Fuel consumption indicator
– average fuel 
consumption73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to 
Energy Control72
Fuel filler flap202
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction202
Fuses245
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control107
Gasoline
– refer to Average 
consumption73
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel203
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Gas station 
recommendations142
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic58
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
General driving notes123 

Everything from A to Z
272 Glass roof, electric37
– closing after electrical 
malfunction38
– convenient operation28,29
– initializing38
– opening, closing38
– pinch protection system38
– power failure38
– raising37
– remote control28
Glove compartment110
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system130
Grills102
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights257
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs239
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake57
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control87
HD Radio154
Head airbags94
Headlamp control, 
automatic97
Headlamp cover239
Headlamp flasher60
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs239
Head restraints44
– rear, removing45
– sitting safely42
Heated
– mirrors48
– rear window104
– seats46
– steering wheel50
Heating
– mirrors48
– rear window104
– seats46
– steering wheel50Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate102
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo126
Height, refer to 
Dimensions255
Height adjustment
– seats43
– steering wheel50
High-beam assistant99
High beams99
– headlamp flasher99
– indicator lamp13
– replacing bulbs239
High beams and low beams, 
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant99
High-pressure 
washer233,234
High water, refer to Driving 
through water124
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria140
Hill Descent Control HDC87
Hills124
Holders for cups112
Homepage BMW4
Hood225
Hooks for shopping 
bags116,117
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking or unlocking 
separately32
Hot exhaust system123
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control85
Hydroplaning124
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio154
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature warning71
Identification marks
– run-flat tires223
– tire coding221iDrive16
– adjusting brightness83
– changing date and time79
– changing language83
– changing settings83
– changing units of measure 
and display format76
– controls16
– menu guidance17
– operating principle16
– overview16
– start menu17
– status information19
iDrive operating principle16
Ignition55
– switched off56
– switched on55
Ignition key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key26
Ignition key position 1, refer to 
Radio readiness55
Ignition key position 2, refer to 
Ignition on55
Ignition lock55
Imprint2
Indicator and warning 
lamps13
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM91
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure208
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM89
Initializing
– after power failure245
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating110
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM88
– glass roof38
– panorama glass roof40
– radio, refer to Station, 
storing154
– refer to Setting the time and 
date79
Installation location
– telephone111