
Music collection
172
Music collection
Backing up the music collection
The entire music collection can be stored on a 
USB medium. 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.Start the engine.
2.Connect the USB medium to the USB inter-
face in the glove compartment, refer to 
page111.
3."CD/Multimedia"
4."Music collection"
5.Open "Options".
6."Music data import/export"
7."Backup music on USB"
Restoring the music collection in the 
vehicle
When storing from the USB device, the 
music collection existing in the vehicle is 
replaced.<
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Music data import/export"
5."Restore music from USB"
Deleting the music collection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Delete music collection" 

External devices
174
USB audio interface*/
extended connectivity of 
the music player in the 
mobile phone*
It is possible to connect external audio devices/
mobile phones. They can be operated via iDrive. 
Sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Options for connecting external 
devices
>Connection via USB audio interface: Apple 
iPod / iPhone, USB devices, e. g. MP3 
player, USB flash drive, or mobile phones 
that are supported by the USB audio inter-
face.
>Connection via snap-in adapter
*, refer to 
page180, when equipped with additional 
connection of music player in the mobile 
phone: Apple iPhone / mobile phones. Play-
back is possible only if no audio device/
mobile phone is connected to the USB 
audio interface.
Due to the large number of different audio 
devices/mobile phones available on the market, 
it cannot be ensured that every audio device/
mobile phone is operable on the vehicle.
Ask about suitable audio devices/mobile 
phones at your BMW center.
Audio files
The system can play standard audio formats, 
e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM), and AAC, as well 
as playlists in the M3U format.
Connecting via USB audio interface
Lift up the center armrest.
1AUX-IN port for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB interface
Apple iPod/iPhone
To connect the device, use the special cable 
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available 
from your BMW center. The cable adapter is 
required for a flawless connection.
Using the Apple iPod/iPhone cable adapter, 
connect the Apple iPod/iPhone to the AUX-IN 
port1 and USB interface2. 
The Apple iPod/iPhone menu structure is sup-
ported by the USB audio interface.
USB device
When connecting the device use a flexi-
ble adapter cable, to protect the USB 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
Connect the USB device to connector 2, using 
a flexible adapter cable.
After the device is connected for the first time, 
the information on all tracks (e.g. artist, type of 
music) and the playlists are transferred from the 
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may 
take some time. The duration depends on the 
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transmission, the tracks can be called up 
via the file directory.
Information from up to four USB devices can 
be stored in the vehicle, or a total of about 
16,000 tracks. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 175Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
I f  a  f i f t h  U S B  d e v i c e  i s  c o n n e c t e d  o r  i f  m o r e  t h a n  
16,000 tracks are stored, information on exist-
ing tracks may be deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.<
Starting audio playback
If the audio device has a device name, the name 
is displayed.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the  symbol. 
The name of the audio device may appear.
Playback begins with the first track. When an 
Apple iPhone is connected via the snap-in 
adapter and an audio device is connected to the 
AUX-IN port at the same time, the audio signal 
of the AUX-IN port is played.
Information about the track
If information about a track has been stored, it is 
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks
>Track file name
Track search
Selection is possible via:
>Playback lists
>Information: type of music, artist, album, 
title
>Additionally for USB devices: file directory, 
composer
Track titles are displayed if they have been 
stored in the Latin alphabet.
Starting the track search
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the  symbol.
The name of the audio device may appear.
4.Select the desired category, "Genre", "Art-
ist".
All entries are displayed in a list. The 
"A-Z search" can be used to find specific 
entries.
>Open "A-Z search" and enter the 
desired entry. When a character is 
entered, a filter is applied using this 
character as the first letter. When several 
characters are entered, all results are 
displayed that contain this sequence of 
characters.
>Select the desired entry from the list.
5.Select additional categories if desired.
Not all categories need to be selected. For 
example, if you wish to display all of the 
tracks of a particular artist, then only select 
this artist. All of the tracks by that artist are 
then displayed.
6."Start play" 

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Short commands for the voice activation 
system
With short commands you can carry out certain 
functions directly, regardless of which menu item is selected. Here are the important short 
commands for the voice activation system.
Useful short commands
CD/Multimedia
CD/DVD drive
*
FunctionCommand
Opening a music collection{Music collection}
Opening the tone control{Tone}
Opening the settings{Settings}
Opening the computer{Onboard info}
Opening the contacts
*{Contacts}
Displaying the phone book
*{Phonebook}
Opening services
*{Assist}
Opening BMW Assist
*{B M W Assist}
Opening the home address
*{Home address}
Opening destination entry
*{Enter address}
Opening destination guidance
*{Guidance}
FunctionCommand
Playing back a CD{C D on}
Selecting a CD{Select C D}
Selecting a CD and track{C D … track …} e.g. CD 3 track 5
Selecting a track{C D track …} e.g. track 5
Opening the CD and Multimedia menu{C D and multimedia}
CD and DVD
*{C D}
Displaying entertainment details on the split 
screen
*
{Entertainment details} 

Short commands for the voice activation system
260
Music collection
External devices
Tone control
Radio
FM
AM
Satellite radio
FunctionCommand
Calling up the current playback{Current playback}
Opening a music collection{Music collection}
Playing back a music collection{Music collection on}
Searching for music; opening the menu{Music search}
Playing back the most frequently played tracks{Top fifty}
FunctionCommand
Opening external devices{External devices}
FunctionCommand
Opening the tone control{Tone}
FunctionCommand
Calling up the radio{Radio}
Calling up an FM station{F M}
Opening manual search{Manual}
Selecting the frequency range{Select frequency}
Calling up a station{Select station} e.g. W-PLJ
FunctionCommand
Calling up an AM station{A M}
Opening manual search{Manual}
FunctionCommand
Calling up the satellite radio{Satellite radio}
Switching on the satellite radio{Satellite radio on}
Selecting a satellite radio channel{Select satellite radio} e.g. channel 2 

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 

Reference 269
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Computer73
– displays on Control 
Display74
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service196
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked125
Condition Based Service 
CBS231
Configuring settings, refer to 
Personal Profile26
Confirmation signals for 
locking/unlocking the 
vehicle28
Congestion
– refer to Route, bypassing 
sections141
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances113
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption73
Consumption display
– Energy Control72
Contacts
– creating193
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display, refer to 
iDrive16
– adjusting brightness83
– switching on/off19
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Control unit, refer to iDrive16
Convenient operation
– glass roof28
– windows28
Coolant230
– checking level230
Coolant temperature72
Cooling, maximum103
Cooling fluid, refer to 
Coolant230
Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant230
Copyright2Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs239
Corner-illuminating lamps, 
refer to Adaptive light 
control98
Cornering lamps, refer to 
Adaptive light control98
Correct tires223
Country codes DVD163
Courtesy lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps101
Criteria for route140
Cross-hairs in navigation136
Cruise control62
– active64
– malfunction64
Cruise control, refer to Active 
cruise control64
Cruising range73
Cupholders112
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights257
Current fuel consumption, 
refer to Energy Control72
Current playback
– external devices176
– of music collection170
Customer Relations198
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit10
Dashboard, refer to 
instrument cluster12
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting101
Data, technical254
– capacities258
– dimensions255
– engine254
– weights257
Data memory232
Data transfer199
Date
– date format80
– setting80
Daytime running lights98
– replacing bulbs238DBC Dynamic Brake 
Control85
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags95
Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking28
Defect
– door lock30
– fuel filler flap202
– glass roof38
– panorama glass roof40
Destination, entering by town/
city name131
Destination address
– entering131,137
Destination entry via BMW 
Assist136
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice137
– entering via map136
– entry131
– home address134
– manual entry131
Destination guidance140
– bypassing a route 
section141
– changing specified 
route140
– continuing140
– starting140
– voice instructions142
– volume of voice 
instructions142
Diesel exhaust fluid205
Diesel fuel204
Diesel particulate filter124
Digital clock71
Digital compass109
Digital radio, refer to HD 
Radio154
Dimensions255
Dipstick, engine oil227
Directional indicators, refer to 
Turn signals60
Direction instructions, refer to 
Voice instructions142
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book133 

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