
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The quickest way to find special topics is to 
consult the index, refer to page266.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
51Transporting children safely
55Driving
71Controls overview
84Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
97Lamps
102Climate
107Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
122Things to remember when driving
Navigation
130Navigation system
131Destination entry
140Destination guidance
147What to do if …
Entertainment
150On/off and tone
153Radio
156Satellite radio
161CD/DVD player and CD changer
168Music collection
173External devices
Communications
180Telephone
193Contacts
195BMW Assist
Mobility
202Refueling
208Wheels and tires
225Under the hood
231Maintenance
233Care
237Replacing components
246Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
254Technical data
259Short commands for the voice activation 
system
266Everything from A to Z 

Cockpit
12
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2Indicator lamps for turn signals
3Indicator and warning lamps13
4Displays for active cruise control
*64
5Tachometer71
6Engine oil temperature
*72
Energy Control
*72
7Display for
>Clock71
>Outside temperature71
>Indicator and warning lamps80
8Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*57
>Computer73
>Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven76
>Odometer and trip odometer71
>High-beam assistant
*99
>Checking engine oil level
*227
>Settings and information75
>There is a Check Control 
message809Fuel gauge72
10Resetting the trip odometer71 

Controls
 27Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
>Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play and in the instrument cluster:
>12h/24h format of the clock, refer to 
page79
>Date format, refer to page80
>Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page83
>Language on the Control Display, refer 
to page83
>Units of measure, refer to page76
>Show visual warning for Park Distance Con-
trol PDC
*, refer to page84
>Light settings:
>Welcome lamps, refer to page97
>Pathway lighting, refer to page98
>Daytime running lights, refer to page98
>High-beam assistant, refer to page99
>Automatic climate control: activating/deac-
tivating AUTO program, cooling function 
and automatic recirculated-air control, set-
ting temperature, air volume and distribu-
tion, refer to page103 ff
>Entertainment:
>Tone control, refer to page150
>Speed-dependent volume control, refer 
to page152
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Trunk lid/tailgate
>Fuel filler flap
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
*
>In cars with Comfort Access*, via the 
handles on the driver's and front passenger 
doors
In addition, if the remote control is used, the 
interior lamps and the door's courtesy lamps
* 
are also switched on or off. The alarm system* 
is also armed or disarmed.
For further details of the alarm system,
 refer to 
page33.
Operating from inside
By means of the button for central locking, 
refer to page30.
In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, 
the central locking system unlocks automati-
cally. In addition, the hazard warning flashers 
and interior lamps come on.
Opening and closing:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with 
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.<
Unlocking
Press the  button.
The interior lamps, the courtesy lamps
* and the 
welcome lamps come on. 

Opening and closing
28
Setting unlocking characteristics
You can set whether only the driver's door or 
the entire vehicle is to be unlocked when the 
button is pressed for the first time.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3."Unlock button"
4.Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the  button once to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
>"Driver's door only"
Pressing the  button once unlocks 
the driver's door and fuel filler flap.
Press the button twice to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
5.Press the controller.
Convenient opening
Hold the  button down.
The windows and the glass roof
*/panorama 
glass roof
* are opened.
Locking
Press the  button.
Switching on interior lamps
While the car is locked: 
Press the  button. 
You can also use this function to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Sedan:
Unlocking the trunk lid
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.The trunk lid opens a short distance, regardless 
of whether it was locked or unlocked.
The trunk lid swings back and up when 
opened. Ensure that there is sufficient 
clearance. To avoid locking yourself out by 
accident, do not place the remote control in the 
cargo area. A previously locked trunk lid is 
locked again after closing.
Before and after each trip, check that the trunk 
lid has not been inadvertently unlocked.<
Sports Wagon: 
Unlocking the tailgate
Press the  button for approx. 1 second.
The tailgate opens a short distance, regardless 
of whether it was locked or unlocked.
The tailgate swings back and up when 
opened. Ensure that there is sufficient 
clearance. To avoid locking yourself out by 
accident, do not place the remote control in the 
cargo area. A previously locked tailgate is 
locked again after closing.
Before and after each trip, check that the tail-
gate has not been inadvertently unlocked.<
Confirmation signals
You can activate or deactivate the confirmation 
signals.
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3."Flash when lock/unlock"
4.Press the controller.
 Flashing when locking/unlocking the 
vehicle is switched on. 

Controls
 29Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this occurs, unlock and lock 
the car at the door lock with the integrated key.
In vehicles without an alarm system
* or Com-
fort Access
*, only the driver's door can be 
unlocked and locked using the integrated key in 
the door lock.
If the car can no longer be locked with a remote 
control, the battery in the remote control is dis-
charged. Use the remote control on an 
extended trip to recharge the battery, refer to 
page26. The remote control for Comfort 
Access
* contains a battery that may have to be 
changed, refer to page36.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
Compliance statement: 
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
>This device must not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment.<
Opening and closing:
Using the door lock
You can set the way in which the car is 
unlocked, refer to page27.
In vehicles without an alarm system
* or 
Comfort Access
*, only the driver's door 
can be locked via the door lock.<
To lock all doors, the fuel filler flap and the trunk 
lid at once:
1.With the doors closed, lock the vehicle 
using the button for the central locking sys-
tem in the interior, refer to page30.
2.Unlock and open the driver's or front pas-
senger door, refer to page30.
3.Lock the vehicle.
>Lock the driver's door using the inte-
grated key in the door lock, or
>press down the lock button of the front 
passenger door and close the door from 
the outside.
Convenient operation
If the vehicle is equipped with an alarm system* 
or Comfort Access*, you can also operate the 
windows and the glass roof
*/panorama glass 
roof
* via the door lock.
Hold the key in the position for unlocking or 
locking.
Watch during the closing process to 
ensure that no one is injured. Releasing 
the key stops the operation.< 

Opening and closing
30
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
lock and unlock the driver's door by turning the 
integrated key to the corresponding limit posi-
tions in the door lock.
Opening and closing:
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the trunk lid/tailgate, but does not activate the 
anti-theft system. The fuel filler flap remains 
unlocked.
Automatic locking
You can also set the situations in which the car 
locks:
1."Settings"
2."Door locks"
3.Select the desired function:
>"Lock if no door is opened" 
The central locking system locks the 
vehicle after a short time, unless a door 
has been opened.>"Lock after start. to drive" 
The central locking system locks the 
vehicle when you drive away.
 The function is switched on and is stored 
for the remote control currently in use.
Unlocking and opening doors
>Either unlock the doors together using the 
button for the central locking system and 
then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
>pull on the door handle of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
>Use the central locking button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
>press down the safety lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take the remote control with 
you when you leave the vehicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside.< 

Driving
56
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps as well as dis-
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas; 
otherwise, the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause loss of consciousness and 
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly 
toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle 
with the engine running; otherwise, such a vehi-
cle represents a potential safety hazard. 
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, always shift into neutral or selector 
position P and apply the parking brake force-
fully to prevent the vehicle from rolling.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or incompletely burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter.<
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page34.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to neutral posi-
tion.
3.Press the start/stop button.The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page34.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Diesel engine
When the engine is cold and temperatures are 
below approx. 327/06, the starting process 
may take a little more time due to automatic 
preheating. The preheating indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster comes on; at the same 
time a message appears on the Control Display.
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you 
when you leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll.<
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4.Removing the remote control from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page55. 

Driving
58
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must first move the selector 
lever to position P and switch off the engine: 
interlock. Removing the remote control from 
the ignition lock, refer to page55.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is displayed and, in 
manual mode, the engaged gear, e.g. M4.
Changing selector lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine 
running, the selector lever can be moved 
out of position P.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise, the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
depress the brake until you are ready to 
start.
ing selector lever positions R and P. To cancel 
the lock, press the button on the front of the 
selector lever, see arrow.
P Park
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
The rear wheels are locked.
R Reverse
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can select this in a car wash, for example. 
The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehicle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel con-
sumption is lowest when you are driving in 
position D.
Kickdown
Kickdown enables you to achieve maximum 
performance. 
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.