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