Driving tips
123Reference
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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.<
Things to remember when driving
126
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
respective seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
opposite buckle.
Sedan
Sports Wagon
>Use the partition net to protect passengers,
refer to page116. Make sure that objects
cannot penetrate the partition net.
>Do not stack cargo higher than the upper
edge of the backrests.
>Place protective material around any
objects which could bump against the rear
window while the vehicle is in motion.
Securing cargo
>Secure smaller and lighter items using
retaining straps, a cargo area net
* or draw
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing
larger and heavier objects are available at
your BMW center. Four
* lashing eyes are
provided for attaching the cargo straps.
Two are located on the cargo area
sidewalls1, two more are on the rear cargo
area panel2.
Please comply with the information sup-
plied with the cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerving is necessary.
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer
to page257; otherwise, excessive loads can
pose a safety hazard, and may also place you in
violation of traffic safety laws.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.
Mobility
235Reference
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Light-alloy wheels
For technical reasons, dust is generated during
braking that is deposited on the light-alloy
wheels. Remove the dust regularly using acid-
free rim cleaner.
Do not use aggressive, acidic, strongly
alkaline and abrasive cleaning agents or
steam jets over 1407/606; otherwise, dam-
age may occur.<
Outside sensors/cameras
Keep the sensors and cameras on the
outside of the vehicle, e.g. those for Park
Distance Control, clean and free of ice to ensure
that they remain fully functional.<
Interior care
Upholstery fabrics/cloth trims/
Alcantara fabrics
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner to
remove superficial dirt.
To remove severe spots such as stains from
beverages, use a soft sponge or lint-free
microfiber cloth and suitable interior cleaners.
Follow the instructions on the packaging.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams
using a sweeping motion. Avoid strong
rubbing.<
Opened Velcro fasteners on pants or
other articles of clothing can damage the
seat covers. Ensure that Velcro fasteners are
closed.<
Leather/leather trim
The leather used by BMW is a high quality
natural product. Slight irregularities in the
leather are a typical characteristic of natural
leather.<
Dust and road grit in the pores and folds of the
leather have an abrasive effect, leading to
increased wear and causing the leather surface
to become brittle prematurely. Therefore, fre-
quently clean the leather of dust using a cloth or
vacuum cleaner.Clean light-colored leather more frequently as
dust and dirt are more noticeable.
Treat the leather at least once every two
months using a leather lotion as dirt and grease
will gradually attack the leather's protective
layer.
Carpet/floor mats*
The floor mats can be removed for cleaning.
When heavily soiled, clean carpets with a
microfiber cloth and water or textile cleaner.
Rub back and forth in the direction of travel; oth-
erwise, the carpet may become matted.
Interior plastic parts
>Imitation leather surfaces
>Lamp glasses
>Display pane of instrument cluster
>Matte parts
Clean with water and solvent-free plastic
cleaner if necessary.
Fine wood parts
Clean fine wood trim and fine wood parts with a
damp cloth. Wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Do not clean chemically, as this may
destroy the webbing.<
Interior sensors/cameras
To clean interior sensors and cameras, e.g. of
the high-beam assistant, use a lint-free cloth
moistened with glass cleaner.
Mobility
245Reference
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Controls
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Navigation
Entertainment
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, the functioning of
some equipment may be limited and require
reinitialization. Individual settings may likewise
have been lost and will have to be programmed:
>Time and date
These values must be updated, refer to
page79.
>Radio
In some cases, stations may have to be
stored again, refer to page154.
>Navigation system
Operability must be waited for, refer to
page130.
>Glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be
raised. The system must be initialized.
Please contact your BMW center.
>Panorama glass roof
It may happen that the roof can only be
raised. The system must be initialized.
Please contact your BMW center.
>Seat and mirror memory
The positions must be stored again, refer to
page46.
>Inside rearview mirror with digital compass
The system must be calibrated, refer to
page110.
>Active steering
The system automatically initializes itself
briefly during a trip. The system is deacti-
vated during this time, refer to page92.
>xDrive
The system automatically initializes itself
during a trip. Indicator lamps light up during
this time. If the lamps do not go out during
the current trip, have the system checked.
Fuses
Never attempt to repair a blown fuse and
do not replace a defective fuse with a sub-
stitute of another color or amperage rating; oth-
erwise, this could lead to a circuit overload, ulti-
mately resulting in a fire in the vehicle.<
Open the cover in the glove compartment and
remove it.
Plastic tweezers are located on the distributor
box.
See the rear of the cover for information on fuse
assignment.
Spare fuses are available from your BMW cen-
ter.
Reference 267
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Available services199
Average fuel consumption73
– setting the units76
Average speed73
Avoid highways in
navigation140
Avoiding unintentional
alarms34
Axle loads, refer to
Weights257
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats45
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb242,243
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch247
Bar, refer to Towing
methods249
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter192
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment111
Bass, tone setting150
Battery244
– charging244
– disposal36,244
– jump-starting247
– remote control26
– replacing244
– temporary power failure245
Battery for mobile phone192
Battery renewal
– remote control36
– remote control for vehicle36
Being towed249Belts, refer to Safety belts47
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts47
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders112
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning71
Blower, refer to Air
volume104
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating183
BMW
– car shampoo235
BMW Advanced Diesel204
BMW Assist195
BMW Assist,
activating197,199
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System231
BMW Search197
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders112
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC85
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements76
Brake Force Display93
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display93
– replacing bulb242,243
Brake pads122
– breaking in122
Brake rotors125
– brakes122
– breaking in122
Brakes
– ABS85
– BMW Maintenance
System231
– Brake Force Display93
– breaking in122
– parking brake57
– service requirements76Brakes, refer to Braking
safely124
Brake system122
– BMW Maintenance
System231
– breaking in122
– disc brakes125
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance246
Breaking in the clutch122
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential122
Break-in period122
Brightness of the Control
Display83
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs238
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Call
– accepting184
– ending184
– rejecting184
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing185
Calling, refer to Telephone
owner's manual
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders112
Capacities258
Capacity of the cargo area257
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery244
Car care, refer to Care233
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
Everything from A to Z
270 Displacement, refer to Engine
data254
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting101
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant230
– remote control battery36
– vehicle battery244
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements76
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC84
Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Door lock29
Doors, emergency
operation30
DOT Quality Grades221
Draft-free ventilation105
Drinks holders, refer to
Cupholders112
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC85
Drive-off assistant87
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams97
Driving notes122
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant87
Driving stability control
systems85
Driving through water124
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes122
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function104
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control85DTC Dynamic Traction
Control86
– indicator/warning lamp86
DVD
– country codes163
– settings164
– video playback163
DVD menu164
DVD player, refer to CD
player161
DVD video163
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC85
Dynamic destination
guidance141
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC85
– indicator/warning lamp86
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp86
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution85
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player150
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap202
– glass roof38
– panorama glass roof40
– trunk lid32
Electric seat adjustment43
Electric steering wheel lock
– with Comfort Access35
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV85
Electronic oil level check227
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC85
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock60Emergency operation
– fuel filler flap, manual
release202
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof38
– panorama glass roof40
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock30
Emergency release
– trunk lid from inside32
Emergency Request246
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance246
Energy, saving
– saving fuel122
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking in122
– data254
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature72
– speed254
– starting56
– starting, Comfort Access34
– switching off56
Engine compartment226
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant230
Engine oil
– adding229
– alternative oil types229
– BMW Maintenance
System231
– capacity258
– checking level227
– dipstick
227
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements76
Engine output, refer to Engine
data254
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data254
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine56
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