
Adjustments
42
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page51.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing should come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard; 
otherwise, leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag deploys.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean 
against the cover of the head airbag; otherwise, 
serious injuries can result if the airbag 
deploys.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page94.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. 
Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in 
the event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page44.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has five seats, each of which is 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits 
low across the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. 
The safety belt must not rest against the throat, 
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt 
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the 
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise, the belt could slide over your hips and 
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal 
collision. 
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull 
the belt in the upper-body area taut; otherwise, 
its restraining effect could be impaired.
Sports Wagon: if the rear center safety belt is 
used, the wider backrest must be locked in 
place, refer to page115. Otherwise, the safety 
belt will have no restraining effect.<
Safety belts, refer to page47. 

Adjustments
48
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or 
stressed in an accident: have the belt 
system, including any belt tensioners or child 
restraint systems, replaced and the belt 
anchors checked. Have this work done only by 
your BMW center or at a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. Otherwise, it is 
not guaranteed that the safety devices will func-
tion properly.<
Rear center safety belt
With through-loading system*:
Before using the center rear seat, release the 
latch plate from the fixture on the rear window 
shelf and insert it into the belt lock of the center 
safety belt. Make sure you hear the latch plate 
engage.
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The front passenger's mirror is more con-
vex than the driver's mirror. The objects 
seen in the mirror are closer than they appear. 
Do not gauge your distance from traffic behind 
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror; 
otherwise, there is an increased risk of an acci-
dent.<1Adjustments
2Switching to the other mirror or automatic 
curb monitor
*
3Folding mirrors in and out*
The setting for the exterior mirrors is stored for 
the remote control currently in use
*. The stored 
position is called up automatically when the 
vehicle is unlocked.
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually: 
press the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out*
At driving speeds up to approx. 12 mph/20 km/
h, you can fold the mirrors in and out by press-
ing button3. This can be beneficial in narrow 
streets, for example, or for moving mirrors that 
were folded in by hand back out into their cor-
rect positions. Mirrors that were folded in are 
folded out automatically at a speed of approx. 
25 mph/40 km/h.
Before entering an automatic car wash, 
fold in the exterior mirrors manually or 
with button3 to prevent them from being dam-
aged, depending on the width of the vehicle.<
Automatic heating*
Depending on the outside temperature, both 
exterior mirrors are heated automatically when 
the engine is running or the ignition is switched 
on. 

Controls
 51Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
The rear center seat is not suitable for installing 
child restraint systems for all age groups, 
approved for the age group in question.
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest 
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller 
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only 
in the rear in suitable child restraint systems 
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Children in the front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child 
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk 
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even 
with a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags refer to page95.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions when selecting, 
installing and using child restraint systems. 
Otherwise, the protective effect may be dimin-
ished. <
Standard child restraint systems are designed 
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt 
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly 
or improperly installed child restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always follow the installation instructions for 
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated; otherwise, there is an 
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move 
the front passenger seat as far back and up as 
possible to obtain the best possible position for 
the belt. Do not change the seat position after 
this.
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the front passenger 
seat must be at its widest possible set-
ting. Do not change the setting after installing 
the child seat. Otherwise, the child seat's stabil-
ity on the front passenger seat is limited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest 
setting, refer to page44.
2.Install the child seat. 

Transporting children safely
52
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger 
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled 
out in order to fasten child restraint systems.
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.
3.Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut 
against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the 
way.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
To install and use the LATCH child 
restraint system, follow the operating and 
safety instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the system; otherwise, the protective 
function of the seat may be compromised.<
Before installing the child seat, pull the belt out 
of the area for the child restraint fixing system.Ensure that both lower LATCH anchors 
are correctly engaged and that the child 
restraint system is resting firmly against the 
backrest; otherwise, the protective function of 
the seat may be compromised.<
Rear seats with through-loading 
system
The anchor points for the lower LATCH 
anchors are located behind the labeled protec-
tive caps.
Rear seats without through-loading 
system
The anchor points for the lower LATCH 
anchors are located at the positions indicated 
by arrows, in the gap between the seat and the 
backrest. 

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Child restraint system with tether strap
Use the top tether anchors to secure child 
restraint systems only; otherwise, the 
anchors could be damaged.<
Sedan
There are three additional anchors for child 
restraint systems with tether straps, see 
arrows.
Sports Wagon
There are three additional anchors under a 
cover for child restraint systems with tether 
straps, see arrows.
Placement of the tether strap
Make sure the upper retaining strap does 
not run over sharp edges and is not 
twisted as it passes to the top anchor. Other-
wise, the strap will not properly secure the child 
restraint system in the event of an accident.<
Sedan
Sports Wagon
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Hook for upper retaining strap
4Anchor
5Rear window shelf/cargo area floor
6Seat backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint 
system 

Transporting children safely
54 Fold the anchors and, if necessary, the head 
restraints
* upward before use.
1.Push the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the upper retaining strap between 
the head restraint holders.
3.Use the hook to clip the retaining strap to 
the anchor.
4.Push the head restraint into its lowermost 
position.
5.Pull the retaining strap taut.
On journeys
Child safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear door:
The door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Press the safety switch for the power windows, 
refer to page37, if children are traveling on the 
rear seat. 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic deactivation of the front 
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and 
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or 
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior 
rearview mirror shows the current status 
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or 
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page51.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the 
passenger should change his or her sitting 
position so that the front passenger airbags are 
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by 
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the front passenger seat unless 
they are specifically recommended by BMW. 
Do not place any items under the seat which 
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise, a correct analysis of the seat cushion is 
not ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front 
passenger front and side airbags in accordance 
with whether and how the front passenger seat 
is occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether 
the front passenger airbags are activated or 
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a specially designated child restraint sys-
tem is detected, as intended, on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Most child seats are detected by the 
system, especially child seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-
cle production. After mounting a child seat, 
ensure that the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the 
child seat has been detected and that the 
front passenger airbags are deactivated.<
>The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated. 

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