
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.< 

Things to remember when driving
124
Diesel particulate filter*
The diesel particulate filter collects soot parti-
cles and burns them periodically at high tem-
peratures. This cleaning process takes several 
minutes. During cleaning, you may notice that 
the engine temporarily runs less smoothly and 
that a somewhat higher engine speed is neces-
sary to achieve the accustomed performance. 
Also, noises may be heard and a slight amount 
of smoke may emerge from the exhaust, even 
for a short period after the engine is switched 
off.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, 
means that the tire can completely lose contact 
with the road surface, so that neither the car can 
be steered nor the brake be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page222.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is 
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only 
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the 
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a 
lengthy period using the clutch; use the 
parking brake instead. Otherwise, greater 
clutch wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off 
assistant, refer to page87.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard 
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most 
effective way of braking in situations in which 
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains 
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering 
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that 
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, 
briefly exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal 
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least braking is required. Even 
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page59.
Never drive with the clutch held down, 
with the transmission in neutral or with 
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine 
braking action will not be present or there will be 
no power assistance to the brakes or steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area around the 
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be 
impaired.< 

Driving tips
 125Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. In some situations, 
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure.<
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or 
leak from their containers in the cargo 
area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading 
can result in damage to the vehicle and 
unstable driving conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150-lb. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle. 

Refueling
204
BMW Advanced Diesel: required fuel
Ultra-low sulfur diesel
The engine of your BMW is designed for diesel 
with low sulfur content:
Ultra-low sulfur diesel ASTM D 975-07a.
Refuel with ultra-low sulfur diesel only. 
The percentage of biodiesel in the fuel 
m u s t  n o t  e x c e e d  5 % ;  t h i s  t y p e  o f  f u e l  i s  r e f e r r e d  
to as B5. Do not refuel with gasoline. If you have 
accidentally refueled with the wrong fuel, e.g. 
with gasoline, do not start the engine; other-
wise, engine damage may occur.<
If you have refueled with the wrong fuel, contact 
your BMW center.
The filler neck is designed for refueling at 
diesel fuel pumps.
If the filler nozzle cannot be inserted into your 
BMW's filler pipe, please ensure that you are 
refueling at a diesel fuel pump and that it is 
equipped with a diesel filler nozzle.<
In the event the Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel 
fuel cannot be fully inserted into the fuel 
filler neck, please contact BMW Roadside 
Assistance for instructions on how to add fuel. 
For more information on BMW Roadside Assis-
tance, refer to page246.<
Winter diesel
To ensure that the diesel engine remains oper-
ational in the winter, please use winter diesel, 
which is available at gas stations during winter 
months. The fuel filter heating system, included 
as a standard feature, prevents disruption of the 
fuel supply while driving.
Do not add additives, including gasoline; 
otherwise, engine damage may occur.<
BMW Advanced Diesel
The concept
BMW Advanced Diesel reduces nitrogen oxide 
in the diesel emissions of your vehicle by means 
of a mechanism that injects diesel exhaust fluid, 
a reduction agent, into the exhaust tract. 
A chemical reaction occurs in the catalytic 
converter that minimizes the nitrogen oxide 
content.
To be able to start the engine as usual, a suffi-
cient amount of diesel exhaust fluid must be 
present in a separate reservoir.
Warming the system
To warm the system to its operating tempera-
ture after starting with a cold engine, the auto-
matic transmission delays shifting to the next 
higher gear, if necessary.
Reserve display
A display in the instrument cluster informs you 
about the remaining distance you can drive with 
the fluid remaining in the reservoir.
The reserve display appears beginning at 
approx. 1,000 miles/1,600 km before the sup-
ply is used up.
When this reserve display appears in the 
instrument cluster, have diesel exhaust 
fluid refilled to avoid not being able to start the 
engine.< 

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 

Everything from A to Z
274 Manual transmission57
Map for navigation
– changing scale143
– entering destination136
Map view142
Master key, refer to Remote 
control with integrated 
key26
Maximum cooling103
Maximum speed
– with winter tires224
Measurements, refer to 
Dimensions255
Memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory46
MENU button16
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Messages187
Messages from the concierge 
service188
Microfilter
– BMW Maintenance 
System231
– for automatic climate 
control105
Microfilter/activated-charcoal 
filter
– BMW Maintenance 
System231
Microphone
– telephone14
– voice commands14
Mirror dimming feature49
Mirrors48
– automatic curb monitor49
– exterior mirrors48
– heating48
– interior rearview mirror49
– memory, refer to Seat and 
mirror memory46
Mirrors, folding in before 
entering a car wash48Mobile phone
– adjusting volume183
– connecting, refer to Mobile 
phone, pairing181
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest111
– operation via iDrive184
– pairing181
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Mobile phone, installation 
location, refer to Center 
armrest111
Mobile phone, refer to 
Telephone180
Mobile phone, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual
Modifications, technical, refer 
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive 
controls16
Monitoring system for tire 
pressures, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor88
MP3 player, connecting, refer 
to AUX-IN port
173
MP3 player, connecting, refer 
to USB audio interface174
Multi-channel playback151
Multifunctional steering 
wheel, refer to Buttons on 
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher60
– refer to Wiper system61
Multimedia screen, refer to 
iDrive16
Music, managing171
Music collection168
– backup172
– deleting172
– random sequence171
– restoring172
Music player, connecting, 
refer to AUX-IN port173Music player, connecting, 
refer to USB audio 
interface174
Music search169
My Info188
N
Navigation
– starting destination 
guidance after entering a 
destination133
– storing current position134
– voice activation137
Navigation announcements, 
refer to Switching voice 
instructions on/off142
Navigation data130
Navigation system130
– address book133
– bypassing a route 
section141
– continuing destination 
guidance140
– destination entry131
– dynamic destination 
guidance141
– entering a destination by 
voice137
– entering a destination 
manually131
– frequently asked 
questions147
– gas station 
recommendations142
– planning a trip138
– route list141
– selecting destination via 
map136
– selecting route criteria140
– special destinations135
– starting destination 
guidance140
– terminating destination 
guidance140
– traffic bulletins144
– voice instructions142
– volume adjustment142 

Reference 275
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints44
Nets, refer to Storage 
compartments112
New tires223
Next Service indicator, refer to 
Condition Based Service 
CBS231
North-facing map142
Nozzles102
Number of cylinders, refer to 
Engine data254
Nylon rope, refer to Tow 
rope250
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket 
for Onboard Diagnosis232
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications203
Odometer71
Oil, refer to Engine oil227
Oil consumption227
Oil level227
Old batteries, refer to 
Disposal244
Onboard vehicle tool kit237
Opening and closing
– Comfort Access34
– from inside30
– from outside27
– using the door lock29
– using the remote control27
Options, selecting for 
navigation140
Orientation menu, refer to 
Start menu17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation105
Output, refer to Engine 
data254
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate 
control104
Outside temperature 
display71
– changing unit of measure76
– in computer76Outside temperature 
warning71
Overheated engine, refer to 
Coolant temperature72
Overriding selector lever 
lock60
Overview
– radio control150
P
Paintwork care234
Panorama glass roof39
– closing after electrical 
malfunction40
– comfort position40
– convenient operation28
– initializing40
– opening, closing39
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control28
Park assistant, refer to Park 
Distance Control84
Park Distance Control PDC84
Parked car ventilation106
– preselecting switch-on 
times106
– switching on and off 
directly106
Parking
– vehicle56
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control PDC84
Parking brake57
– indicator lamp57
Parking lamps97
– replacing bulbs238,240
Parking lamps/low beams97
Particulate filter, refer to 
Diesel particulate filter124
Partition net116
Passenger side mirror tilt 
function49
Pathway lighting98
Personal Profile26
Phone book184Phone numbers
– dialing185
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric38
– panorama glass roof40
– windows37
Playing music169
Polish235
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control105
Power failure245
Power windows36
– safety switch37
Power windows, refer to 
Windows36
Preheating, refer to Diesel 
engine56
Pressure, tires208
Pressure monitoring, tires88
– Flat Tire Monitor88
Pressure monitoring of tires, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM89
Programmable buttons on the 
steering wheel11
Protection function, refer to 
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric38
– panorama glass roof40
– windows37
Providing medical assistance, 
refer to First aid pouch247
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor88
R
Radio
– controls150
– HD Radio154
– satellite radio156
– selecting waveband153
– storing stations154
– switching on/off150
– tone control150
– volume150