
Controls
 35Reference
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Mobility
Functional requirement
>The vehicle or the trunk lid/tailgate can only 
be locked when the vehicle detects that the 
remote control currently in use is outside of 
the vehicle.
>The vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked 
again until after approx. 2 seconds.
>The engine can only be started when the 
vehicle detects that the remote control cur-
rently in use is inside the vehicle.
Comparison to the standard remote 
control
In general, there is no difference between using 
Comfort Access or pressing the buttons on the 
remote control to carry out the functions men-
tioned above. You should therefore first famil-
iarize yourself with the instructions on opening 
and closing starting on page26.
Special features regarding the use of Comfort 
Access are described below.
If you notice a brief delay while opening or 
closing windows or the glass roof/pan-
orama glass roof, the system is checking 
whether a remote control is inside the vehicle. 
Please repeat the opening or closing proce-
dure, if necessary.<
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger door completely, arrow 1. This corre-
sponds to pressing the  button.
Locking
Touch the surface, arrow 2, with your finger for 
approx. 1 second. This corresponds to pressing 
the button.
To preserve the battery, please make 
sure that the ignition and all electrical 
consumers are switched off before locking the 
vehicle.<
Convenient closing
For Convenient closing, keep your finger on the 
surface, arrow 2.
Unlocking the trunk lid/tailgate 
separately
Press the button on the outside of the trunk lid/
tailgate. This corresponds to pressing the 
button.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accidentally left inside the 
locked vehicle's cargo area after the trunk lid/
tailgate or rear window is closed, the lid will 
reopen. The hazard warning flashers flash and 
an acoustic signal
* sounds.<
Switching on radio readiness
Radio readiness is switched on by pressing the 
start/stop button, refer to page55.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; 
otherwise, the engine will start.<
Starting the engine
You can start the engine or switch on the igni-
tion when a remote control is inside the vehicle. 
It is not necessary to insert a remote control into 
the ignition lock, refer to page55.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, refer to page57.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition lock. 

Opening and closing
36
Malfunction
Comfort Access may malfunction due to local 
radio waves. If this happens, open or close the 
vehicle via the buttons on the remote control or 
using the integrated key. To start the engine 
afterward, insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote control is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning.
Take the remote control with you inside the 
vehicle or have it checked. If necessary, insert 
another remote control into the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page26.
2.Remove the cover.3.Insert the new battery with the plus side 
facing up.
4.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collec-
tion point or to your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car; otherwise, children could operate 
the electric windows and possibly injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch.
>Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
There are separate switches in the rear seat 
armrests.
After switching off the ignition
When the remote control is removed or the igni-
tion is switched off, you can still operate the 
windows for approx. 1 minute as long as no 
door is opened. 

Controls
 37Reference
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Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Convenient operation
For information on Convenient operation via the 
remote control or the door lock, refer to page27 
or29. For information on Convenient closing 
with Comfort Access, refer to Locking on 
page28.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force exceeds a specific value as a 
window closes, the closing action is interrupted 
and the window reopens slightly.
Despite the pinch protection system 
check and clear the window's travel path 
prior to closing it; otherwise, the safety system 
might fail to detect certain kinds of obstruc-
tions, such as thin objects, and the window 
would continue closing. 
Do not install any accessories that might inter-
fere with window movement. Otherwise, the 
pinch protection system could be impaired.<
Closing without pinch protection
If there is an external danger, or if ice on the win-
dows, etc., prevents you from closing the win-
dows normally, proceed as follows:
1.Pull the switch past the resistance point and 
hold it there. Pinch protection is limited and 
the window reopens slightly if the closing 
force exceeds a certain value.
2.Pull the switch again past the resistance 
point within approx. 4 seconds and hold it 
there. The window closes without pinch 
protection.
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear 
windows from being opened or closed via the 
switches in the rear passenger area, by chil-
dren, for example. When the safety function is 
switched on, the LED comes on.
Always press the safety switch when chil-
dren ride in the rear; otherwise, 
unchecked closing of the windows could lead to 
injuries.<
Sedan: glass roof*, electric
To prevent injuries, watch the glass roof 
while closing it. 
Take the remote control with you when you 
leave the car; otherwise, children could operate 
the roof and possibly injure themselves.<
Raising
Press the switch.
>The closed glass roof is raised and the slid-
ing visor opens slightly. 

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
 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. 

Driving
62
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are heated 
automatically
* while the engine is running or 
the ignition is switched on.
Sports Wagon: rear window wiper
1Intermittent operation. When reverse gear 
is engaged, the system switches to contin-
uous operation.
2Cleaning the rear window
The rear window wiper does not move if the 
lever is in position1 before the ignition is 
switched on.
To switch on the rear window wiper:
1.Move the lever to its home position.
2.Reselect the desired position.
Do not use the washers when the washer 
fluid reservoir is empty; otherwise, you 
will damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. 
Therefore, keep it away from ignition 
sources and only store it in the closed original 
container that is kept out of reach of children; 
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury. 
Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.<
Washer fluid filler neck
Only refill washer fluid when the engine is 
cool to avoid contact with hot engine 
parts. Otherwise, fluid spills constitute a fire 
hazard and a risk to personal safety.
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores 
and maintains the speed that you specify using 
the lever on the steering column. In order to 
maintain the specified speed, the system 
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at 
constant speed is prevented by adverse 
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or 
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice 
or loose surfaces. Otherwise, you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as 
aresult.<
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while cruise control is acti-
vated. The system is deactivated when you 
drive at very low engine speeds for an extended 
period. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
94
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in the seat backrests
Protective action
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page42 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head.
The airbags have been designed to not be trig-
gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in 
minor accidents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way.
Keep the dashboard and windows on the front 
passenger side clear, i.e. do not cover with 
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach 
holders such as for navigation instruments or 
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other 
objects not specifically approved for seats with 
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not 
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets 
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do 
not modify the individual components of the 
system or its wiring in any way. This includes 
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel, 
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well 
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to 
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to repair 
procedures of BMW with correspondingly 
trained personnel and that has the required 
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to 
work on the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or to undesired airbag activation, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.