
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Contents
The quickest way to find special topics is to 
consult the index, refer to page266.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
7Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
16iDrive
21Letters and numbers
22Voice activation system
Controls
26Opening and closing
42Adjustments
51Transporting children safely
55Driving
71Controls overview
84Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
97Lamps
102Climate
107Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
122Things to remember when driving
Navigation
130Navigation system
131Destination entry
140Destination guidance
147What to do if …
Entertainment
150On/off and tone
153Radio
156Satellite radio
161CD/DVD player and CD changer
168Music collection
173External devices
Communications
180Telephone
193Contacts
195BMW Assist
Mobility
202Refueling
208Wheels and tires
225Under the hood
231Maintenance
233Care
237Replacing components
246Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
254Technical data
259Short commands for the voice activation 
system
266Everything from A to Z 

On/off and tone
150
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share 
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
>CD/DVD player
>CD changer
*
>Video*
>External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled 
using the:
>Buttons near the CD/DVD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to 
page10
>Programmable memory keys, refer to 
page20
>Voice activation system
Buttons in the area of the CD/DVD 
player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off
When you switch on the unit, the last set 
radio station or track is played.
>Turn: adjusting the volume
2 Eject the CD/DVD
3CD/DVD drive
*
4FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band
5MODE: change the audio and video 
sources
6 Station scan/track search
>Change the radio station
>Select the track for the CD/DVD player, 
CD changer and certain multimedia 
devices
Switching on/off
To switch the entertainment audio output on or 
off:
Press button1 next to the CD/DVD player.
 This symbol on the Control Display indicates 
that sound output is switched off.
The sound output is available for approx. 
20 minutes after the ignition was switched off.
For sound output, switch the unit back on.
Adjusting volume
Turn button1 next to the CD/DVD player until 
the desired volume is obtained.
You can also adjust the volume with buttons on 
the steering wheel, refer to page10.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g. treble 
and bass or the speed-dependent volume 
increase.
The tone settings are applied to all audio 
sources.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 161Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
CD/DVD player and CD changer
CD/DVD playback
Inserting a CD/DVD
Insert the CD/DVD into the drive with the 
labeled side facing up. The CD/DVD is drawn in 
automatically.
Playback starts automatically if the sound out-
put is on. For CDs/DVDs with compressed 
audio files, it can take several minutes to read in 
the data, depending on the directory structure.
Playable formats
CD/DVD player
>DVD: DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-
RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, DVD 
audio (video part only), DVD video
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, 
VCD, SVCD
>Compressed audio files: MP3, WMA, AAC
CD changer
*
>CD: CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA
Starting playback
Via iDrive
Fill the CD/DVD magazine and insert it, refer to 
page166.To start playback if a CD is already located in 
the player or changer:
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD:
 Eject the CD/DVD
Press the  button next to the CD/DVD player.
The CD/DVD emerges slightly from the drive.
*
SymbolFunction
CD/DVD player
CD changer 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
162
Audio playback
Selecting a track using the button
Press the  button for the appropriate 
direction as often as necessary until the desired 
track is reached.
Selecting a track using iDrive
Audio CDs
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Select the desired track to begin playback.
CDs / DVDs with compressed audio 
files*
Depending on the data, some letters and num-
bers of the CD/DVD may not be displayed cor-
rectly.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Select the directory, if necessary.
To change to a higher level directory: move 
the controller to the left.5.Select a track and press the controller.
Displaying information about the 
track*
If information about a track has been stored, it is 
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks on the CD/DVD
>Track file name
Random play sequence
The tracks on the current CD/DVD are played 
once in random sequence.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the desired CD or DVD.
4.Open "Options". 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
164
Video menu
To open the Video menu:
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Press the controller when "Back" is dis-
played.
The Video menu is displayed:
In fast forward/reverse: the speed increases 
every time the controller is pressed. To stop, 
start playback.
DVD menu
1.If necessary, turn the controller to open the 
Video menu.
2. "DVD menu"
The DVD menu is displayed. The display 
depends on the contents of the DVD.
>To select menu items: move and press the 
controller.
>To change to the Video menu: turn the con-
troller and select "Back".
DVD/VCD settings
For some DVDs, settings can only be made via 
the DVD menu; refer also to the information on 
your DVD.
Language*
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Audio/language"
4.Select the desired language.
The languages that are available depend on the 
DVD.
Subtitles*
Subtitles can be selected if they are contained 
on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Subtitles"
4.Select the desired language or "Do not dis-
play subtitles".
SymbolFunction
Open the DVD menu
*
Starting playback
Pause
Stop
Next chapter/next track
Previous chapter/previous 
track
Fast forward
Reverse 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
166
CD changer*
The BMW CD changer for six CDs is behind the 
left side panel in the cargo area.
Sedan
Sports Wagon
Removing the CD magazine
To insert or remove CDs from the CD magazine, 
you must first remove it from the CD changer:
1.Push the cover to one side, arrow 1.
2.Press the button, arrow2.
The CD magazine will be ejected.
Push the magazine back in after at least 
2 seconds have passed so that the inserted 
CDs can be read in again.
Inserting/removing CDs from the 
CD magazine
When loading CDs into or removing them from 
the CD magazine, hold them at their edges and 
do not touch the reflective signal-sensing area.
Inserting CDs:
Insert one CD per compartment with the 
labeled side up.
Removing CDs:
Pull out the desired compartment and take out 
the CD.
Inserting the CD magazine
Insert the CD magazine all the way in the direc-
tion of arrow 1 and close the cover, arrow 2.
The CD changer automatically reads in the 
loaded CDs and is then ready for operation. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 167Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Notes
BMW CD/DVD players and changers are 
officially designated Class 1 laser prod-
ucts. Do not operate if the cover is damaged; 
otherwise, severe eye damage can result.
Do not use self-recorded CDs/DVDs with labels 
applied as these can become detached during 
playback due to heat build-up and can cause 
irreparable damage to the device.
Only use round CDs / DVDs with a standard 
diameter of 4.7 in/12 cm and do not play 
CDs / DVDs with an adapter, e.g. CD singles; 
otherwise, the CDs or the adapter might jam 
and no longer eject.
Do not use a combined CD/DVD, e.g. DVD
Plus; 
otherwise, the CD/DVD can jam and will no 
longer eject.<
General malfunctions
BMW CD/DVD changers and players have been 
optimized for performance in vehicles. In some 
instances they may be more sensitive to faulty 
CDs/DVDs than stationary devices would be.
If a CD/DVD cannot be played, first check if it 
has been inserted correctly.
Humidity
High levels of humidity can lead to condensa-
tion on the CD/DVD or the laser's scan lens and 
temporarily prevent playback.
Malfunctions with individual CDs/DVDs
If malfunctions occur only with particular CDs/
DVDs, this may be due to one of the following 
reasons.
Self-recorded CDs/DVDs
Possible reasons for malfunctions with self-
recorded CDs/DVDs are, for example, inconsis-
tent data-creation or recording processes, or 
poor quality or old age of the CD/DVD blank.
Only label CDs/DVDs on the top, with a pen 
designed for this purpose.
Damage
Avoid leaving fingerprints, as well as dust, 
scratches or moisture on the CDs/DVDs. 
Keep CDs/DVDs in protective sleeves or cases.
Do not subject CDs / DVDs to temperatures 
above 1227/506, nor to high humidity levels 
or direct sunlight.
CDs/DVDs with copy protection
CDs/DVDs are often copy-protected by the 
manufacturer. This can mean that some CDs/
DVDs cannot be played or can only be played to 
a limited extent.
MACROVISION
This product contains copyrighted technology 
that is based on multiple registered U.S. pat-
ents and the intellectual property of the Macro-
vision Corporation and other manufacturers. 
The use of this copy protection must be 
approved by Macrovision. Unless otherwise 
agreed with Macrovision, media with this pro-
tection may only be used for private purposes. 
Copying of this technology is prohibited.
DTS Digital Surround™
Manufactured under license of US 
patent numbers: 5,451,942; 
5,956,674; 5,974,380; 5,978,762; 6,487,535 & 
other patents granted and pending in both the 
USA and worldwide. DTS and the logo are reg-
istered trademarks & DTS Digital Surround and 
the DTS logos are trademarks of DTS Inc. © 
DTS, Inc. All rights reserved. 

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