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