
Controls
 103Reference
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Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic climate control
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program7 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air volume for almost all conditions, refer to 
AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile 
settings on page26.
Adjusting air distribution manually
The air distribution can be 
switched on and off manually. The 
air is directed to the windshield, to 
the upper body area and to the 
footwell.
The automatic air distribution can be switched 
back on by pressing the AUTO button. The 
cooling function is switched on automatically 
and the manual air distribution setting is 
cleared.
Temperature
Turn to set the desired tempera-
ture.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as 
quickly as possible regardless of the season, 
using maximum cooling or heating power if nec-
essary, and then maintains it.
Avoid rapid switching between different tem-
perature settings. The automatic climate con-
trol will not have sufficient time to adjust the set 
temperature.
Maximum heating power can be obtained with 
the highest setting, regardless of the outside 
temperature.
The system cools steadily in the lowest setting, 
regardless of the outside temperature.
Maximum cooling
Press the  button.
The system is set to the lowest 
temperature, maximum air volume 
and recirculated-air mode.
Air flows out of the vent outlets for the upper 
body region. Open them for this purpose.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:
>Above an outside temperature of approx. 
327/06
>When the engine is running
AUTO program
Press the  button.
Air volume, air distribution and 
temperature are controlled auto-
matically.
Depending on the selected temperature, AUTO 
intensity and outside influences, the air is 
directed toward the windshield, the side win-
dows, the upper body and the footwell.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
At the same time, a condensation sensor con-
trols the program so as to prevent window con-
densation as much as possible.
The program is switched off when the air distri-
bution is set manually or the button is pressed 
again.
Intensity of the AUTO program
With the AUTO program switched on, auto-
matic control of the air volume and air distribu-
tion can be adjusted:
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce the intensity. Press the 
right side of the button to increase 
it.
The selected intensity is shown on the display 
of the automatic climate control. 

Driving tips
 123Reference
At a glance
Controls
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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.< 

BMW Assist
196
TeleService*
TeleService supports communication with your 
BMW center.
>Data on the vehicle's service requirements 
can be sent directly to the BMW center. In 
this way, the BMW center can plan its work 
in advance. This shortens the duration of 
the service appointment.
>In the event of a breakdown, data on the 
vehicle's condition can be sent directly to 
Roadside Assistance
*. 
>The service varies by country.
>Connection may incur charges.
>Services may be restricted abroad.
Requirements
>BMW Assist is activated.
>Wireless reception is available.
>The engine is running.
Concierge service*
When you call the BMW Assist Concierge ser-
vice, you can obtain information about, for 
example, restaurants, emergency pharmacy 
services, gas stations or hotels, as well as 
receive the corresponding telephone numbers 
and addresses.
You can then dial a phone number directly or 
use an address for destination guidance
*.
Starting the concierge service
1."BMW Assist"
2."Concierge"3."Start service"
A voice connection is established to the BMW 
Concierge service.
You are connected to an employee of the BMW 
Concierge service to obtain the required infor-
mation. You can then have the phone number 
and address sent to you and, for example, use it 
for destination guidance in the navigation sys-
tem. Many hotels can be booked directly 
through the BMW Assist Concierge service. 
When an information message is received, a list 
of the received messages is displayed automat-
ically. Open the message via the message list, 
refer to page188.
Roadside Assistance
You can call BMW Roadside Assistance* 
should you require help in the event of a break-
down.
Starting Roadside Assistance
Vehicle not equipped with BMW Assist 
or BMW TeleService
1."BMW Assist"
2."Roadside Assistance"
The BMW Roadside Assistance number is 
displayed. If a mobile phone
* is paired, a 
connection is established to BMW Road-
side Assistance. 

Wheels and tires
208
Wheels and tires
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also 
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving 
safety that depend on the condition of the tires 
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Check the tire inflation pressure regularly 
and correct it, if necessary: at least twice a 
month and before starting long trips. If you fail 
to observe this precaution you may be driving 
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condi-
tion that can not only compromise your vehi-
cle's driving stability, but also lead to tire dam-
age and the risk of an accident. Do not drive 
with deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using 
run-flat tires. A flat tire will seriously impair your 
vehicle's handling and braking response. 
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of 
control over the vehicle.<
Checking pressure
Only check tire inflation pressure when the 
tires are cold. This means after a maximum of 
1.25 miles/2 km driving or when the vehicle has 
been parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are 
warm, the tire inflation pressure is higher.
After correcting the tire inflation pressure, 
reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to 
page90, or reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, 
refer to page88.<
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation 
pressures for the specified tire sizes at ambient 
temperature.
The inflation pressures apply to the tire 
sizes approved and tire brands recom-
mended by BMW; a list of these is available 
from your BMW center.<
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:>Tire sizes for your vehicle
>Load conditions
>Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up 
to 100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h 
and to achieve optimum driving comfort, adjust 
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of 
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pressures can also be found 
on the driver's side door post when the driver's 
door is open.
The maximum permissible speed for 
these tire pressures is 100 mph or 
160 km/h. Do not exceed this speed; otherwise, 
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Tire inflation pressures for driving 
above 100 mph or 160 km/h
In order to drive at maximum speeds in 
excess of 100 mph or 160 km/h, adjust 
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the following pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds including those 
exceeding 100 mph or 160 km/h. Otherwise, 
tire damage and accidents could occur.<
Observe all national and local maximum speed 
limits; otherwise, violations of the laws could 
occur. 

Wheels and tires
222 heat when tested under controlled conditions 
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. 
Sustained high temperature can cause the 
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce 
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to 
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to 
a level of performance which all passenger car 
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A 
represent higher levels of performance on the 
laboratory test wheel than the minimum 
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is 
established for a tire that is properly 
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, 
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat 
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular 
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side 
of the tire, refer to page223.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires. 
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear, 
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged 
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 0.12 in/
3mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 
0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 0.12 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed 
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of 
water are present on the road surface.
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth of 0.16 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less 
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of 
safety, new tires should be installed.
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove 
are distributed around the tire's circumference; 
the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the 
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate 
these wear indicators. Once the tire tread has 
worn down to the wear indicators, the tire has 
worn to a depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels, 
tires and suspension parts to be more suscep-
tible to road hazard and consequential dam-
ages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal 
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or 
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same 
applies to any other abnormal road behavior, 
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. To do so, drive carefully to the 
nearest BMW center or tire shop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel. If necessary, 
have the vehicle towed there. 
O t h e r w i s e ,  t i r e  d a m a g e  c a n  p o s e  a  l e t h a l  h a z a r d  
to vehicle occupants and other road users.< 

Mobility
 223Reference
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Controls
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Tire age
For various reasons, such as the development 
of brittleness, BMW recommends tire replace-
ment after no more than 6 years, regardless of 
the actual wear of the tires.
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: 
DOT ... 1010 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 10 of 2010.
Run-flat tires
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall. 
Run-flat tires comprise a conditionally self-sup-
porting tire and a special rim. The reinforce-
ment in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can 
continue to be used subject to certain restric-
tions, even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat 
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page89.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires installed only 
by your BMW center or tire shop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel. If this 
work is not carried out properly, there is a dan-
ger of subsequent damage and related safety 
hazards. Make sure that the new wheels are bal-
anced.<
Retreaded tires
BMW recommends that you do not use 
retreaded tires, since driving safety may 
be impaired. The causes for this include poten-
tially different tire casing structures and often 
wide variations in tire age, which can result in 
a limited service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount run-flat tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you.
BMW recommends that you use only 
wheel and tire combinations that BMW 
has tested and approved for your particular 
vehicle. Variations in factors such as manufac-
turing tolerances mean that even wheels and 
tires with identical official size ratings could 
actually have different dimensions, which could 
lead to body contact and thus to severe acci-
dents. If non-approved wheels and tires are 
used, BMW cannot evaluate their suitability, 
and therefore cannot guarantee their driving 
safety.<
You can inquire about the right wheel/tire com-
bination at your BMW center.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is 
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of 
various vehicle systems such as ABS, DSC or 
FTM.
To maintain good handling and vehicle 
response, use only tires of a single brand and 
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only 
use wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, 
the Tire Pressure Monitor may not be able to 
detect a puncture, refer to page89. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you. 

Mobility
 231Reference
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Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System supports the 
preservation of the traffic and operating safety 
of your BMW. The objective is to optimize 
efforts with respect to minimal vehicle mainte-
nance costs.
If and when you come to sell your BMW, a com-
prehensive record of servicing will prove a sig-
nificant benefit.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. Condition Based Service uses this to 
determine the current and future service 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system builds 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the 
remaining times or distances for selected main-
tenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates 
displayed, refer to page76:
>Engine oil
>Brake pads: separately for front and rear
>Brake fluid
>Vehicle check
>Legally mandated inspections depending 
on local regulations
>Diesel particulate filter
*
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. Your BMW Service Advi-
sor can read out this data from the remote con-
trol unit, and propose an optimized mainte-
nance approach. Whenever you take your car in 
for servicing you should therefore hand your 
BMW Service Advisor the remote control unit 
that you last used.
Make sure that the date is always set cor-
rectly, refer to page80; otherwise, the 
effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS 
is not assured.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center. 
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.<