
Driving tips
 127Reference
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 page227.
General driving notes
Close the trunk lid
Operate the vehicle only when the trunk 
lid is closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes 
could enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If the vehicle must be driven with the trunk lid 
open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to 
page108.
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.<
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 page219. 

 187
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
Activating/deactivating the 
Bluetooth link
The use of Bluetooth technology is not 
permitted in all countries. Observe all 
applicable local regulations. Temporarily deac-
tivate the Bluetooth link between the vehicle 
and the mobile phone, if necessary.
If the Bluetooth link is deactivated, you can no 
longer operate the mobile phone via the vehicle, 
and other devices with a Bluetooth interface 
can be used in combination with the mobile 
phone, e.g. a laptop.<
To temporarily deactivate the Bluetooth link 
between the vehicle and your mobile phone:
1."Telephone"
2.Open "Options".
3."Bluetooth"
Adapting volumes
Turn the knob until the desired volume is set.
Adjusting the volume for:
>Ring volume
>Call volume
These volumes are maintained for the hands-
free system, even if you set the other audio 
sources to minimum volume.The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Operation via iDrive
You can operate the following functions using 
iDrive:
>Accepting/rejecting calls
>dialing phone numbers
>Selecting phone numbers from the phone 
book
>Selecting stored phone numbers, e.g. from 
the list of received calls
>Ending a call
When the ignition is switched off or in radio 
readiness, e.g. after taking the remote control 
out of the ignition lock, you can continue an 
ongoing call via the hands-free system for sev-
eral minutes.
Voice quality
If the person you are talking to is having difficul-
ties understanding you, this may be due to 
excessive background noise. The full prepara-
tion package mobile phone can compensate for 
these noises to a certain extent. To optimize 
voice quality during a call, we recommend that 
you:
>Reduce background noise, e.g. by closing 
the windows, reducing air flow from the 
automatic climate control or pointing the 
open front air vents downward.
>Reduce the volume of the hands-free sys-
tem.
Requirements
>The mobile phone's pairing data are 
stored by the vehicle and the mobile phone 
is operational.
>The engine is running or the ignition is 
switched on.
>The mobile phone is recognized by the 
vehicle. 

Wheels and tires
218
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire 
makes it easier to identify and choose the right 
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of 
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in 
the tire coding: DOT … 1010 means that the 
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2010.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires 
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last 
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable 
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and 
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA 
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear 
Traction AA A B C 
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to 
Federal Safety Requirements in addition 
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating 
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested 
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded 
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as 
well on the government course as a tire graded 
100. The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the 
norm due to variations in driving habits, service 
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 
AA, A, B, and C. 
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop 
on wet pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C 
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B, 
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the 
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate 
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ 
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's 
code for tire make
Tire size and 
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1010 

Short commands for the voice activation system
256
Settings
Vehicle
Equipment
FunctionCommand
Opening the main menu{Main menu}
Opening the settings{Settings}
Opening the options{Options}
Settings on the Control Display{Control display}
Opening the time and date settings{Time and date}
Opening the language and unit settings{Language and units}
Opening the speed limit settings{Speed}
Opening the light settings{Lighting}
Opening the door lock settings{Door locks}
FunctionCommand
Opening the air conditioning settings{Climate} 

Everything from A to Z
258
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System89
ACC, refer to Active cruise 
control68
Acceleration assistant, refer to 
Launch Control64
Accident, refer to Sending an 
Emergency Request238
Activated-charcoal filter for 
automatic climate 
control109
Active Cruise Control
– indicator lamp71
– malfunction72
– selecting distance70
– sensor72
Active cruise control68
Active steering96
Adaptive brake light
– Brake Force Display97
Adaptive light control102
Additives
– coolant226
Address, entering135,141
Address for navigation
– entering135
Adjusting temperature inside 
the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control107
Adjusting the thigh support43
Airbags98
– indicator/warning lamp99
– sitting safely42
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate 
control107
– ventilation109
Air distribution
– automatic107
Airing, refer to Ventilation109Air pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure208
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode108
Air supply
– automatic climate 
control107
– ventilation109
Air vents106
Air volume108
AKI, refer to Fuel 
specifications207
Alarm system32
– avoiding unintentional 
alarms33
– interior motion sensor33
– switching off an alarm32
– tilt alarm sensor33
Albums of music 
collection174
ALL program108
All-season tires, refer to 
Winter tires221
All-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive90
AM, waveband157
Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated-air mode108
Antenna for mobile phone184
Antifreeze
– coolant226
– washer fluid66
Antilock Brake System 
ABS89
Anti-theft alarm system, refer 
to Alarm system32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights249
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights249
Armrest, refer to Center 
armrest115Arrival time, refer to 
Computer77
Ashtray117
Assist systems, refer to 
Driving stability control89
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control108
Audible instructions, refer to 
Spoken instructions146
Audio154
– controls154
– switching on/off154
– tone control154
– volume154
Audio device, external115
Automatic
– air distribution107
– air volume107
– cruise control66,68
– headlamp control101
Automatic car washes229
Automatic climate control106
Automatic curb monitor50
Automatic high beams and 
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant103
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC108
Automatic Service 
Request202
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– interlock58
– overriding selector lever 
lock59
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position58
– sport program59
– towing
241
– tow-starting241
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control107 

Everything from A to Z
260 Care229
– automatic car washes229
– care products229
– carpets232
– CD/DVD drives232
– chrome parts231
– displays232
– exterior229
– fine wood parts232
– headlamps230
– high-pressure washer230
– interior231
– leather231
– light-alloy wheels231
– paintwork230
– plastic parts232
– retractable hardtop230
– rubber seals231
– safety belts232
– sensors and cameras232
– upholstery and cloth 
trim231
– washing the car 
manually230
– windows230
Cargo, securing130
Cargo area
– capacity249
– Comfort Access34
– folding up the floor 
panel120
– lamp, refer to Interior 
lamps105
– opening from inside31
– opening from outside31
Cargo loading129
– securing cargo130
– stowing cargo130
– vehicle129
Car jack
– jacking points236
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest115
– refer to separate Owner's 
ManualCar phone, refer to 
Telephone184
Car radio, refer to Radio157
Car shampoo232
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system127
CD, audio playback165
CD changer165,169
– controls154
– fast forward/reverse167
– filling or emptying the 
magazine170
– random play sequence166
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off154
– tone control154
– volume154
CD player165
– controls154
– fast forward/reverse167
– random play sequence166
– selecting a track165
– switching on/off154
– tone control154
– volume154
Center armrest115
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb235
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
Central locking
– from inside30
– from outside27
Central locking system27
– Comfort Access33
– hotel function31
– setting unlocking 
characteristics28
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs233
Changing gears62
Changing the language on the 
Control Display87
Changing the measurement 
units on the Control 
Display80Changing wheels236
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment223
Check Control84
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH53
Child restraint systems52
Child seats, refer to 
Transporting children 
safely52
Chrome parts232
Chrome polish232
Cigarette lighter, refer to 
Lighter117
Cleaning headlamps66
– washer fluid66
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care229
Climate control
– automatic air 
distribution
107
Clock75
– 12h/24h mode83
– setting the time and date83
– setting time83
Closing
– from inside30
– from outside27
Clothes hooks116
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine56
Comfort Access33
– replacing the battery35
Comfort access, refer to 
Comfort Access33
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14
Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock55
Compass113
Computer76
– displays on Control 
Display77
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service199
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked128 

Reference 263
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Engine speed, refer to Engine 
data246
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine56
Entering special destinations 
by name140
Entering the postal code for 
navigation136
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps105
Entry map for destination140
Equalizer, tone setting155
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control84
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC89
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system127
Extended connectivity of the 
music player in the mobile 
phone178
Exterior mirrors50
– adjusting50
– automatic dimming 
feature51
– automatic heating50
– folding in and out50
External audio device115
External devices
– random sequence180
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away241
– for tying down loads130
F
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control84
Failure of an electrical 
consumer237
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional 
alarm33
– switching off an alarm32Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts49
Fastest route for 
navigation144
Fast forward
– CD changer167
– CD player167
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control109
First aid pouch239
Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock55
Flash when locking/
unlocking29
Flat tire
– run-flat tires220
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM94
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
– indicating a flat tire93
– indicator/warning lamp93
– initializing the system93
– snow chains92,221
– system limits92
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition219
Fluid reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir66
FM, waveband157
Fog lamps104
– indicator lamp13,104
Folding up the floor panel120
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely128
Footwell lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps105
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive90
Free memory capacity, music 
collection175
Front airbags98
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor92Fuel207
– average consumption77
– gauge76
– high-quality brands207
– quality207
– specifications
207
– tank contents, refer to 
Capacities250
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge76
Fuel consumption indicator
– average fuel 
consumption77
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge76
Fuel filler flap206
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction206
Fuses237
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control111
Gasoline
– refer to Average 
consumption77
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel207
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge76
Gas station 
recommendations146
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic58
Gear indicator, refer to 
Displays in the instrument 
cluster60
Gearshift lever60
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
General driving notes127 

Everything from A to Z
264 Glass roof, electric37
– closing after electrical 
malfunction38
– convenient operation28,30
– initializing38
– opening, closing37
– operation with Comfort 
Access34
– pinch protection system37
– power failure38
– raising37
– remote control28
Glove compartment114
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system134
Grills106
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights249
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake57
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control91
HD Radio158
Head airbags98
Headlamp control, 
automatic101
Headlamp flasher64
– indicator lamp11,13
Head restraints45
– rear, removing46
– sitting safely42
Heated
– mirrors50
– rear window108
– seats47
– steering wheel51
Heating
– mirrors50
– rear window108
– seats47
– steering wheel51
Heating and ventilation, refer 
to Climate106Heavy loads, refer to Stowing 
cargo130
Height, refer to 
Dimensions247
Height adjustment
– seats43
– steering wheel51
High-beam assistant103
High beams103
– headlamp flasher103
– indicator lamp13
High beams and low beams, 
automatic, refer to High-
beam assistant103
High-pressure 
washer229,230
High water, refer to Driving 
through water128
Highways, refer to Route 
criteria144
Hill Descent Control HDC91
Hills128
Holders for cups116
Homepage BMW4
Hood222
Hooks for shopping bags120
Horn10,11
Hotel function, refer to 
Locking or unlocking 
separately
31
Hot exhaust system127
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to 
Dynamic Brake Control89
Hydroplaning127
I
IBOC, refer to HD Radio158
Ice warning, refer to Outside 
temperature warning75
Identification marks
– run-flat tires220
– tire coding218iDrive16
– adjusting brightness87
– changing date and time83
– changing language87
– changing settings87
– changing units of measure 
and display format80
– 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 
TPM95
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire 
inflation pressure208
Inflation pressure monitoring, 
refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM94
Initializing
– after power failure237
– compass, refer to 
Calibrating114
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM93
– glass roof38
– radio, refer to Station, 
storing157
– refer to Setting the time and 
date83
Installation location
– telephone115