
Adjustments
42
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page52.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing should come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard; 
otherwise, leg injuries can occur if the front air-
bag deploys.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean 
against the cover of the head airbag; otherwise, 
serious injuries can result if the airbag 
deploys.<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page98.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. 
Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in 
the event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page45.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats, each of which is 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits 
low across the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. 
The safety belt must not rest against the throat, 
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety belt 
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the 
lap and shoulder without being twisted. Other-
wise, the belt could slide over your hips and 
injure your abdomen in the event of a frontal 
collision. 
Avoid wearing bulky clothing and regularly pull 
the belt in the upper-body area taut; otherwise, 
its restraining effect could be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page49. 

Controls
 49Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Safety belts
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page43 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection.<
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Closing
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
The upper belt anchor is suitable for adults of 
any stature as long as the seat is adjusted prop-
erly, refer to page43.
Opening
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2.Press the red button in the buckle.
3.Guide the belt into its reel.
"Fasten safety belts" reminder for 
driver's and front passenger seat
The indicator lamps light up and an 
acoustic signal sounds. In addition, 
a message appears on the Control 
Display. Check whether the safety 
belt has been fastened correctly.
The "Fasten safety belts" reminder is issued as 
long as the driver's safety belt has not been fas-
tened. The "Fasten safety belts" reminder is 
also activated at road speeds above approx. 
5 mph or 8 km/h if the front passenger safety 
belt is not fastened, if objects are placed on the 
front passenger seat, or if driver or front pas-
senger unfasten their safety belts.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or 
stressed in an accident: have the belt sys-
tem, 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.<
Coupe: belt hand-over
The concept
The belt hand-over makes it easier for you to 
fasten your safety belt. When you close the 
door and switch on radio readiness or the igni-
tion, the belt hand-over extends automatically 
and presents the in a position that is convenient 
for fastening it around you. After you have fas-
tened your safety belt, the belt hand-over 
retracts to its original position.
Even if you have not yet fastened your safety 
belt, the belt hand-over will retract if you:
>Wait for more than approx. one minute
>Open the corresponding door
>Start driving.
Closing the respective door reactivates the belt 
hand-over if the ignition or radio readiness is on.
Front passenger seat
The belt hand-over will extend only if the seat is 
occupied and after the front passenger door is 
closed. 

Transporting children safely
52
Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example.<
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest 
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller 
than 5 ft/150 cm may be transported only 
in the rear in suitable child restraint systems 
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Children in the front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child 
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk 
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even 
with a child restraint system.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags refer to page98.
Installing child restraint 
systems
Observe the child restraint system manu-
facturer's instructions when selecting, 
installing and using child restraint systems. 
Otherwise, the protective effect may be dimin-
ished. <
Standard child restraint systems are designed 
to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap-belt 
section of a lap-and-shoulder belt. Incorrectly or improperly installed child restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always follow the installation instructions for 
the system with the greatest care.
On the front passenger seat
After installing a child restraint system on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags for the front passen-
ger are deactivated; otherwise, there is an 
increased risk of injury if the airbags deploy.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint system, move 
the front passenger seat as far back and up as 
possible to obtain the best possible position for 
the belt. Do not change the seat position after 
this.
Backrest width*
The backrest width of the front passenger 
seat must be at its widest possible set-
ting. Do not change the setting after installing 
the child seat. Otherwise, the child seat's stabil-
ity on the front passenger seat is limited.<
1.Adjust the backrest width to its widest 
setting, refer to page44.
2.Install the child seat.
Child seat security
The rear safety belts and the front passenger 
safety belt can be prevented from being pulled 
out in order to fasten child restraint systems. 

Controls
 53Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
To lock the safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint system with the 
belt.
2.Pull the belt strap all the way out.
3.Allow the belt strap to retract and pull it taut 
against the child restraint system.
The safety belt is locked.
To unlock the safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint system.
3.Allow the safety belt strap to retract all the 
way.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system
LATCH: Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
To install and use the LATCH child 
restraint system, follow the operating and 
safety instructions provided by the manufac-
turer of the system; otherwise, the protective 
function of the seat may be compromised.<
Mounts for the lower LATCH anchors
Before installing the child seat, pull the belt out 
of the area for the child restraint fixing system.
Ensure that both lower LATCH anchors 
are correctly engaged and that the child 
restraint system is resting firmly against the 
backrest; otherwise, the protective function of 
the seat may be compromised.
tive caps.
Upper LATCH retaining strap
Convertible
For Canadian Customers Only.
The following statement is required by Trans-
port Canada.
This vehicle is not equipped with user-ready 
tether anchorages. As such neither a child 
restraint system, nor a booster cushion, requir-
ing the use of a tether strap can be properly 
secured in the vehicle.
Coupe
Use the top tether anchors to secure child 
restraint systems only; otherwise, the 
anchors could be damaged.<
For child restraint systems with tether straps 
there are two additional anchors, see arrows. 

Transporting children safely
54
Placement of the tether strap
Coupe
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.<
1Direction of travel
2Head restraint
3Hook for upper retaining strap
4Anchor
5Rear window shelf
6Seat backrest
7Upper retaining strap of child restraint 
system
If necessary, fold the anchors 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. 

Controls
 99Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-
bags below.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, read the safety precau-
tions and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely, refer to page52.
The front and side airbags can also be deacti-
vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-
tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the 
passenger should change his or her sitting 
position so that the front passenger airbags are 
activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired airbag status cannot be achieved by 
changing the sitting position, transport the rele-
vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach 
seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or 
other items to the front passenger seat unless 
they are specifically recommended by BMW. 
Do not place any items under the seat which 
could press against the seat from below. Other-
wise, a correct analysis of the seat cushion is 
not ensured.<
Status of front passenger airbags
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags shows the functional status of the front 
passenger front and side airbags in accordance 
with whether and how the front passenger seat 
is occupied. The indicator lamp shows whether 
the front passenger airbags are activated or 
deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a specially designated child restraint sys-
tem is detected, as intended, on the seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.Most child seats are detected by the 
system, especially child seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-
cle production. After mounting a child seat, 
ensure that the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the 
child seat has been detected and that the 
front passenger airbags are deactivated.<
>The indicator lamp does not come on as 
long as a person of sufficient size and in a 
correct sitting position is detected on the 
seat.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are activated.
>The indicator lamp does not come on if the 
seat is empty.
The front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger are not activated.
Operational readiness of airbag system
As of radio readiness, refer to page55, the 
warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that 
the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners 
are operational.
Airbag system malfunction
>Warning lamp does not light up at radio 
readiness or beyond.
>Warning lamp remains permanently on.
In the event of a fault in the airbag system, 
have it checked without delay; otherwise, 
there is the risk that the system will not function 
as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-
dent occurs.< 

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 265
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Instructions for navigation 
system, refer to Voice 
instructions146
Instrument cluster12
Instrument combination, refer 
to Instrument cluster12
Instrument lighting105
Instrument panel, refer to 
Cockpit10
Integrated key26
Integrated universal remote 
control111
Interactive map141
Interior lamps105
– remote control28
Interior motion sensor33
Interior rearview mirror51
– automatic dimming 
feature51
– compass113
Interlock, refer to Disengaging 
the remote control58
Intermittent mode of the 
wipers65
Intersection, entering, 
navigation136
iPod, connecting, refer to 
AUX-IN port177
iPod, connecting, refer to USB 
audio interface178
J
Jacking points236
Joystick, refer to iDrive16
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting239
Jump-starting239
K
Key, refer to Integrated key/
remote control26
Keyless go, refer to Comfort 
Access33
Keyless opening and closing, 
refer to Comfort Access33
Key Memory, refer to Personal 
Profile26Kickdown58
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
Knock control207
L
Lamps
– automatic headlamp 
control101
– parking lamps/low 
beams101
Lamps and bulbs, replacing 
bulbs233
Lap-and-shoulder belt, refer 
to Safety belts49
Lashing eyes, refer to 
Securing cargo130
Last destinations138
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system53
Launch Control64
Leather care231
LED Light-emitting 
diodes233
Length, refer to 
Dimensions247
License plate lamp, replacing 
bulb235
Light
– high-beam assistant103
Light-alloy wheels231
Light-emitting diodes 
LED233
Lighter117
– connecting electrical 
appliances118
Lighting
– instruments105
– lamps and bulbs233
– vehicle, refer to Lamps101
Light switch101
Limit, refer to Speed limit86
Load129
Load securing equipment, 
refer to Securing cargo130
Lock buttons, doors, refer to 
Locking31Locking
– adjusting confirmation 
signal29
– from inside31
– from outside28
– without remote control, refer 
to Comfort Access33
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals29
– from inside30
– from outside27
Low beam control, refer to 
High-beam assistant103
Low-beam headlamps101
– automatic101
Lower back support, refer to 
Lumbar support44
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack131
Lumbar support44
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter 
tires221
Maintenance, refer to Service 
Booklet
Maintenance system227
Malfunction
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic59
– tires93
Malfunction warnings, refer to 
Check Control84
Manual car wash230
Manually unlocking parking 
lock63
Manual mode, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic59
Manual operation
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof38
– parking lock63
– parking lock, automatic 
transmission59