
Driving
56
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps as well as dis-
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas; 
otherwise, the inhalation of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause loss of consciousness and 
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly 
toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle 
with the engine running; otherwise, such a vehi-
cle represents a potential safety hazard. 
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run-
ning, always shift into neutral or selector lever / 
transmission position P and apply the parking 
brake forcefully to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does not start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or incompletely burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter.<
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page33.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch and shift to neutral posi-
tion.
3.Press the start/stop button.The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page33.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Sports automatic transmission with 
double clutch
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page33.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Press the start/stop button.
The engine starts independent of the current 
transmission position.
Switching off the engine
Always take the remote control with you 
when you leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll.<
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
4.Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock, refer to page55. 

Driving
60 3.Using the screwdriver from the onboard 
vehicle tool kit, refer to page233, press the 
red lever while moving the selector lever to 
the desired position.
7-gear Sports automatic 
transmission with double 
clutch*
The concept
The 7-gear Sports automatic transmission with 
double clutch is an automated manual trans-
mission with two clutches and secondary gear 
sets in which the clutching and shifting is han-
dled by an electrohydraulic system.
With the 7-gear Sports automatic transmission 
with double clutch, the gears are shifted without 
an interruption in driving power.
You operate the 7-gear Sports automatic trans-
mission with double clutch using the selector 
lever and two shift paddles on the steering 
wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
>either manual or automatic mode: sequen-
tial mode or drive mode
>automatic downshifting and protection 
against incorrect gear selection, even in 
sequential mode
>Launch Control, refer to page64
>Automatic throttle blip
System limitations
The 7-gear Sports automatic transmission with 
double clutch has an overheating protection 
that protects the clutch from extreme loads.
The indicator lamp lights up in yellow if 
the transmission becomes too warm. 
Avoid high engine loads and frequent 
accelerations from zero. If the transmission is 
overheated, the indicator lamp lights up in red 
and the power flow to the motor is interrupted. 
It is only possible to continue driving once the 
transmission has cooled down.
Avoid frequent powerful accelerations from 
zero and do not hold the vehicle on inclines by 
pressing lightly on the accelerator while letting 
the clutch slip, as this may cause the transmis-
sion to overheat.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position and the engaged 
gear are displayed, e.g. M4.
Engaging selector lever positions
>The selector lever can be moved out of 
position P only with the engine running: 
interlock.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise, the desired shift will not 
be executed: shiftlock. 

Things to remember when driving
128
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 assis-
tant, refer to page92.
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.
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.
Sports automatic transmission with dou-
ble clutch: never drive with the transmis-
sion in neutral or with the engine switched off; 
otherwise, there will be no engine braking 
action and no power assistance to the brakes 
and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the 
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral 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.<
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.