
Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the 
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
Manual operation*
The LED above the button also flashes.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display 
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC 
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches, 
t h i n  o r  w e d g e - s h a p e d  o b j e c t s ,  e t c .  L o w  o b j e c t s  
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs, 
can disappear again from the detection area of 
the sensors before or after a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive 
cautiously; otherwise, there is a risk of personal 
injury or property damage.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car 
can drown out the PDC signal. Therefore, 
always drive cautiously; otherwise, there is a 
risk of personal injury or property damage.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page128.
Electronic brake-force 
distribution EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the 
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable 
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the 
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting 
at an angle past the front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
s a f e t y  m a r g i n  a g a i n  b y  t a k i n g  r i s k s ,  a s  t h i s  c o u l d  
result in an accident.< 

Mobility
 233Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Navigation
Entertainment
Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
Coupe
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a com-
partment on the right-hand side of the cargo 
area. Remove the cover.
Convertible
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored in a pouch 
under the cargo area floor panel.
Wiper blades
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2.Press together the locking spring, arrows1, 
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow2.
3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the engine compartment.<
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully. BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you 
do not feel competent to perform yourself or 
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your BMW center.
Only change bulbs while they are cool to 
the touch; otherwise, you could suffer 
burns.<
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manu-
facturer.<
For care of the headlamps, please follow the 
instructions in the chapter entitled 'Care'.
If the routine for changing a particular 
bulb is not described here, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.<
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
c e n t  l e n s e s  s e r v e  a s  t h e  l i g h t  s o u r c e  f o r  m a n y  o f  
the controls, displays, and equipment in your 
vehicle. These light-emitting diodes, which 
operate using a concept similar to that applied 
in conventional lasers, are officially designated 
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes. 

Giving and receiving assistance
242
Sports automatic transmission with 
double clutch
Make sure that the parking lock P is not 
engaged; otherwise, the rear wheels are 
immobilized. 
When using the car wash function, refer to 
page230, make sure that after approx. 
30 minutes, the parking lock P is automatically 
engaged and thus immobilizes the rear wheels.
In the event of an electrical malfunction or if the 
vehicle must be towed for more than approx. 
20 minutes, unlock the parking lock manually, 
refer to page63.<
When towing, do not exceed a maximum 
speed of 30 mph or 50 km/h and a maxi-
mum distance traveled of 30 miles/50 km; oth-
erwise, the transmission may be damaged.<
BMW recommends transporting the vehicle on 
a tow truck with a flatbed or towing with the rear 
axle raised.
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Manual and automatic transmission:
Sports automatic transmission with
double clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle 
raised as this may cause the steering to turn. 

Mobility
 243Reference
At a glance
Controls
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Navigation
Entertainment
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just 
the front or rear axle raised; otherwise, the 
wheels could lock up and the transfer case 
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface 
only.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to 
page239Vehicles with a catalytic converter 
should only be tow-started when the engine is 
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission or 
Sports automatic transmission with double 
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page55.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
depressed and slowly release the clutch. 
After the engine starts, immediately 
depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent 
Control HDC when the vehicle is being 
tow-started, page91.< 

Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AUX-IN
– port115
AUX-IN port177
Available services202
Average fuel consumption77
– setting the units80
Average speed77
Avoid highways in 
navigation144
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights249
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats46
Bag holder119
Band-aids, refer to First aid 
pouch239
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods242
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter195
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment115
Bass, tone setting154
Battery237
– charging237
– disposal35,237
– jump-starting239
– remote control26
– replacing237
– temporary power failure237
Battery for mobile phone195
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed241
Belt hand-over49
– pinch protection system50Belts, refer to Safety belts49
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts49
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cupholders116
Black ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning75
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds114
Blower, refer to Air 
volume108
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating187
BMW
– car shampoo232
BMW Assist198
BMW Assist, 
activating200,202
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System227
BMW Search200
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders116
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC89
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements80
Brake Force Display97
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display97
Brake pads126
– breaking in126
Brake rotors128
– brakes126
– breaking in126
Brakes
– ABS89
– BMW Maintenance 
System227
– Brake Force Display97
– breaking in126
– parking brake57
– service requirements80
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely128Brake system126
– BMW Maintenance 
System227
– breaking in126
– disc brakes128
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance238
Breaking in the clutch126
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential126
Break-in period126
Brightness of the Control 
Display87
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs233
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6
Call
– accepting188
– ending188
– rejecting188
Calling, refer to Phone 
numbers, dialing188
Calling, refer to Telephone 
owner's manual
Can holders, refer to 
Cupholders116
Capacities250
Capacity of the cargo area249
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery237
Car care, refer to Care229 

Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Temperature display
– outside temperature75
– outside temperature 
warning75
– setting the units80
Tempomat, refer to Cruise 
control66
Tensioning straps, refer to 
Securing cargo130
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp235
Through-loading opening with 
integrated transport 
bag121
Through-loading system118
Tilt alarm sensor33
Tilt function, passenger side 
mirror50
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
switch-on times110
Tire inflation pressure208
– loss93,94
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor92
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM94
– resetting the system95
– system limitations94
– warning lamp95
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor93
Tire Quality Grading218Tires
– age218,220
– air loss95
– breaking in126
– changing, refer to Changing 
wheels236
– condition219
– damage219
– inflation pressure208
– labels218
– minimum tread depth219
– new wheels and tires220
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor92
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM94
– puncture93
– replacing220
– size218
– storage221
– tread depth219
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth219
– wheel/tire combination, refer 
to Correct wheels and 
tires220
– winter tires221
TMC station, refer to Traffic 
bulletins148
Tone
– control154
– middle setting156
Tools, refer to Onboard 
vehicle tool kit233
Top, refer to Retractable 
hardtop38
Top 50 of music 
collection174
Torque, refer to Engine 
data246
Tow bar242
Tow fitting241
– screw thread241Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away241
Towing241
– car with automatic 
transmission241
– methods242
– with 7-gear Sports 
automatic transmission with 
double clutch242
Towing and tow-starting241
Town/city, for navigation135
Tow rope242
Tow-starting241,243
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor94
Track
– selecting on CD165
Traction control, refer to 
Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC89
Traffic bulletins
– categories149
Traffic bulletins, filtering149
Traffic bulletins for 
navigation148
– display in map view149
– during destination 
guidance150
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic 
bulletins148
Transmission
– 7-gear Sports automatic 
transmission with double 
clutch60
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– idle position61
– Launch Control64
– manually unlocking parking 
lock63
– manual transmission57
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic59
– reverse gear61