
Controls
 115Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to 
page176.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard drives.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge 
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats 
contains either a compartment or the cover for 
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Settings*
Slide the center armrest on the driver's side into 
the desired position.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such 
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system:
>AUX-IN port, refer to page177
>USB audio interface
*/additional connection 
of the music player in the mobile phone
*, 
refer to page178 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 173Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
3."Storing..."
4."Cancel storing"
The storage process is interrupted and can be 
continued at any time.
Continuing the storage process
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."CD/DVD"
3.Select the  symbol for the CD/DVD 
player.
4."Continue storing"
Storage of the CD continues at the beginning of 
the track at which storage was interrupted.
Album information
During storage, information such as the name 
of the artist is stored with the track, if this infor-
mation is available in the vehicle database or on 
the CD.
To update the database, contact your service 
center.
Storing from a USB device
To store music, a suitable device must be con-
nected to the USB interface in the glove com-
partment.
>Suitable devices: USB mass storage 
devices, such as USB flash drives or MP3 
players with a USB interface.
>Unsuitable devices: USB hard drive, USB 
hubs, USB memory card readers with multi-
ple inserts, Apple iPod/iPhone.
Music from a USB device can be stored 
only via the USB interface in the glove 
compartment.<1.Connect the USB device to the USB inter-
face in the glove compartment.
2."CD/Multimedia"
3."Music collection"
4.Open "Options".
5."Music data import/export"
6."Import music (USB)"
Playing music
Music search
All tracks for which additional information has 
been stored can be accessed by the music 
search. Tracks without additional information 
can be called up via the corresponding album.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3."Music search" 

Music collection
176
Music collection
Backing up the music collection
The entire music collection can be stored on a 
USB medium. Make sure there is enough free 
memory capacity on the USB device.
Depending on the number of tracks, backing up 
the music collection may take several hours. 
Therefore, it is best to perform the backup dur-
ing a long trip.
1.Start the engine.
2.Connect the USB medium to the USB inter-
face in the glove compartment, refer to 
page115.
3."CD/Multimedia"
4."Music collection"
5.Open "Options".
6."Music data import/export"
7."Backup music on USB"
Restoring the music collection in 
the vehicle
When storing from the USB device, the 
music collection existing in the vehicle is 
replaced.<
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Music data import/export"
5."Restore music from USB"
Deleting the music collection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Music collection"
3.Open "Options".
4."Delete music collection" 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 177Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
External devices
At a glance
AUX-IN port
You can connect an external audio device, for 
instance an MP3 player, and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system. You can 
adjust the tone using iDrive.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks over the car's loudspeaker 
system, connect the headset or line-out port of 
the external device to the AUX-IN port.
Starting audio playback
Connect the audio device, switch it on and 
select a track. Operate the system on the audio 
device.
Via iDrive
1."CD/Multimedia"
2.If applicable, "External devices"
3. "AUX front"
Adjusting the volume
The volume of the sound output depends on 
the audio device. If this volume differs markedly 
from the volume of the other audio sources, it is 
advisable to adjust the volumes.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2.If applicable, "External devices"
3. "AUX front"
4."Volume"
5.Turn the controller until the desired volume 
is set and then press the controller.
SymbolMeaning
AUX-IN port
USB audio interface
*/audio inter-
face mobile phone
* 

External devices
178
USB audio interface*/
extended connectivity of the 
music player in the mobile 
phone*
It is possible to connect external audio devices/
mobile phones. They can be operated via iDrive. 
Sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Options for connecting external 
devices
>Connection via USB audio interface: Apple 
iPod / iPhone, USB devices, e. g. MP3 
player, USB flash drive, or mobile phones 
that are supported by the USB audio inter-
face.
>Connection via snap-in adapter
*, refer to 
page184, when equipped with additional 
connection of music player in the mobile 
phone: Apple iPhone / mobile phones. Play-
back is possible only if no audio device/
mobile phone is connected to the USB 
audio interface.
Due to the large number of different audio 
devices/mobile phones available on the market, 
it cannot be ensured that every audio device/
mobile phone is operable on the vehicle.
Ask about suitable audio devices/mobile 
phones at your BMW center.
Audio files
The system can play standard audio formats, 
e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV (PCM), and AAC, as well 
as playlists in the M3U format.
Connecting via USB audio interface
Lift up the center armrest.1AUX-IN port for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB interface
Apple iPod/iPhone
To connect the device, use the special cable 
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available 
from your BMW center. The cable adapter is 
required for a flawless connection.
Using the Apple iPod/iPhone cable adapter, 
connect the Apple iPod/iPhone to the AUX-IN 
port1 and USB interface2. 
The Apple iPod/iPhone menu structure is sup-
ported by the USB audio interface.
USB device
When connecting the device use a flexi-
ble adapter cable, to protect the USB 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
Connect the USB device to connector 2, using 
a flexible adapter cable.
After the device is connected for the first time, 
the information on all tracks (e.g. artist, type of 
music) and the playlists are transferred from the 
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may 
take some time. The duration depends on the 
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transmission, the tracks can be called up 
via the file directory.
Information from up to four USB devices can be 
stored in the vehicle, or a total of about 16,000 
tracks.
I f  a  f i f t h  U S B  d e v i c e  i s  c o n n e c t e d  o r  i f  m o r e  t h a n  
16,000 tracks are stored, information on exist-
ing tracks may be deleted.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.< 

Navigation
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 179Reference
At a glance
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Mobility
Starting audio playback
If the audio device has a device name, the name 
is displayed.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the  symbol. 
The name of the audio device may appear.
Playback begins with the first track. When an 
Apple iPhone is connected via the snap-in 
adapter and an audio device is connected to the 
AUX-IN port at the same time, the audio signal 
of the AUX-IN port is played.
Information about the track
If information about a track has been stored, it is 
displayed automatically:
>Artist
>Album title
>Number of tracks
>Track file name
Track search
Selection is possible via:
>Playback lists
>Information: type of music, artist, album, 
title
>Additionally for USB devices: file directory, 
composer
Track titles are displayed if they have been 
stored in the Latin alphabet.
Starting the track search
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the  symbol.
The name of the audio device may appear.
4.Select the desired category, "Genre", 
"Artist".
All entries are displayed in a list. The "A-Z 
search" can be used to find specific entries.
>Open "A-Z search" and enter the 
desired entry. When a character is 
entered, a filter is applied using this 
character as the first letter. When several 
characters are entered, all results are 
displayed that contain this sequence of 
characters.
>Select the desired entry from the list.
5.Select additional categories if desired.
Not all categories need to be selected. For 
example, if you wish to display all of the 
tracks of a particular artist, then only select 
this artist. All of the tracks by that artist are 
then displayed.
6."Start play"
Restarting a track search
"New search" 

External devices
180
Playback lists
To open playback lists.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the  symbol.
4."Playlists"
Current playback
List of tracks currently being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the  symbol.
4."Current playback"
Random play sequence
You can play the tracks in the selected list in 
random order, e.g. all tracks of a single artist.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Open "Options".
4."Random"
Fast forward/reverse
Press and hold the  button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to 
extreme environmental conditions, e.g. 
very high temperatures, refer to the operating 
instructions of the audio device. Otherwise, the 
audio device may become damaged, which 
could compromise safety while driving.<
Depending on the configuration of the audio 
files, e.g. bit rates greater than 256 KBit/s, the 
files may not play back correctly in every case.
Notes on connecting
>The connected audio device is supplied 
with a maximum current of 500 mA, if the 
device supports this. Therefore, do not 
connect the device to the power socket in 
the vehicle.
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the 
USB interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard drives.
>Do not use the USB audio interface to 
charge external devices. 

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