At a glance
21Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Programmable memory keys
General information
iDrive functions can be stored on the program-
mable memory keys and called up directly, e.g.
radio stations, navigation destinations, phone
numbers and entry points into the menu.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Storing functions
1.Highlight the function via the iDrive.
2.Press the desired button ...
for longer than two seconds.
Executing a function
Press the ... button.
The function is executed immediately. This
means, for example, that the number is dialed
when a phone number is selected.
Displaying memory key assignments
Touch the button with a finger. Do not wear
gloves or use objects.
The key assignment is displayed at the top
edge of the screen.
>Displaying brief information: press the but-
ton.
>Displaying detailed information: press and
hold the button.
Entering letters and numbers
1.Turn the controller: select the letters or
numbers.
2.Select additional letters or numbers if
needed.
3."OK": confirm entry.
Switching between letters and
numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch
between entering letters and numbers:
Switching between uppercase and
lowercase letters
Depending on the menu, you can switch
between entering uppercase letters and lower-
case letters:
SymbolFunction
Press the controller: delete
one letter or number
Press the controller for an
extended period: delete all
letters or numbers
Enter a blank space
SymbolFunction
Entering letters
Entering numbers
SymbolFunction
Move the controller toward
the front: to switch from
uppercase letters to lower-
case letters
Move the controller toward
the front: to switch from low-
ercase letters to uppercase
letters
At a glance
23Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Voice activation system
The concept
>The voice activation system can be used to
control functions by spoken commands.
>Functions that can only used when the vehi-
cle is stopped cannot be operated using the
voice activation system.
>The system includes a special microphone
on the driver's side.
>In the Owner's Manual, {...} indicates com-
mands for the voice activation system.
>In the Owner's Manual, {{...}} indicates the
answers from the voice activation system.
Prerequisite
On the Control Display, set a language that is
also supported by the voice activation system
to permit identification of the commands to be
spoken.
Setting the language, refer to page81.
Saying commands
Activating voice activation system
1.Press the button on the steering wheel.
2.Wait for the acoustic signal.
3.Say the command.
This symbol on the Control Display and an
acoustic signal notify you that the voice activa-
tion system is activated.If no additional commands are possible, con-
tinue by operating the function via iDrive.
Finishing voice input
Press the button on the steering wheel
or
Possible commands
Most menu items on the Control Display can be
spoken as commands.
The available commands depend on which
menu is currently selected on the Control Dis-
play.
There are short commands for functions of the
main menu.
Some list entries, e.g. phone book entries
*, can
likewise be selected using the voice activation
system. Make sure to say list entries the same
way as they appear in the respective list.
Having the possible commands read
aloud
To have the available commands read aloud:
For example, if the "Settings" menu is dis-
played, the commands relating to settings are
read aloud.
Performing functions using short
commands
Functions from the main menu can be per-
formed directly by means of short commands,
regardless of which menu item is selected, e.g.
{Vehicle status}.
List of short command of the voice activation
system, refer to page247.
*
{Cancel}
{Voice commands}
Voice activation system
24
Help dialog for voice activation system
Accessing help:
Other commands
* for the help dialog:
>{Help with examples}: information about
the current control options and the most
important commands relating to them are
read aloud.
>{Help with voice activation}: information
about the principle operation of the voice
activation system is read aloud.
Example: playing back a CD
1.If necessary, switch on entertainment audio
output.
2.Press the button on the steering wheel.
4.Press the button on the steering wheel.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system uses the stan-
dard dialog or a short version.
In the short version of the voice dialog, the
responses from the system are given in abbre-
viated form.
On the Control Display:
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"4.Select a setting.
Adjusting volume
Turn the volume knob during the spoken
instruction to select the desired volume.
>The volume remains the same, even if the
volume of other audio sources is changed.
>The volume is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Notes on Emergency
Requests
Do not use the voice activation system to ini-
tiate an Emergency Request. In stressful situa-
tions, the voice and vocal pitch can change.
This can unnecessarily delay the establishment
of a telephone connection.
Instead, use the SOS button
*, refer to
page234, in the vicinity of the interior rearview
mirror.
Ambient conditions
>Say the commands, numbers and letters
smoothly and with normal volume, empha-
sis and speed.
>Always speak the commands in the lan-
guage of the voice activation system.
>When selecting a radio station, use the
standard pronunciation of the station name. {Help}
3.{C D and multimedia}
The system plays the last media played.
5.{C D track …} e.g. CD track 4.
Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
adhesive labels or coverings, and do not attach
holders such as for navigation instruments and
mobile phones.
Do not attach seat covers, cushions or other
objects not specifically approved for seats with
integral side airbags to the front seats. Do not
hang items of clothing such as coats or jackets
over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove
the airbag retention system from the vehicle. Do
not modify the individual components of the
system or its wiring in any way. This includes
the upholstered covers on the steering wheel,
instrument panel, seats and roof posts, as well
as the sides of the roof lining. Do not attempt to
remove or dismantle the steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components imme-
diately after the system has been triggered,
because there is a danger of burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have
the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center
or a workshop that works according to repair
procedures of BMW with correspondingly
trained personnel and that has the required
explosives licenses. Unprofessional attempts to
work on the system could lead to failure in an
emergency or to undesired airbag activation,
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warning notices and information about the air-
bags can also be found on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of the front
passenger airbags
An analysis of the impression in the front pas-
senger seat cushion determines whether and
how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-
bags for the front passenger are activated or
deactivated by the system accordingly.
The indicator lamp above the interior
rearview mirror shows the current status
of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or
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 page54.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 lights up. 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, This particularly applies to
child seats that were required by NHTSA at
the time of manufacture of the vehicle. After
mounting a child seat, ensure that the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbag is
lit. It indicates that the child seat has been
Practical interior accessories
108 >Do not connect USB hard discs.
>Do not use the USB interface to recharge
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains a credit card holder and, depending on
the equipment version, a compartment or a
snap-in adapter
*.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
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 page166
>USB audio interface
*/additional connection
of the music player in the mobile phone
*,
refer to page166
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Compartments are located next to the steering
column
*, on the doors and in the center con-
sole.
Coupe: clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks in the rear.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do
not hang heavy objects from the hooks; other-
wise, they could endanger the car's occupants,
e.g. in case of heavy braking or sudden swerv-
ing.<
Cupholders
Use lightweight and shatterproof contain-
ers and do not transport hot beverages;
otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in
the event of the accident. Do not force contain-
ers that are too large into the cupholders; other-
wise, damage could result.<
There is one cupholder in the center console.
You can mount an attachable cupholder
* on the
side of the center console.
Navigation
Driving tips
127Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
>Setting "Route preference", refer to
page134.
>Search for "Points of Interest at loc.", refer
to page128.
Address book
To create contacts, refer to page198.
Selecting a destination from the
address book
1."Navigation"
2."Address book"
Contacts with addresses are displayed if
these addresses have been checked as
destinations.
If the contacts with addresses from the
mobile phone
* are not displayed, they first
need to be checked as destinations, refer to
page.189.
3.Select a contact in the list or if so desired,
using the "A-Z search".
4.Select "Business address" or "Home
address"
Storing a destination in the address
book
Store the destination in the address book after
entering the destination.
1.Open "Options".
2."Store as new contact" or "Add to existing
contact".3.Select an existing contact, if available.
4."Business address" or "Home address"
5."Last name" and "First name" if you wish.
6."Store in vehicle"
Storing the position
Your current position can be stored in the
address book.
1."Navigation"
2.Open "Options".
3."Store position as contact" or "Add position
to contact".
4.Depending on the selection, select an exist-
ing contact from the list or the type of
address and enter the last and first name.
5."Store in vehicle"
Editing or deleting an address
1."Navigation"
2."Address book"
3.Highlight the entry.
4.Open "Options".
5."Edit in Contacts" or "Delete entry".
Navigation
Driving tips
129Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
>"Along route"
A-Z search
1."A-Z search"
2."Town/City"
3.Select or enter town/city.
4."Category"
5.Select category.
6."Category details"
For some special destinations, it is possible
to select several category details.
Move the controller toward the left to exit
category details.
7."Keyword"
8.Enter keyword.
A list of the special destinations is dis-
played.
9.Select the special destination.
Details are displayed.
If several details are stored, then you can
scroll through the pages.
If a phone number is available, a connection
can be established, if desired.
10.Select the symbol.
11."Start guidance" or "Add as another desti-
nation". Adding destination as another des-
tination, refer to page132.
"Start search": without entering a search term,
the search is repeated with the last stored
search term.
Category search
1."Category search"
2."Town/City"
3.Select or enter town/city.
4."Category"
5.Select category.
6."Category details"
For some special destinations, it is possible
to select several category details.
Move the controller toward the left to exit
category details.7."Start search"
A list of the special destinations is dis-
played.
8.Select the special destination.
Details are displayed.
If several details are stored, then you can
scroll through the pages.
If a phone number is available, a connection
can be established, if desired.
9.Select the symbol.
10."Start guidance" or "Add as another desti-
nation". Adding destination as another des-
tination, refer to page132.
Displaying special destinations
List of special destinations: the special destina-
tions are displayed in order of their distance and
are displayed with a direction arrow pointing
toward the destination.
With the Professional navigation system:
In the split screen, special destinations from the
selected category are displayed as symbols in
the map view. The display depends on the map
scale and the category.
Destination entry via BMW Assist*
A connection to the BMW Concierge service is
established, refer to page199.
1."Navigation"
2."Enter address"
3.Open "Options".
4."BMW Assist dest. entry"
Displaying special destinations in the
map
To display symbols of the special destinations
in the map:
1."Navigation"
2."Map"
3.Open "Options".
Navigation
Driving tips
137Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
Traffic obstructions
Small triangles along the planned route identify
route segments with traffic obstructions,
depending on map scale. The direction of the
triangles indicates the direction of the obstruc-
tion.
Road signs classify the obstructions.
>Red road sign: the obstruction relates to the
planned route or direction of travel.
>Gray road sign: the obstruction does not
relate to the planned route or direction of
travel.
Traffic bulletins, refer to page138.
Planned route
After route guidance is started, the planned
route is displayed on the map.
Status boxes
Show/hide: press the controller.
>Upper status box: time, phone details, and
entertainment details.
>Lower status box: symbol for active route
guidance, traffic bulletin status, arrival time,
and distance from destination.
Toolbar
The following functions are available directly in
the map view:
Changing the map section
"Interactive map"
>To shift the map: move the controller in the
required direction.
>To shift the map diagonally: move the con-
troller in the required direction and turn it.
Changing scale
1.Select the symbol.
2.Turn the controller to adjust the scale.
Automatic scaling of the map
In the map view facing north, turn the controller
in any direction until AUTO is displayed as the
map scale.
The map shows the entire range from your loca-
tion to the destination.
Settings for the map view
The map is shown on the Control Display.
1.Open "Options".
2."Settings"
Set the optimized map view.
>"Day/night mode"
Select and adjust depending on light condi-
tions.
"Traffic conditions/gray map" active:
Settings are not taken into account.
>"Satellite images"
Depending on the availability and resolu-
tion, satellite images
* are displayed in
scales of approx. 1 mile to 600 miles/2 km
to 1,000 km.
>"Perspective view in 3D"
Displays a three-dimensional view. Promi-
nent areas that are contained in the naviga-
tion data are displayed on the map in 3D.
>"Traffic conditions/gray map"
The map is optimized for displaying traffic
bulletins. Symbols for the special destina-
tions are no longer displayed.
SymbolFunction
Starting/stopping destination
guidance
Switching voice instructions on/
off
Changing route criteria or
selecting route alternatives
Special destinations
Displaying traffic bulletins
Interactive map
Map view settings
Changing scale