
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 overview
74
Units of measure
You can change the units for fuel consumption, 
route/distance, temperature and pressure.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3.Select the desired menu item.
4.Select the desired unit.
The settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of 
the next scheduled service are displayed briefly 
immediately after you start the engine or switch 
on the ignition.
The extent of service work required can 
be read out from the remote control by 
your BMW Service Advisor.<
For certain maintenance operations, you can 
view the respective distance remaining or due 
date individually in the instrument cluster.1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page57.
2.Push button1 in the turn signal/high beam 
lever up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol appears in the display, 
accompanied by the words "SERVICE-
INFO".
3.Press button2.
4.Use button1 to scroll through the individual 
service items. 

Controls
 81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
4.Press the controller.
Settings on the Control 
Display
Language on the Control Display
Setting the language
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Language:"
4.Select the desired language.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting the voice dialog
Switch between a standard dialog and a short 
dialog.
1."Settings"
2."Language/Units"
3."Speech mode:"
4.Select the desired dialog.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Brightness of the Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the basic setting.
1."Settings"
2."Control display"
3."Brightness"
4.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
5.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. In bright conditions, for example, 
the brightness control may not be clearly visi-
ble. 

Practical interior accessories
106
Digital compass*
1Adjustment button
2Display
The display shows you the main or secondary 
compass direction in which you are driving.
Operating principle
You can call up various functions by pressing 
the adjustment button with a pointed object 
such as a pen or similar item. The following 
adjustment options are displayed one after the 
other, depending on how long you keep the 
adjustment button pressed:
>Press briefly: switch display on/off
>3 to 6 seconds: set compass zone
>6 to 9 seconds: calibrate compass
>9 to 12 seconds: set left-hand/right-hand 
steering
>12 to 15 seconds: set the language
Setting compass zones
Set the compass zone corresponding to your 
vehicle's geographic location so that the com-
pass can function correctly; refer to the world 
map with compass zones.
To set the compass zone, press the adjustment 
button for approx. 3-4 seconds. The number of 
the compass zone set is shown in the display.To change the zone setting, briefly press the 
adjustment button repeatedly until the display 
shows the number of the compass zone corre-
sponding to your current location.
The compass is operational again after approx. 
10 seconds. 

Controls
 107Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must be calibrated in the 
following situations:
>An incorrect compass direction is shown.
>The compass direction shown does not 
change although the direction of travel 
does.
>Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or 
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of 
your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2.Set the currently valid compass zone.
3.Convertible: ensure that the convertible top 
is fully closed.
4.Press the adjustment button for approx. 
6-7 seconds to call up C. Then drive in at 
least one full circle at a speed of no more 
than 4 mph/7 km/h.
If calibration is successful, the display 
changes from C to a compass direction.
5.Convertible: open the convertible top fully 
and repeat step 4.
Setting right-hand/left-hand steering
Your digital compass is factory-set to right-
hand or left-hand steering, in accordance with 
your vehicle.
Set the language
You can set the language of the display:
Press the adjustment button for approx. 
12-13 seconds. Briefly press the adjustment 
button again to switch between English, "E", 
and German, "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx. 
10 seconds.
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle. 
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven, 
close the glove compartment immediately after 
use.<
Closing
Fold the cover up.
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to 
page28.
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB 
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to 
page165.
Observe the following when connecting:
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB 
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB interface. 

CD/DVD player and CD changer
158
DVD menu
1.If necessary, turn the controller to open the 
Video menu.
2."DVD menu"
The DVD menu is displayed. The display 
depends on the contents of the DVD.
>To select menu items: move and press the 
controller.
>To change to the Video menu: turn the con-
troller and select "Back".
DVD/VCD settings
For some DVDs, settings can only be made via 
the DVD menu; also refer to the information on 
your DVD.
Language*
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Audio/language"
4.Select the desired language.
The languages that are available depend on the 
DVD.
Subtitles*
Subtitles can be selected if they are contained 
on the DVD.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Subtitles"4.Select the desired language or "Do not dis-
play subtitles".
Brightness, contrast, color
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Display settings"
4."Brightness", "Contrast" or "Color"
5.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is displayed, and then press the controller.
Zoom
Display the video image on the full screen.
1.Turn the controller during playback.
2.Open "Options".
3."Additional options"
4."Zoom mode" 

Telephone
186
Storing the entry
Deleting the entry
Deleting all entries
Listening to and selecting entries
Selecting an entry
Adjusting volume
Turn knob during announcement.
>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
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 say commands in the language of 
the system. The language of the voice acti-
vation of the mobile phone is preset and 
cannot be changed via the Control Display.
>Keep the doors, windows, glass sunroof
*, 
and convertible top
* closed to prevent 
interference from ambient noise.
>Avoid ambient noise in the vehicle while 
speaking.
Snap-in adapter*
Installation location
In the center armrest.
Inserting snap-in adapter
1.Press the button and remove the cover. 1.{Save name}.
2.Say the name aloud. Do not exceed a 
speaking duration of about 2 seconds.
3.Say the phone number after being 
prompted to do so by the system.
4.{Save}.
1.{Delete name}.
2.Say the name when prompted.
3.Confirm the query with {Yes}.
1.{Delete phonebook}.
The dialog for deleting the phone book 
opens.
2.Confirm the query with {Yes}.
3.Confirm the query again with {Yes}.
1.{Read phonebook}.
The dialog for reading the phone book 
opens.
2.Say {Dial number} when the desired 
entry is read.
1.{Dial name}.
2.Say the name when prompted.
3.Confirm the query with {Yes}. 

Everything from A to Z
256 Cargo area lid, refer to Trunk 
lid33
Cargo area net, refer to 
Securing cargo120
Cargo loading119
– securing cargo120
– stowing cargo120
– vehicle119
Car jack
– jacking points232
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Car phone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest108
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car phone, refer to 
Telephone176
Car radio, refer to Radio147
Car shampoo224
Car wash223
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system117
CD, audio playback155
CD changer155,159
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse157
– filling or emptying the 
magazine159
– random play sequence156
– selecting a track155
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
CD player155
– controls144
– fast forward/reverse157
– random order156
– selecting a track155
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144
Center armrest108
Center brake lamp, replacing 
bulb231
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14Central key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– Comfort Access35
Changes, technical, refer to 
For your own safety5
Changing bulbs227
Changing gears64
Changing the language on the 
Control Display81
Changing wheels231
Chassis number, refer to 
Engine compartment217
Check Control78
Child restraint fixing system 
LATCH55
Child restraint systems54
Child seats54
Chrome parts225
Chrome polish225
Cigarette lighter109
Cleaning headlamps67
– washer fluid68
Cleaning your BMW, refer to 
Care223
Climate control
– automatic air 
distribution100
Clock70
– 12h/24h mode77
– setting the time and date77
– setting time76
Closing
– from inside32
– from outside29
Clothes hooks108
Cold start, refer to Starting the 
engine58
Comfort Access35
– replacing the battery37
Comfort access, refer to 
Comfort Access35
Comfort area, refer to Around 
the center console14Compartment for remote 
control, refer to Ignition 
lock57
Compass106
Computer71
– displays on Control 
Display72
Computer, refer to iDrive16
Concierge service199
Condensation, refer to When 
the vehicle is parked119
Condition Based Service 
CBS221
Configuring settings, refer to 
Personal Profile28
Confirmation signals for 
locking/unlocking the 
vehicle30
ConnectedDrive198
Connecting vacuum cleaner, 
refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances109
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption72
Contacts188
– deleting190,197
– exporting/importing197
– new contact189
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive16
Control Display16,17
Control Display, refer to iDrive
– switching on/off17
Controller, refer to iDrive16
Controls and displays10
Convenient opening and 
closing
– windows30
– windows with Comfort 
Access36
– with Comfort Access36
Convenient start, refer to 
Starting the engine58
Convertible
– rollover protection 
system92
– top40
– wind deflector43