Driving tips
117Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Drive defensively
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
maneuvers. To do so, keep an adequate dis-
tance between you and the vehicle in front of
you. A defensive and smooth driving style
keeps fuel consumption down.
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for driving off. In second and
higher gears, accelerate without hesitation or
pauses. When accelerating, shift up before
reaching high engine speeds.
When you reach the desired speed, shift into
the highest applicable gear and drive with the
engine speed as low as possible and at a con-
stant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red light, take your foot off
the accelerator and coast to a stop in the high-
est applicable gear.
On a downhill slope, take your foot off the accel-
erator and coast in a suitable gear.
The fuel supply is interrupted when coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings
or in traffic congestions. You achieve fuel sav-
ings even if standing time is as short as approx.
4seconds.
Switch off functions you do not need at
the moment
Functions such as the air conditioner, seat
heating or rear window defroster draw large
amounts of power and consume additional fuel.
Especially in city traffic and in stop-and-go driv-
ing they have a considerable impact. Therefore,
switch these functions off when they are not
really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have the vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. BMW
recommends having the vehicle serviced at a
BMW center. Also note the BMW service sys-
tem, refer to page221.
General driving notes
Close the trunk lid
Only drive with the trunk closed. Failure to
do so may endanger passengers or other
road users or may damage the vehicle in the
event of an accident or a braking and evasive
maneuver. In addition, exhaust gas may flow
into the passenger compartment.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the trunk open:
1.Close all windows and the glass roof.
2.Greatly increase the air volume of the auto-
matic climate control system, refer to
page101.
3.Drive cautiously.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed in
its vicinity, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, with the
risk of serious personal injuries and property
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes.
Otherwise, there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
Wheels and tires
212
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 1011 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2011.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
(not on ZR tires)
Speed code letter,
(before the R on ZR tires)
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1011
Short commands for the voice activation system
252
ConnectedDrive* or BMW Assist*
Vehicle information
Settings
Vehicle
Equipment
FunctionCommand
Opening BMW Assist*{B M W Assist}
Accessing ConnectedDrive
*{Connected Drive}
Opening BMW Search
*{B M W Online}
FunctionCommand
Accessing the onboard computer{Onboard info}
Opening the trip computer{Trip computer}
Opening the vehicle information{Vehicle info}
Opening the vehicle status{Vehicle status}
FunctionCommand
Opening the main menu{Main menu}
Opening the settings{Settings}
Opening the options{Options}
Settings on the Control Display{Control display}
Opening the time and date settings{Time and date}
Opening the language and unit settings{Language and units}
Opening the speed limit settings{Speed}
Opening the light settings{Lighting}
Opening the door lock settings{Door locks}
Opening profiles{Profiles}
FunctionCommand
Opening the air conditioning settings{Climate}
Everything from A to Z
254
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake
System83
Acceleration assistant, refer to
Launch Control66
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle5
Accident, reporting, refer to
Emergency Request234
Activated-charcoal filter102
Active steering89
Adaptive Light Control95
Additives
– coolant219
– engine oil219
Address, entering125,131
Address for navigation
– entering125
Adjusting temperature100
Airbags90
– sitting safely45
– warning lamp92
Air conditioner99
Air distribution
– automatic100
Airing, refer to Ventilation102
Air outlets, refer to Air
vents99
Air pressure, checking, refer
to Tire inflation
pressure208
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated air mode101
Air vents99
Air volume101
AKI, refer to Fuel grade207
Alarm system34
– avoiding unintentional
alarms35
– interior motion sensor35
– switching off an alarm34
– tilt alarm sensor35Albums of music
collection163
ALL program101
All-season tires, refer to
Winter tires215
AM, waveband147
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated air mode101
Antifreeze
– coolant219
– washer fluid68
Antilock Brake System
ABS83
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system34
Anti-theft system29
Appointments, refer to
Calendar193
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights245
Approved engine oils219
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights245
Apps202
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest108
Arrival time
– computer72
Ashtray109
Assistance systems, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC83
AUC Automatic recirculated
air control101
Audible instructions, refer to
Voice instructions136
Audio144
– controls144
– switching on/off144
– tone control144
– volume144Automatic
– air distribution100
– air volume100
– cruise control68
– headlamp control94
Automatic car washes223
Automatic climate control99
Automatic curb monitor52
Automatic high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam Assistant96
Automatic lamps
– refer to Welcome lamps94
Automatic recirculated air
control AUC101
Automatic Service
Request202
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– selector lever lock60
– shiftlock60
– towing236
– tow-starting236
AUTO program for automatic
climate control100
AUX-IN port166
Available services202
Average fuel consumption72
– setting the units74
Average speed72
Avoid highways in
navigation134
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
Axle loads, refer to
Weights245
B
Backrests, refer to Seats46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints48
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
Everything from A to Z
258 Driving through water118
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function101
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control83
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control84
– indicator lamps84
DVD
– country codes157
– settings158
– video playback157
DVD menu158
DVD player, refer to CD
player155
DVD video157
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC83
Dynamic destination
guidance140
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC83
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC84
– indicator lamps84
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution83
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player144
Electrical defect
– 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch65
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV83
Electronic oil level check217
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC83
Email192Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission61
Emergency release, trunk
lid34
Emergency Request234
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance234
Energy, saving
– saving fuel116
Engine
– breaking in116
– data242
– speed242
– starting58
– starting, Comfort Access35
– switching off58
Engine compartment217
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant219
Engine oil
– adding219
– additives219
– alternative oil types219
– approved engine oils219
– BMW Maintenance
System221
– checking level217
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements74
Engine oil level, checking217
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine58
Entering the postal code for
navigation126
Entry map for destination130
Equalizer, tone setting145
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC83Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out51
External devices
– random play sequence168
– software update172
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away236
– for tying down loads120
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control78
Failure of an electrical
consumer232
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
Fastest route for
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer157
– CD player157
Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter102
First aid pouch235
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock57
Flash when locking/
unlocking30
Flat tire
– run-flat tires214
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– initializing the system85
– system limits84
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition213
Reference 261
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal30
– from inside33
– from outside30
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access35
Locking and unlocking doors
– from inside32
– from outside29
Low beam control, refer to
High-beam Assistant96
Low-beam headlamps94
– automatic94
– replacing bulbs228
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support47
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo area
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack120
Lumbar support47
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires215
Maintenance, refer to
– BMW Maintenance
System221
– Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models or in the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet
for Canadian models
Maintenance system221
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control78
Manual car wash224
Manually unlocking parking
lock65Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
– parking lock65
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission61
Manual operation with
automatic transmission61
Manual transmission59
Map for navigation
– changing scale137
– entering destination130
Map view136
Maximum cooling100
Maximum speed
– for winter tires215
Menus, refer to iDrive16
Messages190
Messages from the Concierge
service192
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter for automatic climate
control102
Microphone for telephone14
Mirror dimming feature52
Mirrors51
– automatic curb monitor52
– exterior mirrors51
– heating52
– interior rearview mirror52
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume180
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing176
– operation180
– pairing176
– suitable mobile phones176
– unpairing179
– What to do if…179
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest108
Mobile phone, refer to
Telephone176
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's ManualMobile phone audio
interface
166
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitor, refer to iDrive16
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor84
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to AUX-IN port166
MP3 player, connecting, refer
to USB audio interface166
Multi-channel playback145
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher66
– refer to Wiper system67
Music, managing164
Music collection161
– backup165
– deleting165
– random sequence164
– restoring165
Music player, connecting,
refer to AUX-IN port166
Music player, connecting,
refer to USB audio
interface166
Music search162
My Info192
N
Navigation
– starting destination
guidance after entering a
destination126
– storing current position127
– voice activation131
Navigation announcements,
refer to Switching voice
instructions on/off136
Navigation data124