
80
ControlsDriving
System limitations
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does  have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply  the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle, or stationary object ahead 
of you, for example at a traffic light or when 
approaching a parked vehicle. Also, the system 
does not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians 
or other types of potentia l traffic such as a rider 
on horseback. The system may also not detect 
smaller moving objects such as motorcycles or 
bicycles. Be especially alert when encountering 
any of these situations as the system will nei-
ther automatically brake, nor provide a warning 
to you. Also, be aware that every decrease in 
the distance setting allows  your vehicle to come 
closer to a vehicle in front of you and requires a 
heightened amount of alertness. <
Active Cruise Control is not and must not 
be used as a collisio n avoidance/warning 
system. <
If while your vehicle is actively following a vehi-
cle in front of you and the vehicle ahead speeds 
up or the lane ahead becomes clear, then your 
vehicle will accelerate  to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane will also  result in your vehicle 
accelerating.
Be certain to deactiva te the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp. < Also, vehicles travelin
g in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a  vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always  be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
While Active Cruise Co ntrol is capable of 
braking your vehicle automatically when 
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is 
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e.g. 
when you reduce your desired speed sharply. 
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses 
only a portion of braking system capacity and 
does not utilize the full ca pacity of the vehicle 
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot 
decrease your speed for large differences in 
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle 
ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle 
traveling at a much lower speed than your own 
speed such as approaching a toll booth or when 
a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at 
close range. <
Active Cruise Control ca n only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

81
Driving
Controls
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane 
into your lane, Active 
Cruise Control will not 
recognize this vehicle until  it is fully in your lane 
ahead of your vehicle.
When a vehicle ahead suddenly swerves 
into your lane, the sy stem may not be able 
to maintain the selected  distance automatically. 
This also applies to gr eat differences in speed 
between you and vehicles ahead, e.g. when 
quickly approaching a truck. There is a risk of 
collision. Once the system  has established that 
a vehicle is indeed in fron t of you, it will indicate 
that you must brake and/or maneuver the vehi-
cle yourself. Take action yourself; otherwise, 
there is a risk of an accident. <
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is 
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to 
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in 
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway. In approaching a curve, it is possible that Active 
Cruise Control would react briefly to a vehicle in 
the adjacent lane. In ad
dition, the system can 
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not 
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either 
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing  the accelerator pedal.
Your responsibility
Your actions have priority  at all times. When you 
press the accelerator pedal while driving with 
Active Cruise Control,  the automatic braking 
function will be temporar ily interrupted. Once 
you release the accelera tor pedal, the desired 
speed or the selected distance to the vehicle 
ahead is achieved again.
Do not leave your foot  on the accelerator 
pedal and make sure that no objects such 
as floor mats are lying on the accelerator pedal. 
Otherwise, the system may not be able to brake 
the vehicle. <
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

99
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
xDrive
xDrive is your BMW's fo
ur-wheel-drive system. 
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to 
further optimize traction and driving dynamics. 
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes 
driving power variably to  the front and rear axles 
depending on the driving situation and road 
conditions.
Hill Descent Control HDC
HDC is a downhill driving  assistant that controls 
your speed on steep downhill gradients and 
makes it even easier to control your BMW's 
handling under these conditions. The vehicle 
then moves slightly fast er than double walking 
speed without the driver needing to intervene.
HDC can be activated as long as you are driving 
under approx. 20 mph or 35 km/h. When driving 
downhill at a speed of under approx. 20 mph or 
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically 
reduced to slightly more than double walking 
speed and maintained.
Increasing or de creasing speed
By accelerating or braking you can change this 
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph, 
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range by using the lever  of the cruise control.
1 To increase speed
2 To decrease speed
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
When the vehicle is being braked automatically, 
the LED flashes.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is automatically de activated at speeds 
greater than approx. 35 mph/60 km/h.
Using HDC
In cars with manual transmission:
Use HDC in lower gears and in reverse gear.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in any drive position.
Displays in the instrument cluster
1 Display for target speed
2 HDC display
Malfunction
The HDC display disappears during HDC oper-
ation, or does not appear:
HDC is temporarily unav ailable due to exces-
sive brake temperature, or DSC has failed.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

298
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 97
ACC, refer to Active Cruise  Control 75
Acceleration assistant, refer to  Launch Control 70
Accessories, refer to Vehicle 
equipment 5
Accident, refer to Sending an  Emergency Request 276
Activated-charcoal filter for  automatic climate 
control 120
Active Cruise Control 75
– indicator lamp 78
– malfunction 79
– selecting distance 77
– sensor 78
Active steering 105
Adaptive brake lamp
– Brake Force Display 106
Adaptive Light Control 112
Additives
– coolant 263
– engine oil 262
Address, entering 150,156
Address for navigation
– entering 150
Adjusting temperature inside  the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control 117
Adjusting the thigh support 49
Airbags 107
– indicator/warning lamp 108
– sitting safely 47
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate  control 117
– ventilation 119 Air distribution
– automatic
118
Airing, refer to Ventilation 119
Air pressure, refer to Tire  inflation pressure 239
Air recirculation, refer to 
Recirculated air mode 118
Air supply
– automatic climate 
control 117
– ventilation 119
Air vents 116
Air volume 118
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 237
Alarm system 37
– avoiding unintentional  alarms 38
– interior motion sensor 38
– switching off an alarm 37
– tilt alarm sensor 37
ALL program 119
All-season tires, refer to  Winter tires 258
All-wheel drive, refer to  xDrive 99
Ambient 
air, refer to 
Recirculated air mode 118
Antifreeze
– coolant 263
– washer fluid 72
Antilock Brake System  ABS 97
Anti-theft alarm system, refer  to Alarm system 37
Appointments, refer to 
Calendar 223
Approved axle loads, refer to  Weights 287
Approved engine oils 262
Approved gross vehicle  weight, refer to Weights 287Apps
232
Armrest, refer to Center  armrest 126
Arrival time, refer to  Computer 84
Ashtray 128
Assist systems, refer to  Driving stability control 97
AUC Automatic recirculated 
air control 118
Audible instructions, refer to  Voice instructions 161
Audio device, external 127
Automatic
– air distribution 118
– air volume 118
– cruise control 73,75
– headlamp control 110
Automatic car washes 266
Automatic climate control 116
Automatic curb monitor 55
Automatic high beams and  low beams, refer to High-
beam Assistant 113
Automatic recirculated air  control AUC 118
Automatic Service  Request 232
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 64
– interlock 64
– overriding selector lever 
lock 66
– shiftlock, refer to Changing  selector lever position 64
– sport program 65
– towing 279
– tow-starting 279
AUTO program for automatic  climate control 118
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

301
Everything from A to Z
Reference
Consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption 84
Contacts 218
– deleting 220,227
– exporting/importing 227
– new contact 219
Control Center, refer to 
iDrive 18
Control Display 19
– switching off 19
Control Display, refer to  iDrive 18
– adjusting brightness 94
Controller, refer to iDrive 18
Controls and displays 10
Control unit, refer to iDrive 18
Convenient loading in  Convertible 33
Convenient opening and  closing
– glass roof 32
– glass roof with Comfort  Access 39
– retractable hardtop 32
– windows 32
– windows with Comfort  Access 39
– with Comfort Access 39
Convertible
– bag holder 131
– convenient loading 33
– enlarging cargo area 130
– folding down rear 
backrest 130
– retractable hardtop 43
– rollover protection 
system 109
– securing cargo 143
– stowing cargo 142
Coolant 263
– checking level 263
Coolant temperature 263
Cooling, maximum 117
Cooling fluid, refer to  Coolant 263 Cooling system, refer to 
Coolant 263
Copyright 2
Corner-illuminating lamps
– replacing bulbs 271
Cornering light, refer to  Adaptive Light Control 112
Correct tires 257
Courtesy lamps, refer to  Interior lamps 114
Criteria for route 159
Cross-hairs in  navigation155
Cruise control 73
– ac
tive 75
– malfunction 75
Cruise control, refer to Active 
Cruise Control 75
Cruising range 84
Cupholders 128
Curb weight, refer to  Weights 287
Customer Relations 231
D
Dashboard, refer to 
Cockpit 10
Dashboard, refer to 
Instrument cluster 12
Dashboard lighting, refer to  Instrument lighting 114
Data, technical 284
– capacities 289
– dimensions 285
– engine 284
– weights 287
Data memory 265
Data transfer 232
Date
– date format 91
– setting 91
Daytime running lights 111
– replacing bulbs 271
DBC Dynamic Brake  Control 97
Deactivating front passenger 
airbags 107 Deadlocking, refer to 
Locking 32
Defect
– door lock 34
– fuel filler flap 236
– glass roof 42
Defining a home address 219
Destination, entering by town/
city name 150
Destination address
– entering 150,156
Destination entry via BMW  Assist 155
Destination for navigation
– entering by voice 156
– entering via map 155
– entry 150
– home address 153
– manual entry 150
Destination guidance 159
– bypassing a route  section 160
– changing specified  route 159
– continuing 159
– starting 159
– voice instructions 161
– volume of voice 
instructions 161
Digital clock 82
Digital compass 124
Dimensions 285
Directional indicators, refer to  Turn signals 71
Direction instructions, refer to  Voice instructions 161
Directory for navigation, refer 
to Address book 152
Dis
placement, refer to Engine 
data 284
Display, refer to iDrive  controls 18
Displaying contact 
pictures 219
Display lighting, refer to  Instrument lighting 114
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

309
Everything from A to Z
Reference
Seat belt reminder, refer to 
Fasten safety belts 
reminder 54
Seat heating 53
Seats 48
– adjusting electrically 49
– adjusting the seats 48
– heating 53
– memory, refer to Seat and  mirror memory 53
– saving a setting, refer to Seat 
and mirror memory 53
– sitting safely 47
Securing cargo 133,134
Securing the vehicle
– from inside 35
– from outside 32
Selecting distance for Active  Cruise Control 77
Selecting new scale for  navigation 163
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with  Steptronic 64
Selector lever  lock, refer to 
Changing selector lever 
positions, shiftlock 64
Selector lever positions 66
– automatic transmission with  Steptronic 64
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance 277
Service car, refer to Roadside  Assistance 277
Service data in the remote  control 264
Service Interval Display, refer 
to Condition Based Service 
CBS 264
Service Request 231
Service requirements 87
Service status 232
Settings
– changing settings on the  Control Display 94
– clock, 12h/24h format 91
– language 94 Settings and information
86
Settings for the map view 163
Setting times, refer to  Preselecting switch-on 
times 120
Shifting 68
– 7-gear Sport automatic  transmission with double 
clutch 68
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 65
– manual transmission 64
Shift into a drive position, refer 
to selector lever 
positions 66
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, 
refe
 r to Changing selector 
lever positions 64
Shift paddles on the steering  wheel 68
Short commands for the voice  activation system 290
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route 159
Side airbags 107
Side windows, refer to 
Windows 40
Signal horn, refer to  Horn 10,11
Sitting safely 47
– with airbags 47
– with head restraint 47
– with safety belts 47
Ski bag 132
Ski bag for Convertible, refer 
to Through-loading opening 
with integrated transport 
bag 133
Sliding/tilt sunroof, refer to  Glass roof, electric 41
Slot for remote control 61
Smokers' package, refer to  Ashtray 129
Snap-in adapter 204
– inserting/removing 216Snap-in adapter, refer to 
Center armrest storage 
compartment 126
Socket, Onboard Diagnosis  OBD 265
Socket, refer to Connecting  electrical appliances 129
SOS, refer to Sending an 
Emergency Request 276
Spare fuses 275
Special destinations 153
Special destinations,  displaying 155
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils 262
Specified engine oils, refer to 
Approved engine oils 262
Speed
– Run-flat tires 101
– with winter tires 258
Speed limit 93
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit 93
Speedo, refer to  Speedometer 12
Speedometer 12
Split screen content, refer to  Selecting the display for the 
split screen content 22
Sport automatic transmission  with double clutch 66
– driving dynamics control 69
– kickdown 68
– Launch Control 70
– manually unlocking parking  lock 69
– neu
tral 67
– reverse gear 67
Sport program with 7-gear  Sport automatic 
transmission with double 
clutch 68
Spray nozzles, refer to 
Cleaning windshield and 
headlamps 72
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

310
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems 97
Start/Stop button 61
– starting the engine 62
– switching off the engine 63
Starting, refer to Starting the  engine 62
Starting assistance, refer to  Jump-starting 278
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting 278
Starting the engine
– Start/Stop button 61
Start menu 19
State/province, for 
navigation 150
Status information on the  Control Display 21
Status of this Owner's Manual  at time of printing 5
Steam jet 266,267
Steering wheel 56
– adjustment 56
– buttons on steering 
wheel 11
– heating 56
– lock 61
– locking with Comfort  Access 39
– shift paddles 68
Steering wheel buttons, refer  to Shift paddles 68
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering 105
Steptronic, refer to Automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 64
Storage 269
Storage compartments 127
Storage nets 131
Stored trip, calling up 158
Storing a destination in the 
address book 152
Storing seat positions, refer to  Seat and mirror memory 53Storing tires
258
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments 127
Street, entering,  navigation 151
Suitable mobile phones 204
Summer tires, refer to Wheels  and tires 239
Switches, refer to Cockpit 10
Switching off
– engine 63
Switching off the engine
– Start/Stop button 61
Switching the cooling function 
on and off 119
Switch-on times of parked car 
ventilation, preselecting 120
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 83
Tailgate, refer to Trunk lid 35
Tail lamp, refer to Tail  lamps 272
Tail lamps 272
– replacing bulb 272,273
Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities 289
Tasks 223
Technical data 284
– dimensions 285
Technical modifications, refer  to For your own safety 5
Telephone 204
– hands-free system 213
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest 126
– phone book 212
– received calls 213
– redialing 212
– refer to separate Owner's  Manual
– voice commands 214
TeleService 229
Teleservice Diagnosis 230Temperature
– automatic climate 
control 117
– changing unit of measure 87
– coolant, refer to Coolant 
temperature 263
Temperature display
– outside temperature 82
– outside temperature  warning 82
– setting the units 87
Tempomat, refer to Cruise  control 73
Tensioning straps, refer to 
Securing cargo 143
Text message 221
Third brake lamp, refer to  Center brake lamp 273
Through-loading  opening with 
integrated transport 
bag 133
Through-loading system 130
Tilt alarm sensor 37
Tilt function, passenger side  mirror 55
Timer, refer to Preselecting  switch-on times 120
Tire inflation pressure 239
– loss 101,102
Tire pressure monitoring,  refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor 100
Tire Pressure Monitor  TPM 102
– resetting the system 103
– system limitatio
 ns102
– warning lamp 103
Tire puncture, refe r to Flat Tire 
Monitor 101
Tire Quality Grading 255
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG