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Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position and the engaged 
gear are displayed, e.g. M4.
Engaging selector lever positions
>
The selector lever can be moved out of 
position P only with the engine running: 
interlock.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle statio nary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise, the desired shift will not 
be executed: shiftlock.
Shifting into N, D, R
Briefly push the selector  lever in the desired 
direction, overcoming a resistance point if nec-
essary. When shifting out of P or into R, simul-
taneously press the button 1 .
The engaged selector lever position is also dis-
played on the selector lever.
When you release the sele ctor lever, it returns 
to its center position.
Shifting into P
Press the button P.
P Park
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
The rear wheels are locked.
The transmission is shifted into P if, with 
the engine running, you open the driver's 
doo r, do not have  yo ur sa fety belt fastened, and 
subsequently actuate neither the brake pedal 
nor the accelerator. Befo re leaving the vehicle, 
make sure that the au tomatic transmission 
selector lever is in the park position. Otherwise, 
the vehicle may begin to move. <
The transmission is shifted into P as soon 
as you switch off th e engine, unless the 
transmission is in N and the remote control is in 
the ignition lock, refer to page 267. As soon as 
you remove the remote control from the ignition 
lock, then the transmission is shifted into P. <
R Reverse
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
You can select this in a car wash, for example. 
The vehicle can roll.
After the engine is switched off, the trans-
mission remains in N if you leave the 
remote control in the ignition lock. You can use 
this function at a car wash, for example, refer to 
page 267.<
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ControlsDriving
D Drive mode
In Drive mode, all forward gears are shifted 
automatically.
Kickdown
For sudden acceleration maneuvers such as 
passing, depress the accelerator past the resis-
tance point. This prov ides maximum accelera-
tion.
Sport program and 
manual mode M/S
Push selector lever towa rd the left from the 
selector lever position D, the Sport program is 
activated. This position is recommended for a 
performance-oriented driving style.
The engaged gear, e.g. S1, is displayed in the 
instrument cluster.
When you press the selector lever forwards or 
backwards, the manual mode is activated and 
Steptronic changes gear. 
The engaged gear, e.g. M1 is displayed in the 
instrument cluster.
In the following situat ions, the 7-gear Sport 
automatic transmission with double clutch 
does the thinking for you:
> Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in a plausible combina-
tion of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for 
example, a downshift that could cause the 
engine to overrev will not be executed by 
the system. >
At a stop, the transmission is automatically 
shifted down to the first gear.
> Shortly before the spee d falls below a gear-
dependent minimum speed, the transmis-
sion automatically down shifts without your 
intervention.
Quick downshifting: even in sequential mode, 
you can skip over several gears in order to 
achieve an optimum acceleration. To do so, 
depress the accelerator past the resistance 
point.
To return to automatic  mode, push the selector 
lever to the right.
Gear shifting
Upshift or downshift usin g the selector lever or 
the shift paddles. You do  not need to lift your 
foot off the accelerator when doing so.
Using the selector lever
> To upshift, pull the sele ctor lever toward the 
rear.
> To downshift, push it toward the front.
Using the shift paddl es on the steering 
wheel
You can also shift manua lly using two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel. The shift paddles 
allow you to shift gear s quickly since both 
hands can remain on the steering wheel.
> When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the transmission switches to manual 
mode.
> If you do not accelerate or shift gears using 
the shift paddles for a certain amount of 
time, the transmission switches back to 
automatic mode if the  selector lever is in 
position D.
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69
Driving
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>
To upshift, briefly pull the right shift 
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly  pull the left shift pad-
dle –.
Driving dynamics control
The driving dynamics control permits you, at 
the push of a button, to  have your BMW react in 
an even more sporty fashion when driving:
> Optimal use is made of the engine's speed 
range.
> Gear changes occur more quickly.
> The engine reacts more spontaneously to 
accelerator pedal movements.
Activating the system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT 
appears in the info display.
Deactivating the system
>Press the SPORT button again.
> Switch off the engine.
The LED in the button goes out and SPORT 
disappears from the info display.
Manually unlocking parking lock
In the event of a power supply interrup-
tion such as a discharged or discon-
nected battery or an elec trical malfunction, the 
parking lock must be ma nually unlocked; other-
wise, the rear wheels are immobilized and the 
vehicle cannot be towed. <
Only unlock the parking  lock manually for tow-
ing and make sure to set the parking brake 
forcefully beforehand so  that the vehicle cannot 
roll. Lock the parking lock again after the vehicle 
is parked.
Releasing
1. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2. Pull the sleeve up over  the selector lever 
until the sleeve  is inside out.
3. Using the allen wrench from the tool kit, 
refer to page 270, rotate the cover until it 
reaches the stop, arrow  1, and remove, 
arrow 2.
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All washer nozzles are 
supplied with washer 
fluid by the same reservoir.
Fill with water and, if  required, with a washer 
antifreeze, according to  manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained. <
Capacity
Approx. 6.3 US quarts/6 liters.
Cruise control
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds of 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then stores 
and maintains the speed that you specify using 
the lever on the steering  column. In order to 
maintain the specifie d speed, the system 
brakes the vehicle when the engine braking 
effect is insufficient  on downhill gradients.
Do not use cruise control when driving at 
constant speed is prevented by adverse 
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or 
poor road conditions due  to, e.g., snow, rain, ice 
or loose surfaces. Otherwise, you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident as a 
result. <
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while  cruise control is acti-
vated. The system is deactivated when you  drive at very low engine speeds for an extended 
period.
One lever for all functions
1
Storing and maintainin g speed or accelerat-
ing
2 Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3 Deactivating cr uise control
4 Resuming a previously stored speed
Maintaining current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow  1, or pull it briefly, 
arrow  2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. It is displayed on the speedometer and 
briefly in the instrument cluster.
On uphill gradients, it may prove impossible to 
maintain the set speed if  current engine power 
output is insufficient. If the engine braking 
effect is insufficient on  downhill slopes, the sys-
tem will brake the vehicle slightly.
Increasing desired speed
Repeatedly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow 1, until the desired 
speed is reached.
> Each time the lever is  pressed to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is increased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever is  pressed beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by up to 5 mph or 10 km/h.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
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ControlsDriving
Accelerating using the lever
Accelerating slightly:
Press the lever to the resistance point, arrow  1, 
until the desired speed is reached.
Accelerating significantly:
Press the lever beyond the resistance point, 
arrow  1, until the desired speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on 
the accelerator pedal. The system stores and 
maintains the speed.
Decreasing speed
Repeatedly pull the lever  to the resistance point 
or beyond, arrow  2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
> Each time the lever is  pulled to the resis-
tance point, the desired speed is decreased 
by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever  is pulled beyond the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
reduced by  up to  5 mph o r 10 km/h until the  
minimum speed of 20 mph or 30 km/h is 
achieved.
The system stores and maintains the speed.
Deactivating cruise control
Briefly press the lever upwards or downwards, 
arrow 3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
> When the brakes are applied.
> When the manual transmission is shifted 
very slowly or shifted into neutral.
> When the automatic transmission selector 
lever is moved into  the neutral position.
> When the selector lever of the Sports auto-
matic transmission with double clutch is 
moved into the neutral position.
> When DTC is activate d or DSC is deacti-
vated.
> When DSC or ABS is intervening. Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing 
the accelerator pedal. 
Once the accelerator 
pedal is released, the st ored speed is achieved 
again and maintained.
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up when 
cruise control is deactivated due to 
control intervention by the DSC, for 
example. A message appears on the Control 
Display.
Resuming a previously stored speed
Press the button, arrow 4. 
The last stored speed is resumed and main-
tained.
In the following instance s, the stored speed is 
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
> When driving stability control systems are 
intervening.
> In cars with manual transmission: when you 
shift gears very slowly or shift to neutral.
> In cars with automatic transmission: when 
you engage selector lever position N.
> In cars with Sport automatic transmission 
with double clutch: when you engage selec-
tor lever position N.
> When the ignition is switched off.
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored speed
2 Selected speed is displayed briefly
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Driving
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If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears 
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation 
are currently not met. 
Calling up Check Control messages, refer to 
page 93.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on th e Control Display. 
The cruise control is malfunctioning. 
You can continue your journey. Have the sys-
tem checked.
Active Cruise Control
The concept
With Active Cruise Cont rol, you can select a 
desired speed which is  not only automatically 
maintained when driving on open roadways, but 
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active Cruise Control is a technological 
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a 
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of 
speed that can accompany  driving in traffic on 
highways or other high -speed thoroughfares. 
Especially on longer trips, the system can 
reduce fatigue and tension, while increasing 
your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely 
and responsibly.
Within the limits of its capability, the system 
automatically adap ts the car's speed to that of a 
slower vehicle in front of you. You can specify 
the distance to be main tained from the vehicle 
in front in four stages. For safety reasons, the 
distance is speed-dependent. Based on your 
selected distance setti ng, the system automat-
ically decreases the thro ttle setting and lightly 
applies the brakes if necessary. The vehicle 
brake lamps will automatically illuminate to sig-
nal a following driver to  take action. In addition, 
it may be necessary for the vehicle or the driver 
to downshift, depending  on the kind of trans- mission your vehicle is equipped with, to main-
tain the distance setting 
selected. If the vehicle 
ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead 
becomes clear, your vehi cle will accelerate to 
the speed you have selected by increasing the 
throttle setting and shifting gears automatically 
or by the driver as needed. Your selected speed 
will be held when driving downhill, too.
Since this Active Cruise Control system is a 
new technology and operates differently from 
conventional cruise co ntrol systems which you 
may be accustomed to, you are strongly urged 
to read all of the pages  relating to this system 
before use. Pay special  attention to the System 
limitations section beginning on page 80.
Braking sensation
>If you step on the brake pedal while the sys-
tem is braking, peda l sensation will be 
slightly different from the usual.
> Possible noises during automatic braking 
are normal.
Manual transmission
You can shift gears while  cruise control is acti-
vated. The system is deactivated when you 
drive at very low engine speeds for an extended 
period.
Range of applications
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or 
30 km/h, the maximum desired speed is 
110 mph or 180 km/h.
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, Active Cruise  Control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver’s own 
personal responsibility,  alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active Cruise Control is  intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do  not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
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76
ControlsDriving
hour; on curvy, winding ro ads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parkin g areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively fo llowing a vehicle in front 
of you. Otherwise, driving situations could 
result that pose the risk of accidents. <
One lever for all functions
1Store and increase desired speed
2 Store and decrease desired speed
3 Deactivate system, refer to page 77
4 Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page 78
5 Select distance to vehicle driving ahead, 
refer to page 77
Storing current speed
Briefly press the lever, arrow 1, or pull the lever, 
arrow 2, at a driving speed of more than approx. 
20 mph or 30 km/h. The car's current speed is stored. It is displayed 
on the speedometer and briefly in the instru-
ment cluster.
Increasing desired speed
Press or briefly press the lever to the resistance 
point or beyond, arrow
1, until the desired 
speed is displayed.
> Each time the lever is  briefly pressed to the 
resistance point, the desired speed is 
increased by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
> Each time the lever is briefly pressed 
beyond the resistance point, the desired 
speed is increased by up to 5 mph or 
10 km/h until the maximum speed of 
110 mph or 180 km/h is achieved.
The speed then displayed is stored and 
achieved on a clear road.
Decreasing de sired speed
Pull the lever, arrow  2, until the desired speed is 
displayed.
The other functions work  analogously to those 
described under Increasing desired speed.
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Selecting distance
>
Press downward: 
Increase distance.
> Press upward: 
Decrease distance.
The selected distance is  displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe  following distance. 
Otherwise, an accident risk could result.<
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, arrow 3. 
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system  is automatically deacti-
vated:
> When the brakes are applied.
> The speed is reduced to below 20 mph or 
30 km/h due to a traffic situation.
> When the manual transmission is shifted 
very slowly or shifted into neutral.
> When the automatic transmission selector 
lever is moved into  the neutral position.
> When the selector lever of the Sports auto-
matic transmission with double clutch is 
moved into the neutral position.
> When Dynamic Traction Control DTC is 
activated.
> When Dynamic Stability Control DSC is 
deactivated.
> When DSC or ABS is intervening.
> The system does not recognize any objects 
for a longer time, e. g. on infrequently trav-
eled roads without a shoulder or guard rails, 
or if the radar sensor  is covered with dirt, 
refer to page 78.
> The parking brake is engaged.
When the system is deactivated, you 
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or 
maneuver as necessary; otherwise, there is a 
risk of accidents. <
Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4
This is always the preset dis-
tance when you use the system 
for the first time after starting the 
engine.
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