
12
At a glanceDashboard
Instrument cluster
1Speedometer
2 Indicator lamps for turn signals
3 Indicator and warning lamps 13
4 Displays for Active Cruise Control 75
5 Tachometer 83
6 Engine oil temperature 83
7 Display for
>Clock 82
> Outside temperature 82
> Indicator and warning lamps 928
Display for
>Position of automatic transmission 64
> Gear indicator of 7-gear Sport automatic 
transmission with double clutch 66
> Computer 84
> Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven 87
> Odometer and trip odometer 82
> High-beam Assistant 113
> Checking the oil level 260
> Settings and information 86
> There is a Check Control 
message 92
9 Fuel gauge 83
10 Resetting the trip odometer 82
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Dashboard
At a glance
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper 
functioning and light up temporarily when the 
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Text messages
Text messages at the to
p edge of the Control 
Display describe the mean ings of the indicator 
and warning lamps.
Supplementary text messages
You can call up more information on the Control 
Display, e.g. on the cause of a malfunction and 
on how to respond, via Check Control, refer to 
page 92.
In urgent cases, this  information will be shown 
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator  lamps notify you that 
certain functions are active:
High beams/headlamp flasher 112
Fog lamps 114
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC is regulating the propul-
sive forces in order to maintain driving 
stability 98
Parking brake applied 63
Canada: parking brake applied 63
Engine malfunction with adverse 
effect on emissions 265
Canada: engine malfunction with 
adverse effect on emissions 265
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ControlsOpening and closing
Interior motion sensor
Coupe
For proper function, the windows and glass 
sunroof must be closed.
Convertible
The interior of the car  is monitored up to the 
height of the seat cushions. Thus the alarm sys-
tem is activated togeth er with the interior 
motion sensor even if the hardtop is open. The 
alarm can be triggered un intentionally by falling 
objects such as leaves, refer to Avoiding unin-
tentional alarms.
Avoiding uninten tional alarms
The tilt sensor and interior motion sensor can 
be deactivated together,  for example in the fol-
lowing situations:
> In car washes
> In stacking garages
> During transport on car-carrying trains, 
boats/ships or on a trailer
> When leaving animals in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Once the vehicle is locked, press the 
button on the remote control again 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp light s up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The  tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.
Comfort Access
The concept
It is possible to access  the vehicle without actu-
ating the remote control.  It is sufficient to have 
the remote control with you, for example in your 
jacket pocket. The vehicle automatically 
detects the remote control in the vicinity or in 
the passenger compartment.
Comfort Access supports the following func-
tions:
> Unlocking/locking the vehicle
> Convenient closing
> Unlocking the trunk lid separately
> Engine starting
Functional requirement
>There are no external sources of interfer-
ence in the vicinity.
> The remote control must be outside the 
vehicle to lock it.
> The next unlocking and locking cycle is not 
possible until after approx. 2 seconds.
> It is only possible to start the engine if the 
remote control is inside the vehicle.
Comparison to the standard remote 
control
The above functions can be controlled by 
pressing the remote control buttons or by using 
Comfort Access.
If you notice a brief delay while opening or 
closing windows, the glass roof or retract-
able hardtop, the system is checking whether a 
remote control is inside  the vehicle. Please 
repeat the opening or closing procedure, if nec-
essary. <
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Opening and closing
Controls
Unlocking
Grasp the handle on the driver's or front pas-
senger door completely, arrow 1
.
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
Locking
Touch the surface on the door handle, arrow  2, 
with your finger for approx. 1 second.
This corresponds to pressing the   but-
ton.
To preserve the battery, please make 
sure that the ignition and all electrical 
consumers are switched off before locking the 
vehicle. <
Coupe: convenient closing
Keep pressing the surface, arrow 2, with your 
finger.
Convertible: window and convertible 
top operation
With the ignition at radio readiness or beyond, 
you can open and close the windows and the 
convertible top when a remote control is 
located inside the vehicle.
Unlocking the trunk lid separately
Press the button on the ou tside of the trunk lid.
This corresponds to pressing the  button.
If the vehicle detects that a remote con-
trol has been accident ally left inside the 
locked vehicle's cargo area after the trunk lid is 
closed, the lid will reopen. The hazard warning 
flashers flash and a signal sounds. <
Switching on radio readiness
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches on 
radio readiness.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; other-
wise, the engine will start immediately.
Starting the engine
The engine can be started or the ignition can be 
switched on when a remote control is inside the 
vehicle. It is not necessary to insert a remote 
control into the ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in po sition P, refer to page 63.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition lock.
Malfunction
Local radio waves can in terfere with the func-
tion of Comfort Access, for example when a 
mobile phone is in the immediate vicinity of the 
remote control or by when a mobile phone is 
being charged in the vehicle.
If this happens, open or close the vehicle via the 
buttons on the remote co ntrol or using the inte-
grated key. To start the  engine afterward, insert 
the remote control into  the ignition lock.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when you attempt to 
start the engine: the engine cannot 
be started. The remote co ntrol is not inside the 
vehicle or is malfunctioning.
Take the remote contro l with you inside the 
vehicle or have it checked. If necessary, insert 
another remote control in to the ignition lock.
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Adjustments
Controls
Although there is a pinch protection sys-
tem, always check that the maneuvering 
area of the belt hand-ove r is clear. Otherwise it 
cannot be ensured that the system will stop 
moving in certain extreme situations. <
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors
The front passenger's mirror is more con-
vex than the driver's mirror. The objects 
seen in the mirror are cl oser than they appear. 
Do not gauge your distan ce from traffic behind 
you on the basis of what you see in the mirror; 
otherwise, there is an in creased risk of an acci-
dent. <
1 Adjustments
2 Switching to the other mirror or to the auto-
matic curb monitor
3 Folding mirrors in and out
The setting for the exterior mirrors is stored for 
the remote control currently in use. The stored 
position is called up  automatically when the 
vehicle is unlocked.
Manual adjustment
The mirrors can also be adjusted manually: 
press the edge of the glass.
Folding mirrors in and out
At driving speeds up to approx. 12 mph/
20 km/h, you can fold the mirrors in and out by 
pressing button 3. This can be beneficial in 
narrow streets, for example, or for moving mir- rors that were folded in by hand back out into 
their correct positions. 
Mirrors that have been 
folded in fold out automatically at a speed of 
approx. 24 mph/40 km/h.
Before entering an automatic car wash, 
fold in the exterior mirrors manually or 
with button 3 to prevent them from being dam-
aged, depending on the width of the vehicle. <
Automatic heating
Depending on the outside temperature, both 
exterior mirrors are heated automatically when 
the engine is running or the ignition is switched 
on.
Passenger side mirror tilt function – 
automatic curb monitor
Activating
1. Push the switch to the position for the 
driver's side mirror, arrow  1.
2. Shift into reverse or  engage the selector 
lever- or transmission position R.
The glass of the mirror on the passenger 
side tilts slightly down. This allows the 
driver to see the area immediately adjacent 
to the vehicle, e.g. a curb, when backing into 
a parking space.
Deactivating
Push the switch to the position for the passen-
ger side mirror, arrow  2.
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Driving
Controls
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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ControlsControls overview
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors vehicle functions 
and alerts you to any malfunctions in the sys-
tems monitored. This type of Check Control 
message includes indica tor and warning lamps 
in the instrument cluster  and, in some cases, an 
acoustic signal and text messages at the top of 
the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in a 
variety of combinations and colors.
Several of the lamps ar e checked for proper 
functioning and light up  temporarily when the 
engine is started or the  ignition is switched on.
 Indicates that Check Control messages have 
been stored. These Check Control messages 
can be viewed again later, refer to page 93.
Text messages
Text messages at the upper edge of the Control 
Display explain the meaning of the displayed 
indicator and warning lamps.
Supplemental text messages
You can call up more information on the Control 
Display, e.g. on the cause of a malfunction and 
on how to respond, via Check Control.
The text of urgent messages is displayed auto-
matically.
To exit the display: 
Select "OK" and press the Controller.
Symbols
Depending on the Check Control message, you 
can select from among the following functions 
in the supplementary text messages.
>  "Service request"
Contact your BMW center.
>  "Roadside Assistance"
Contact BMW Roadside Assistance.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the button on the turn signal/high beam 
lever.
> Some Check Control messages are dis-
played continuously an d remain visible until 
the malfunction has been  rectified. If several 
malfunctions occur at  once, the messages 
are displayed consecutively.
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on th
e Control Display. 
PDC is malfunctioning. Have the sys-
tem checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to op erate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
Manual operation
The LED above the button also flashes.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal to ne sounds. The display 
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC 
is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limit s that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with traile r towbars and hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs, 
can disappear again from  the detection area of 
the sensors before or after a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive 
cautiously; otherwise, there is a risk of personal 
injury or property damage.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car 
can drown out the PDC signal. Therefore, 
always drive cautiously; otherwise, there is a 
risk of personal injury or property damage. <
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page140.
Electronic brake-force distribution 
EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces  the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressu re on the brake for the 
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull aw ay from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable 
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the 
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting 
at an angle past the front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through brakin g actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains th e responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
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