
Contents
The quickest way to find special topics is to 
consult the index, refer to page298.
4 Notes
7 Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Dashboard
18 iDrive
25 Voice activation system
Controls
30Opening and closing
47 Adjustments
57 Transporting children safely
61 Driving
82 Controls overview
96 Technology for driving comfort and 
safety
110 Lamps
116 Climate
122 Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
138Things to remember when driving
Navigation
148Navigation system
150 Destination entry
159 Destination guidance
167 What to do if …
Entertainment
170On/off and tone
173 Radio
176 Satellite radio
181 CD/DVD player and CD changer
188 Music collection
194 External devices
Communications
204Telephone
217 Office
226 Contacts
228 ConnectedDrive
Mobility
236Refueling
239 Wheels and tires
259 Engine compartment
264 Maintenance
266 Care
270 Replacing components
276 Giving and receiving assistance
Reference
284Technical data
290 Short commands for the voice activation 
system
298 Everything from A to Z
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34
ControlsOpening and closing
Malfunctions
The remote control may malfunction due to 
local radio waves. If this  occurs, unlock and lock 
the car at the door lock  with the integrated key.
Convertible: if hardtop movement via the 
remote control is interru pted briefly, the move-
ment will be completed mo re quickly if you keep 
the corresponding button pressed continu-
ously.
If the car can no longer  be locked with a remote 
control, the battery in th e remote control is dis-
charged. Use the remote control on an 
extended trip to rechar ge the battery, refer to 
page 30. The remote control for Comfort 
Access contains a battery  that may have to be 
changed, refer to page 40.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiv er units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
LX8766S 
LX8766E 
LX8CAS
Compliance statement: 
This device complies wi th part 15 of the FCC 
Rules. Operation is subject to the following two 
conditions:
> This device must no t cause harmful inter-
ference, and
> this device must accept any interference 
received, including in terference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devi ces could void the 
user's authority to operate this equipment. <
Opening and closing:
Using the door lock
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside if 
there is any person inside, because the 
vehicle cannot be unlocked from inside without 
special knowledge. <
With Comfort Access, you can set how the vehi-
cle is unlocked, refer to page 32.
Convenient opening and closing
Coupe: you can operate the windows and the 
glass sunroof via the door lock.
Convertible: you can operate the windows and 
the retractable hardtop via the door lock.
Hold the key in the position for unlocking or 
locking.
During each closing procedure, and when 
opening the retractable hardtop, watch 
the process and ensure that no one becomes 
trapped. Releasing th e key stops the opera-
tion.<
Manual operation
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
lock and unlock the driver's door by turning the 
integrated key to the corresponding limit posi-
tions in the door lock.
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39
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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ControlsOpening and closing
>Do not place any objects next to or on the 
cargo area partition and close the storage 
compartment on the left side of the cargo 
area.
> Do not exceed the maximum loading height 
under the cargo area partition; refer to the 
label in the cargo area showing a line indi-
cating the maximum height.
> Ensure that the trunk lid is closed.
> The vehicle should be pa rked on fairly level 
ground. Excessive angle is indicated by a 
lamp.
Before moving the hardtop, make sure 
that there are no object s on or next to the 
cargo area partition, the storage compartment 
on the left side of the cargo area is closed, and 
the maximum loading heig ht in the cargo area 
has not been exceeded; otherwise, damage 
may occur.<
Opening and closing
When the vehicle is stationary and at radio 
readiness or beyond, refer to page 61:
If possible, conserve  the battery by only 
operating the retractable hardtop when 
the engine is running.
Before closing the retractable hardtop, remove 
all foreign objects from the windshield frame as 
these could prevent the hardtop from closing 
properly. <
1 Push button: open th e retractable hardtop.
Pull button: close the  retractable hardtop.
2 LEDs The side windows move down when the 
switch for hardtop operation is pulled or 
pushed. <
LEDs
In the following situations, a message appears 
on the Control Display or an acoustic signal 
sounds in addition to the LED lighting up:
>While the hardtop is be ing operated, the left 
LED lights up green. It goes out as soon as 
the top is fully opened or closed.
> If the right-hand LED flashes red when you 
release the switch, the opening or closing 
action has not yet finished.
> If the right LED lights up red when the 
switch is pressed, the  cargo area partition is 
folded up, the trunk lid is not closed, the 
vehicle is standing on a strong incline or 
there is a malfunction.  The retractable hard-
top cannot be moved.
Interruption
The automatic sequence  of movements is 
interrupted if the switch for hardtop operation is 
released. The sequence can be continued in 
the desired direction by  pushing or pulling the 
switch.
A hardtop that is not fully opened or 
closed is a safety hazard.
Do not interrupt and resume the closing proce-
dure several times in close succession as this 
could damage the mechanism. <
If the hardtop is no t fully opened or 
closed, the trunk lid cannot be opened 
and the windows cannot be moved. <
Convenient opening and closing with 
remote control or via door lock
Refer to pages 32 and 34.
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53
Adjustments
Controls
Seat heating
Press the button once per temperature level. 
Three LEDs indicate the highest temperature.
To switch off:
Press button longer.
If you continue driving within approx. the next 
15 minutes, the seat heating is automatically 
activated at the previo
usly set temperature.
The temperature is lowered or the heating is 
switched off entirely to save on battery power. 
The LEDs stay lit.
Seat and mirror memory
You can store and call up two different combi-
nations of driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions.
Settings for the backrest width and lumbar sup-
port are not stored in memory.
Storing
1. Switch on radio readiness or the ignition, 
refer to page 61. 2.
Adjust the seat and exterior mirrors to the 
desired positions.
3. Press the  button.
The LED in the button lights up.
4. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2: 
the LED goes out.
The driver's seat and exterior mirror posi-
tions are stored for th e remote control cur-
rently in use.
Call-up
Do not call up the memory while you are 
driving; otherwise,  unexpected seat 
movement could result in an accident. <
Comfort function
1.Unlock and open the driver's door or switch 
on radio readiness, refer to page 61.
2. Briefly press the desired memory button 1 
or 2.
The adjusting procedure  is halted immediately 
when you touch a seat adjustment switch or 
one of the memory buttons.
Safety feature
1. Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off, refer to page 61.
2. Press the desired memory button 1 or 2 
and keep it pressed until the adjustment 
process has been completed.
If the  button was pr essed accidentally:
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Safety belts
Observe the adjustment instructions on 
page 48 to ensure the best possible per-
sonal protection. <
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts.  Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additi onal safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
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54
ControlsAdjustments
Closing
Make sure you hear the latch plate engage in 
the belt buckle.
The upper belt anchor is suitable for adults of 
any stature as long as the seat is adjusted prop-
erly, refer to page 48.
Opening
1. Grasp the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the buckle.
3. Guide the belt into its reel.
"Fasten safety belts" reminder for 
driver's and front passenger seat
The indicator lamps light up and an 
acoustic signal sounds. In addition, a 
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. Check whether the safety belt 
has been fastened correctly.
The 'Fasten safety belts'  reminder is issued as 
long as the driver's safety belt has not been fas-
tened. The "Fasten safety  belts" reminder is 
also activated at road speeds above approx. 
5 mph or 8 km/h if the front passenger safety 
belt is not fastened, if objects are placed on the 
front passenger seat, or if driver or front pas-
senger unfasten their safety belts.
Damage to safety belts
If the safety belt s are damaged or 
stressed in an accident: have the belt sys-
tem, including any belt tensioners or child 
restraint systems, replaced and the belt 
anchors checked. Have this work carried out  only at your BMW center. Otherwise correct 
operation of this safety
 equipment is not guar-
anteed. <
Coupe: belt hand-over
The concept
The belt hand-over makes  it easier for you to 
fasten your safety belt. When you close the 
door and switch on radio readiness or the igni-
tion, the belt hand-ove r extends automatically 
and presents the in a position that is convenient 
for fastening it around  you. After you have fas-
tened your safety belt , the belt hand-over 
retracts to its original position.
Even if you have not ye t fastened your safety 
belt, the belt hand-over will retract if you:
> Wait for more than approx. one minute
> Open the corresponding door
> Start driving.
Closing the respective do or reactivates the belt 
hand-over if the ignition  or radio readiness is on.
Front passenger seat
The belt hand-over will exte nd only if the seat is 
occupied and after the front passenger door is 
closed.
Pinch protection system
If the belt hand-over en counters resistance on 
moving in or out, it mo ves back slightly in the 
opposite direction and stops in this position. To 
reactivate the belt hand -over: open and close 
the door or switch the ignition off and on.
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61
Driving
Controls
Driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may 
not be available in a vehi
cle, for example due to 
the special options or  national-market version 
selected. This also app lies to safety related 
functions and systems.
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control into the 
ignition lock
Insert the remote contro l all the way into the 
ignition lock.
> Radio readiness is switched on.
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Comfort Access
If the car is equipped with Comfort Access, only 
insert the remote control  into the ignition lock 
under special circumstances, refer to page 38.
Removing the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out 
of the ignition lock as this may cause 
damage. < Before removing the remote control, push it all 
the way in to release 
the locking mechanism.
> The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the  remote control unless 
the selector lever is in  the P position: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches radio 
readiness or the ignition on or off.
Manual transmission: when you press the 
Start/Stop button and depress the clutch, 
the engine starts.
Automatic transmission and Sport automatic 
transmission with doub le clutch: when you 
press the Start/Stop button and depress the 
brake pedal, the engine starts. <
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. 
The time and the outside temperature are dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
> When the remote control is removed from 
the ignition lock
> In cars with Comfort  Access, by touching 
the surface above the door lock, refer to 
Locking on page 39
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62
ControlsDriving
Ignition on
All electrical consumers can operate. The 
odometer and trip odometer are displayed in 
the instrument cluster.
When the engine is off, please switch off 
the ignition and any unnecessary electri-
cal consumers in order to preserve the bat-
tery.<
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning  lamps as well as dis-
plays in the instrument cluster go out.
Starting the engine
Do not run the engine in enclosed areas; 
otherwise, the inhalati on of toxic exhaust 
gases can cause loss of consciousness and 
death. The exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly 
toxic gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle 
with the engine running; otherwise, such a vehi-
cle represents a pote ntial safety hazard. 
Before leaving the vehicl e with the engine run-
ning, always shift into ne utral or selector lever/
transmission position P and apply the parking 
brake forcefully to prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing. <
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion as well as repeated start attempts in 
which the engine does no t start. Otherwise, the 
fuel is not burned or  incompletely burned and 
there is a danger of overheating and damaging 
the catalytic converter. <
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the 
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right 
away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page 38.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Depress the clutch an d shift into neutral.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Automatic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page 38.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Move the selector lever to position P.
3. Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Sport automatic transmission with 
double clutch
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with 
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to 
page 38.
1. Depress the brake.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
The engine starts independent of the current 
transmission position.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG