
23
iDrive
At a glance
Programmable memory keys
General information
iDrive functions can be stored on the program-
mable memory keys and called up directly, e.g. 
radio stations, navigation destinations, phone 
numbers and entry points into the menu.
The settings are stored 
for the remote control 
currently in use.
Storing functions
1. Highlight the function via the iDrive.
2.  ...   Press the desired button for 
longer than two seconds.
Executing a function
 ...  Press the button.
The function is executed immediately. This 
means, for example, that the number is dialed 
when a phone number is selected.
Displaying memory  key assignments
Touch the button with a  finger. Do not wear 
gloves or use objects.
The key assignment is displayed at the top 
edge of the screen.
> Displaying brief information:
Press the button.
> Displaying detailed information:
Press and hold the button
Entering letters and numbers
1.Turn the controller: se lect the letters or 
numbers.
2. Select additional letters or numbers if 
needed.
3. "OK": confirm entry.
Switching between letters and 
numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch 
between entering letters and numbers:
Switching between uppercase and 
lowercase letters
Depending on the menu, you can switch 
between entering upperc ase letters and lower-
case letters:
SymbolFunction
Press the controller: delete 
one letter or number
Press the controller for an 
extended period: delete all 
letters or numbers
Enter a blank space
SymbolFunction
Entering letters
Entering numbers
SymbolFunction
Move the controller toward 
the front: to switch from 
uppercase letters to lower-
case letters
Move the controller toward 
the front: to switch from low-
ercase letters to uppercase 
letters
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At a glanceVoice activation system
Having the possible commands read 
aloud
To have the available commands read aloud:
For example, if the "Settings" menu is dis-
played, the commands relating to settings are 
read aloud.
Performing functions using short 
commands
Functions from the main menu can be per-
formed directly by means of short commands, 
essentially regardless of  which menu item is 
selected, e.g. { Vehicle status}.
List of short command of the voice activation 
system, refer to page 290.
Help dialog for voice activation system
Accessing help:
Other commands for the help dialog:
>{Help with examples }: information about 
the current control options and the most 
important commands relating to them are 
read aloud.
> {Help with voice activation }: information 
about the principle operation of the voice 
activation system is read aloud.
Example: playing back a CD
1. If necessary, switch on entertainment audio 
output.
2. Press the  button on the steering wheel.
4. Press the  button on the steering wheel.
Setting the voice dialog
You can set whether the system uses the stan-
dard dialog or a short version.
In the short version of  the voice dialog, the 
responses from the system are given in abbre-
viated form.
On the Control Display:
1. "Settings"
2. "Language/Units"
3. "Speech mode:"
4. Select a setting.
Adjusting volume
Turn the volume knob during the spoken 
instruction to select the desired volume.
>The volume remains the same, even if the 
volume of other audio sources is changed.
> The volume is stored for the remote control 
currently in use.
Notes on Emergency 
Requests
Do not use the voice activation system to ini-
tiate an Emergency Request. In stressful situa-
tions, the voice and vo cal pitch can change. 
This can unnecessarily  delay the establishment 
of a telephone connection.
Instead, use the SOS  button, refer to page276, 
in the vicinity of the interior rearview mirror.
{
Voice commands }
{ Help }
3. {C D and multimedia }
The system plays the last media played.
5. {C D track … } e.g. CD track 4.
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ControlsOpening and closing
Opening and closing
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, 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.
Remote control
Each remote control contains a rechargeable 
battery that is automatically recharged when it 
is in the ignition lock while the car is being 
driven. Use each remote control at least twice a 
year for longer road trips  in order to maintain the 
batteries' charge status. In cars with Comfort 
Access, the remote control contains a replace-
able battery, refer to page 40.
The settings called up and implemented when 
the car is unlocked de pend on which remote 
control is used to unlock the car, refer to Per-
sonal Profile, next column.
In addition, informatio n about service require-
ments is stored in the remote control, refer to 
Service data in the  remote control, page 264.
Integrated key
Press button1 to release the key.
The integrated key fits the following locks:
> Glove compartment, refer to page 126
> Driver's door, refer to page 34
New remote controls
Your BMW center can supply new remote con-
trols with integrated keys as additional units or 
as replacements in the event of loss.
Personal Profile
The concept
You can set many of your BMW's functions to 
suit your personal needs and preferences. 
Without any action on yo ur part, Personal Pro-
file ensures that most of these settings are 
stored for the remote control currently in use. 
When you unlock the car, the remote control 
used for the purpose is recognized and the set-
tings stored for it are called up and imple-
mented.
This means that your pe rsonal settings will be 
activated for you, even if in the meantime your 
car was used by someone else with another 
remote control and the  corresponding settings. 
The individual settings are stored for a maxi-
mum of four remote cont rols. They are stored 
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Opening and closing
Controls
for two remote controls 
if Comfort Access is in 
use.
Personal Profile settings
For more information on  specific settings, refer 
to the specified pages.
> Assignment of programmable memory 
keys, refer to page 23
> Response of the central locking system 
when the car is unlocked, refer to page 32
> Automatic locking of th e vehicle, refer to 
page 35
> Automatic call-up of th e driver's seat posi-
tion, refer to page 53
> Triple turn signal  activation, refer to 
page 71
> Settings for the display on the Control Dis-
play and in the instrument cluster:
>12h/24h format of the clock, refer to 
page 91
> Date format, refer to page 91
> Brightness of the Control Display, refer 
to page 94
> Language on the Control Display, refer 
to page 94
> Units of measure, refer to page 87
> Show visual warning for Park Distance Con-
trol PDC, refer to page 97
> Light settings:
>Welcome lamps, refer to page 111
> Pathway lighting, refer to page 111
> Daytime running lights, refer to 
page 111
> High-beam Assistant, refer to page 113
> Automatic climate control: activating/deac-
tivating AUTO program, cooling function 
and automatic recirculated air control, set-
ting temperature, air volume and distribu-
tion, refer to page 117 ff >
Entertainment:
>Setting tone contro ls, refer to page171
> Speed-dependent volume control, refer 
to page 172
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system functions when the 
driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
> Trunk lid
> Fuel filler flap
> Convertible: glove compartment
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
> Using the door lock
> In cars with Comfort Access, via the handles 
on the driver's door and the front passenger 
door
At the same time as locking and unlocking via 
the remote control:
> Welcome lights, the inte rior light, and the 
courtesy lighting are switched on and off.
> Alarm system, refer to page 37, is armed or 
disarmed.
Operating from inside
By means of the button fo r central locking, refer 
to page 35.
In the event of a sufficien tly severe accident, the 
central locking system un locks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
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ControlsOpening and closing
Opening and closing:
Using the remote control
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take th e remote control with 
you when you leave the ve hicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside. <
Convertible: to operate the retractable 
hardtop with the re mote control, the 
doors and trunk lid must be closed and the 
cargo area partition must be folded down and 
engaged on both sides. Refer also to page 43.<
Unlocking
Press the  button.
The interior lamps, the  courtesy lighting of the 
doors, and the welcome lamps come on.
Setting unlocking characteristics
You can set whether only the driver's door or 
the entire vehicle is to be unlocked when the 
button is pressed for the first time.
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. "Unlock button"
4. Select a menu item:
>"All doors"
Press the  button once to unlock the 
entire vehicle. >
"Driver's door only"
Pressing the  button once unlocks 
the driver's door and fuel filler flap.
Press the button twic e to unlock the 
entire vehicle.
5. Press the controller.
Coupe: convenient opening
Press and hold the  button.
The windows and the glass roof are opened.
Convertible: convenient opening
When you are close to the vehicle, the remote 
control for Comfort Access can be used to open 
the retracta ble hardtop.
Hold the  button down.
The windows and the re tractable hardtop are 
opened if the doors are closed.
If you continue pressing the  button, the win-
dows move up.
Watch during the opening process to 
ensure that no one is  injured. Releasing 
the button interrupts the opening process. <
Locking
Press the  button.
Do not lock the vehicl e from the outside if 
there is any person inside, because the 
vehicle cannot be unlocked from inside without 
special knowledge. <
Convertible: convenient closing
When you are close to the vehicle, the remote 
control for Comfort Access can be used to 
close the retractable ha rdtop and the windows.
Press and hold the  button.
The retractable hardto p and the windows are 
closed.
Watch during the closing process to 
ensure that no one is  injured. Releasing 
the button interrupts the closing process. <
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Opening and closing
Controls
Switching on interior lamps
While the car is locked: 
Press the  button. 
You can also use this fu
nction to locate your 
vehicle in parking garages etc.
Unlocking the trunk lid
Press the  button for about 1 second and 
then release it.
The trunk lid opens a short distance, regardless 
of whether it was locked or unlocked.
The trunk lid swings back and up when 
opened. Ensure that there is sufficient 
clearance. To avoid lo cking yourself out by 
accident, do not place th e remote control in the 
cargo area. A previously locked trunk lid is 
locked again after closing.
Before and after each tr ip, check that the trunk 
lid has not been inad vertently unlocked.<
Convertible: convenient loading
When you are close to the vehicle, the remote 
control for Comfort Access can be used to par-
tially raise the open hardtop for more conve-
nient loading of the cargo area.
1.Briefly press the  butto n and, within one 
second, press again and hold until the 
retractable hardtop stop s in an intermediate 
position. The trunk lid opens slightly.
2. Open the trunk lid, pres s the cargo area par-
tition upward and stow the cargo in the 
cargo area.
3. Press down the cargo ar ea partition until it 
engages on both sides and close the trunk 
lid.
4. Press the  button for a longer period to 
fold the retractable hardtop back in.
Confirmation signals
You can activate or deac tivate the confirmation 
signals.
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks" 3.
"Flash when lock/unlock"
4. Press the controller.
Calling up the driver's seat position
The driver's seat position last set is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
You can select whether or not the seat is reset 
to that position  automatically.
When this Personal Profile function is 
used, first make sure  that the footwell 
behind the driver's seat  is free of obstacles. 
Failure to do so could ca use injury to persons or 
damage to objects as a result of a rearward 
movement of the seat. <
The adjusting procedure  is halted immediately 
when you touch a seat adjustment switch or 
one of the memory buttons.
Selecting automatic call-up
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. "Last seat position auto."
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
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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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Opening and closing
Controls
Opening and closing:
From inside
This button serves to unlock or lock doors and 
the trunk lid, but does not activate the anti-theft 
system. Depending on the equipment package, 
the fuel filler flap can be unlocked as needed.
Automatic locking
You can also set the situ
ations in which the car 
locks:
1. "Settings"
2. "Door locks"
3. Select the desired function:
>"Lock if no door is opened"
The central locking system automati-
cally locks the vehicle after a short time if 
no door has been opened.
> "Lock after start. to drive"
The central locking system locks the 
vehicle as soon as you begin to drive.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Unlocking and opening doors
> Either unlock the doors together using the 
button for the central locking system and 
then pull the door handle above the armrest 
or
> pull on the door handle  of each door twice: 
the first time unlocks the door, the second 
time opens it.
Locking
> Use the central locking button to lock all of 
the doors simultaneously, or
> press down the safety lock button of a door. 
To prevent you from being locked out, the 
open driver's door cannot be locked using 
the lock button.
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. You 
should therefore take th e remote control with 
you when you leave the ve hicle so that the latter 
can be opened from outside. <
Trunk lid
In order to avoid damage, make sure there 
is sufficient clearance before opening the 
trunk lid. <
Opening from inside
Press the button: the trunk lid opens unless it 
has been locked.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  333 - \251  08/11  BMW AG