
13
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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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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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
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up while the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer inside the vehicle. After the engine is 
switched off, the engine can only be restarted 
within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp  in the instrument 
cluster lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery in  the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control fo r Comfort Access con-
tains a battery that will ne ed to be replaced from 
time to time.
1. Take the integrated key out of the remote 
control, refer to page 30.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Insert the new battery wi th the plus side fac-
ing up.
4. Press the cover on to close.
Dispose of the old battery at a collection 
point or at your BMW center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries , watch the windows 
while closing them. 
Take the remote contro l with you when you 
leave the car; otherwise,  children could operate 
the electric windows and  possibly injure them-
selves. <
Coupe: opening, closing
>Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch.
> Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
Convertible: opening, closing
Individually
> Press the switch to the resistance point:
The window opens as long as you press the 
switch.
> Press the switch beyond the resistance 
point:
The window opens automatically. Press the 
switch again to stop the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch. The rear windows do not 
close automatically.
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ControlsAdjustments
Easy entry
The easy entry feature includes a memory func-
tion for the longitudinal adjustment and back-
rest angle.
1.Pull the lever and swing the backrest for-
ward.
2. Push the seat forward.
Previous position
Push the seat backward  and swing the backrest 
back.
When pushing the seat into its rearmost 
position, make sure that no one is injured 
and that no objects are damaged.
Before driving off, engage both seats and back-
rests so that they are locked in place. Other-
wise, there is a risk of an accident due to unex-
pected movement. <
Seat with electrical longitudinal 
adjustment
Coupe
Convertible
Seat backrest warning lamp:
Lights up when a seat backrest is not 
engaged. In addition, a message 
appears on the Control Display.
Easy entry
The easy entry feature includes a memory func-
tion for the longitudinal adjustment and back-
rest angle.
1. Pull lever 1 and swing the backrest forward.
2. Press the front end 2 of the switch until the 
seat has moved into the desired position.
Previous position
Press the rear end 3 of the switch until the seat 
automatically stops in its previous position, and 
fold the backrest back. If  you release the switch 
before the previous seat  position is reached, 
the seat will stop at its current position.
When sliding the seat backward, make 
sure no one is injured and no objects are 
damaged.
Before driving off, enga ge both seats and back-
rests so that they are locked in place. Other-
wise, there is a risk of an accident due to unex-
pected movement. <
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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
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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ControlsDriving
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up when 
Active Cruise Co ntrol has been 
automatically deactivated, for exam-
ple due to a driving speed below 20 mph or 
30 km/h or a DSC intervention. A message 
appears on the Control Display.
Resuming stored desired speed and 
distance
Briefly press th e button, arrow 4 . 
The stored speed and distance are regained 
and maintained.
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 automati c 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 desired speed
2 Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control 
systems are intervening; cruise control is 
deactivated 3
Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up  as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4 Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
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.<
Warning lamps
The indicator 2 flashes in red; a 
signal sounds. 
The system indicates that you 
must brake and/or maneuver the 
vehicle yourself. Active Cruise 
Control cannot automati cally restore the dis-
tance to the vehicle ahead. 
This indicator does not release you from your 
responsibility to adapt your desired speed and 
driving style to prevailing driving conditions.
The indicator 2 flashes in yellow. 
The prerequisites for operating 
Active Cruise Control are not met, 
e.g. as a result of ABS or DSC 
interventions. Active Cruise Con-
trol is deactivated. Yo u can reactivate the sys-
tem, if desired, by briefly pressing or pulling the 
lever when road and traffic conditions permit. It 
is not possible to resume a stored speed.
Radar sensor
The sensor's ability to  detect vehicles ahead 
may be restricted as a result of heavy rain, dirt, 
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