
35
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.
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38
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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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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40
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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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.
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63
Driving
Controls
Switching off the engine
Always take the remo
te control with you 
when you leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll. <
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the Start/
Stop button.
2. Shift into first  gear or reverse.
3. Forcefully apply  the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote co ntrol from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 61.
Automatic transmission
1. With the car at a stan dstill, move the selec-
tor lever to position P.
2. Press the Start/Stop button.
3. Forcefully apply  the parking brake.
4. Removing the remote co ntrol from the igni-
tion lock, refer to page 61.
Sport automatic transmission with 
double clutch
1. With the car at a standstill, press the Start/
Stop button.
If the transmission is shifted into N when the 
engine is switched off,  you will be notified 
visually and acoustically of this fact.
2. Forcefully apply  the parking brake.
3. Remove remote contro l from the ignition 
lock, refer to page 61. The transmission is 
automatically shifted  into transmission 
position P.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp is lit, and when you 
drive off an acoustic signal sounds in 
addition. The parking brake is still 
applied.
Indicator lamp for Canadian models.
Applying
The lever locks in po sition automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and 
lower the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the parking brake 
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do 
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake 
lever. 
Otherwise, excessive force on the parking 
brake can lock up the rear wheels and cause the 
rear of the car to swerve. <
To prevent corrosion and one-sided brak-
ing action, occasionally apply the parking 
brake lightly when the vehicle is slowly coming 
to a stop if the traffic conditions are suitable.
The brake lamps do not light up when the park-
ing brake is applied. <
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64
ControlsDriving
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to  the right. Otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear. <
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic
In addition to fully auto matic operation, you can 
also manually shift with  the Steptronic, refer to 
page 65.
Vehicle parking
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, 
always select position P and apply the 
parking brake before le aving the vehicle with 
the engine running. <
Disengaging the remote control
In order to remove the  remote control from the 
ignition lock, you must first move the selector 
lever to position P and  switch off the engine: 
interlock. Removing the remote control from 
the ignition lock, refer to page 61.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selector lever position is displayed and, in 
manual mode, the engaged gear, e.g. M4.
Changing selector  lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine 
running, the selector  lever can be moved 
out of position P.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle statio nary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise, the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
depress the brake until you are ready to 
start. <
A lock prevents you from inadvertently engag-
ing selector lever positions R and P. To cancel 
the lock, press the butto n on the front of the 
selector lever, see arrow.
P Park
Select this only when th e vehicle is stationary. 
The rear wheels are locked.
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