
42
ControlsAdjustments
Adjustments
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. As a result, some equip-
ment described may not be available in a partic-
ular vehicle, for example due to the options or 
national-market version  selected. This also 
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position  can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seated position 
has a major influence on your safety in the event 
of an accident. To ensure that the safety sys-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we 
strongly urge you to observe the instructions 
contained in the following section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page 53.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, 
to minimize the risk of injury to the hands or 
arms in the event of the airbag being triggered 
off. 
No one and nothing shou ld come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passeng er is sitting correctly, 
e.g. not resting feet or legs on the dashboard; 
otherwise, leg injuries ca n occur if the front air-
bag deploys.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean  against the cover of the head airbag; otherwise, 
serious injuries can result if the airbag 
deploys.
<
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This e ffect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page 99.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head  restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increase d risk of injury in the 
event of an accident. <
Head restraints, refer to page 45.
Safety belt
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 repres ent a substitute.
Your vehicle has four seats, each of which is 
equipped with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety  belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the be lt in the lap area sits 
low across the hips and does not press against 
the abdomen. 
The safety belt must not rest against the throat, 
run across sharp edges, pass over hard or frag-
ile objects or be pinched.  Fasten the safety belt 
so that it sits as snugly as possible against the 
lap and shoulder  without being twisted. Other-
wise, the belt could slide over your hips and 
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49
Adjustments
Controls
Safety feature
1.
Close the driver's door and switch the igni-
tion on or off, refer to page 57.
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 43 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.
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 43.
Opening
1.Grasp the belt firmly.
2. Press the red button in the buckle.
3. Guide the belt into its reel.
"Fasten safety be lts" reminder for 
driver's and fron t passenger seat
The indicator lamps light up and an 
acoustic signal sounds. Check 
whether the safety belt has been fas-
tened correctly.
The 'Fasten safety belts'  reminder is issued as 
long as the driver's safe ty 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 belts 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 posi tion 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.
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53
Transporting children safely
Controls
Transporting children safely
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. As a result, some equip-
ment described may not be
 available in a partic-
ular vehicle, for example due to the options or 
national-market version selected. This also 
applies to safety related functions and systems.
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle; otherwise, they could endanger 
themselves and/or other persons by opening 
the doors, for example. <
Children always in the rear
Accident research has shown that the safest 
place for children is on the rear seat.
Children under the age of 13 or smaller 
than 5 ft/150 cm may be  transported only 
in the rear in suitable child restraint systems 
appropriate for their age, weight and size. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident. <
Children 13 years of age or older must be buck-
led in with a safety belt as soon as there no 
longer is any child restraint system that is 
appropriate for their age, size and weight.
Children in the fr ont passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint system on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags for the front pas-
senger must be deactivated. Otherwise, a child 
traveling on that seat will face a significant risk 
of injury if the airbags are triggered off, even 
with a child restraint system. 
of the front passenger airbags refer to 
page 100.
Convertible: key switch for 
passenger belt
The passenger safety belt  can be locked with a 
key switch so that it  is prevented from being 
pulled out.
The key switch is situated on the side surface of 
the passenger-side dashboard.
Locking the passenger belt
Lock the passenger belt to install a child 
restraint system.
Insert key and push in.
Keep key pushed in and tu rn it until reaching the 
stop at the   position. Pu ll key out at this stop.
After removing the ke y, make sure that 
the switch is in the   position; other-
wise, the locking action on  the safety belt is not 
guaranteed. <
Unlocking the passenger belt
If no child restraint system is fastened to the 
front passenger seat, unlock the passenger 
belt; otherwise, the freedom of movement of 
the upper body is limited.
Insert key and push in.
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223
Indicator and warning lamps
Mobility
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system 
failed
Have the system checked immediately.
Active steering defective You  can continue your journey.
Steering characteristics are modified 
and steering wheel could be off-center.
Steer carefully. 
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Steering assistance failed Markedl y different steering response.
You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise due 
caution.
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Lights up:
Emergency Request system has failed 
or is malfunctioning Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the ca r and switch off the engine. 
You cannot continue your journey. Con-
tact your BMW center.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power is no longer availabl e You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise due 
caution. Have the engine checked as 
soon as possible.
Indication in US models:
Warning lamp flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load. 
High engine load will result in damage 
to the catalytic converter You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise due 
caution. Have the vehicle checked with-
out delay.
Warning lamp lights up:
Engine malfunction with adverse effect 
on emissions Have the car checked as soon as possi-
ble.
12Cause What to do
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240
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake 
System 90
ACC, refer to Active Cruise  Control 71
Acceleration assistant, refer to  Launch Control 66
Accessories, refer to Vehicle 
equipment 5
Accident, refer to Sending an  Emergency Request 214
Activated-charcoal filter for  automatic climate 
control 115
Active Cruise Control 71
– indicator lamp 74
– malfunction 75
– selecting distance 73
– sensor 75
Active steering 97
Adaptive brake lamp
– Brake Force Display 98
Adaptive Light Control 105
Additives
– coolant 200
– engine oil 200
Adjusting temperature inside  the car, refer to Air 
conditioner 110
Adjusting temperature inside  the car, refer to Automatic 
climate control 112
Adjusting the thigh support 44
Airbags 99
– indicator/warning lamp 101
– sitting safely 42
Air conditioner 109 Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner
110
– automatic climate 
control 112
– ventilation 111,114
Air distribution
– automatic 113
– individual 110
– manual 110
Airing, refer to  Ventilation 111,114
Air outlets, refer to Air 
vents 110
Air pressure, refer to Tire  inflation pressure 177
Air recirculation, refer to  Recirculated air 
mode 110,113
Air supply
– air conditioner 110
– automatic climate  control 112
– ventilation 111,114
Air vents 110
Air volume 110,11
 3
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 175
Alarm system 32
– avoiding unintentional  alarms 33
– interior motion sensor 33
– switching off an alarm 32
– tilt alarm sensor 33
ALL program 114
All-season tires, refer to  Winter tires 196
All-wheel drive, refer to  xDrive 92 Ambient air, refer to 
Recirculated air 
mode 110,113
AM waveband 144
Antifreeze
– coolant 200
– washer fluid 69
Antilock Brake System  ABS 90
Anti-theft alarm system, refer  to Alarm system 32
Approved axle loads, refer to 
Weights 237
Approved engine oils 200
Approved gross vehicle 
weight, refer to Weights 237
Armrest, refer to Center  armrest 120
Ashtray 122
Assist systems, refer to 
Driving stability control 90
AUC Automatic recirculated  air control 113
Audio device, external 121
Automatic
– air distribution 113
– air volume 113
– cruise control 69,71
– headlamp control 103
Automatic car washes 204
Automatic climate control 109
Automatic curb monitor 51
Automatic high beams and  low beams, refer to High-
beam Assistant 106
Automatic recirculated air  control AUC 113
Automatic station search 144
Automatic station storage 144
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245
Everything from A to Z
Reference
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away 217
– for tying down loads 137
F
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control 87
Failure of an electrical  consumer 213
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional  alarm 33
– switching off an alarm 32
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts 49
Fast forward
– CD 148
Fault messages, refer to  Check Control 87
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control 115
– refer to Microfilter for air  conditioner 111
First aid pouch 215
Fixture for remote control,  refer to Ignition lock 57
Flash when locking/
unlocking 27
Flat tire
– Run-flat tires 196
– Tire Pressure Monitor  TPM 95
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 93
– indicating a flat tire 94
– indicator/warning lamp 94
– initialization 93
– snow chains 93,196
– system limits 93
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition 194
Fluid reservoir, refer to  Washer fluid reservoir 69
FM waveband 144 Fog lamps
107
– indicator lamp 107,220
Folding up the floor panel 125
Footwell lamps, refer to  Interior lamps 107
For your own safety 5
Four-wheel drive, refer to  xDrive 92
Front airbags 99
FTM, refer to Flat Tire  Monitor 93
Fuel 175
– average consumption 80
– gauge 79
– high-quality brands 175
– quality 175
– specifications 175
– tank contents, refer to  Capacities 239
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel  gauge 79
Fuel consumption indicator
– av
erage fuel 
consumption 80
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge 79
Fuel filler flap 174
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction 174
Fuses 213
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control 116
Gasoline
– refer to Average  consumption 80
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel 175
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel  gauge 79
Gear indicator, automatic  transmission with 
Steptronic 60 Gear indicator, refer to 
Displays in the instrument 
cluster 63
Gearshift lever 62
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic 60
– manual transmission 60
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with  Steptronic 60
– manual transmission 60
General driving notes 133
Glass roof, electric 37
– closing after electrical 
malfunction 37
– convenient opening and 
closing 26,29
– convenient opening and  closing with Comfort 
Access 34
– initializing 37
– opening, closing 37
– pinch protection system 37
– power failure 37
– remote control 26
– tilting 37
Glove compartment 120
Gong
– volume 142
Grills, refer to Air vents 110
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights 237H
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake 59
Hands-free system 14,163
Hazard warning flashers 14
HDC Hill Descent Control 92
HD Radio™ reception 145
Head airbags 99
Headlamp control, 
automatic 103
Headlamp flasher 67
– indicator lamp 11,14, 220
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG