
11
Dashboard
At a glance
4
Exterior mirrors fo lding in and out50
5 Adjusting exterior mirrors, automatic curb 
monitor 50
9 Instrument cluster 12 12
Ignition lock 57
13 Buttons on the steering wheel
15 Horn, entire surface
16 Adjusting the steering wheel 52
18 Releasing the hood 198
19 OBD socket 203
20 Opening the trunk lid 31
1
Convertible: opening and closing 
windows jointly
35 
2 Convertible: opening and closing 
rear windows
35 
3 Opening and closing front 
windows
35 
6 Parking lamps 103
Low beams 103
Automatic head lamp control103
Adaptive Light Control 105
High-beam Assistant 106
7 Fog lamps 107
8 Turn signals 67
High beams, headlamp 
flasher 105
High-beam Assistant 106
Roadside parking lamps 105
Computer 80
Settings and information about the 
vehicle 82
10 Windshield wipers 68
Rain sensor 68
11Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine
57
Telephone: accepting and ending 
a call; dialing the selected phone 
number; redialing if no phone 
number is selected
Convertible: microphone on steer-
ing column
Volume
Voice commands for 
telephone 163
Convertible: microphone on steer-
ing column
Changing the radio station
Interrupting a traffic bulletin
Selecting a music track
Scrolling through the redial list
Next entertainment source
Recirculated air mode 113
14 Steering wheel heating 52
17 Cruise control 71
Active Cruise Control 71
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

32
ControlsOpening and closing
Closing
The handle recesses on th e interior trim of the 
trunk lid make it easier to pull down.
Make sure that the  closing path of the 
trunk lid is clear; otherwise, injuries may 
result. <
Coupe
Convertible
To close the trunk lid, press it down 
lightly. The lid is closed automatically. <
Alarm system
The concept
The vehicle alarm system responds:
>When a door, the hood or the trunk lid is 
opened
> To movements inside the vehicle: Interior 
motion sensor, refer to page 33
> When the car's inclination changes, for 
instance if an attempt is  made to jack it up 
and steal the wheels or  to raise it prior to 
towing away >
When there has been an interruption of 
power supply from the battery
The alarm system signals unauthorized entry 
attempts for a short time by means of:
> An acoustic alarm
> Switching on the haza rd warning flashers
> Flashing the high beams
Arming and disarming
General information
When you lock or unlock the vehicle, either with 
the remote control or at  the door lock, the alarm 
system is armed or disarmed at the same time.
Door lock with armed alarm system
In some national-market versions, unlocking via 
the door lock triggers the alarm.
To switch off this alarm, unlock the vehicle with 
the remote control or sw itch on the ignition.
Trunk lid with the alarm system armed
The trunk lid can be open ed via the remote con-
trol even when the alarm system is armed.
Press the  button on th e remote control for 
approx. 1 second.
The trunk lid is locked and monitored again as 
soon as it is closed.
Panic mode
You can trigger the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation:
Press the  button for at least three seconds.
To switch off the alarm: press any button.
Switching off an alarm
> Unlock the car with the  remote control, refer 
to page 25.
> Insert the remote contro l all the way into the 
ignition lock.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

33
Opening and closing
Controls
Indicator lamp on inside mirror
>
The indicator lamp fl ashes continuously:
The system is armed.
> The indicator lamp flashes after locking:
The doors, hood, or trunk lid are not prop-
erly closed, the remaining components are 
secured.
Then the indicator lamp flashes continu-
ously after approx. 10 seconds. The interior 
motion sensor and tilt sensor are not active.
> The indicator lamp goes  out after unlocking:
The vehicle has not been tampered with.
> If the indicator lamp flashes after unlocking 
until the remote contro l is inserted in the 
ignition, but for no longer than approx. 
5minutes: 
The vehicle has been tampered with.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. to attempts to steal a wheel 
or tow the vehicle.
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 lights 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
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

68
ControlsDriving
Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2 Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3 Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or 
rain sensor
4 Cleaning windshield and headlamps
5 Setting speed for interm ittent wipe or sen-
sitivity of the rain sensor
Switching on wipers
Press the lever upward, arrow  1.
The lever automatically retu rns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to operation in the inter-
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system switches to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor
If the car is not equipped  with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is contro lled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of  the rainfall. The rain 
sensor is mounted on the  windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button, arrow 3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Setting speed for intermittent wipe or 
sensitivity of the rain sensor
Turn thumbwheel 5 up or down.
Deactivating intermit tent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow 3. 
The LED goes out.
Deactivate the rain  sensor before enter-
ing an automatic car  wash. Failure to do 
so could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation. <
Cleaning windshield and headlamps
Pull the lever, arrow  4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals. Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the flui d will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do, your vision could be 
obscured. Antifreeze should therefore be 
added to the fluid, refer to Washer fluid. 
Do not use the washers when the washer fluid 
reservoir is empty; othe rwise, you will damage 
the washer pump. <
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

74
ControlsDriving
>When the brakes are applied.
> The speed is reduced to below 20 mph or 
30 km/h due to a traffic situation.
> 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 Dynamic Traction Control DTC is 
activated.
> When Dynamic Stability Control DSC is 
deactivated.
> When DSC or ABS is intervening.
> The system does not recognize any objects 
for a longer time, e. g. on infrequently trav-
eled roads without a shoulder or guard rails, 
or if the radar sensor is covered with dirt, 
refer to page 75.
> The parking brake is engaged.
When the system is deactivated, you 
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or 
maneuver as necessary; otherwise, there is a 
risk of accidents. <
Warning lamp
The warning lamp lights up when 
Active Cruise Control has been 
automatically deactivated, for exam-
ple due to a driving speed below 20 mph or 
30 km/h or a DSC intervention. 
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 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 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 88.<
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

75
Driving
Controls
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 automatically 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 brie fly pressing or pulling the 
lever when road and traffi c 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 re sult of heavy rain, dirt, 
snow or ice. If necessary, clean the radar sensor 
located in the front bump er, see arrow. Be sure 
t o  u se  p a r t i c ul a r  c a r e  w h e n  r e m o v i n g  a ny  l a y e r s  
of snow or ice from the sensor.
The system cannot be activated if the sensor is 
incorrectly aligned.
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with 
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communications 
Commission regulations. Operation is gov-
erned by the following:
FCC ID:
NF3 ACC2SCU 003YK04001 0000
Compliance statement:
This device complies with 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 interference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devi ces could void the 
user’s authority to operate this equipment. <
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. The 
Active Cruise Control is malfunction-
ing. Have the system checked.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

89
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
Technology for driving comfort and safety
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.
Park Distance Control PDC
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals warn you of 
the presence of an object in front of or behind 
your vehicle. To meas ure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in either bumper.
An acoustic warning sounds when an object is 
less than approx. 24 in/60 cm from the front 
sensors and rear corner sensors or less than 
approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from the rear center sen-
sors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually th e case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed; oth-
erwise, physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated after approx. one 
second when you shift in to reverse or move the 
automatic transmission  selector lever to 
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 55 yd/50 m of driving or above 
approx. 20 mph/approx. 30 km/h, the system 
switches off and the LED goes out.
Switching on manually
When parking in the forward direction, the sen-
sors must be switched  on manually to enable 
them to signal an approach to an object in front 
of or behind the vehicle.
Press the button; the LED lights up.
Switching off manually
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. For exam-
ple, if an object is detected behind the vehicle, 
the signal tone sounds from the rear. As the dis-
tance between vehicle an d object decreases, 
the intervals betwee n the tones become 
shorter. If the distance  to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is in terrupted after approx. 
3seconds
> If you remain in front of an object that has 
been detected by only one of the corner 
sensors
> If you are driving parallel to a wall.
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG  

90
ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. PDC is 
malfunctioning. Have the system 
checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to op erate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 1 ft/30 cm.
Manual operation
The LED above the button also flashes.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind sp ot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with traile r towbars and hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs, 
can disappear again from the detection area of 
the sensors before or af ter a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive 
cautiously; otherwise, there is a risk of personal 
injury or property damage.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car 
can drown out the PDC signal. Therefore, 
always drive cautiously; otherwise, there is a 
risk of personal injury or property damage. <
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering  response is maintained 
even during full braking.  Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page 134.
Electronic brake-force distribution 
EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
When you apply the brakes  rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressu re on the brake for the 
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable 
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the 
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting 
at an angle past the front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical lim its by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains th e responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin again by taki ng risks, as this could 
result in an accident. <
Online  Edition  for Part  no. 01 40 2 609  312 - \251  08/11  BMW AG