
67
Driving
Controls
>
When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the transmission switches to manual 
mode.
> If you do not accelerate  or shift gears using 
the shift paddles for  a certain amount of 
time, the transmission switches back to 
automatic mode.
If the selector lever  is in the M/S gear 
plane, manual mode remains active. <
> To upshift, briefly pull the right shift 
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly pull the left shift 
paddle –.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only 
when they will result in  a plausible combination 
of engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, 
a downshift that would cause the engine to 
overrev will not be executed by the system.
The gear selected is br iefly displayed in the 
instrument cluster, follo wed again by the gear 
actually in use.
Overriding selector lever lock
If the selector lever will not move out of 
position P even though th e ignition is switched 
on, the brake is depressed, and the button on 
the selector lever is pre ssed, the selector lever 
lock can be overridden:
1. Switch off ignition.
2. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
3. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever 
until the sleeve  is inside out. 4.
Using the screwdriver from the onboard 
vehicle tool kit, refer to page 266, press the 
red lever and with  the button pressed, 
simultaneously move the selector lever to 
the desired position.
7-gear Sport automatic 
transmission with double 
clutch
The concept
The 7-gear Sport automatic transmission with 
double clutch is an automated manual trans-
mission with two clutches and secondary gear 
sets in which the clut ching and shifting is 
handled by an electr ohydraulic system.
With the 7-gear Sport  automatic transmission 
with double clutch, the gears are shifted without 
an interruption in driving power.
You operate the 7-gear Sport automatic trans-
mission with double clutch using the selector 
lever and two shift paddles on the steering 
wheel.
It offers you the following functions:
> Either manual or au tomatic mode: sequen-
tial mode or drive mode
> Automatic downshifting and protection 
against incorrect gear selection, even in 
sequential mode
> Acceleration assistan t, Launch Control, 
refer to page 71
> Automatic intermediate  throttle application
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70
ControlsDriving
Using the shift paddl es on the steering 
wheel
You can also shift manually using two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel. The shift paddles 
allow you to shift gear s quickly since both 
hands can remain on the steering wheel.
> When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the transmission switches to manual 
mode.
> If you do not accelerate or shift gears using 
the shift paddles for a certain amount of 
time, the transmission switches back to 
automatic mode if the selector lever is in 
position D.
> To upshift, briefly pull the right shift 
paddle +.
> To downshift, briefly pull the left shift 
paddle –.
Driving dynamics control
The driving dynamics control permits you, at 
the push of a button, to  have your BMW react in 
an even more sporty fashion when driving:
> Optimal use is made of the engine's speed 
range.
> Gear changes occur more quickly.
> The engine reacts mo re spontaneously to 
accelerator pedal movements.
Activating the system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED in the button lights up and SPORT 
appears in the info display.
Deactivating the system
> Press the SPORT button again.
> Switch off the engine.
The LED in the button goes out and SPORT 
disappears from the info display.
Manually unlocking parking lock
In the event of a power supply interrup-
tion such as a discharged or discon-
nected battery or an elec trical malfunction, the 
parking lock must be ma nually unlocked; other-
wise, the rear wheels are immobilized and the 
vehicle cannot be towed. <
Only unlock the parking lock manually for tow-
ing and make sure to set the parking brake 
forcefully beforehand so that the vehicle cannot 
roll. Lock the parking lock again after the vehicle 
is parked.
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106
ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
Servotronic
The concept
The Servotronic varies the steering force 
required to turn the wh eels relative to the 
vehicle speed.
At low speeds, the steering force is strongly 
assisted, i.e. less force is needed for steering. 
As the vehicle speed increases, the steering 
assisting power is reduced.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. 
Servotronic is malfunctioning or has 
failed. Steering response will be different. You 
can continue your journey, but moderate your 
speed and exercise due caution. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Brake Force Display
On the left: normal braking.
On the right: sharp braking.
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111
Lamps
Controls
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in position
2 or 3 
when you park the car, the parking lamps and 
the interior lamps light up briefly when you 
unlock the vehicle.
Activating/deactivating welcome 
lamps
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Welcome light"
The setting is stored  for the remote control 
currently in use.
Pathway lighting
If the headlamp flasher is  activated after switch-
ing off the ignition with the lamps switched off, 
the low beams come on and remain on for a 
certain time.
Setting duration
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Pathway light.:"
4. Set a time of duration or deactivate the 
function. The setting is stored 
for the remote control 
currently in use.
Daytime running lights
The daytime running light s light up in switch 
position  0, 1  and 3. They are less powerful than 
the low beams.
The tail lamps may also light up.
Activating/deactivating daytime 
running lights
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Daytime running lamps"
The setting is stored  for the remote control 
currently in use.
Adaptive Light Control
The concept
Adaptive Light Control is  a variable headlamp 
control system that enables better illumination 
of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves at speeds up to 40 mph/70 km/h, 
e.g. on mountainous roads or when turning, an 
additional, corner-illuminating lamp is switched 
on that lights up the inside area of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Light Control
With the ignition switch ed on, turn the light 
switch to position  3, refer to page 110. 
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112
ControlsLamps
The corner-illuminating lamp is switched on 
automatically, depending on the steering wheel 
angle or turn signal indicator.
Standstill function: to avoid blinding oncoming 
traffic, the Adaptive  Light Control does not 
direct light toward the driver's side when the 
vehicle is at a standstill.
When you are reversing, only the corner-illumi-
nating lamps are switched on and active on 
both sides.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Dis-
play.The Adaptive Light Control is 
malfunctioning or failed. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/roadside parking 
lamps
1 High beams
2 Headlamp flasher
3 Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right
There is an additional option of switching on the 
lamps on the side of the car facing the road 
when parked.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the pressu re point for a longer 
period, arrow  3. The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time; otherwise, the bat-
tery might not have enou gh power to start the 
engine. <
Switching off
Press the lever in the o pposite direction to the 
pressure point, arrow  3.
High-beam Assistant
The concept
This system automatically switches the high 
beams on and off. The procedure is controlled 
by a sensor on the front of the interior rearview 
mirror. The assistant ensures that the high 
beams are switched on whenever the traffic sit-
uation allows. It handle s this task for you and 
gives you the benefit of  the best possible view. 
You can intervene at any time and switch the 
high beams on and off as usual.
Activating the system
1. Turn the light switch to position 3, refer to 
page 110.
2. With the low beams switched on, briefly 
push the turn signal/high beam lever in the 
direction of the high beam.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up when the high beams 
are activated. The system automati-
cally switches from hi gh beams to low beams 
and vice versa in response to oncoming traffic, 
traffic ahead of you, and adequate ambient 
lighting, e.g. on city streets.
Switching the high beams on and off 
manually
Whenever you wish, or when the situation 
requires, you can intervene:
> If the High-beam Assistant switches on the 
high beams, but you would like to drive with 
the low beams, simply switch off the high 
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123
Practical interior accessories
Controls
To set the compass zone, press the adjustment 
button for approx. 3-4 seconds. The number of 
the compass zone set is shown in the display.
To change the zone se
tting, briefly press the 
adjustment button repeat edly until the display 
shows the number of the compass zone corre-
sponding to your current location.
The compass is operational again after approx. 
10 seconds.
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must  be calibrated in the 
following situations:
> An incorrect compass direction is shown.
> The compass direction shown does not 
change although the  direction of travel 
does.
> Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or 
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of 
your vehicle and that you have enough 
space to drive in a circle.
2. Set the currently va lid compass zone. 3.
Convertible: ensure  that the retractable 
hardtop is fully closed.
4. Press the adjustment button for approx. 
6-7 seconds to call up C. Then drive in a 
complete circle at a maximum speed of 
5mph/7km/h.
If the calibration is successful, the C will be 
replaced by the directions.
5. Convertible: open the retractable hardtop 
fully and repeat step 4.
Setting right-hand/left-hand steering
Your digital compass is factory-set to right-
hand or left-hand steering, in accordance with 
your vehicle.
Setting the language
You can set the language of the display:
Press the adjustment button for approx. 
12-13 seconds. Press the adjustment button 
again briefly to switch between English "E" and 
German "O".
The setting is automatica lly saved after approx. 
10 seconds.
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139
Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting 
reduced efficiency of the brake system, 
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the 
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even 
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way  to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy he lps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mo de of the automatic 
transmission, refer to page 66.
Sport automatic transm ission with double 
clutch: never drive with the transmission 
in neutral or with the en gine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no en gine braking action and 
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the 
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise, 
there will be no engine braking action and no 
power assistance to the brakes and steering. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are le ss frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum 
pressure which must be exerted by the pads 
during brake applications  to clean the rotors is 
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended  application will fail to 
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms  while the automatic 
climate control is in operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage 
develops inside the tires. In some situations, 
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure. <
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or 
leak from their containers in the trunk, as 
this could result in damage to the vehicle.<
Determining loading limit
1. Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise damage to 
the vehicle may occur and unstable driving 
conditions may result.<
2. Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4. The resulting figure  equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the YYY amount equals 
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275
Giving and receiving assistance
Mobility
Starting the engine
1.
Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a fe w minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine on the other vehicle in the 
usual way. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes be fore another attempt 
in order to allow the  discharged battery to 
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have th e battery checked and 
recharged.
Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing away
Observe the applicable laws and 
regulations for tow-starting and towing 
vehicles.<
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed. <
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be sc rewed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit 
underneath the cover on  the right-hand side of 
the trunk, refer to page 266.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard vehicle 
tool kit underneath the  trunk floor, refer to 
page 266.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it a ll the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow  fitting. Otherwise, the 
tow fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page62; otherwise, the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn  signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require in creased effort. Active 
steering is not active an d it will be necessary to 
turn the steering wheel further. <
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page65.
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