
94
ControlsTechnology for driving comfort and safety
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 vehicle, for example due to 
the special options or national-market version 
selected. This also applies to safety related 
functions and systems.
Park Distance Control PDC
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator warn you of the presence of an object 
in front of or behind your vehicle.To measure 
the distance, there are four ultrasonic sensors 
in either bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not 
sound until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm 
from the front sensors and rear corner sensors, 
or 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 the 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 into reverse or move the 
automatic transmission selector lever to 
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 160 ft/50 m of driving or above 
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h 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 and object decreases, 
the intervals between 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 interrupted 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.
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95
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. 
PDC is malfunctioning. Have the sys-
tem checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate 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.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is 
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are 
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal tone sounds. The display 
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC 
is activated.
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 spot 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 trailer 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 after 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 page138.
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 pressure 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 limits 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 the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
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110
ControlsLamps
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 switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page 108. 
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 pressure 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 enough power to start the 
engine. <
Switching off
Press the lever in the opposite 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 handles 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 108.
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 high beams to low beams 
and vice versa in response to oncoming traffic, 
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111
Lamps
Controls
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 
beams using the turn signal/high beam 
lever. This deactivates the High-beam 
Assistant. 
To reactivate the system, briefly push the 
turn signal/high beam lever toward the high 
beams again.
> If the High-beam Assistant switches on the 
low beams, but you would like to drive with 
the high beams, switch on the high beams 
as usual. This deactivates the system and 
the high beams need to be switched off 
manually, if necessary.
To reactivate the system, briefly push the 
turn signal/high beam lever toward the high 
beams again.
> Use the headlamp flasher as usual with the 
low beams switched on.
System limitations
The High-beam Assistant cannot serve 
as a substitute for the driver's personal 
judgment of when to use the high beams. 
Therefore, manually switch off the high beams 
in situations where this is required to avoid a 
safety risk.<
The system is not fully functional in situations 
such as the following, and driver intervention 
may be necessary:
> In very unfavorable weather conditions, 
such as fog or heavy precipitation
> In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as 
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and 
wagons; when driving close to train or ship 
traffic; and at animal crossings >
In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions, 
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming 
traffic on highways
> In poorly lit towns and cities and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
> At low speeds
> When the windshield in front of the interior 
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov-
ered with stickers, etc.
> If the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor on 
the front of the interior rearview mirror using 
a cloth moistened with a small amount of 
glass cleaner.
Activating via iDrive
1."Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "High beam assistant"
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
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115
Climate
Controls
7
AUTO program
8 Air volume, manual adjustment; AUTO 
intensity
9 Automatic recirculated air control AUC/
Recirculated air mode
10 Temperature, right side
11 ALL program 12
Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
13 Switching cooling function on/off manually
14 Rear window defroster
15 Seat heating, right side 51
16 Interior temperature sensor, please keep 
clear
17 Seat heating, left side 51
Automatic climate control
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program7 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air volume for almost all conditions, refer to 
AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail 
about how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile 
settings on page 31.
Adjusting air distribution manually
The air distribution can be 
switched on and off manually. The 
air is directed to the windshield, to 
the upper body area and to the 
footwell.
The automatic air distribution can be switched 
back on by pressing the AUTO button. The 
cooling function is switched on automatically 
and the manual air distribution setting is 
cleared.
Temperature
Turn to set the desired tempera-
ture.
The automatic climate control 
achieves this temperature as 
quickly as possible regardless of the season,  using maximum cooling or heating power if nec-
essary, and then maintains it.
Avoid rapid switching between different tem-
perature settings. The automatic climate con-
trol will not have sufficient time to adjust the set 
temperature.
Maximum heating power can be obtained with 
the highest setting, regardless of the outside 
temperature.
The system cools steadily in the lowest setting, 
regardless of the outside temperature.
Maximum cooling
Press the button.
The system is set to the lowest 
temperature, maximum air volume 
and recirculated air mode.
Air flows out of the vent outlets for the upper 
body region. Open them for this purpose.
Air is cooled as quickly as possible:
> Above an outside temperature of approx. 
327/06
> When the engine is running
AUTO program
Press the button.
Air volume, air distribution and 
temperature are controlled auto-
matically.
Depending on the selected temperature, AUTO 
intensity and outside influences, the air is 
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ControlsClimate
directed toward the windshield, the side win-
dows, the upper body and the footwell.
Pressing the AUTO button automatically 
switches on the cooling function.
At the same time, a condensation sensor con-
trols the program so as to prevent window con-
densation as much as possible.
The program is switched off when the air distri-
bution is set manually or the button is pressed 
again.
Intensity of the AUTO program
With the AUTO program switched on, auto-
matic control of the air volume and air distribu-
tion can be adjusted:
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce the intensity. Press the 
right side of the button to increase 
it.
The selected intensity is shown on the display 
of the automatic climate control.
Convertible program
The Convertible program is active when the 
hardtop is open and the AUTO program is 
switched on. In the Convertible program, the 
automatic climate control is optimized for driv-
ing with the hardtop open. In addition, the air 
volume is increased as vehicle speed increases.
The effectiveness of the Convertible pro-
gram can be enhanced considerably by 
installing the wind deflector. <
Adjusting air volume manually
To be able to manually adjust the air volume, 
switch off the AUTO program first.
Press the left side of the button to 
reduce the air volume. Press the 
right side of the button to increase 
it.
The air flow rate is lowered or switched off 
entirely to reduce the drain on the battery. The 
display remains the same.
Automatic recirculated air control 
AUC/Recirculated air mode
You can respond to unpleasant odors or pollut-
ants in the immediate environment by tempo-
rarily suspending the supply of outside air. The 
system then recirculates the air currently within 
the vehicle.
Press the button repeatedly to 
select an operating mode:
> LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
> Left-hand LED on, AUC mode: a sensor 
detects pollutants in the outside air and 
controls the shut-off automatically.
> Right-hand LED on, recirculated air mode: 
the supply of outside air is permanently 
shut off. If the windows fog over, switch off 
recirculated air mode and increase the air 
volume, if necessary. Make sure that air can 
flow onto the windshield.
The recirculated air mode should not be 
used over an extended period of time; 
otherwise, the air quality inside the car will dete-
riorate continuously. <
Via the button on the steering wheel
You can switch quickly between the recircu-
lated air mode and the previous mode using a 
button on the steering wheel, refer to page 11.
ALL program
Press the button.
The current temperature setting 
on the driver's side is transferred to 
the front passenger side.
If the temperature setting on the driver's side is 
changed, the temperature on the front passen-
ger side is changed as well.
The program is switched off when the setting is 
adjusted on the front passenger side or the but-
ton is pressed again.
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144
NavigationNavigation system
Navigation system
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. Equipment is also described 
that is not available because of, for example, 
selected options or country version. This also 
applies to safety related functions and systems.
General information
The navigation system can determine the pre-
cise position of the vehicle, with the aid of satel-
lites and vehicle sensors, and can reliably guide 
you to every entered destination.
Enter data only with the vehicle station-
ary, and always give priority to the appli-
cable traffic regulations in the event of any con-
tradiction between traffic and road conditions 
and the instructions issued by the navigation 
system. Failure to take to this precaution can 
place you in violation of the law and put vehicle 
occupants and other road users in danger. <
Accessing navigation system
1.Press the  button.
2. "Navigation"
The navigation system can also be 
accessed directly with the button on the 
controller.
Navigation data
General information
Navigation data and authorization codes are 
available from your BMW center. Navigation 
data are stored in the vehicle and can be 
updated. >
Depending on the data volume, a data 
update may take several hours.
> Update data while driving to reduce the 
drain on the battery.
> Only the main functions of the navigation 
system are available during updating.
The update is resumed automatically when a 
trip is continued after an interruption.
> You can inquire as to the status of the 
update.
> The data are stored in the vehicle.
> After the update, the system restarts.
> The medium that holds the navigation data 
can be removed after the update is com-
pleted.
Information about navigation data
1."Navigation"
2. Open "Options".
3. "Navigation system version":
Information about the data version is dis-
played.
Updating the navigation data
Inserting navigation DVD
1.Insert the navigation DVD into the DVD 
player with the labeled side facing up.
2. Follow the instructions on the Control Dis-
play.
3. Enter the authorization code of the naviga-
tion DVD and change the DVD if needed.
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257
Engine compartment
Mobility
Display in the instrument cluster
1.
Push button 1 in the turn signal/high beam 
lever up or down repeatedly until the appro-
priate symbol is shown in the display, 
accompanied by the word "OIL".
2. Press button 2 in the turn signal/high beam 
lever. 
The oil level is checked and the reading dis-
played.
Possible displays
1 Oil level OK
2 Oil level is being checked.
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
a standstill on a level surface, or about 
5 minutes while the car is on the move. 3
Oil level down to minimum:
Add engine oil as soon as possible, but no 
more than 1 US quart/1 liter, refer also to 
Adding engine oil on page 258.
4 Oil level is too high.
Too much oil will harm the engine. 
Have the vehicle checked without 
delay. <
5 The oil level sensor is defective.
Do not add engine oi l. You can continue 
your journey. Note the newly calculated dis-
tance remaining to the next oil service, refer 
to page 85. Have the system checked as 
soon as possible.
Display via iDrive
1. "Vehicle Info"
2. "Vehicle status"
3. "Engine oil level"
Possible messages
>"Engine oil level OK"
> "Measurement not possible at this time."
> "Measuring engine oil level...":
This can take about 3 minutes if the car is at 
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