
Buttons on controllerPress buttonFunctionMENUOpen the main menu.AudioOpen audio menu last listened
to, switch between audio me‐
nus.TELOpens the phone menu.BACKOpen previous panel.OPTIONOpens the Options menu.
Operating concept
Opening the main menu Press button.
The main menu is displayed.
All iDrive functions can be called up via the
main menu.
Selecting menu items
Highlighted menu items can be selected.1.Turn the controller until the desired menu
item is highlighted.2.Press the controller.
Menu items in the Owner's Manual
In the Owner's Manual, menu items that can be
selected are set in quotation marks, e.g.,
"Settings".
Changing between panels
After a menu item is selected, e.g., "Radio", a
new panel is displayed. Panels can overlap.
▷Move the controller to the left.
Closes current display and shows previous
display.
Reopens previous display by pressing
BACK button. In this case, the current
panel is not closed.▷Move the controller to the right.
Opens new display on top of previous
screen.Seite 20At a glanceiDrive20
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Switching the split screen on and offOn the Control Display:1.  Press button.2."Split screen"
Selecting the display
On the Control Display:
1.  Press button.2."Split screen"3.Move the controller until the split screen is
selected.4.Press the controller or select "Split screen
content".5.Select the desired menu item.
Programmable memory
buttons
General information
The iDrive functions can be stored on the pro‐
grammable memory buttons and called up di‐
rectly, e.g., radio stations, navigation destina‐
tions, phone numbers and menu entries.
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Without navigation system and
telephone
Only radio stations can be stored on the but‐
tons, refer to user's manual for Navigation, En‐
tertainment, Communication.
Saving a function1.Highlight the function via the iDrive.2.  Press and hold the desired button,
until a signal sounds.
Running a function
Press button.
The function will work immediately.
This means, e.g., that the number is dialed
when a phone number is selected.
Displaying the button assignment Touch buttons with bare fingers. Do not wear
gloves or use objects.
The key assignment is displayed at top edge of
screen.
Deleting the button assignments
1.Press buttons 1 and 8 simultaneously for
approx. five seconds.2."OK"Seite 24At a glanceiDrive24
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Executing functions using short
commands
Execute functions on the main menu via short
commands. It almost doesn't matter which
menu item is selected, e.g., ›Vehicle status‹.
List of short commands for the voice activation
system, see Navigation, Entertainment, Com‐
munication Owner's Manual.
Help dialog for the voice activation
system
Calling up help dialog: ›Help‹
Additional commands for the help dialog:▷›Help with examples‹: announces informa‐
tion about the current operating options
and the most important commands for
them.▷›Help with voice activation‹: information
about the principle of operation for the
voice activation system is announced.
One example: open the tone
settings
Via the main menu The commands of the menu items are spoken
just as they are selected via the controller.
1.Turn on the Entertainment sound output if
needed.2.  Press button on the steering
wheel.3.›Radio‹4.›Tone‹
Via short command
The desired tone settings can also be started
via a short command.
1.Turn on the Entertainment sound output if
needed.2.  Press button on the steering
wheel.3.›Tone‹
Setting the voice dialog
Set system to standard dialog or use a short
version.
The short version of the voice dialog plays
back short messages in abbreviated form.
1."Settings"2."Language/Units"3."Speech type:"4.Select setting.
Adjusting the volume
Turn the volume button while giving an in‐
struction until the desired volume is set.
▷The volume remains constant even if the
volume of other audio sources is changed.▷The volume is stored for the profile cur‐
rently in use.
Hints on Emergency
Requests
Do not use the voice activation system to ini‐
tiate an Emergency Request. In stressful situa‐
tions, the voice and vocal pitch can change.
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LockingLocking from the outside
Do not lock the vehicle from the outside
with people inside the car, as the vehicle can‐
not be unlocked from inside without special
knowledge.◀
The driver's door must be closed. Press button on the remote control.
All doors, the tailgate, and the fuel filler flap are
being locked.
The alarm system, refer to page  46, is armed.
Switching on interior lights and
courtesy lights
Press button on the remote control with
the vehicle locked.
This function is not available, if the interior
lamps were switched off manually.
If the button is pressed again within 10 sec‐
onds after vehicle was locked, the interior mo‐
tion sensor and tilt alarm sensor of the anti-
theft warning system, refer to page  47, are
turned off. After locking, wait 10 seconds be‐
fore pressing the button again.
Panic mode You can trigger the alarm system if you find
yourself in a dangerous situation.
Press button on the remote control for
at least 3 seconds.
To reel off the alarm: press any button.
Opening the tailgate Note the opening height of the tailgate
The tailgate swings back and up when it
opens. Ensure that there is sufficient clearance
when the tailgate opens; otherwise, damage
may result.◀Press button on the remote control for
approx. 1 second.
The closed tailgate is automatically opened,
whether or not the vehicle is locked or un‐
locked.
Depending on the features and the country
version, it is also possible to have door un‐
locked. Create the settings, refer to page  45.
If the doors were not unlocked, the tailgate is
locked again as soon as it closes.
Do not place the remote control in the
cargo area
Take the remote control with you and do not
leave it in the cargo area; otherwise, the re‐
mote control is locked inside the vehicle when
the tailgate is closed.◀
Provide edge protection
Sharp objects or those with edges can
hit the rear window while driving and damage the heat conductors of the rear window. Pro‐
vide edge protection.◀
Malfunction
Remote control detection by the vehicle can
among others be malfunctioning under the fol‐
lowing circumstances:▷The battery of the remote control is dis‐
charged. Replace the battery, refer to
page  35.▷Interference of the radio connection from
transmission towers or other equipment
with high transmit power.▷Shielding of the remote control due to
metal objects.▷Interference of the radio connection from
mobile phones or other electronic devices
in direct proximity.
Do not transport the remote control together
with metal objects or electronic devices.
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Headlight courtesy delay featureThe low beams stay lit for a short while if the
headlight flasher is switched on after the radio-
ready state is switched off.
Setting the duration
On the Control Display:1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Pathway lighting:"4.Set length of time.
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Automatic headlight control
Position of switch  
  : the low beams are acti‐
vated and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in
twilight or if there is precipitation. The indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
When emerging from a tunnel during the day,
the low beams are not switched off immedi‐
ately but instead only after approx. 2 minutes.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams always stay on when the fog
lights are activated.
Personal responsibility
The automatic headlight control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal judg‐
ment in determining when to turn the lights on
in response to ambient lighting conditions.
E. g. the sensors are unable to detect fog or
hazy weather. To avoid safety risks under
these conditions, you should always switch on
the lights manually.◀
Daytime running lights With the ignition switched on, the daytime run‐
ning lights light up in position  
  ,    or 
  . After the ignition is switched off, the park‐
ing lights light up in position  
  .
Activating/deactivating
In some countries, daytime running lights are
mandatory, so it may not be possible to deacti‐
vate the daytime running lights.
On the Control Display:1."Settings"2."Lighting"3."Daytime running lamps"
Settings are stored for the profile currently in
use.
Roadside parking lights
The vehicle can be illuminated on one side.
Switching on With the ignition switched off, press the lever
either up or down past the resistance point for
approx. 2 seconds.
Switch off Briefly press the lever to the resistance point in
the opposite direction.
Adaptive Light Control The concept
Adaptive Light Control is a variable headlight
control system that enables dynamic illumina‐
tion of the road surface.
Depending on the steering angle and other pa‐ rameters, the light from the headlight follows
the course of the road.
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▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.
To ensure full functionality:
▷Do not cover sensors, e.g., with stickers,
bicycle racks.▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Hints
Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not relieve
the driver from personal responsibility while
driving.
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot
independently react to all traffic situations.
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and
react when needed - risk of accident.◀
Avoid driving fast with PDC
Avoid approaching an object too fast.
Avoid driving off fast while PDC is not yet ac‐
tive.
For technical reasons, the system may other‐
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀
Overview
With front PDC: button in vehicle
PDC Park Distance Control
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐
tion P R.
Automatic deactivation during forward travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if needed.
With front PDC: switching on/off
manually
Press button.▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Display
Signal tones When approaching an object, an intermittent
sound indicates the position of the object. E. g.
if an object is detected to the left rear of the
vehicle, a signal tone sounds from the left rear
speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object, the shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 10 in/25 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
With front PDC: if objects are located both in
front of and behind the vehicle, an alternating
continuous signal is sounded.
The signal tone is switched off, when selector
lever position P is engaged on vehicles with
Steptronic transmission.
Volume The volume of the PDC signal tone can be ad‐
justed similar to the sound and volume set‐
tings of the radio.
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Outside air, refer to Auto‐matic recirculated-air con‐
trol  151  
Overheating of engine, refer to Coolant temperature  82 
P Paint, vehicle  227 
Panoramic glass sunroof  49 
Parallel parking assistant  142 
Park Distance Control PDC  134 
Parked-car ventilation  153 
Parked vehicle, condensa‐ tion  172 
Parking aid, refer to PDC  134 
Parking assistant  142 
Parking brake  68 
Parking lights  92 
Parts and accessories  7 
Passenger side mirror, tilting downward  58 
Pathway lines, rearview cam‐ era  138  
PDC Park Distance Con‐ trol  134  
Pedestrian warning with city braking function  112 
Personal Profile  35 
Personal Profile, exporting profiles  36 
Personal Profile, importing profiles  37 
Pinch protection system, glass sunroof  50 
Pinch protection system, win‐ dows  48 
Plastic, care  228 
Power failure  219 
Power windows  47 
Pressure, tire air pres‐ sure  190 
Pressure warning FTM, tires  104 Profile, refer to Personal Pro‐
file  35 
Programmable memory but‐ tons, iDrive  24 
Protective function, glass sunroof  50 
Protective function, win‐ dows  48 
Push-and-turn switch, refer to Controller  18, 19  
R Radiator fluid  207 
Radio-operated key, refer to Remote control  34 
Radio ready state  65 
Radio, see user's manual for Navigation, Entertainment
and Communication 
Rain sensor  71 
Rear lights  218 
Rear seat backrest, adjust‐ ing  162  
Rear seat backrest tilt  162 
Rear socket  159 
Rear spoiler, active  121 
Rear turn signal, bulb replace‐ ment  216 
Rearview camera  137 
Rearview mirror  58 
Rear window de‐ froster  148, 151  
Recirculated-air filter  152 
Recirculated-air mode  148, 151  
Recommended fuel grade  188 
Recommended tire brands  196 
Refueling  186 
Remaining range  82 
Remote control/key  34 
Remote control, malfunc‐ tion  38 Remote control, univer‐
sal  154  
Replacement fuse  219 
Replacing parts  210 
Replacing wheels/tires  196 
Reporting safety defects  9 
RES button  129 
RES button, see Active Cruise Control, ACC  126 
RES button, see Cruise con‐ trol  132  
Reserve warning, refer to Range  82 
Reset, Tire Pressure Monitor TPM  101 
Retaining straps, securing cargo  174 
Retreaded tires  196 
Roadside parking lights  93 
RON recommended fuel grade  188 
Roofliner  17 
Roof load lidacity  233 
Roof-mounted luggage rack  175 
Rope for tow-starting/ towing  224 
RSC Run Flat System Com‐ ponent, refer to Run-flat
tires  197 
Rubber components, care  228 
Run-flat tires  197 
S Safe braking  171 
Safety  7 
Safety belt reminder for driv‐ er's seat and front passen‐
ger seat  55 
Safety belts  54 
Safety belts, care  229 
Safety switch, windows  48 
Safety systems, airbags  97 
Saving fuel  176 Seite 242ReferenceEverything from A to Z242
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