
Locking
Touch the surface on the door handle of the
driver's or front passenger door, arrow, with
your finger for approx. 1 second without grasp‐
ing the door handle.
This corresponds with pressing the button on
the remote control.  
 
To save battery power, ensure that the ignition
and all electronic systems and/or power con‐
sumers are turned off before locking the vehi‐
cle.
Convenient closing Monitor closing
Monitor closing to ensure that no one
becomes trapped.◀
Touch the surface on the door handle of the
driver's or front passenger door, arrow, with
your finger and hold it there without grasping
the door handle.
This corresponds to pressing and holding  
 
the remote control button.
In addition to locking, the windows and the
glass sunroof close and the exterior mirrors
fold in.
Separately unlocking the trunk lid Press button on the exterior of the trunk lid.
This corresponds to pressing  
  the re‐
mote control button.
The situation of the doors does not change.
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 trunk lid is closed.◀
Opening trunk lid with no-touch activation
The trunk lid can be opened with no-touch ac‐
tivation using the remote control you are carry‐
ing. Two sensors detect a forward-directed
foot motion in the center of the area at the rear
of the car and the trunk lid opens.
Foot movement to be carried out Do not touch vehicle
With the foot motion, make sure there is
steady stance and do not touch the vehicle; otherwise, there is a danger of injury, e. g. from
hot exhaust system parts.◀
1.Place in the center behind the vehicle,
about an arm's length from the vehicle rear.2.Move a foot in the direction of travel as far
under the vehicle as possible and immedi‐
ately pull it back. With this movement, theSeite 42ControlsOpening and closing42
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DrivingVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Start/Stop button The concept Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off
and starts the engine.
Steptronic transmission: The
engine starts if the brakes are
stepped on while pressing the Start/Stop but‐
ton.
Manual transmission: The engine starts with
the clutch pedal pressed when the Start/Stop
button is pressed.
Ignition onSteptronic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button without stepping on the brake.
Manual transmission: Press the Start/Stop but‐
ton without stepping on the clutch pedal.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lights in the
instrument cluster light up for a varied length
of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.Ignition off
Steptronic transmission: Press the Start/Stop
button again without stepping on the brake.
Manual transmission: Press the Start/Stop but‐
ton again without stepping on the clutch pedal.
All indicator lights in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
P when the ignition is switched off
P is engaged automatically when the ig‐
nition is switched off. When in an automatic car wash, e.g., ensure that the ignition is not
switched off accidentally.◀
The ignition automatically cuts off while the
vehicle is stationary and the engine is stopped:▷When locking the vehicle, and when the
low beams are activated.▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available
when the low beams are turned off.▷When opening or closing the driver door, if
the driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the low beams are turned off.▷While the driver's safety belt is unbuckled
with driver's door open and low beams off.
The low beams switch to parking lights after
approx. 15 minutes of no use.
Radio ready state
Activate radio-ready state:
▷When the engine is running: press the
Start/Stop button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers
remain ready for operation.
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The display indicates that the
conditions for an automatic en‐
gine stop have not been met.
Functional limitations
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:▷External temperature too low.▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.▷The car's interior has not yet been heated
or cooled to the required level.▷The engine is not yet at operating temper‐
ature.▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the
steering wheel is being turned.▷After driving in reverse.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.▷At higher elevations.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The parking assistant is activated.▷Stop-and-go traffic.▷The selector lever is in position N, M/S or
R.▷Use of fuel with high ethanol content.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Steptronic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of
the following conditions are met.▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and
the driver's door is open.▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lights light up for a varied
length of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Functional limitations
Even if driving off was not intended, the deacti‐
vated engine starts up automatically in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷Excessive warming of the car's interior
when the cooling function is switched on.▷The steering wheel is turned.▷Steptronic transmission: change from se‐
lector lever position D to R, N or M/S.▷Steptronic transmission: change from se‐
lector lever position P to N, D, R or M/S.▷The vehicle begins rolling.▷Fogging of the windows when the auto‐
matic climate control is switched on.▷Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.▷Excessive cooling of the car's interior when
the heating is switched on.▷Low brake vacuum pressure; this can oc‐
cur, e.g., if the brake pedal is depressed a
number of times in succession.Seite 67DrivingControls67
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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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Brake force display
The concept▷During normal brake application, the outer
brake lights light up.▷During heavy brake application, the inner
brake lights light up in addition.
Attentiveness assistant
The concept The system can detect increasing lack of alert‐
ness or fatigue of the driver during long, mo‐
notonous journeys, e.g., on highways. In this
situation, it is recommended that the driver
takes a break.
Note Personal responsibility
The system cannot act as a substitute for
the personal assessment of one's physical
state and may not detect an increasing lack of
alertness or fatigue or may not detect it cor‐
rectly. Therefore, make sure that the driver is
rested and alert; otherwise, risks may be de‐
tected too late and an accident be caused as a
result.◀
Function
The system is activated each time the engine
is started and cannot be switched off.
After travel has begun, the system is trained
about the driver, so that increasing lack of
alertness or fatigue can be detected.
This procedure takes the following criteria into
account:▷Personal driving style, e.g., steering behav‐
ior.▷Driving conditions, e.g., length of trip.
Starting at approximately 43 mph/70 km/h, the
system is active and can display a recommen‐
dation to take a break.
Break recommendation
If the driver becomes increasingly less alert or
fatigued, a message is displayed in the Control
Display with the recommendation to take a
break.
A recommendation to take a break is displayed
only once during an uninterrupted trip.
After a break, another recommendation to take
a break cannot be displayed until after approxi‐
mately 45 minutes.
System limits
The function may be limited in the following
situations, for instance, and will either output
an incorrect warning or no warning at all:
▷When the clock is set incorrectly.▷When the vehicle speed is mainly below
about 43 mph/70 km/h.▷With a sporty driving style, such as during
rapid acceleration or when cornering fast.▷In active driving situations, such as when
changing lanes frequently.▷When the road surface is poor.▷In the event of strong side winds.Seite 118ControlsSafety118
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HintsPersonal 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.◀
Changes to the parking space
Changes to the parking space after it was
measured are not taken into account by the system.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the risk of an acci‐
dent.◀
Transporting cargo
Cargo that extends beyond the perimeter
of the vehicle is not taken into account by the
system during the parking procedure.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, there is the risk of an acci‐
dent.◀
Curbs
The parking assistant may steer the vehi‐
cle over or onto curb if need be.
Therefore, always be alert and ready to inter‐
vene; otherwise, the wheels, tires, or the vehi‐
cle may become damaged.◀
An engine that has been switched off by the
Auto Start Stop function is restarted automati‐
cally when the parking assistant is activated.
Requirements
For measuring parking spaces▷Maximum speed while driving forward ap‐
prox. 22 mph/35 km/h.▷Maximum distance to row of parked vehi‐
cles: 5 ft/1.5 m.
Suitable parking space
▷Gap between two objects with a minimum
length of approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.▷Min. length of gap between two objects:
your vehicle's length plus approx.
4 ft/1.2 m.▷Minimum depth: approx. 5 ft/1.5 m.
Regarding the parking procedure
▷Doors and trunk lid closed.▷Parking brake released.▷When parking in parking spaces on the
driver's side, the corresponding turn signal
must be set where applicable.
Overview
Button in the vehicle
Parking assistant
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Technical dataVehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due tothe selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems. The respectively applicable country
provisions must be observed when using the
respective features and systems.
Note
The technical data and specifications in this
Owner's Manual are used as guidance values.
The vehicle-specific data can deviate from this,
for example, due to the selected special equip‐
ment, country version or country-specific
measurement method. Detailed values can befound in the approval documents, on informa‐
tion signs on the vehicle or can be obtained
from the service center.
The information in the vehicle documents al‐
ways has priority.
Dimensions
The dimensions can vary depending on the
model version, equipment or country-specific
measurement method.
The specified heights do not take into account
attached parts, for example, a roof antenna,roof racks or spoiler. The heights can deviate,
for example, due to the selected special equip‐
ment, tires, load and chassis version. BMW 3 Series LimousineWidth with mirrorsinches/mm80.0/2,031Width without mirrorsinches/mm71.3/1,811Heightinches/mm56.3–56.5/1,429–
1,434Lengthinches/mm182.2/4,627Wheelbaseinches/mm110.6/2,810Smallest turning radius diam.ft/m37.1–38.4/11.3–11.7
Weights
The values preceding the slash apply to vehi‐
cles with manual transmission; the values fol‐lowing the slash apply to vehicles with Step‐
tronic transmission.Seite 236ReferenceTechnical data236
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Head restraints, rear 55 
Head-up Display  90 
Head-up Display, care  232 
Heavy cargo, stowing  170 
Height, vehicle  236 
High-beam Assistant  94 
High beams  69 
High beams/low beams, refer to High-beam Assistant  94 
Hills  168 
Hill start assistant, refer to Drive-off assistant  123 
Hints  6 
Holder for beverages  162 
Homepage  6 
Hood  205 
Horn  14 
Hotel function, trunk lid  41 
Hot exhaust system  167 
HUD Head-up Display  90 
Hydroplaning  167 
I Ice warning, see External temperature warning  82 
Icy roads, see External tem‐ perature warning  82 
Identification marks, tires  195 
Identification number, see ve‐ hicle identification num‐
ber  9 
iDrive  18 
Ignition key, refer to Remote control  34 
Ignition off  64 
Ignition on  64 
Indication of a flat tire  101 , 104  
Indicator and alarm lamps, see Check Control  78 
Indicator lamp, see Check Control  78 
Individual air distribu‐ tion  146, 149  Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile  35 
Inflation pressure, tires  189 
Inflation pressure warning FTM, tires  104 
Info display, refer to On- Board computer  86 
Initialize, Tire Pressure Moni‐ tor TPM  101 
Initializing, Flat Tire Monitor FTM  104 
Instrument cluster  77 
Instrument cluster, electronic displays  77 
Instrument lighting  95 
Integrated key  34 
Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle  30 
Intelligent Emergency Re‐ quest  223 
Intelligent Safety  106 
Intensity, AUTO pro‐ gram  148 
Interior equipment  152 
Interior lights  95 
Interior lights during unlock‐ ing  37 
Interior lights with the vehicle locked  38 
Interior motion sensor  45 
Interior rearview mirror, auto‐ matic dimming feature  59 
Interior rearview mirror, com‐ pass  154 
Interior rearview mirror, man‐ ually dimmable  59 
Internet page  6 
Interval display, service re‐ quirements  83 
Interval mode  70 
J
Jacking points for the vehicle jack  220 Joystick, Steptronic transmis‐
sion  73 
Jump-starting  224 
K
Key/remote control  34 
Keyless Go, refer to Comfort Access  41 
Key Memory, refer to Per‐ sonal Profile  35 
Kickdown, Steptronic trans‐ mission  73 
Knee airbag  98 
L
Lamp replacement  212 
Lamp replacement, front  213 
Lamp replacement, rear  218 
Lane departure warning  114 
Lane margin, warning  114 
Language on Control Dis‐ play  90 
Lashing eyes, securing cargo  170 
LATCH child restraint sys‐ tem  62 
Launch Control  75 
Leather, care  231 
LEDs, light-emitting di‐ odes  213 
Length, vehicle  236 
Letters and numbers, enter‐ ing  25 
Light alloy wheels, care  231 
Light control  93 
Light-emitting diodes, LEDs  213 
Lighter  156 
Lighting  92 
Lights  92 
Lights and bulbs  212 
Light switch  92 
Load  170 
Loading  169 Seite 246ReferenceEverything from A to Z246
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