ContentsThe fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 244.6Notes
At a glance
14Cockpit18iDrive26Voice activation system29Integrated Owner's Manual in the vehicle
Controls
34Opening and closing56Adjusting66Transporting children safely69Driving83Displays102Lights107Safety134Driving stability control systems142Driving comfort163Climate control170Interior equipment175Storage compartments
Driving tips
180Things to remember when driving183Loading185Saving fuelMobility194Refueling196Fuel198Wheels and tires213Engine compartment215Engine oil218Coolant220Maintenance222Replacing components227Breakdown assistance232Care
Reference
240Technical data244Everything from A to Z
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19Open trunk lid 41
All around the center console
1Control Display 182Glove compartment 1753Ventilation 1674Hazard warning system 227Central locking system 405Radio/CD/Multimedia, see user's manual
for Navigation, Entertainment and Commu‐
nication6Automatic climate control 1637Controller with buttons 188Parking brake 72Automatic Hold 739Opening and closing the
convertible top 4910PDC Park Distance Control 151
Top View 157
Rearview camera 153
Parking assistant 159Side View 156HDC Hill Descent Control 136Seite 16At a glanceCockpit16
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iDriveVehicle 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.
The concept
The iDrive combines the functions of many
switches. Thus, these functions can be oper‐
ated from a central location.
Using the iDrive during a trip
To avoid becoming distracted and pos‐
ing an unnecessary hazard to your vehicle's
occupants and to other traffic, never attempt
to use the controls or enter information unless
traffic and road conditions allow it.◀
Control elements at a glanceControl elements1Control Display2Controller with buttons and, depending on
the equipment version, with touchpadControl Display
Hints▷To clean the Control Display, follow the
care instructions.▷Do not place objects close to the Control
Display; otherwise, the Control Display can
be damaged.▷In the case of very high temperatures on
the Control Display, e.g. due to intense so‐
lar radiation, the brightness may be re‐
duced down to complete deactivation.
Once the temperature is reduced, e.g.
through shadow or climate control system,
the normal functions are re-established.
Switching on
1.Switch on the ignition.2.Press the controller.
Switch off
1. Press button.2."Turn off control display"
Controller
The buttons can be used to open the menus
directly. The controller can be used to select
menu items and enter the settings.
Some iDrive functions can be operated using
the touchpad on the controller.
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meantime by a person with a different remote
control.
Changes to the settings are automatically
saved in the personal profile.
Three personal profiles and a guest profile can
be created.
Adjusting
The settings for the following systems and
functions are saved in the active profile. The
scope of storable settings is country- and
equipment-dependable.▷Unlocking and locking.▷Lights.▷Climate control.▷Radio.▷Instrument cluster.▷Programmable memory buttons.▷Volumes, tone.▷Control Display.▷Navigation.▷TV.▷Park Distance Control PDC.▷Rearview camera▷Side View.▷Head-up Display.▷Driving Dynamics Control.▷Driver's seat position, exterior mirror posi‐
tion, steering wheel position.▷Cruise control.▷Intelligent Safety.▷Active Blind Spot Detection.▷Night vision.Profile management
Opening profiles Regardless of the remote control in use a dif‐
ferent profile may be activated.1."Settings"2."Profiles"3.Select a profile.▷All settings stored in the called-up profile
are automatically applied.▷The called-up profile is assigned to the re‐
mote control being used at the time.▷If the profile is already assigned to a differ‐
ent remote control, this profile will apply to
both remote controls. It cannot be differen‐
tiated anymore between the settings for
the two remote controls.
Renaming profiles
A personal name can be assigned to every pro‐
file to avoid confusion between the profiles.
1."Settings"2."Profiles"3."Options"4."Rename current profile"
Resetting profiles
The settings of the active profile are reset to
their default values.
1."Settings"2."Profiles"3."Options"4."Reset current profile"
Exporting profiles
Most settings of the active profile can be ex‐
ported.
This can be helpful for securing and retrieving
personal settings, before delivering the vehicle
to a workshop, e.g. Profiles can be taken to an‐
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Convertible top
General information The convertible top can be opened or closed
at speeds up to approx. 25 mph/40 km/h.
If the vehicle is accelerated above a speed of
approx. 30 mph/50 km/h while the convertible
top is being moved, the convertible top move‐
ment stops.
Hints▷The trunk lid cannot be opened if the
convertible top is not fully opened or
closed.▷If possible, close the convertible top when
the vehicle is parked. A closed convertible
top protects it from weather-related dam‐
age and to some extent from theft.▷Event when the convertible top is closed,
only store valuables in the locked trunk.▷At higher speeds, vacuum produced in the
vehicle interior causes the convertible top
to begin to flutter. Increase the amount of
air via the automatic climate control so that
no vacuum is produced in the vehicle.▷It is not possible to start the engine and
operate the convertible top simultane‐
ously. When the engine is started using the
Start/Stop button or using the Auto Start/
Stop function, the convertible top move‐
ment is briefly interrupted.Overview1Switch2LEDs
Functional requirements
The ignition or radio-ready state must be
switched on.
The following requirements must be fulfilled in
order to be able to move the convertible top.
▷The trunk partition is flipped down.▷The trunk lid is closed.▷The external temperature is above
14 ℉/-10 ℃.▷The voltage of the vehicle electrical system
is sufficient.▷The convertible top drive is not overheat‐
ing.▷The vehicle speed is not too high.▷The windows can be lowered.
If this requirement is not met, a check control
message is displayed.
Safety information Do not open convertible top at low tem‐
peratures
With temperatures below +14 ℉/-10 ℃ do not
open the convertible top; otherwise damages
could result.◀
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Shoulder support
Also supports the back in the shoulder area:
▷Results in a relaxed seating position.▷Reduces strain on the shoulder muscles.
Active seatActive adjustment of the seat cushion's con‐
tours reduces muscular tension and fatigue to
help prevent lower back pain.
Press button. The LED lights up.
Front seat heating
Switching on Press button once for each tempera‐
ture level.
The maximum temperature is reached when
three LEDs are lit.
If the journey is continued within approx. 15
minutes, the seat heating is activated automat‐
ically with the temperature selected last.
When ECO PRO, refer to page 186, is acti‐
vated, the heater output is reduced.
Switch off Press button longer.
The LEDs go out.
Temperature distribution
The heating action in the seat cushion and
backrest can be distributed in different ways.
On the Control Display:1."Climate"2."Front seat heating"3.Select the required seat.4.Turn the controller to set the temperature
distribution.
Active seat ventilation, front
The seat cushion and backrest surfaces are
cooled by means of integrated fans.
The ventilation cools the seat, e. g., if the vehi‐
cle interior is overheated or for continuous
cooling at high temperatures.
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Auto Start/Stop function
The concept The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.
The system switches off the engine during a
stop, e.g., in traffic congestion or at traffic lights. The ignition remains switched on. The
engine starts again automatically for driving
off.
Automatic mode After every start of the engine using the Start/
Stop button, the Auto Start/Stop function is in
the last selected state, refer to page 72.
When the Auto Start/Stop function is active, it
is available when the vehicle is traveling faster
than about 3 mph, approx. 5 km/h.
Engine stop
The engine is switched off automatically dur‐
ing a stop under the following conditions:
Steptronic transmission:▷The selector lever is in selector lever posi‐
tion D.▷The brake pedal remains pressed while the
vehicle is stationary or the vehicle is held
by Automatic Hold.▷The driver's safety belt is buckled or the
driver's door is closed.
The air flow from the air conditioner is reduced
when the engine is switched off.
Displays in the instrument cluster The display indicates that the
Auto Start/Stop function is
ready for an Automatic engine
start.
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.▷HDC Hill Descent Control is activated.▷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.
When Automatic Hold is activated: press
the accelerator pedal.
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
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▷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.▷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.
Activating/deactivating the system
manually
Using the button
Press button.
▷LED comes on: Auto Start/Stop function is
deactivated.
The engine is started during an automatic
engine stop.The engine can only be stopped or started
via the Start/Stop button.▷LED goes out: Auto Start/Stop function is
activated.
Switching off the vehicle during an
automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e. g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button. The ignition is
switched off. The Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated.
Selector lever position P is engaged auto‐
matically.2.Set the parking brake.
Engine start as usual via Start/Stop button.
Automatic deactivation
In certain situations, Auto Start/Stop function
is deactivated automatically for safety reasons
as if the driver were absent.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer
switches off the engine automatically. A Check
Control message is displayed. It is possible to
continue driving. Have the system checked.
Parking brake The concept
The parking brake is used to prevent the vehi‐
cle from rolling when it is parked.
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