BMW 5 Series: iDrive

BMW 5 Series: iDrive

• Vehicle equipment
• The concept
• Controls at a glance
• Operating concept
• Example: setting the clock
• Status information
• Split scre
• Programmable memory buttons
• Entering letters and numbers

Vehicle equipment

All standard, country-specific and optional equipment that is offered in the model series is described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment is also described that is not available in a vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional equipment or country variant. This also applies for safety-related functions and systems.

The concept

The iDrive combines the functions of a multitude of switches. Thus, these functions can be operated from a central location.

Using the iDrive during a trip
To avoid becoming distracted and posing an unnecessary hazard to your vehicle's occupants and to other road users, never attempt to use the controls or enter information unless traffic and road conditions allow this.◀

Controls at a glance

Controls

Controls at a glance

1. Control Display

2. Controller with buttons
The buttons can be used to open the menus directly. The controller can be used to select menu items and create the settings.

Control Display

Notes

▷ 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.

Switching off

1. Press the button.

2. "Switch off control display"

Switch off control display

Switching on

Press the controller again to switch the screen back on.

Controller

Select menu items and create settings.

1. Turn.

2. Press.

3. Move in four directions.

Buttons on controller

Operating concept

Opening the main menu

Press the button.

The main menu is displayed.

All iDrive functions can be called up via the main menu.

Selecting menu items

Menu items shown in white 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.

The current panel is closed and the previous panel is displayed.

The previous panel is opened again by pressing the BACK button. In this case, the current panel is not closed.

▷ Move the controller to the right.

A new panel is opened on top of the previous display.

White arrows pointing to the left or right indicate that additional panels can be opened.

View of an opened

When a menu is opened, it generally opens with the panel that was last selected in that menu. To display the first panel of a menu:

▷ Move the controller to the left repeatedly until the first panel is displayed.
▷ Press the menu button on the controller twice.

Opening the Options menu

Press the button.

The "Options" menu is displayed.

Additional options: move the controller to the right repeatedly until the "Options" menu is displayed.

Options menu

The "Options" menu consists of various areas:

▷ Screen settings, e.g., "Split screen".

This area remains unchanged.

▷ Control options for the selected main menu, e.g., for "Radio".
▷ If applicable, further operating options for the selected menu, e.g., "Store station".

Changing settings

1. Select a field.

2. Turn the controller until the desired setting is displayed.

Changing settings

3. Press the controller.

Activating/deactivating the functions

Several menu items are preceded by a checkbox.

It indicates whether the function is activated or deactivated. Selecting the menu item activates or deactivates the function.

The function is activated.

The function is deactivated.

Example: setting the clock

Setting the clock

1. Press the button. The main menu is displayed.

2. Turn the controller until "Settings" is highlighted, and then press the controller.

3. If necessary, move the controller to the left to display "Time/Date".

4. Turn the controller until "Time/Date" is highlighted, and then press the controller.

5. Turn the controller until "Time:" is highlighted, and then press the controller.

6. Turn the controller to set the hours and press the controller.

7. Turn the controller to set the minutes and press the controller.

Status information

Status field

The following information is displayed in the status field at the top right:

▷ Time.
▷ Current entertainment source.
▷ Sound output, on/off.
▷ Wireless network reception strength.
▷ Telephone status.
▷ Traffic bulletin reception.

Status field symbols

The symbols are grouped as follows.

Radio symbols

Telephone symbols

Entertainment symbols

Additional symbols

Split scre

General information

Additional information can be displayed on the right side of the split screen, e.g., information from the computer.

In the divided screen view, the so-called split screen, this information remains visible even when you change to another menu.

Switching the split screen on and off

1. Press the 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.

Selecting the display

Programmable memory buttons

General information

The iDrive functions can be stored on the programmable memory buttons and called up directly, e.g., radio stations, navigation destinations, phone numbers and entry points into the menu.

The settings are stored for the remote control currently in use.

Saving a function

1. Highlight the function via the iDrive.

2. Press the desired button for more than 2 seconds.

Running a function

Press the button.

The function will run immediately. This means, for example, that the number is dialed when a phone number is selected.

Displaying the button assignment

Use a finger to touch the buttons. Do not wear gloves or use objects.

The key assignment is displayed at the top edge of the screen.

Displaying the button assignment

▷ To display short information: touch the button.
▷ To display detailed information: touch the button for an extended period.

Deleting the button assignments

1. Press buttons 1 and 8 simultaneously for approx. five seconds.

2. "OK"

Entering letters and numbers

General information

1. Turn the controller: select letters or numbers.
2. Select additional letters or numbers if needed.
3. "OK": confirm the entry.

Switching between letters and numbers

Depending on the menu, you can switch between entering letters and numbers:

Switching between upper and lower case letters

Depending on the menu, you can switch between entering upper and lower case letters:

Entry comparison

Entry of names and addresses: the selection is narrowed down every time a letter is entered and letters may be added automatically.

The entries are continuously compared to the data stored in the vehicle.

▷ Only those letters are offered during the entry for which data is available.
▷ Destination search: town/city names can be entered using the spelling of language available on the Control Display.