iDrive control options
iDrive
The concept
The iDrive combines the functions of a multitude of switches. Thus, these functions can be operated from a central location.
Controls at a glance
Control elements
Control 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.
Switching off
- 1.
Press the button.
- 2.
"Switch off control display"
Switching on
Press the controller again to switch the screen back on.
Controller
The buttons can be used to open the menus directly. The controller can be used to select menu items and create the settings.
Some iDrive functions can be operated using the touchpad on the controller.
Buttons on controller
Press the button | Function |
---|---|
MENU | Open the main menu. |
RADIO | Opens the Radio menu. |
MEDIA | Opens the CD/Multimedia menu. |
NAV | Opens the Navigation menu. |
TEL | Opens the Telephone menu. |
BACK | Displays the previous panel. |
OPTION | Opens the Options menu. |
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
Highlighted menu items can be selected.
- 1.
Turn the controller until the desired menu item is highlighted.
- 2.
Press the controller.
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 menu
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.
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.
- 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.
Touchpad
Some iDrive functions can be operated using the touchpad on the controller:
Selecting functions
- 1.
"Settings"
- 2.
"Touchpad"
- 3.
Select the desired function.
"Speller": enter letters and numbers.
"Interactive map": operating the interactive map.
"Browser": enter Internet addresses.
"Audio feedback": the entered letters and numbers are announced.
Entering letters and numbers
The entry of the letters requires some practice at the beginning. In the entry, pay attention to the following:
For the input of upper/lower case letters and numbers, it may be necessary to switch via the controller to the corresponding Input mode, e.g. when the spelling of upper and lower case letters is identical.
Enter characters as they are displayed on the Control Display.
Always enter accompanying signs, such as accents or periods so that the letter can be clearly recognized. The possibility of input depends on the set language. Where necessary, enter special characters via the controller.
To delete a character, slide to the left on the touchpad.
To enter a blank space, slide to the right in the center of the touchpad.
To enter a hyphen, slide to the right in the upper area of the touchpad.
To enter an underscore, slide to the right in the lower area of the touchpad.
Using interactive map and Internet
The interactive map in the navigation system and Internet sites can be moved via the touchpad.
Function | Controls |
---|---|
Move interactive map or Internet sites. | Slide in the corresponding direction. |
Enlarge/shrink interactive map or Internet sites. | Drag inwards or outwards on the touchpad with the fingers. |
Display the menu or open a link in the Internet. | Tap once. |
Changing settings
Settings on the control display, such as the volume, can be made via the touchpad. To do this slide to the left or right accordingly.
Example: setting the clock
Setting the clock
On the Control Display:
- 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.
Overview of the symbols in the status field.
Status field symbols
The symbols are grouped as follows.
Radio symbols
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
HD radio station is being received. | |
Satellite radio is switched on. |
Telephone symbols
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Incoming or outgoing call. | |
Missed call. | |
Wireless network reception strength. Symbol flashes: network search. | |
Wireless network is not available. | |
Bluetooth is switched on. | |
Roaming is active. | |
Text message was received. | |
Check the SIM card. | |
SIM card is blocked. | |
SIM card is missing. | |
Enter the PIN. |
Entertainment symbols
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
CD/DVD player. | |
Music collection. | |
Gracenote® database. | |
AUX-IN port. | |
USB audio interface. | |
Mobile phone audio interface. |
Additional symbols
Symbol | Meaning |
---|---|
Spoken instructions are switched off. |
Split screen
General information
Additional information can be displayed on the right side of the split screen, e.g., information from the onboard 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
On the Control Display:
- 1.
Press the button.
- 2.
"Split screen"
Selecting the display
On the Control Display:
- 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.
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.
Programmable memory buttons
- 1Programmable memory buttons
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.
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
On the Control Display:
- 1.
Turn the controller: select letters or numbers.
- 2.
Select additional letters or numbers if needed.
- 3.
"OK": confirm the entry.
Symbol | Function |
---|---|
Press the controller: delete the letter or number. | |
Press the controller for an extended period: delete all letters or numbers. |
Switching between cases, letters and numbers
Depending on the menu, you can switch between entering upper and lower case, letters and numbers:
Symbol | Function |
---|---|
Enter the letters. | |
Enter the numbers. | |
| Move the controller up. |
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.