BMW 3 SERIES 2011 Owners Manual

Connectors for external devices
▷Connection via USB audio interface: Apple
iPod/iPhone, USB devices, e.g., MP3 play‐
ers, USB flash drives, or mobile phones that
are supported by the USB audio interface.
▷Connection via snap-in adapter when equip‐
ped with extended connectivity of the music
player in the mobile phone: Apple iPhone or
mobile phones.
Playback is only possible when there is no
audio device attached to the AUX-IN port.
Due to the large number of different audio devi‐
ces available on the market, it cannot be ensured
that every audio device/mobile phone is opera‐
ble on the vehicle.
Ask your service center about suitable audio de‐
vices/mobile phones.
Audio files
Standard audio files can be played back:
▷MP3.
▷WMA.
▷WAV (PCM).
▷AAC, M4A.
▷Playback lists: M3U, WPL, PLS.
File systems
Popular file systems for USB devices are sup‐
ported. FAT 32 is the recommended format.
Connection of Apple iPod/iPhone via
USB audio interface
USB audio interface is located in the center arm‐
rest.
To connect the device, use the special cable
adapter for the Apple iPod/iPhone, available
from your service center, or a flexible adapter
cable.
Connect the Apple iPod/iPhone
with the AUX-IN port and USB in‐
terface using the special cable
adapter or with the USB interface
using the flexible adapter cable.
The Apple iPod/iPhone menu structure is sup‐
ported by the USB audio interface.
Connection of a USB device via the
USB audio interface
USB audio interface is located in the center arm‐
rest.
Connect using a flexible adapter cable to protect
the USB audio interface and the USB device
against physical damage.
Connect the USB device to the
USB interface.
After connecting for the first time
Information on all music tracks, e.g. artist or type
of music, as well as playback lists are transmit‐
ted into the vehicle. This may take some time,
depending on the USB device and the number
of tracks.
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During transmission, the tracks can be called up
via the file directory.
Number of tracks
Information from up to four USB devices or for
approx. 16,000 or 36,000 tracks can be stored
in the vehicle. If a fifth device is connected or if
more than 16,000 or 36,000 tracks are stored,
information on existing tracks may be deleted.
Copy protection
Music tracks with integrated Digital Rights Man‐
agement (DRM) cannot be played.
Playback
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
The playback starts with the first track.
On the split screen, the CD cover for the music
track might be displayed after a few seconds.
Track search
Selection is possible via:
▷Playback lists.
▷Information: type of music, artist, and, if
available, composer, album, track.
▷In addition, for USB devices: file directory
and, if available, composer.
Tracks are displayed if they have been saved in
the Latin alphabet.
Starting the track search
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Search"
5.Select the desired category, e.g., "Genre" or
"Artist".
All entries are displayed in a list.
▷Open "A-Z search" and input the de‐
sired entry. When a letter is entered, the
results are filtered using this letter as the
first letter. If multiple letters are entered,
all results that contain that sequence are
displayed.
▷Select the desired entry from the list.
6.Select other categories if you wish.
Not all categories need to be selected. For
example, if all of the tracks by a certain artist
are to be displayed, call up that artist only.
All of the tracks by that artist are then dis‐
played.
7."Start play"
Restarting a track search
"New search"
Playback lists
Calling up playback lists.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Playlists"
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Current playback
List of tracks currently being played.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3.Select the or symbol.
4. "Current playback"
Random playback
The current list of tracks is played back in ran‐
dom order.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3."Options" Open.
4."Random"
Fast forward/reverse
Press and hold the button.
Video playback
At a glance
Video playback via snap-in adapter is possible.
Operation can be performed via iDrive. The
sound is output on the vehicle loudspeakers.
Playback
The video image is displayed on the front Con‐
trol Display up to a speed of approx. 2 mph/3 km/
h; in some countries, it is only displayed if the
parking brake is set or if the automatic trans‐
mission is in position P.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."External devices"
3. Select the symbol.
4. "Video"
5.Select the directory if necessary.
To go up a level in the directory: move the
controller to the left.
6.Select the desired video file to begin play‐
back.
Video menu
Symbol Function
Next video file
Previous video file
Double-click on an icon to play back
previous video file.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to extreme en‐
vironmental conditions, such as very high tem‐
peratures; refer to the audio device operating
instructions.
Depending on the configuration of the audio
files, e.g., bit rates greater than 256 kbit/s, the
files may not play back correctly in each case.
Information on connection
▷The connected audio device is supplied with
a max. power of 500 mA if supported by the
device. Therefore, do not additionally con‐
nect the device to a socket in the vehicle;
otherwise, playback may be compromised.
▷Do not use force when plugging the con‐
nector into the USB interface.
▷Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB audio interface.
▷Do not connect USB hard drives.
▷Do not use the USB audio interface to re‐
charge external devices.
Bluetooth audio
At a glance
▷Music files on external devices such as audio
devices or mobile phones can be played
back via Bluetooth.
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Use of a mobile phone as an audio source,
refer to page 229.
▷The sound is output on the vehicle loud‐
speakers.
▷The volume of the sound output is depend‐
ent on the device. If necessary, adjust the
volume on the device.
▷Up to four external devices can be paired
with the vehicle.
Requirements
▷The device is suitable. Information under
www.bmwusa.com/bluetooth.
▷The device is ready for operation.
▷The ignition is switched on.
▷Bluetooth is activated on the vehicle, refer to
page 229, and on the device.
▷Bluetooth presettings must be made on the
device, such as for a connection without
confirmation or visibility; refer to the device
operating instructions.
▷A number with at least four and a maximum
of 16 digits is defined as the Bluetooth pass‐
key. It is only required once for pairing.
Pairing and connecting
Pairing a device
To avoid becoming distracted and posing
an unnecessary hazard both to your own vehi‐
cle's occupants and to other road users, only
pair the device while the vehicle is stationary.◀
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4."Add new phone"
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle is dis‐
played.
5.Perform additional steps on the device, refer
to the device operating instructions: e.g.
search for or connect the Bluetooth device
or a new device.
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle appears
on the device display.
6.Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle on
the device display.
Prompt via iDrive or the device to enter the
same Bluetooth passkey.
7.Enter the passkey and confirm.
8.Select the desired functions with which the
device is to be connected, e.g. "Audio".
9."OK"
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If pairing was successful, the device is displayed
as connected.
White symbol : the device is active as an audio
source.
If pairing was unsuccessful: What to do if..., refer
to page 216.
Connecting a specific device
A device that has already been paired can be
connected as an active audio source.
Connecting is not possible when data is ex‐
changed via a mobile phone connected via Blue‐
tooth.
Requirements
If necessary, activate the audio connection of
the desired device from the list of paired devi‐
ces.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4.Select the desired device from the list of
paired devices.
5."Options" Open.
6."Configure phone"
7."Audio"
8."OK"
Connecting the device
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4.Select the desired device from the list of
paired devices.
White symbol : the device is active as an audio
source.
Playback
General information
▷The display of music track information de‐
pends on the device.
▷Operation can takes place on the device or
iDrive.
▷Playback is interrupted when data is ex‐
changed via a mobile phone connected via
Bluetooth.
Starting playback
1.Connect the device.
2."CD/Multimedia"
3."External devices"
4. Select the symbol.
5.Select the desired track from the list, if nec‐
essary.
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Playback menu
Depending on the particular device, some of the
functions may not be available.
Symbol Function
Next track
Fast forward: press and hold the
symbol.
Previous music track
Reverse: press and hold the symbol.
Disconnecting the audio connection
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.Highlight the desired device.
4.Open "Options".
5."Configure phone"
6."Audio"
7."OK"
Unpairing a device
1."CD/Multimedia"
2."Bluetooth® (audio)"
3.If necessary, "Bluetooth® audio".
4.Highlight the device that is to be unpaired.
5.Open "Options".
6."Remove phone from list"
What to do if...
Information on suitable devices can be found at
www.bmwusa.com/bluetooth.
Suitable mobile phones, refer to page 228.
The device is not supported by the vehicle.
▷Perform a software update, refer to
page 217, if needed.
The device could not be paired or connected.
▷Do the Bluetooth passkeys on the device
and the vehicle match? Enter the same
passkey on the device and via iDrive.
▷Did it take longer than 30 seconds to enter
the passkey? Repeat the pairing procedure.
▷Are too many Bluetooth devices connected
to the device or vehicle? Delete connections
with other devices if necessary.
▷Is the mobile phone in power-save mode or
does it have only a limited remaining battery
life? Charge the mobile phone in the snap-
in adapter or via the charging cable.
▷Depending on the mobile phone, it is possi‐
ble that only one device can be connected
to the vehicle. Unpair the connected device
from the vehicle and pair and connect only
one device.
▷The device no longer reacts? Switch the de‐
vice off and on again.
▷Repeat the pairing procedure.
Music cannot be played back.
▷Start the program for playing back music
data on the device and select a track on the
device if necessary.
▷Switch the radio off and on again.
Music files can only be played back softly.
▷Adjust the volume settings on the device.
Playback is disturbed when buttons are pressed
or by other messages on the device.
▷Switch off the button tones and other signal
tones on the device.
Playback is interrupted by a telephone call or
traffic bulletin and is not resumed automatically.
▷Switch the radio off and on again.
Playback is not possible if the mobile phone is
connected both via Bluetooth Audio and via the
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extended connectivity of the music player in the
mobile phone.
▷Disconnect one of the two connections; for
example, disconnect the audio connection,
refer to page 216, and restart playback.
If all points in this list have been checked and the
required function is still not available, please
contact the hotline or service center.
Software Update
The vehicle supports various external devices
depending on the current software version. With
a software update, the vehicle can support new
cell phones or new external device, for example.
The updating of the software is done via:
▷USB.
Updates and related current information is
available at www.bmw.com/update.
▷TeleService.
Existing software can be updated directly via
the vehicle.
Displaying the current version
The currently installed software is displayed.
1."Settings"
2."Software update"
3."Show current version"
SelectDesired version to displayAdditional in‐
formation.
Updating software via USB
The software may only be updated when the ve‐
hicle is stationary.
1.Store the file for the software-update in the
main director of a USB flash drive.
2.Insert the USB flash drive into the USB in‐
terface of the USB audio interface in the
center armrest. An update via the USB in‐
terface in the glove compartment is not pos‐
sible.
3."Settings"
4."Software update"
5."Update software"
6."Start update"
7."OK"
All listed software updates are installed.
Restoring the previous version
If it should become necessary, the software ver‐
sion prior to the last software update can be re‐
stored.
The previous version may only be restored when
the vehicle is stationary.
1."Settings"
2."Software update"
3."Restore previous version"
4."OK" Double-click.
All listed software updates are removed.
Note
While the software is being updated or a previ‐
ous version is being restoredBMW Assist, Office
functions and the connected devices are tem‐
porarily unavailable. Wait several minutes for the
functions to become available again.
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Communication
All of the options available to you for mobile
communication with family, friends, business
partners, and service providers are described in
this chapter.
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Business mobile phone preparation
package
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 equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
At a glance
The concept
After the mobile phone is paired once with the
vehicle, the mobile phone can be operated via
iDrive, the steering wheel buttons and via voice-
activated command.
A paired mobile phone is automatically detected
as soon as it is located inside the vehicle, when
the ignition is switched on.
Up to four mobile phones can be paired.
Certain functions may need to be enabled by the
mobile service provider.
Using the mobile phone while driving
Make entries only when traffic and road
conditions allow. Do not hold the mobile phone
in your hand while you are driving; use the
hands-free system instead. If you do not ob‐
serve this precaution, you can endanger the ve‐
hicle occupants and other road users.◀
Approved mobile phones
Details on which mobile phones and external
devices with a Bluetooth interface are sup‐
ported by the mobile phone preparation pack‐
age can be obtained at www.bmwusa.com/blue‐
tooth.
Displaying the vehicle identification
number and software part number
The vehicle identification number and software
part number are needed to determine which mo‐
bile phones are supported by the mobile phone
preparation package. The software version of
the mobile phone may also be required.
1."Telephone"
2.Open "Options".
3."Bluetooth® info"
4."Display system information"
These approved mobile phones with a certain
software version, support the vehicle functions
described below.
Malfunctions may occur with other mobile
phones or software versions.
Do not operate a mobile phone that is connected
to the vehicle on the mobile phone keypad, as
this may lead to a malfunction.
Notes
At high temperatures, the charge function of the
mobile phone can be limited where appropriate
and the functions are no longer executed.
When the mobile phone is used via the vehicle,
heed the operating manual of the mobile phone.
Pairing/unpairing the mobile
phone
General information
The following functions are available:
▷Use of a mobile phone as a telephone.
Functions supported by the mobile phone are
shown as a symbol during pairing.
White symbol: the function is active.
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