Our Stansted BMW Centre is closing on 31 December 2025. Customers can now enquire for sales, service and repair at Chelmsford. Click here for more information.

GET TO KNOW YOUR BMW.

You can find the answers here to some frequently asked questions in regards to your BMW. If the information you are looking for is not detailed in this section please do feel free to get in touch with us.

SERVICE ICONS

OIL SERVICE

The oil and oil filter in your BMW’s engine should be replaced to ensure optimum performance and help maintain efficiency. The microfilter(s) should also be replaced.

MICROFILTER

The microfilter/pollen filter should be replaced with every engine oil service. This icon may not be displayed in your BMW.

SPARK PLUGS

The spark plugs in your petrol engine should be replaced at every second oil service along with the air filter. This icon may not be displayed in your BMW.

BRAKE FLUID

The brake fluid in your BMW should be replaced to maintain optimum performance.

DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER

The diesel particulate filter in your BMW may be blocked or need replacing. Visit your nearest BMW Authorised Centre.

FRONT BRAKES

The front brake pads on your BMW are close to their wear limit and need replacing. Your brake discs should also be checked.

VEHICLE CHECK

Your BMW is due a Vehicle Check Service. This thorough inspection covers a wide variety of elements to help ensure your BMW remains safe, roadworthy and continues to look and perform at its optimum. This symbol may also appear for other vehicle defects that require attention.

MOT

Your BMW is due the annual statutory inspection for vehicles 3 years and older. Vehicle check.

REAR BRAKES

The rear brake pads on your BMW are close to their wear limit and need replacing. Your brake discs should also be checked.

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FAQ.

Essentials.

How do I lock and unlock my BMW?

Unlocking your BMW is a simple case of pressing the unlock button at the top of the key fob. You can choose whether to unlock all the doors, or just the driver's door, within the car's settings menu. Similarly, pressing the BMW roundel on the centre of the key fob will lock all the doors, boot and fuel cap and the alarm system will be activated. To open the boot lid from outside the car, press the boot lid button at the bottom of the key fob.

How do I use my key?

Your key can store a driver profile which saves a number of settings including those for the air conditioning, favourite buttons and navigation system. These are automatically saved to the key fob when the car is locked. So, if there are two regular drivers of the car, they can each use separate keys and the in-car settings automatically change according to the key being used.

How do I open and close the bonnet?

Pull twice on the lever on the right of the driver's footwell. Then lift the bonnet up from the front of the car. To close, drop the bonnet from a height of approximately 40cm, and then push down to make sure that it's fully closed.

How do I start and stop the engine?

To start the ignition, press the Start Stop button. All systems become operational, but the engine remains off. The ignition and engine start together when pressing the brake pedal and Start Stop button. For manual transmission, press the brake pedal, clutch and Start Stop button.

How do I use the cockpit controls?

Emergency SOS and reading lights are found above the rear-view mirror. Below the central display are hazard lights and either driver assist* or central lock controls. The centre console can be personalised to your most used iDrive features.

*Applies to models with IDAC only

How do I find out more about my BMW?

A printed handbook will be supplied with your BMW. Alternatively, you can access an electronic version containing vehicle-specific information via the car’s multimedia system by going to the main menu and selecting ‘My Vehicle’ followed by ‘Owners Handbook’.

How do I refuel my BMW?

To access, first ensure the engine is switched off and the car is unlocked, before lightly pressing the edge of the fuel filler panel to release and open. Turn the fuel tank cap anti-clockwise and pull out to remove. To close, replace the fuel tank cap and turn clockwise until you hear a reassuring click that it's back in place. Then close the fuel filler panel and secure it with a light push.
Comfort and Convenience.

How do I manually adjust my seat?

Simply pull and hold the lever under the front of the seat, slide to the desired position, and release. The lever at the front corner of the seat can be used to adjust the angle of the seat base. The forward most lever to the side of the seat adjusts the height. Whilst pulling up, use your body to add or remove pressure accordingly. Behind this lever is another, which controls the angle of the backrest. Again, hold the lever up while you set the perfect position then release. The small toggle switch can then be used to adjust the width of the backrest by pressing and holding in either direction.

How do I electronically adjust my seat?

The seat controls are located on the side of the seat base and provide full electronic adjustment of the various seat elements. Push and hold the horizontal switch forwards or backwards and the seat moves in the corresponding direction. The height of the seat can be changed by pushing down or pulling up the same horizontal switch, which can also be tilted to adjust the angle of the seat base. The small button in front of this extends or retracts the thigh support. The vertical switch can be moved forwards or backwards to adjust the position of the backrest, while moving this up or down adjusts the height of the headrest. The buttons within this vertical switch control the level of shoulder support provided by the upper section of the backrest, while the small toggle switch behind this widens or narrows the seat side supports.

Once you’ve reached the perfect driving position, you can conveniently save it. Simply press the set button, which illuminates red, followed by pressing and holding either button 1 or 2 for a few seconds. Each driver can activate their saved seat configuration at the touch of a button. With the ignition on, just press and hold either button 1 or 2 which will automatically adjust the various seat elements to the saved position.

How do I manually adjust the steering wheel?

While stationary, release the steering lever to the left of the steering column and adjust up or down and towards or away from you. Once in the desired position, hold the wheel position and move the steering lever back up to lock in place.

How do I automatically adjust the steering wheel?

While stationary, use the short stork to the left of the steering column. Press and hold the stork either up, down, towards or away from you until the desired position is reached.

How do I personalise my settings?

From the main menu, use the iDrive to select ‘Settings’*. Here, you can configure a range of preferences from the time and date to lights and key settings. Settings can also be manually assigned to a driver profile by selecting ‘My Vehicle’ and ‘Driver profiles’.

*Applies to vehicles with Professional Navigation System only. For vehicles with Business Navigation, use the iDrive to select ‘My Vehicle’, where you can configure a wide range of vehicle and iDrive settings.
Lights and mirrors.

How do I configure the light settings?

You will find a collection of light controls located to the right of the steering wheel. Here you can manually turn the headlights off, activate the side lights or low-beam headlights. For maximum convenience, it is recommended to switch the lights to the automatic mode. The car will monitor the ambient brightness and automatically switch the low-beam headlights on and off as required. The fog lights can be turned on and off at the touch of a button, and when the side lights or low-beam headlights are on, the brightness of the in-car displays can be adjusted by rolling the wheel dial up or down. In addition, various lighting preferences can be configured from within your BMW’s settings menu.

How do I manually adjust my wing mirrors?

Using the button location on the inside of the driver’s door, switch the toggle to the left or right. The angle can then be adjusted up, down, left or right.

How do I adjust my folding wing mirrors?

The wing mirrors can be adjusted as using the toggle on the driver’s door and folded in by either pressing the fold button on the driver’s door or pressing and holding the lock button the key fob.
Assistance technologies.

How do I monitor my tyre pressures?

Your BMW comes equipped with a tyre pressure monitoring system, which constantly checks each tyre is at its optimum pressure. If it finds a tyre needs additional air or has developed a puncture, a warning will be signalled on the instrument display. Tyre pressure information is conveniently displayed on the inside pillar of the driver’s door.

How do I activate the parking sensors?

Your BMW is equipped with both front and rear parking sensors called Park Distance Control, or PDC. The sensors monitor the areas at the front and rear of the car and issue an audio and visual alert to potential obstacles. The system is automatically switched on when reverse gear is selected. It can also be manually turned on and off by pressing the Park Assistant button located by the gear level. The volume of the acoustic warning can be adjusted within the vehicle’s settings menu.

How do I set the cruise control?

When it is safe to do so, simply press the button on the steering wheel twice in succession, and the speed you are currently travelling at will be maintained. To adjust the speed, toggle the cruise control switch up or down.

How do I set the on-board computer?

The on-board computer information is displayed within the driver’s instrument panel. By pressing the button at the end of the left steering stork, you can scroll through the various measurements and change the information that is displayed.
Connectivity.

How do I pair a phone with my BMW?

To start, first ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on both the car and the mobile device. Using the iDrive, select Communication > Manage mobile devices > Connect new device*. Select the required functions for the device and then the Bluetooth name for your BMW is displayed*. Within the Bluetooth menu on the phone, find and select the BMW Bluetooth name, then simply follow the instructions on the vehicle display and phone.

*Applies to vehicles with Professional Navigation System only. For vehicles with Business Navigation, use the iDrive to select 'Add new device'.
Navigation.

How do I enter a navigation destination?

Firstly, you can send an address or destination to your BMW ahead of your journey using the BMW ConnectedDrive portal or BMW Connected App. It can then be accessed in the car from within your notifications. To manually enter a destination from within the vehicle, select ‘Navigation’ from the main menu or press the ‘NAV’ button on the iDrive controller. On the map screen, tilt the iDrive controller to the left and scroll up to select ‘Route Guidance’.

How do I programme the navigation system

(Professional Navigation System)?

The BMW Professional Navigation System offers extensive customisation. Users can adjust route settings, voice guidance, traffic info, and map views via the iDrive menu. Split screen mode allows dual display of navigation info. Preferences are saved to the key profile for convenience.

How do I programme the navigation system

(Business Navigation)?

BMW’s connected navigation system offers flexible destination input via the BMW Connected app or directly in the car. Route settings, voice guidance, traffic info, and map views are customisable and saved to the key profile. Guidance starts or stops easily via the iDrive controller.

A PERSONAL GUIDE FOR YOUR BMW.

Every BMW is unique. So we want to help you get to know your car so you can make the most of every journey. Using this tool you can create your own personal guide, with a host of videos explaining all key features and functions available, tailored to the exact specification of your BMW.

Explore this tool

FIND Group 1 Chelmsford BMW

Address

Colchester Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 5PG

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri:08:30 - 18:00
Sat:09:00 - 17:00
Sun:10:00 - 16:00

Phone

01245 895037

Map

Areas served

Chelmsford as well as surrounding areas including Braintree, Billericay, Witham and Maldon

View map

Address

Colchester Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 5PG

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri:08:00 - 18:00
Sat:08:30 - 13:00
Sun:CLOSED

Phone

01245 895020

Map

Areas served

Chelmsford as well as surrounding areas including Braintree, Billericay, Witham and Maldon

View map

Address

Colchester Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 5PG

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri:08:00 - 18:00
Sat:08:00 - 14:00
Sun:CLOSED

Phone

01245 895916

Map

Areas served

Chelmsford as well as surrounding areas including Braintree, Billericay, Witham and Maldon

View map

Address

Colchester Road, Springfield, Chelmsford, CM2 5PG

Opening Hours

Mon–Fri:08:30 - 17:00
Sat:09:00 - 13:00
Sun:CLOSED

Phone

01245 459222

Map

Areas served

Chelmsford as well as surrounding areas including Braintree, Billericay, Witham and Maldon

View map