Deutsch
EnglishCONTROLS -> iDrive for your BMW X4 2019-2025
iDrive
CONTROLS
iDrive
the systems and devices while the vehicle is
stationary.
Vehicle features and options
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific, and optional equipment offered with
the series. It also describes features and func-
tions that are not necessarily available in the
vehicle, e.g., due to the selected options or
country versions. This also applies to safety
functions and systems. When using these
functions and systems, the applicable laws
and regulations must be observed.
Input and display
Main menu
General information
The main menu is divided into two areas. The
left area contains menu items that can be used
to call up all the iDrive functions. The right area
contains widgets that provide quick access to
certain functions.
Operating concept
Principle
iDrive is the operating concept of the infotain-
ment system and includes a large number of
functions.
General information
Depending on vehicle equipment, the functions
can be operated as follows:
▷
▷
▷
▷
▷
Via the Controller.
Media/Radio
Via the control display.
Via the touchpad.
All functions of the entertainment system,
e.g., radio stations or connection with external
devices.
Via the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
Via the gesture control.
Communication
Phone and message functions, e-mail
and calendar, and also the connection and
management of mobile devices such as smart-
phones.
Safety information
Warning
Operating the integrated information systems
and communication devices while driving can
distract from surrounding traffic. It is possible
to lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of
accident, injury, and property damage. Only
use the systems or devices when the traffic
situation allows. As warranted, stop and use
Navigation
Access to the navigation system, desti-
nation input and traffic bulletins. Configurable
map views and other functions such as points
of interest and areas to be avoided.
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iDrive
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My Car
ery character entered, with characters being
added as necessary.
Information about vehicle status and trips.
Access to the Integrated Owner's Manual and
also administration of driver profiles and range
of adjustments for vehicle and iDrive.
Entries are continuously compared with data
stored in the vehicle.
▷
Only those letters and numbers are offered
during entry for which data is available.
Apps
▷
Destination search: place names can be
entered in all languages that are available
in iDrive.
Management of apps, access to apps and
vehicle functions. Additional apps and vehicle
functions can be purchased from the BMW
Store.
Activating/deactivating the functions
Several menu items are preceded by a check-
box. The checkbox indicates whether the func-
tion is activated or deactivated. Selecting the
menu item activates or deactivates the func-
tion.
Widgets
Widgets provide quick access to fre-
quently used functions. The configured widg-
ets display dynamic contents such as the nav-
igation map, and serve as interfaces at the
same time.
Function is activated.
Function is deactivated.
Letters and numbers
Letters and numbers can be selected when
making the destination input, for example.
Status information
General information
Letters and numbers can be entered using the
controller, touchpad, control display, or voice
control, depending on vehicle equipment. The
keyboard's display changes automatically.
The status field can be found in the upper area
of the control display. Status information is dis-
played in the form of icons.
Icon
Function
Telephone icons
Change between capital and
lower-case letters.
Icon Meaning
Incoming or outgoing call.
Missed call.
Enter a blank space.
Switching between languages.
Use voice control.
Signal strength of mobile phone net-
work.
Confirm entry.
Network search.
Shift the input area to the left
or right.
Mobile phone network is not available.
The critical charge state of the mobile
phone has been reached.
Entry comparison
When entering names and addresses, the
selection is gradually narrowed down for ev-
Roaming is active.
Locating is active.
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Programmable memory buttons
Icon Meaning
SMS text message received.
General information
Message received.
Reminder.
The iDrive functions can be stored on the pro-
grammable memory buttons and called up di-
rectly, for instance radio stations, navigation
destinations, phone numbers and menu en-
tries.
Sending not possible.
Entertainment icons
Overview
Icon
Meaning
Bluetooth audio.
USB device.
Connected Music with Spotify.
Wi-Fi.
Apple CarPlay.
Android Auto.
Programmable memory buttons
Satellite radio is switched on.
Storing a function
Other icons
A function can be stored on a programmable
memory button. A button with a stored func-
tion can be overwritten with another function.
Icon Meaning
Check Control message.
1. Select function via iDrive, for instance radio
station.
Sound output active.
Sound output deactivated.
Voice activation system active.
Request for the current vehicle position.
Checking the current vehicle position.
Driver profile.
2.
Press and hold the desired button
until the displayed bar on the control dis-
play has loaded completely.
Executing a function
Press the button.
Notifications.
The function will work immediately. This
means for instance that the connection is es-
tablished when a phone number is selected.
Data protection.
Destination guidance active.
Passengers on board.
Do not disturb.
Displaying the key assignment
Touch buttons with finger. Do not wear gloves
or use objects.
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CONTROLS
The assignment of the buttons is displayed in
the upper area of the control display.
Secure loose objects or devices that are con-
nected to the vehicle via a cable.
Deleting all button assignments
All button assignments can be deleted.
Warning
Objects in the area in front of a display can
slip and damage the display. There is a risk
of injury and risk of property damage. Do not
place objects in the area in front of a display.
1. Press and hold buttons 1 and 8 at the same
time.
2. "OK"
Control display and
Controller
Switching on/off automatically
The control display is turned on automatically
when the vehicle is unlocked or as soon as the
control display is needed for operation.
Principle
In certain situations, the control display is
switched off automatically, for instance if no
operation is performed on the vehicle for sev-
eral minutes.
The iDrive functions are displayed on the con-
trol display.
Overview
Switching on/off manually
The control display can also be switched off
manually.
1. Tip the Controller up.
2. "Screen off"
Press the Controller or any button on the Con-
troller to switch it back on again.
1
Control display
Controller
System limits
2
In the case of very high temperatures on the
control display, for instance due to intense so-
lar radiation, the brightness may be reduced
down to complete deactivation. Once the
temperature is reduced, for instance through
shade or air conditioning system, the normal
functions are restored.
Control display
Safety information
Warning
Controller
When driving, loose items or devices con-
nected to the vehicle with a cable, i.e., mobile
phones, may be thrown around the vehicle,
e.g., in the event of an accident or when brak-
ing or performing evasive maneuvers. There
is a risk of injury and risk of property damage.
General information
The buttons can be used to open the menus
directly. The Controller can be used to select
menu items and enter the settings.
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Operation
Button Function
▷
Turn to switch between menu items, for ex-
ample.
Call up the Media/Radio menu.
Call up the Communication menu.
Call up the navigation map.
Call up the destination input menu
for navigation.
Call up the previous display.
▷
Press to select a menu item, for example.
Call up the Options menu.
Operating via the Controller
Opening the main menu
Press the button.
▷
Tilt in four directions to switch between dis-
plays, for example.
The main menu is displayed.
Selecting a menu
Buttons on the Controller
Selecting menu items
1. Turn the Controller until the desired menu
item is highlighted.
Button Function
Call up the main menu.
2. Press the Controller.
Go to Apps menu.
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CONTROLS
justed, for instance to remove the entries of
unused functions from the menu
Selecting a widget
1. Move the Controller in the main menu to
the right.
1. Select the menu.
2. Turn the Controller until the desired widget
is selected.
2. "Personalize menu"
3. Select the desired setting.
3. Press the Controller.
It is also possible to select widgets in the in-
strument cluster.
Changing between displays
After a menu item is selected, for instance
"Settings", a new display appears.
Adjusting the menu
▷
Tilt the Controller to the left.
The current display closes and the previous
display is shown.
Adjusting widgets
The widgets can be adjusted in the main
menu. It is possible to create multiple pages
with widgets and switch between pages. The
adjustments can only be performed when the
vehicle is stationary.
▷
▷
Press the button.
The previous display re-opens.
Tilt the Controller to the right.
The new display opens.
1. Select the desired page in the main menu.
Only the currently selected page can be ad-
justed.
An arrow indicates that additional displays can
be opened.
2. Tip the Controller up.
Going to the Options menu
The menu items can be used to access addi-
tional options.
3. "Adjust main menu"
4. Select the desired adjustment:
▷
Icon and select desired widget: add
new widget.
Various options are available depending on
the menu item selected.
The requested widget will be inserted
in the relevant position. A maximum of
four widgets can be displayed per page.
Press the button.
Available options are displayed.
Entering letters and numbers
Input
▷
▷
▷
▷
Select icon: delete selected widget.
Add new page: "Add page".
Delete selected page: "Delete page".
Adjust the content of the widget: select
widget.
1. Turn the Controller: select letters or num-
bers.
5. "Done"
2.
: confirm entry.
Adjusting contents
Depending on vehicle equipment, the contents
of the menus "MEDIA" and "COM" can be ad-
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CONTROLS
Deleting
Entering letters and numbers
▷
Enter characters as they are displayed on
the control display.
Icon Function
Press the Controller: delete letters or
number.
▷
Always enter associated characters such as
accents or periods so that the letter can be
clearly recognized.
Hold the Controller down: delete all let-
ters or numbers.
▷
The set language determines what input
is possible. Where necessary, enter special
characters via the Controller.
Using alphabetical lists
For alphabetical lists with more than 30 en-
tries, the letters for which an entry exists can
be displayed in a text box.
Setting the system language, refer to
page 64.
Entering special characters
1. Turn the Controller to the left or right
quickly.
Input
Operation
2. Select the first letter of the desired entry.
Delete a charac- Swipe to the left on the
ter.
touchpad.
The first entry of the selected letter is dis-
played in the list.
Enter a blank
space.
Swipe to the right in the
center of the touchpad.
Operation via touchpad
Enter a hyphen. Swipe to the right in the
upper area of the touch-
pad.
General information
Depending on vehicle equipment, some iDrive
functions can be operated with the controller
touchpad.
Enter an under- Swipe to the right in the
score.
lower area of the touch-
pad.
Selecting functions
1. "CAR"
Using the map
The map in the navigation system can be
moved via the touchpad. Tap the map on the
control display and then continue the operation
using the touchpad.
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. "Touchpad"
Function
Operation
5. Select the desired setting.
Move map.
Swipe in the appropriate di-
rection.
Display menu. Tap once.
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iDrive
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▷
Tap icon and select desired widget:
add new widget.
Using alphabetical lists
Alphabetical lists with more than 30 entries
permit a direct jump to letters for which an en-
try exists.
The requested widget will be inserted
in the relevant position. A maximum of
four widgets can be displayed per page.
Enter the first letter on the touchpad.
▷
▷
▷
Tap on the icon.
The first entry of the entered letter is displayed
in the list.
The widget is made larger.
Tap on the icon.
The widget is made smaller.
Tap on the icon.
Operation via control display
The widget is deleted.
Add new page: tap "Add page".
General information
Depending on the equipment version, the con-
trol display is equipped with a touchscreen.
▷
▷
Delete selected page: tap "Delete
page".
You can tap on menu items and widgets.
Touch the control display with your fingers. Do
not use any objects.
▷
Adjust content of the widget: tap center
of widget.
4. Tap "Done".
Opening the main menu
Showing/hiding the display bar
Tap on the icon.
In the upper area of the control display, it is
possible to show or hide a display bar with
additional functions.
▷
To show the display bar, pull down the dis-
play bar at the top edge of the screen.
▷
To hide the display bar, pull up the display
bar at the top edge of the screen.
Changing between displays
After a menu item is selected, a new display
opens.
The main menu is displayed.
Adjusting widgets
An arrow indicates that additional displays can
be opened.
The widgets can be adjusted in the main
menu. It is possible to create multiple pages
with widgets and switch between pages. The
adjustments can only be performed when the
vehicle is stationary.
▷
▷
Swipe to the left.
Tap arrow.
The new display opens.
1. Select the desired page in the main menu.
Only the currently selected page can be ad-
justed.
2.
Tap the icon in the main menu.
3. Select the desired adjustment:
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Entering letters and numbers
BMW Intelligent Personal
Assistant
Input
1. Depending on vehicle equipment, either tap
Principle
the
icon on the control display, or a
keyboard is displayed on the control display
when approached.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is a
personal assistant that enables natural voice
operation of various vehicle functions. The
Personal Assistant simplifies the operation of
the vehicle with the automation of processes
and habits.
2. Enter desired letters and numbers.
Deleting
Icon Function
General information
Tapping the icon: deletes the letter or
number.
▷
BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is avail-
able depending on national-market version.
Tapping and holding the icon all letters:
deletes all letters or numbers.
▷
The system includes special microphones
on the driver side and the front passenger
side.
Using the map
The navigation map can be moved on the con-
trol display.
▷
▷
▷
Say commands at a normal volume.
Speaking directly into the microphone does
not improve the speech recognition.
Say the commands and numbers fluently
as well as with normal volume, emphasis,
and speed.
Function
Operation
Move map.
Swipe in the appropriate
direction.
›...‹ identifies commands that can be spo-
ken.
Enlarge/shrink
map.
Drag in or out with the fin-
gers.
Functional requirements
▷
Display menu.
Tap once.
A language that is supported by the Per-
sonal Assistant must be set via iDrive.
Using alphabetical lists
For alphabetical lists with more than 30 en-
tries, the letters for which an entry exists can
be displayed in a text box.
Setting the system language, refer to
page 64.
▷
Always say commands in the configured
system language.
1. Tap the letter in front of the list.
A letter box is displayed.
For the full range of functions, the following
functions should be activated, set or booked:
▷
Online speech processing, refer to
page 54.
2. Tap the first letter of the desired entry.
▷
For all settings under
BMW ConnectedDrive, see Owner's Manual
on navigation, entertainment, and commu-
nication.
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CONTROLS
▷
▷
▷
Activation word, refer to page 52.
A driver profile.
Preset activation word
The preset activation word ›Hello BMW‹ can
be activated and deactivated.
Synchronize driver profile, refer to
page 72.
1. "CAR"
▷
Relevant ConnectedDrive services from the
ConnectedDrive Store.
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
6. "Wake word"
Activating the voice control system
General information
There are various methods for activating the
voice control feature:
7. "Wake word"
Personal activation word
▷
▷
Press the button on the steering
In addition to a preset activation word ›Hello
BMW‹, a personal activation word can be set
up in the active driver profile. The personal ac-
tivation word can also be changed or deleted.
wheel.
The microphone on the driver's side is ac-
tive.
Say the activation word ›Hello BMW‹ or a
personal activation word.
The activation word should consist of multiple
syllables to ensure good recognition. An addi-
tion such as ›Hello‹ is not necessary.
The microphones on the driver's or front
passenger's side are active with the follow-
ing voice control, depending on where the
activation word was spoken.
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
Then say the command. The activation word
and the command can be spoken without
pause in one sentence. No other commands
may be available. In this case, operate the
function via iDrive.
6. "Wake word"
7. "Personal wake word"
8. "Set wake word"
9. Select the desired setting.
Button on the steering wheel
1.
Press the button on the steering
wheel briefly.
Activation word from third-party providers
2. Say the command.
Activation word
General information
Depending on the national-market version,
some third-party providers provide digital voice
assistants, e.g. Amazon Alexa.
Supported voice assistants can be used with
a connected smartphone in the vehicle. In ad-
dition to the preset or personal activation word,
Speaking the activation word ›Hello BMW‹ or
the personal activation word will start the sys-
tem.
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the activation word from connected third-party
providers can be used.
Communication
For example, when a mobile phone is con-
nected, calls can be started or SMS can be
sent.
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
▷
▷
▷
›Call John Doe on cell phone.‹
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
›Dial the number 1 8 0 0 8 3 1 1 1 1 7.‹
›New text message to John Doe: I'll be right
there.‹
6. "Third-party providers"
7. Select the desired setting.
Entertainment
▷
▷
›Play Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley‹
›Next title.‹
Canceling voice control
▷
Press the button on the steering
wheel again.
Climate control
▷
▷
›Turn off the air conditioning.‹
›I'm cold.‹
▷
▷
▷
›Cancel‹
Tilt the Controller to the right or left.
Press the Controller.
Windows and light
▷
▷
›Open the windows automatically.‹
Possible commands
›Delete activation point for automatic power
window.‹
General information
Most contents on the control display can be
spoken as commands, e.g. menu items or list
entries. Say list entries as shown.
▷
›Ambient lighting.‹
Owner's Manual via voice operation
You can ask simple questions about vehicle
functions and the operation of the vehicle.
Instructions can be issued or questions can be
asked where the Personal Assistant provides
support.
The voice activation system and the feed-
back it provides do not replace the printed or
Integrated Owner's Manual. The speech rec-
ognition and quality of the feedback may vary.
Function examples
›How can the passenger airbag be
deactivated‹
Vehicle status and vehicle information
▷
▷
▷
›Is my tire pressure still OK?‹
›Show me the sport displays.‹
›Open Owner's Manual.‹
The Personal Assistant returns feedback.
When stationary, the section of the integrated
Owner's Manual is displayed on the control
display.
Navigation
▷
›Drive me to 300 Chestnut Ridge Road,
Woodcliff Lake in New Jersey.‹
▷
▷
›Take me home.‹
›Are there any traffic messages?‹
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Menu items
canceled, for instance due to background noise
or conversations in the vehicle.
The commands of the menu items are spoken
just as they are selected via the Controller.
1. "CAR"
1. Activate the voice control system.
2. ›MEDIA‹
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
3. ›Presets‹
The stored stations are displayed on the con-
trol display.
6. "Speaking during voice output"
Help for voice control
Online speech processing
▷
›Voice commands‹: to have the available
spoken commands announced.
Online speech processing improves the quality
of the speech recognition and search results
for points of interest. To use the functions,
data is transmitted to a service provider via an
encrypted connection and stored locally there.
▷
›General information on voice control‹: have
information on the operating principle of the
voice control announced.
▷
›Help‹: have help for the current menu read
out loud.
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
Settings
Setting the voice control
You can set the system to use standard dialog
or a short version.
6. "Online speech processing"
The short version of the voice control plays
back short messages in abbreviated form.
Adjusting the volume
Turn the volume button during the voice guid-
ance until the desired volume is set.
1. "CAR"
The volume remains constant even if the vol-
ume of other audio sources is changed.
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. If necessary, "Personal assistant"
5. "Voice control"
Using the voice activation of the
smartphone
Depending on the device, a smartphone con-
nected to the vehicle can be used via voice
control.
6. "Response length"
7. Select the desired setting.
Speaking during voice output
It is possible to answer during inquiries of the
voice activation system. The function can be
deactivated if inquiries are often undesirably
The device must be connected via Apple Car-
Play or Android Auto.
1.
Press and hold the button on the
steering wheel for approx. 3 seconds.
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The voice activation of the smartphone is
activated.
Automating routines
General information
2.
Release the button.
The Personal Assistant can automate routines,
for instance the automatic activation of the
seat heating from a specific outside tempera-
ture. Rules are created for this purpose, which
can be activated and deactivated at any time.
If activation is successful, a confirmation
appears on the control display.
Amazon Alexa Car Integration
Principle
Activate/deactivate
1. "APPS"
Amazon Alexa Car Integration is available de-
pending on vehicle equipment and national-
market version. Alexa is a digital assistant
from Amazon. With Amazon Alexa Car Integra-
tion, Alexa can be used in the vehicle. For
safety reasons, the use of some Alexa func-
tions may be restricted while driving your vehi-
cle.
2. "Installed apps"
3. "Personal assistant"
4. "Automate habits"
5. Select the desired setting.
Caring Car
Functional requirement
Principle
▷
A driver profile is activated.
Different vehicle functions in the car's interior
are harmonized for the driver in a short-term
program.
▷
An active Amazon account must exist.
Activating Amazon Alexa Car
Integration
General information
By selecting a program, the interior lighting,
air conditioning and music selection will be ad-
justed. A program takes 3 minutes.
Amazon Alexa Car Integration is activated in
the My BMW app and in the vehicle.
Follow the instructions from the Amazon Alexa
app to set it up in the vehicle.
Activate/deactivate
1. "CAR"
1. "APPS"
2. "Installed apps"
3. "Amazon Alexa"
4. Select the desired setting.
2. "Caring Car"
3. Select the desired program.
The program can be stopped prematurely:
"End program"
After setting it up, use Amazon Alexa in the
vehicle as follows:
Say the activation word "Alexa" and the de-
sired command.
Adjusting a program
1. "CAR"
Information about the active function is dis-
played on the control display. If the function
is restricted, reconnect Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as
necessary.
2. "Caring Car"
3. Select the desired program.
4. "Music settings"
5. Select the desired setting.
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The camera in the headliner detects gestures
that are carried out in the area of the center
console at the height of the control display.
System limits
▷
The Personal Assistant provides informa-
tion about vehicle functions that may not be
installed in the vehicle.
Activate/deactivate
1. "CAR"
This also applies to safety functions and
systems.
2. "Settings"
▷
▷
Certain noises can be detected and may
lead to problems. Keep the doors, windows,
and glass sunroof closed.
3. "General settings"
4. "Gesture control"
5. "Gesture control"
Noises from the front passenger or occu-
pants can impair the system. Avoid making
other noise in the vehicle while speaking.
Settings
1. "CAR"
▷
▷
Major language dialects can cause prob-
lems with the speech recognition feature.
2. "Settings"
A poor data connection influences the re-
sponse time of the Personal Assistant and
the Search.
3. "General settings"
4. "Gesture control"
5. Select the desired setting.
BMW Gesture Control
Carrying out gestures
▷
Perform gestures underneath the interior
mirror and next to the steering wheel.
Principle
Several iDrive functions can be operated by
hand motion using BMW Gesture Control.
▷
▷
Execute gestures clearly.
The gestures can also be executed from
the front-passenger side.
Overview
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Possible gestures
Gesture
Operation
Move index finger forward and backward in the
Function
Accept call.
direction of the screen.
Select a highlighted entry in a
list during voice control.
Confirm pop-up.
Move hand across the width of the control dis-
play in the direction of the front-passenger side.
Reject call.
Close pop-up.
End voice control.
Slowly move hand clockwise in a circular pattern Increase the volume.
with the index finger stretched out forward.
Gesture is detected after one circular movement.
Slowly move forearm counterclockwise in a cir-
cular pattern with the index finger stretched out
forward.
Reduce the volume.
Gesture is detected after one circular movement.
Pinch with thumb and index finger and move
hand horizontally to the right or left.
Surround View: turn camera
view.
This gesture can only be exe-
cuted while the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
Move stretched out index and middle finger for- Individually assignable ges-
ward.
ture.
Move fist with thumb extended to the left back
and forth.
Reverse Skip function.
The previous title is played.
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Gesture
Operation
Function
Move fist with thumb extended to the right back Forward Skip function.
and forth.
The next title is played.
Stretch out five fingers, form a fist and stretch
five fingers out again.
Individually assignable ges-
ture.
▷
The gesture is executed outside of the de-
tection range.
Assigning gesture individually
General information
Two gestures can be assigned individually and
can be configured for certain functions such as:
▷
▷
Wearing of gloves or jewelry.
Smoking in the car's interior.
▷
▷
▷
Destination guidance to home address.
Mute/Playback
Control display on/off
Select function
1. "CAR"
2. "Settings"
3. "General settings"
4. "Gesture control"
5. "Function assignment gesture 1" or
"Function assignment gesture 2"
6. Select the desired setting.
System limits
Gesture recognition by the camera in the
headliner can be disturbed by the following cir-
cumstances:
▷
▷
▷
The camera lens is covered.
Objects are located on the interior mirror.
The camera lens is dirty, clean camera
lens.
Sensors and camera lenses, refer to
page 382.
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