See also:

Opening the main menu
Press the button. The main menu is displayed. All iDrive functions can be called up via the main menu. ...

Releasing
With the ignition switched on: Manual transmission: Press the switch while the brake or clutch is pressed. Automatic transmission: Press the switch while the brake is pressed or transmission ...

When the vehicle is parked
If you still want to view the time, external temperature and odometer reading briefly after the remote control has been taken out of the ignition lock: Press button 1 in the instrument cluster. ...