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ASC+T Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
*
Reactivating the ASC+TPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with ASC+T. It will
always be the driver's responsibility to
drive in a manner that matches road
conditions. This is why you should not
use the additional safety margin the
system provides as an excuse to take
risks.<
The conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing
traction. In addition, it recognizes
unstable vehicle conditions, such as
under- or oversteering, and, within
physically feasible limits, helps keeping
the vehicle on a steady course by
reducing the engine speed and brake
applications to the individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you
start the engine. DSC incorporates the
ADB and CBC (Cornering Brake
Control) functions.
The Automatic Differential Brake (ADB)
relies on selective braking applications
at the drive wheels to furnish the func-
tionality of a conventional limited-slip
differential for enhanced traction in crit-
ical driving conditions such as those
encountered on snow-covered road
surfaces, etc.
The ADB is operational when DSC is
switched off.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly
after the ignition has been
switched on, refer to pages 18, 19.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking
forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off with the
button; ADB is operational.
ADB control intervention is not indi-
cated.
The indicator and the brake
warning lamps will remain on
continuously:
The DSC, ADB and DBC have
been switched off with the
button or are defective.
The vehicle will remain completely
operational, however, without DSC. In
the event of a fault, please consult your
BMW center, refer to pages 18, 19.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
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Driving notes Antilock Brake System
Brakes: do not drive with your foot
resting on the brake pedal. Even
light but consistent pressure on the
brake pedal can lead to high tempera-
tures, accelerated brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.
Aquaplaning: when driving on wet or
slushy roads, reduce your speed. If you
do not, a wedge of water may form
between tires and road surface. This
phenomenon can lead to partial or
complete loss of contact between the
tires and road surface, vehicle control
and braking ability.
Driving through water: do not drive
through water on the road if it is deeper
than 1 ft (30 cm), and then only at
walking speed. Otherwise, the vehicle's
engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.
Rear parcel tray: never use it to store
heavy or hard objects, as otherwise
occupants could be injured during
braking maneuvers.
Clothes hooks: when hanging clothing
from the hooks, be sure that they will
not obstruct the driver's vision. Do not
hang heavy objects on the hooks. If you
do so, they could cause personal injury
during braking or evasive maneuvers.<
The conceptThe Antilock Brake System (ABS) keeps
the wheels from locking during braking,
thereby enhancing active driving safety.Braking with ABSIf you are in a situation that requires full
braking, you will exploit the full benefits
of the ABS system if you apply
maximum pedal pressure (panic stop).
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can avoid possible
obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort, despite the full brake application.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combined
with sounds from the hydraulic circuits
indicates to the driver that ABS is in its
active mode.
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Information for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and Ð above all else
Ð driving safety that depend on the
condition of the tires and the mainte-
nance of the specified tire inflation
pressure.
Incorrect tire inflation pressure is
a frequent cause of tire damage. It
also significantly influences the road-
holding ability of your BMW.
Be sure to check the tire inflation pres-
sure, including the space-saver spare
tire or the spare tire, on a regular basis,
at least twice a month and before every
extended journey, refer to page 24. If
this is not done, incorrect tire pressures
can cause driving instability and tire
damage, ultimately resulting in acci-
dents.<
Tire tread Ð tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread
wear, signs of damage and for foreign
objects lodged in the tread. Check the
tread depth.
Tread depth should not be allowed to
go below 0.12 in (3 mm), even though
the legally specified minimum tread
depth is 0.063 in (1.6 mm). Tread wear
indicators (arrow) are embedded in the
base of the tire's tread. Their locations
are indicated by the legend TWI Ð Tread
Wear Indicator Ð at various points on
the tire's shoulder. When the tread
reaches a depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm),
these indicators appear to signal that
the tires have worn to the minimum
legal level. Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread
depth, there is an increased risk of
aquaplaning, even at relatively
moderate speeds and with only small
amounts of water on the road.
Do not drive on a deflated (flat)
tire. A flat tire greatly impairs
steering and braking response, and can
lead to complete loss of control over
the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that
the permitted load on the tires is not
exceeded. Overloading can lead to
overheating and increases the rate at
which damage develops inside the
tires. The ultimate result can assume
the form of a sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate a
flat tire or some other vehicle malfunc-
tion. The type of problem can be
caused by contact with curbs, etc. This
is also true for irregularities in the
vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the
left or right. Should this occur, respond
by immediately reducing your speed.
Proceed carefully to the nearest BMW
center or professional tire center, or
have the vehicle towed in to have it, its
wheels and tires inspected.
Tire inflation pressures
Tire condition
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Winter tiresChoosing the right tireBMW recommends winter tires (M+S
radial tires) for operation under
inclement winter driving conditions.
While all-season tires (M+S designa-
tion) provide better winter traction than
summer tires with the load ratings H, V,
W, Y and ZR, they generally do not
achieve the performance of winter tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and
steering response, install winter tires
made by the same manufacturer having
the same tread configuration on all four
wheels.Never exceed the maximum
speed for which the winter tires
are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and
accidents.
Have this work performed by trained
professionals only. Any BMW center
has the required technical knowledge
and the proper equipment and will be
happy to assist you.<
Tire condition, tire pressureOnce the tire wears to below 0.16 in
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope
with winter driving conditions, and
should be replaced in the interest of
safety.
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures Ð and be sure to have the
wheel and tire assemblies balanced
every time you change the tires.
StorageAlways store tires in a cool, dry place.
Store them away from light whenever
possible. Protect the tires against
contact with oil, grease and fuel.Snow chains
*
BMW narrow-link snow chains are
intended for mounting on summer or
winter tires in pairs at the rear wheels
only. Comply with all manufacturer's
safety precautions when mounting the
chains.
You cannot mount snow chains on the
following tires:
225/50 R 16 92
225/45 R 17 91
245/40 ZR 17
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Changing a wheel
Safety precautions in the event of
a flat tire or wheel change:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Park on a firm support
surface. Switch on the hazard warning
flashers. Turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position, remove the key
and engage the steering lock. Shift into
1st or reverse (selector lever in Park
with automatic transmission) and
engage the parking brake.
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail,
for example).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on
the roadside at an appropriate distance
from the rear of the vehicle. Comply
with all local safety guidelines and
regulations.
Change the wheel only on a level, firm
surface which is not slippery. Avoid
jacking the vehicle on a soft or slippery
support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the
jack could slip sideways.
Position the jack on a firm support
surface.
Do not place wooden blocks or similar
objects under the jack. They could
prevent the jack from extending to its
full height and reduce its support
capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported
by the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
Your BMW is equipped with a spare tire
or a space-saver tire designed for
temporary use in maintaining the
vehicle's mobility in an emergency.
To remove the spare tire, lift the
floor panel in the luggage
compartment completely out, refer to
page 35.<
What you will needIn order to avoid rattling noises later,
note the position of the tools when you
remove them and return them to their
original position when you are done
using them.
>Jack 1
Lift the floor panel within the luggage
compartment, refer to page 35 and
undo the red wingnut (arrow).
When you have completed work,
screw the jack all the way back
down. Fold the handle back and
insert it in its holder
>Chock 2
Located behind the jack on the wall
in the luggage compartment. Loosen
the wing nut to remove it
126n
Changing a wheelAlways use BMW-approved balance
weights on black-finished aluminum-
alloy wheels. Never allow anyone to
attempt to balance these wheels using
conventional rim-clip balance weights.Driving with the space-saver
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle
handling such as delayed braking
response, longer braking distances and
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics
will be even more pronounced if winter
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire
may be mounted at a time. Rein-
stall wheels and tires of the same size
and specification as soon as possible.
Maintain correct tire pressures. Refer to
page 25.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consists of self-contained
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains
some residual safety in the event of
pressure drop and driving remains
possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor,
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor
refer to pages 73 bzw. 75.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to
reach a safe parking location, a service
station or the nearest BMW center.
With a low vehicle load, this can also be
considerably more than 155 miles
(250 km).Safety tires are only possible in
conjunction with Tire Pressure
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor.<
If the defective wheel can not be seen
as such immediately from the outside,
check the tire inflation pressure at all
four wheels.
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center. For safety reasons,
do not have a safety tire repaired. Your
BMW center has the information
needed for working with safety tires
and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
If appropriate, please consult your
BMW center to reequip your
vehicle from summer to winter tires Ð or
vice versa.<
Everything from A to ZA
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)19, 99
Acceleration traction control,
refer to DSC71
Accessories10
Activated-charcoal filter86
Adaptive Transmission
Control (ATC)58
ADB (Automatic Differential
Brake)71
Adding
brake fluid112
coolant111
engine oil109
washer fluid108
Adjusting
head restraints43
lumbar support42
manual seat41
power seat42
steering wheel46
thigh support41
Air conditioning80
temperature settings81
Air distribution81, 84 Air nozzles80, 83
Air outlets80, 83
ventilation80
Air supply81, 84
Airbags18, 48
sitting correctly40
Alarm system36
Antifreeze111
radiator111
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)19, 99
Anti-theft system36
Aquaplaning99
Armrest87
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus Traction)70
Ashtray
front89
rear90
ATC (Adaptive Transmission
Control)58
Attach vehicle vacuum
cleaner89
AUC (Automatic
recirculated-air
control)85
Automatic climate
control83
temperature settings84 Automatic cruise control62
Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB)71
Automatic headlight
control77
Automatic recirculated-air
control (AUC)85
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction (ASC+T)70
Automatic transmission57
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic18, 57
Automatic-dimming inside
rearview mirror48
Average consumption68
Average speed68
Axle loads134
B
Backrest
adjusting41
releasing43
Backup lamps56
bulb replacement121
Battery127
charge current indicator
lamp17
charging127 Beverage holder88
Blower81, 84
BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil110
BMW Maintenance
System113
BMW sports seat
manual adjustment41
power adjustment42
Bore132
Bottle holder, refer to
beverage holder88
Brake fluid112
Brake hydraulic system17
Brake lamps
bulb replacement121
Brake system100
brake fluid level100
brake pads100
brake pads, indicator19
disc brakes100
Brake system, brake
malfunction100
Break-in procedure98
Bulbs and lamps,
replacement118
A-Z
Everything from A to Z
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OverviewControlsMaintenancRepairsDataIndex
I
Ice warning67
Icy roads67
Ignition keys28
Ignition lock54
Imprint4
Indicator lamps17
Inflation pressures,
tires24, 25, 101
Inside rearview mirror
automatic-dimming
feature48
INSPECTION65
Instrument cluster15
Instrument lighting78
Instruments15
Interface socket
for Onboard
Diagnostics115
Interior lamps30, 79
remote control30
Interior motion sensor36
switching off37
Interior rearview mirror47
Interlock54
J
Jack123
Jump-starting128 K
Key Memory53
Key with remote control
unit28
Keys28 L
Lamps and bulbs,
replacement118
Lashing eyes93
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system51
Length133
License plate lamp
bulb replacement122
Litter bag holder88
Load-securing devices93
Lock buttons32
Louvers80
Low beams77
bulb replacement119
Lug wrench123 Luggage compartment35
capacity134
floor mat35
floor panel35
secure separately33
Luggage compartment lid
electrical malfunction33
emergency release from
luggage compartment's
interior35
manual operation33
remote control30
Luggage compartment
lighting33
Luggage rack94
Lumbar support42
M
M+S tires105
Maintenance65, 113
Malfunction displays66
Manual operation
doors31
fuel filler door22
luggage compartment
lid33
sliding/tilt sunroof39
Manual seat adjustment41
Manual transmission56 Manually controlled
recirculated-air85
Master key28
MFL (Multifunction steering
wheel)21
Microfilter82, 86
Mirror heating47
Mirror memory45
Mirrors47
Modifications,
technical10, 114
Motion sensor, refer to
interior motion sensor
Multifunction steering wheel
(MFL)21
O
OBD interface socket115
Odometer64
Oil
additives109
capacity135
consumption109
quality110
specifications110
viscosity110