2002 BMW 325i TOURING Owner's Manual

73n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* Ð BMW 325i
The conceptThe Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
maintains vehicle stability, even in crit-
ical 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, as far as is
possible within the laws of physics,
helps keeping the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing engine speed and
brake applications to the individual
wheels.
DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC incorporates the func-
tionality of the Automatic Differential
Brake (ADB) and the Cornering Brake
Control (CBC).
ADB (Automatic Differential Brake)
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 in standby mode when DSC
is switched off.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in 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 via the
button; ADB is operational.
ADB control intervention is not indi-
cated.
The indicator lamp and the
brake warning lamps remain on
continuously:
The DSC, ADB and DBC have
been switched off via the button
or are defective.
The vehicle will remain completely
operational, however, without DSC. In
the event of a fault, please see your
BMW center, refer to pages 18, 19.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Canadian models.
To switch DSC off/activate ADBPress the DSC button briefly; the indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC is switched off; ADB is opera-
tional.
In the following rare situations, it may
be effective to activate the ADB for a
brief period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving on snow-covered
grades, in deep snow, or on a snow-
covered surface that has been
packed down from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
Traction is increased by deactivating
the control systems that enhance trac-
tion under normal conditions.

74n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* Ð BMW 325i
Switch the DSC and ADB offHold the DSC button down for at least
3 seconds. The indicator and the yellow
brake warning lamps will remain on
continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and
traction are deactivated, and there is no
active braking intervention or torque
control.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC
switched on whenever possible.<
Switch DSC and ADB back onPress the button again; the indicator
lamps will go out
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. 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.
When ADB is in its standby mode, DSC
is deactivated; DSC does not intervene
to enhance vehicle stability under these
conditions.
Do not make any modifications to the
DSC system. Allow only authorized
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the
brake pedal by automatically braking
the vehicle with maximum boost to
achieve the shortest-possible braking
distances during "panic stops". This
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted
against the brake pedal until the
braking maneuver has been completed.
DBC is deactivated when you release
the brake pedal.

75n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Ð BMW 325xiThe 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, as far as is
possible within the laws of physics,
helps keeping the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing the engine speed
and brake applications to the individual
wheels.
DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC includes the functions
of ADB-X and CBC.
The Automatic Differential Brake
(ADB-X) enhances traction in critical
situations (such as those encountered
on snow-covered roads) by using
selective braking intervention to replace
the limited-slip functions executed by
the differential and transfer case in
conventional drivetrains.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in 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 via the
button; ADB-X is operational.
ADB-X control intervention is not indi-
cated.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out
when you press the DSC button,
this indicates a malfunction in the DSC
and ADB-X systems; the stability
enhancement functions described on
the left are no longer available.<
The vehicle will remain completely
operational, however, without DSC. In
the event of a malfunction, please
consult your BMW center, refer to
pages 18, 19.
To deactivate DSCPress the DSC button briefly, the indi-
cator lamp comes on and remains lit.
DSC is switched off, and ADB-X reverts
to its maximum torque-transfer mode.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability,
always drive with the DSC
switched on whenever possible.<

76n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Ð BMW 325xiTo switch DSC back onPress the button again; the indicator
lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. 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 system does not intervene to
enhance vehicle stability when
switched off. Do not make any modifi-
cations to the DSC system. Allow only
authorized technicians to perform
service procedures on the DSC.<

77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Hill Descent Control (HDC) Ð BMW 325xiThe conceptBy reducing the vehicle's speed on
steep downhill stretches, HDC main-
tains predictable vehicle handling
response to provide you with control of
your BMW during extreme descents.
The vehicle slows to a pace just slightly
faster than walking speed.
HDC is available for activation at
vehicle speeds below approx. 22 mph
(35 km/h). When driving down steep
hills, the vehicle reduces speed auto-
matically down to slightly more than
double walking speed (approx. 8 mph/
12 km/h) and then maintains this speed
at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes
to vary this automatically controlled
speed within a range extending from
approx. 3 mph (5 km/h) to 15 mph
(25 km/h).
In conjunction with the multifunction
steering wheel, you can use the
+/Ð button to set the cruise control to a
target speed in the range from approx.
3 mph (5 km/h) to 15 mph (25 km/h).
HDC is automatically deactivated once
vehicle speed again exceeds approx.
35 mph (60 km/h).
To activate the systemPress the HDC button; the green indi-
cator lamp integrated within the button
comes on.
The indicator lamp flashes whenever
the system is actively intervening to
control your speed with automatic
brake applications.To deactivate the systemPress the button again, the indicator
lamp goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated once
the vehicle accelerates to more than
35 mph (60 km/h) as well as whenever
you switch off the ignition.
To use HDCWith manual transmission:
You should always ensure that either
reverse or first gear is engaged before
using HDC, as the engine's braking
effect is most pronounced in these
gears, and only reduced engine braking
is available in higher gears.
With automatic transmission:
HDC is available for use in all ranges.System malfunctionsSignalled by the indicator lamp, which
responds to problems by going out
while HDC is in operation or by failing
to come on when you activate the
system:
HDC is temporarily not available if
brake temperature is too high.
If the DSC indicator lamp comes
on at the same time:
There is a fault in the HDC and
DSC systems. Have your BMW center
inspect this system as soon as
possible.

78n
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
The conceptRDC monitors the tire pressures at all
four wheels while the vehicle is moving.
The system provides an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly
below the specified pressure in one or
more tires.
In order for the system to learn the
correct tire inflation pressure, check the
inflation pressure in all tires according
to the inflation pressure table on
page 25 and make corrections as
necessary. Then activate the system.
This indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will inform you if
the tire pressure is not correct.
To activate the system1. Turn ignition key to position 2 (do not
start the engine)
2. Press the button long enough for the
yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster to light up for a few
seconds
3. After a few minutes driving time, the
RDC adopts the current pressure
levels as the reference, and from that
point on, can detect and report a flat
tire.
You will only have to repeat this proce-
dure following a correction of the tire
inflation pressure. Otherwise, RDC
functions automatically when the igni-
tion key is in position 2, and thus oper-
ates whenever the vehicle is driven.
In the event of loss in inflation
pressureIf the inflation pressure has dropped
significantly over a long period of time
(which is normal for any tire), the yellow
indicator lamp will come on.
This alerts you to have the tires inflated
to the specified pressures as soon as
possible.
If you are prompted to check the
tire pressure shortly after a
correction has been made, this indi-
cates that the corrected values were
not accurate. Please check the inflation
pressure again and make corrections
according to the inflation pressure
table. Then activate the system once
again.<

79n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)
*
In the event of a flat tireIf there is a tire failure with loss of pres-
sure, the indicator lamp comes on with
a red lamp. In addition, an acoustic
signal is sounded.
If this occurs, reduce vehicle speed
immediately and stop the vehicle in a
safe location. Avoid hard brake applica-
tions. Do not oversteer. Replace the
wheel and flat tire.
The space-saver spare tire is
provided for temporary use only in
the case of a tire failure. It does not
have RDC electronics and is not moni-
tored. The spare tire
that has the same
dimensions as the tires already
mounted on the vehicle is equipped
with the necessary RDC electronics
and will be also monitored once the
tires have been mounted and the
system activated.<
RDC cannot alert you to severe
and sudden tire damage caused
by external factors.<
Have the tires changed by your
BMW center.
Your BMW center has the information
needed for working with RDC and is
equipped with the necessary special
tools.<
System interferenceLocal devices using the same radio
frequency can interfere with RDC.
The yellow indicator lamp will come on
during the malfunction.
The indicator lamp also comes on
>in the event of a system fault
>if a wheel is mounted without the
appropriate electronics
>if, in addition to the spare tire, addi-
tional wheels with RDC electronics
are on board.
Please contact your BMW center for
additional information.

80n
Flat Tire Monitor
*
The conceptAs you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor
keeps track of pressure levels in all four
tires in order to detect and warn of any
substantial pressure loss.
The system actually detects pressure
loss by monitoring differences in the
relative speeds of the four wheels. It
interprets variations outside specified
limits as severe pressure loss, and then
responds by generating a warning.
To initialize the systemInitializing is necessary to familiarize the
system with the correct inflation pres-
sure.
Repeat this process after any changes
in tire inflation pressure, tire rotation or
replacement. Do not carry out further
system initialization after adjusting the
inflation pressure and letting the system
"learn" the correct pressures.
1. Check the tire inflation pressure in all
the tires, comparing them with the
inflation pressure table on page 25,
and correct their pressure if neces-
sary
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Press button as long as you need to
until the indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up. After a little
while, the indicator lamp will go out
by itself
4. After a few minutes driving time, the
Flat Tire Monitor adopts the current
pressure levels as the reference, and
from that point on, can detect and
report a flat tire.