Driving
64 in stop-and-go traffic, etc. As the vehicle
then no longer tends to "creep" when a
driving position is engaged, it is no longer
necessary to hold the vehicle by
depressing the brake pedal.
It prevents the vehicle from rolling back-
ward during uphill starts.
The parking brake also engages automati-
cally when you switch off the engine after
stopping the vehicle.
You can activate and deactivate the Auto-
matic Hold feature by selecting the
"Settings" menu in the Control Center. A
description of the Control Center is
provided on page 19.
Automatic Hold activation /
deactivation 1.Select the "Settings" menu
2.Confirm your selection
3.Select "Auto P." Press the controller to
activate/deactivate the desired function.
>Automatic Hold is activated.
The green "Auto P" status message in the
Info Display shows you that the system is
ready for operation.
>Automatic Hold is deactivated.
The green "Auto P" message disappears
from the Info Display panel.
You can program the programmable
function button on the steering wheel
to control the Automatic Hold function,
refer to page 53.
This will allow you to activate and deacti-
vate the Automatic Hold function quickly
and without distraction from traffic and
road conditions.< You can also deactivate Auto-
matic Hold by pressing the
button while the vehicle is
stationary. The vehicle remains
stationary, the indicator lamp
changes from green to red. Press the
button again to release the parking brake.
Driving with Automatic Hold The parking brake engages automatically
when the vehicle comes to a stop. The indi-
cator lamp in the Info Display
appears in green.
To start off again, simply depress the
accelerator pedal. The parking brake
disengages automatically, and the indi-
cator lamp goes out.
Do not drive through an automatic car
wash with the Automatic Hold on and
the engine running. The system would
engage the parking brake while the vehicle
is stationary.
the engine. The indicator lamp
changes from green to red.
Provided that the remote control unit
is engaged in the ignition lock, you
can also release the parking brake manu-
ally after switching off the engine, refer to
page 63. This option is useful in automatic
car washes, etc.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control unit from
the detent in the ignition lock; this precau-
tion prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.
>the engine is switched off
>the system determines that the driver's
seat is not occupied while the engine is
running
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
65
>the hood is opened while the engine is
running
>the luggage compartment is opened
with the transmission in reverse while the
engine is running, and
>when the parking brake is used to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
The indicator lamp shifts from green
to red, and the "Auto P" message disap-
pears from the Info Display.
Before starting off again, briefly press the
button to disengage the parking brake
manually, refer to page 63, or reactivate
Automatic Hold, refer to page 64.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, always move the
automatic transmission's selector lever to
position P and ensure that the parking
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start to
roll if you fail to observe these precautions.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic Hold is automatically
deactivated whenever the system
detects any tendency for the wheels to spin
in response to slippery road surfaces. Note
the status displays in the Check Control
panel. You can find more detailed informa-
tion on Check Control on page 80.< Malfunctions In the event of malfunction, the indicator
lamp in the Info Display will light up
yellow, and a status report will appear in
the Check Control panel. Please remember
to observe the supplementary information
provided in the Control Display. To disengage the parking brake
manually You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the parking brake manually.
Before proceeding to release the
parking brake manually, and each
time you park the vehicle without engaging the parking brake, always ensure that the
automatic transmission's selector lever is
in position P, refer to page 66. Note the
range indicated in the Info Display.
If it is not possible to avoid parking on an
extremely steep slope, use some supple-
mentary means, such as a wheel chock, to
make certain that the vehicle will not roll,
refer to page 184. Otherwise the danger
exists that the vehicle could roll when
parked on a very steep hill.<
Should it be necessary to release the auto-
matic transmission's lockout manually, for
instance, if the battery is discharged,
always adhere to the following sequence:
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing
the parking brake
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to page 70.
Towing and jump-starting, refer to
pages 187 and 188.
What you will need 1Screwdriver handle
2Emergency-release tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the tool kit
mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page 181.
Insert the emergency-release tool in the
screwdriver handle as shown in the illustra-
tion.
Driving
66
To release 1.Remove the floor mat and the cover on
the spare tire
2.Guide the emergency-release tool with
the screwdriver handle into the opening,
arrow 1
3.Apply the open-end wrench to the
hexagon on the emergency-release tool.
Press against the resistance from the
spring to guide the emergency-release tool
all the way in, then hold it in place. Turn the
emergency-release tool in the direction
indicated by the arrow 2, continuing until
you hear the mechanism snap into place
and feel resistance; maintain pressure on
the tool after the mechanism engages
4.Use the open-end wrench to turn the
emergency-release tool against the drive
unit's mechanical resistance, continuing to
rotate it in arrow direction 2 until you feel a
substantial increase in turning effort.
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor
mat to their original locations.
Have any defects repaired at the
nearest BMW center. The technicians
can also return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been
released manually in response to malfunc-
tion.<
Following manual release, the actual
status of the parking brake may vary
from that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Operation after interruptions in
power supply
The parking brake may only be used
again, if it is released manually after
an interruption in power supply, i. e. as a
result of a discharged or disconnected
battery. If this is not done, the parking
brake may fail to operate correctly. Even
with the parking brake engaged, there
would be a danger of the vehicle rolling on
steep hills.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored you can again use the parking
brake:
With the ignition on and the
vehicle stationary, tap the
button three times at intervals
of approx. 5 seconds. This
initializes the system as follows:
>Initializing the disengaged setting
>Engage Ð the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initialized.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
appears in red
>Release Ð the parking brake is ready for
operation. The indicator lamp in the
Info Display goes out.
Automatic transmission
with L mode While you can drive as with a conventional
automatic transmission, you also have the
option of retaining your current gear selec-
tion with the L/D button on the steering
wheel, refer to page 68. Transmission ranges
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
67
P R N D Program displayL1 Ð L6 Buttons on steering wheel L/D Ð Selecting transmission range
The selector lever is at the center
position. To select transmission
ranges D, R or N, always start by pulling
toward the steering wheel, arrow 1, then
press up or down. Note the range indicated
in the Info Display.<
>Range D or R:
Press the selector lever up or down,
continuing to apply pressure to move it
past the detent
>Neutral N:
Press the selector lever as far as, but not
beyond, the detent (resistance)
>Park P:
Press button P, arrow 2.
The selector lever immediately returns to
the center position when released.
Depress the brake pedal before
shifting out of P or N; the shift command will not be executed unless the
brake is applied Ð Shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a range, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.
You can activate the Automatic Hold
feature to suppress the vehicle's tendency
to creep when a driving position is engaged
at idle, refer to page 63.<
Shift commands are transmitted electroni-
cally. To help avoid malfunctions, each
command undergoes a plausibility check
prior to execution.
Remember to observe the Check Control
for status messages.
You can find additional information on the
Check Control on page 80.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage
the parking brake before leaving the
vehicle with the engine running. Note the
information provided in the Info Display.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P Ñ Park
Press the button. Select only when the
vehicle is stationary. The transmission
lockout prevents the rear wheels from
turning. The lockout disengages when you
press the selector lever toward D, N or R
while the engine is running.
P is automatically engaged when you
remove the remote control unit from
the ignition lock after parking the vehicle.<
R Ñ Reverse
Press the selector lever upward,
continuing to apply pressure to move it
past the detent. Select R only when the
vehicle is completely stopped.
N Neutral Ð Neutral
Press the selector lever as far as the
detent, but no further. Select N only if your
journey is interrupted for a long period.
>From D press the selector lever up
Driving
68 >From R press the selector lever down.
Note the arrows indicating direction in the
range display.
N is selected automatically whenever
the remote control unit remains
locked in the ignition lock after the ignition
is switched off. This function is useful in
automatic car washes, etc.
After approx. 30 minutes the system auto-
matically engages P. Remember to
observe the Check Control for status
messages.<
D Drive Ð Automatic
Press the selector lever down,
continuing to apply pressure to move it
past the detent. This is the range recom-
mended for normal vehicle operation. All
forward gears are available.
Kickdown The kickdown mode provides maximum
acceleration. Press the accelerator pedal
beyond full-throttle detent point. L mode We recommend the L mode for times when
you wish to suppress certain shifts, for
instance, when ascending or descending
steep grades. When the L mode is activated the transmis-
sion remains in your current gear, which
also appears in the Info Display, refer to
page 67. The transmission continues to
shift through the available ratios, but does
not proceed beyond the gear in the display.
To activate the L mode Press the L/D button on the steering wheel.
The transmission downshifts when you tap
the buttons on the rim of the steering
wheel. The newly selected limit appears in
the Info Display.
The transmission only executes downshifts
that will result in a plausible combination of
vehicle and engine speeds. The transmis-
sion will no longer execute upshifts beyond
the selected range.
Deactivate the L mode to obtain
maximum acceleration for overtaking
maneuvers, etc.<
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
69
To deactivate the L mode >Press the L/D button or
>press the selector lever into position D
once again. Automatic transmission
with Steptronic Canadian models only While you can drive as with any conven-
tional automatic transmission, you also
enjoy the option of shifting manually at the
steering wheel, refer to the next column. Transmission rangesP R N D Program displayS or M1 Ð M6Buttons on steering wheel S/M/D + Ð To select a transmission range The procedure for selecting transmission
ranges is the same as that employed in the
L mode, refer to page 67.
Sport program and manual operationWhen you press the S/M/D button on the
steering wheel once, the system responds
by activating the transmission's Sport
program, as indicated by the letter S in the
Info Display, refer to previous column. We
recommend this program for performance-
oriented driving.
When you press the S/M/D button a
second time the transmission switches to
its manual mode; press again to return to
the automatic program.
You can also return to the standard auto-
matic program by reselecting D.
In the manual mode the transmission
upshifts when you briefly tap the buttons
on the rear of the steering wheel. You
downshift by briefly pressing the buttons
on the front of the steering wheel. The Info
Display shows the manual ranges M1
through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are excecuted
only when they will result in a plausible
combination of engine and vehicle speed;
thus (for example) a downshift that would
cause the engine to overrev will not be
executed by the system. The selected gear
appears briefly in the Info Display, followed
by the current gear.
Driving
70 To obtain maximum acceleration (for
passing maneuvers, etc.) during
operation in the manual mode, use the
kickdown or downshift manually.<
Malfunctions A status message will appear in the Check
Control panel to alert you to any malfunc-
tions in the transmission-control system.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears in the Control Display. The
directional arrows also start to flash in the
Info Display.
While it will remain still possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position,
the transmission will revert to operation in
its default mode with only a limited number
of forward gears.
Some types of malfunction will make it
impossible to engage all gears.
The engine may respond with reduced
output when accelerating from a standing
start.
If this happens, avoid extreme engine loads
and consult the nearest BMW center.
If no status messages appear in the
Info Display you should accelerate
carefully to confirm that you are driving in
the desired direction.
Never work in the engine compartment
with any of the forward or reverse gears
engaged, as the vehicle could start to
move. Engage the parking brake, refer to
page 62.< Manual release of transmission
lockout You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the transmission lockout
manually.
To prevent the drive wheels from
locking up and sliding, the transmis-
sion lockout must always be released
manually before the vehicle is towed.<
Press the brake pedal before
releasing the transmission lockout manually. If the brakes are not applied, the
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a
steep slope.
The transmission lockout should only be
released for towing. Remember to engage
the transmission lockout when you repark
the vehicle after moving it.
Should it also be necessary to release the
parking brake manually (owing to a
discharged battery, etc.), always adhere to
the following sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking
brake, refer to page 65
2.Then proceed to manually release the
transmission lockout.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 187 and 188.
To release 1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover
panel beneath the instrument panel by
turning the lock counterclockwise, then
fold down the cover
2.Use the strap 1 to pull out the release
lever, continuing until it snaps into place Ð
the transmission lockout is released.
Re-engage the transmission lockout
after parking the vehicle at its destina-
tion. Otherwise there is a danger that the
At a glanceControlsDriving tipsCommunicationsNavigationEntertainmentMobilityReference
71
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a
steep slope.< To re-engage the lockout 1.Disengage the release lever by pressing
it together with the red detent lever,
arrow 1
2.Guide the release lever all the way back
into its original position Ð the transmission
lockout is again engaged
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel. Now Ð
and not before Ð the key may be removed.
Once the transmission lockout has
been re-engaged, the warning in the
Check Control should disappear, and the
symbol in the Info Display should change
from N to P. Should this fail to happen,
there is a danger that the vehicle could
start to roll.<
Information on jump-starting, tow-starting
and towing begins on page 187. Turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher1High beams Ð blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher Ð blue indicator lamp 3Turn signal indicators Ð the green indi-
cator lamp flashes, accompanied by a peri-
odic ticking from the turn signal indicator
relay.
To use the turn signal indicatorsMove the lever beyond the detent position.
It then returns to the center position when
released. Press the lever as far as the
detent to switch off the turn signals. To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the
detent. It then returns to the center position
when released.
If the flashing of the indicator lamp and the
ticking from the relay are both faster than
normal, this indicates that one of the bulbs
is defective; if a trailer is attached, this
could also indicate that one of its turn
signal indicator bulbs is defective. Wiper system1Standard wiper speed: press briefly one
time.
Fast wipe: briefly press twice
2To switch off wipers or for brief wipe
3To activate/deactivate rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level.
The lever automatically returns to its
initial position when released.<