Driving
68
P Ñ Park
Press the button.
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The transmission lockout prevents the rear
wheels from turning. The lockout disen-
gages when you press the selector lever
toward D, N or R while the engine is run-
ning.
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, con-
tinuing to apply pressure to move it past
the detent. Select R only when the vehicle
is stationary.
N 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
>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 mes-
sages.<
D Drive Ð Automatic
Press the selector lever down, con-
tinuing beyond the detent. This is the range
recommended for normal vehicle opera-
tion. All forward gears are available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in
position D.
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.
Activating the L mode
Press the L/D button on the steering wheel.
The transmission downshifts when you
press the buttons on the rim of the steering
wheel briefly. 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.
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69
Deactivate the L mode to obtain max-
imum acceleration for overtaking
maneuvers, etc.<
Deactivating the L mode
>Press the L/D button or
>press the selector lever into position D
once again.
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic*
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 ranges
P R N D
Program display
S or M1 Ð M6
Buttons on steering wheel
S/M/D + Ð
Selecting 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 operation
When you press the S/M/D button on the
steering wheel once, the system responds
by activating the transmission's Sport pro-
gram, as indicated by the letter S in the Info
Display, refer to previous column. We rec-
ommend this program for performance-ori-
ented 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 executed only
when they will result in a plausible combi-
nation 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 report will appear in the Check
Control to alert you to any malfunctions in
the transmission-control system. Please
note any supplementary information that
appears in the Control Display. The direc-
tional 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.<
Releasing transmission lockout
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 transmission lockout man-
ually.
To prevent the drive wheels from
locking up and sliding, the transmis-
sion lockout must always be released man-
ually 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 dis-
charged 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 202 and 203.
Releasing
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
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71
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
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a
steep slope.<
Engaging again
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 transmis-
sion 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 202.
Turn signal indicators/
headlamp flasher
1High beams Ð blue indicator lamp
2Headlamp flasher Ð blue indicator lamp
3Turn signal indicators Ð the green indi-
cator lamp flashes, accompanied by a
periodic ticking from the turn signal
indicator relay
Using turn signal indicators
Move 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 signal indica-
tors.
Signaling briefly
Press 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.
Driving
80 Be certain to deactivate the system
when you pull into an exit lane for a
highway off-ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered
manner on a highway may cause a delay in
the system's reaction to a vehicle in front of
you or may cause the system to react to a
vehicle actually in the lane next to you.
Always be ready to take action or apply the
brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate
the vehicle to approx. 20 mph (30 km/h). If
the system reduces vehicle speed below
20 mph (30 km/h) or if DSC/ABS is
engaged while driving, the system will
automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop
your vehicle. In addition, the system is
deactivated whenever the driver applies
the vehicle brakes, shifts the transmission
from drive/D to neutral/N, or deactivates
DSC. After any deactivation, the system
will no longer automatically activate the
vehicle brakes, which means the driver
must intervene and resume manual
braking. You should then reactivate the
system only when you are fully aware of the
prior speed and distance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however,
the driver must constantly monitor traffic
and intervene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off,
too, and any settings you have selected are
canceled.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system,
it is possible that in curves or on the peaks
and valleys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead
may be recognized late, or not at all. There-
fore, it is up to the driver to select a speed
that is prudent in view of the curves and
terrain of the roadway.
In approaching a curve, it is possible that
active cruise control would react briefly to a
vehicle in the adjacent lane. In addition, the
system can sense if your vehicle is in a
curve and may not accelerate. If your
vehicle decelerates in either case, you can
choose to overcome the deceleration by
briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.
Driver interventions
Anytime the driver presses down on
the accelerator pedal, any automatic
braking action by the system is interrupted
until the pedal is fully released. After doing
this, release the accelerator and the system
again controls your cruising speed and dis-
tance setting. While driving with activated
system, resting your foot on the accelerator
pedal will cause the system not to brake
even if necessary. Be certain that floormats
or other objects on the vehicle floor do not
interfere with movement of the accelerator
pedal.<
While active cruise control is capable
of braking your vehicle automatically
when you approach a slower vehicle
ahead, it is important to be aware that the
ability of the system to apply the brakes is
also limited, if you are driving down a steep
grade or when you reduce your desired
speed sharply. The system cannot stop
your vehicle. It uses only a portion of
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93
Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Signal tones indicate the current distance
to an object behind or in front of your
vehicle. Four ultrasonic sensors in both the
bumpers monitor the distance to the
nearest object. The sensors at the front and
at the two rear corners have a range of
approx. 2 ft (60 cm); the rear middle sen-
sors have approx. 5 ft (1.50 m).
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed,
as otherwise the physical circumstances
would mean that the system warning was
too late.<
Automatic function
Whenever the ignition is on the system
automatically assumes operational status
after a few seconds each time you engage
the transmission position R.
Wait this short period before
reversing.<
Switching on manually
Press the button, the indicator lamp lights
up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Automatic deactivation
The system is automatically deactivated
once the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft
(50 m) or exceeds a speed of roughly
20 mph (30 km/h); the indicator lamp goes
out. You can reactivate the system manu-
ally as needed.
Acoustic signals
The signal indicating the distance to the
nearest obstacle is directional. Thus, an
object detected to the left rear of the
vehicle will be indicated by a signal tone
from the left rear speaker, etc. As the
distance between vehicle and object
decreases, the intervals between the tones
become shorter. The signal tone becomes
continuous once the distance to the
nearest object falls to below roughly 1 ft
(30 cm).
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds when the distance to an
object remains constant during this time,
if you are moving parallel to a wall, for
instance.
Malfunctions
The indicator lamp within the button
flashes and a status message appears in
the Check Control.
Please take note of the supplementary
information provided in the Control Display.
Switch the system off and have the cause
of the malfunction corrected by your BMW
center.
Practical interior accessories
114
Practical interior accessories
Integrated universal remote
control*
The concept
The integrated universal remote control
can replace as many as three hand-held
transmitters for various remote-controlled
accessories, such as door openers and
house alarm systems. The integrated uni-
versal remote control registers and stores
signals from the original hand-held trans-
mitters.
The signal of an original hand-held trans-
mitter can be programmed on one of the
three memory keys 1. Following that, each
of the devices can be actuated with the
appropriately-programmed memory key 1.
The indicator lamp 2 flashes to confirm
transmission of the signal.
If the vehicle is sold, the memory keys 1
should be cleared as described on
page 115.
To prevent possible damage or injury,
before programming or using the inte-
grated universal remote control, always
inspect the immediate area to make certain
that no people, animals or objects are
within the travel range of the device. Also,
comply with the safety precautions of the
original hand-held transmitter.<
Checking the compatibility
If you see this symbol on the pack-
aging or in the manual supplied with
the original hand-held transmitter, it
is safe to assume that it is compatible with
the integrated universal remote control.
If you have additional questions,
please consult your BMW center or
call 1-800-355-3515.
You can also visit these websites:
www.bmwusa.com or
www.homelink.com.
HomeLink is a registered trademark owned
by Johnson Controls, Inc.<
Programming
1Memory keys
2Indicator lamp
Fixed code hand-held transmitter
1.Switch on the ignition
2.When using for the first time: press both
outer keys 1 for approx. 20 seconds,
maintaining pressure until the indicator
lamp 2 starts to flash. The three
memory keys 1 are cleared
3.Hold the original hand-held transmitter
at a distance of approx. 2 in (5 cm) to
8 in (20 cm) from the memory keys 1.
The required distance between
the hand-held transmitter and
memory keys 1 depends on the rele-
vant system of the original hand-held
transmitter used.<
4.Simultaneously press the transmit key
on the original hand-held transmitter
and the desired memory key 1 of the
integrated universal remote control.
First, the indicator lamp 2 flashes
slowly. Release both keys 2 as soon as
the indicator lamp flashes rapidly. If the
indicator lamp 2 does not flash quickly
after approx. 15 seconds, choose
another distance
5.To program other original hand-held
transmitters, repeat steps 3 and 4.
The corresponding memory key 1 is now
programmed with the signal of the original
hand-held transmitter.
Things to remember when driving
124
Things to remember when driving
Break-in procedures
To ensure that your vehicle continues to
furnish optimal economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we
request that you devote careful attention to
the following section.
Engine and differential
Up to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
During this initial period you should attempt
to avoid constant, steady-state operation
and vary both vehicle and engine speeds
as often as possible. Until the break-in
period has been completed you should
also refrain from exceeding the following:
>4,500 rpm or 105 mph (170 km/h)
Always obey all official speed limits.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode during
these initial miles.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles
(2,000 km), the engine and vehicle speeds
can be gradually increased.
You should also comply with these break-in
procedures should the engine or differen-
tial need to be replaced at a later point.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve their
full traction potential until after an initial
break-in period. Therefore, drive reservedly
during the first 200 miles (300 km).
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles (500 km) to achieve
optimal contact and wear patterns
between brake pads and rotors.
General driving notes
High temperatures
Extreme temperatures occur at the
catalytic converter on this and every
catalyst-equipped vehicle. Do not remove
the heat shields installed adjacent to
various sections of the exhaust system,
and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while
parking take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any
highly flammable materials such as hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead
to a fire, and with it the risk of serious pro-
perty damage as well as personal injury.<
Parking the vehicle
Condensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water under the vehicle are thus normal.
Before driving into the car wash
1.Fold in the door mirrors, refer to
page 52, as otherwise they could be
damaged due to the width of the vehicle
2.Leave the remote control in the ignition
lock, as otherwise the P position of the
automatic transmission will automati-
cally be selected when the remote con-
trol is removed. Also refer to page 68
3.Release the parking brake, especially
when you have activated Automatic
Hold. Refer to pages 63 and 64.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires and
road surface. This phenomenon is referred
to as hydroplaning, and is characterized by
a partial or complete loss of contact bet-
ween tires and road surface, ultimately