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The system requests you to
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The display
flashes. The active cruise con-
trol cannot automatically
restore the distance to the vehicle driving
ahead. You will find more detailed informa-
tion on page 80.
Automatic intervention by ABS
or DSC, or you actuate the
parking brake while driving. The
active cruise control now only
intervenes by braking.
Operating the active cruise control
1Activate system,
store and increase desired speed
2Activate system,
store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system
4With system deactivated:
Briefly press the button to recall the
stored speed and distance
4With system activated:
Increase desired speed by 1 mph
(1 km/h) with each press of the button
5Select distance to vehicle driving
ahead. You can choose from four avail-
able distance settings. You will find
more detailed information on page 78
Adjust your desired speed to the
traffic conditions and remain ready to
brake at all times. Great differences in
speed to the vehicles driving ahead, e.g.
when quickly approaching a truck or when
another vehicle swerves into your lane,
cannot be compensated for by the
system.<
Activate system
From approx. 20 mph (30 km/h) you can
activate the system by pressing the lever
forward or pulling it back:
The current driving speed is stored as a
desired speed and briefly displayed in the
speedometer, see arrow.
If the system cannot be activated, the
display ACC --- mph (km/h) briefly
appears in the speedometer. The system
may have been automatically deactivated,
refer to Deactivate system, or a malfunction
has occurred.
To call up Check Control messages, refer
to page 86.<
1 Desired speed store and increase
Press the lever forward:
The system adopts and stores your current
speed as a desired speed. The speedom-
eter indicates this speed.
Subsequently pressing forward increases
the desired speed to the next 5-mile place
(10 km/h).
Each time the lever is pressed forward
again, the desired speed is increased by
another 5 mph (10 km/h) until a maximum
of 110 mph (180 km/h) is reached. The
Driving
78 speed then displayed is stored and
reached on a clear road.
2 Desired speed store and decrease
Pull back the lever:
The current driving speed is rounded off to
the next 5-mile place (10 km/h), displayed
and stored.
Each time the lever is pulled back again,
the desired speed is decreased by another
5 mph (10 km/h) until the minimum speed
of 20 mph (30 km/h) is reached. The speed
then displayed is stored and reached on a
clear road.
3 Deactivate system
Press the lever up or down while the
system is active. The displays in the speed-
ometer disappear. You can use the system
again as required.
In addition, the system is deactivated auto-
matically:
>when you apply pressure to the brake
pedal
>when you select the automatic trans-
missionÕs neutral range N
>when you deactivate the Dynamic Sta-
bility Control DSC
>when you actuate the parking brake
during driving
>when the system reduces the speed to
below 20 mph (30 km/h) due to a traffic
situation.
The system deactivates automatically
when the speed is set to below
20 mph (30 km/h). A gong sounds and a
message appears in the Check Control.
The active intervention of the driver is
required.<
Background lighting
You can switch off the background lighting
of the speedometer and tachometer
>when you have deactivated the system
>when the prewarning field in the
tachometer has gone out, refer to
page 82 >when the destination guidance system
of the navigation system is deactivated.
Press the lever up or down for approx.
1 second.
4 Resume to stored desired speed
and distance setting
Press button 4:
The displays appear in the speedometer.
The system is reactivated and uses the last
stored desired speed and distance setting.
4 Fine adjustment of desired speed
In the activated state, the desired speed
increases by 1 mph (1 km/h) each time
button 4 is pressed briefly.
5 Select distance
You can choose from four distance steps.
>Rotary switch upward:
Increase distance
>Rotary switch downward:
Decrease distance.
The selected distance is displayed in the
speedometer.
Distance 1
Distance 2
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Distance 3
Distance 4
This distance is always set
when the system is used for the
first time after starting the
engine. Use good judgment to select the
appropriate following distance given
road conditions, traffic, applicable laws
and driving recommendations for safe fol-
lowing distance.<
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control
systems, active cruise control in no
way diminishes or substitutes for the
driverÕs own personal responsibility, alert-
ness and awareness in adjusting speed,
braking or otherwise controlling the
vehicle. The driver should decide when to
use the system on the basis of road, traffic,
visibility, and weather conditions. Active
cruise control is intended for use on
highway-type roadways where traffic is
moving relatively smoothly. Do not use this
system in city driving; heavy traffic such as
during rush hour; on curvy, winding roads,
slippery roads or roads with sharp curves
such as highway off-ramps; during
inclement weather such as snow, strong
rain or fog; or when entering interchanges,
service/parking areas or toll booths. It is
also important to regulate your vehicle's
speed and distance setting within appli-
cable legal limits. Always be ready to take
action or apply the brakes if necessary,
especially when the system is actively fol-
lowing a vehicle in front of you.<
Always remember that the range and
ability of the system does have phys-
ical limitations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate your vehicle when there is a
slow-moving vehicle, stopped vehicle or
stationary object ahead of you, as for
example, at a traffic light or a parked
vehicle. Also, the system does not react to
oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other type
of potential traffic such as a rider on horse-
back. It is also possible that the system
may not detect smaller moving objects
such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be espe-
cially alert when encountering any of these
situations as the system will neither auto-
matically brake, nor provide a warning to
you. Also, be aware that every decrease in
the distance setting allows your vehicle to
come closer to a vehicle in front of you and
requires a heightened amount of alert-
ness.<
If while your vehicle is actively following a
vehicle in front of you and the vehicle
ahead speeds up or the lane ahead
becomes clear, then your vehicle will
accelerate to the speed you have selected.
Be aware that changing to a clear, unob-
structed lane will also result in your vehicle
accelerating.
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
Everything under control
84 Confirm to exit the display.
The Service Interval Display does not
continue counting down to the next
service during periods when the vehicle is
stored with the battery disconnected or the
battery switch OFF.
Please remember that brake fluid should
be changed every two years at the latest,
even if the display does not yet indicate
that service is required, refer to page 192.
This same precaution applies to all of the
other service and maintenance operations
scheduled according to periodic intervals,
as opposed to mileage.<
Displaying and entering dates for
legally prescribed emission and
vehicle inspections
1.Select "Emissions inspection" or "State
inspection" and confirm
2.Turn the controller to select date input3.Confirm the inspection date. The first
part of the date entry is activated Ð here
month.
>Turn to reset
>Press to store and move to the next
entry Ð here year.
The system adopts the date the last
time you store your entry
4.Press the controller to select
"CONFIRM".
A requirement is that you have cor-
rectly set the date and time in the
Control Display, refer to page 91.<
Info Display screen contents
If the deadline for your next emissions or
state vehicle inspection is approaching, the
remaining distance and time will appear
briefly when you switch on the ignition.
Your Service Advisor will determine
your vehicle's current service require-
ments by reading out the data stored in the
vehicle's key.<
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
PDC with visual warning
You also enjoy the option of having the
system show distances to objects in the
Control Display. The Control Display will
also indicate the presence of objects in
green before they are close enough to gen-
erate a signal tone.
Select "PDC pic." from the "Settings" menu
and confirm your selection. This activates
the PDC display.
The display then appears in the Control
Display whenever the PDC is automatically
or manually activated.
The previous display automatically reap-
pears after the system is deactivated.
Confirm in the menu to return to
the previous display.<
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always
remains with the driver. Even when sensors
are involved, there is a blind spot in which
objects cannot be detected. The system is
also subject to the physical limits that apply
to all forms of ultrasonic measurement,
such as those encountered with tow bars
and trailer couplings, as well as thin and
wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can also dis-
appear from the detection area of the sen-
sors again before a continuous tone
sounds.
Loud noises from outside and inside the
vehicle may prevent you from hearing
PDC's signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice
or snow in order to ensure that they
will continue to operate effectively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Keep the spray at least 4 in (10 cm) away
from the sensors.<
Driving stability control/
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
Your BMW is equipped with an extended
array of systems designed to enhance and
maintain vehicle stability under extreme
conditions. The following section describes
these functions based on DSC and ABS.
The concept
DSC 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.
The system recognizes any tendency for
the vehicle to assume an unstable attitude
such as oversteer or understeer; it then
counteracts this tendency with a combina-
tion of graduated reductions in engine
torque and selective braking intervention at
individual wheels. DSC provides optimal
stability within the limits defined by the
laws of physics.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC includes the functionality
of the DTC Dynamic Traction Control and
DBC Dynamic Brake Control.
With its selective braking intervention at the
individual drive wheels, DTC fulfills the
same function as a conventional limited-
slip differential to enhance traction under
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difficult driving conditions, such as on
snow, etc.
Indicator lamps
The indicator lamp in the Info Dis-
play goes out soon after you start
the engine.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off via the Control
Display.
The indicator lamp and the brake
warning lamp remain on continu-
ously:
DSC, DTC and DBC have been
deactivated or a system malfunc-
tion is present.
When the system is off, the stability main-
tenance functions described above are no
longer available. The vehicle will remain
completely operational, however, without
DSC.
Please respond to any malfunctions by
referring the problem to your BMW center.
Indicator and warning lamps on
Canadian models.
Activating DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
You may find it useful to briefly activate
DTC under the following special circum-
stances: >When rocking the vehicle and starting
off in deep snow or on loose road sur-
faces
>When ascending snow-covered hills,
and when driving in deep or on hard-
packed snow
>When driving with snow chains.
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm your entry. DTC is now activated. The
DTC indicator lamp in the Info Display
lights up.
When DTC is active, DSC provides
only limited system response up to a
speed of approximately 45 mph (70 km/h).
Control intervention to maintain stability is
reduced.<
Deactivating DTC
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm your entry. DTC is now deactivated.
The DTC indicator lamp in the Info Display
goes out.
Deactivating DSC
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm your entry. DSC is deactivated. The
indicator lamp in the Info Display remains
on continuously.
Deactivating DSC automatically deacti-
vates DTC as well. The systems for
enhancing stability and traction are deacti-
vated, and there is no active braking inter-
vention or torque control.
A status report appears in the Check Con-
trol. Please take note of the additional
information in the Control Display.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96 To maintain optimal stability, drive
with the system on whenever pos-
sible.<
Reactivating DSC
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm your entry. DSC is now activated. The
indicator lamp in the Info Display goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An approp-
riate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the
additional safety margin provided by the
system as an excuse for taking unneces-
sary risks.
When DTC is active, DSC provides only
limited system response up to a speed of
approximately 45 mph (70 km/h). Interven-
tion for stability-enhancement is reduced.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Never allow anyone other than
authorized professional technicians to
carry out service or repairs on the DSC
system.<
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically produces the max-
imum braking force boost and thus helps to
achieve the shortest possible braking dis-
tance during panic stops. This system
exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake
pedal for the duration of the brake applica-
tion. When the brake pedal is released, the
DBC is deactivated.
In the event of a malfunction, the
warning lamp comes on with a
yellow light. Have the system
checked and repaired at your BMW center
as soon as possible.
Check Control messages, refer to page 85.
Please note the supplementary information
provided in the Control Display.
Warning lamp on Canadian models.
Driving stability control/
ABS Antilock Braking
System
The concept
ABS enhances active safety by preventing
the wheels from locking under braking.
ABS incorporates CBC and EBV.
In case of malfunction
If the indicator lamp lights up in
yellow, this indicates that ABS has
been deactivated in response to a
system malfunction. Conventional braking
efficiency remains available without limita-
tions. Please have the system inspected at
your BMW center.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
CBC is a technical advance based on ABS.
It provides further enhancements in vehicle
stability and steering response during lane
changes and cornering at high rates of lat-
eral acceleration.
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.
In case of malfunction
If the brake system warning lamp
lights up in red, appearing together
with the yellow indicator lamps for
ABS and DSC: the stability control
is no longer operational.
If all three lamps light up in yellow:
malfunction in the stability control
systems.
While you may continue, you should
remember to proceed cautiously and drive
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations.
Please have the system checked at the
nearest BMW center.