
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
82
Everything under control
Odometer, outside temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly acti-
vate the time, outside temperature and
odometer displays by pressing the knob at
the upper left of the Info Display.
1 Outside temperature display, clock
The outside temperature and the time dis-
plays are active starting at the radio mode
in the ignition lock.
You can change the units of measure
Ð 6/7Ð in the "Settings" menu, refer to
page 91.
Setting the clock, refer to page 91.
Ice warning
A warning signal sounds when the outside
temperature falls to roughly +37.57
(+36); this is accompanied by a message
in the Check Control.
Please bear in mind that the ice
warning does nothing to alter the fact
that glare ice may be present on roads at
temperatures higher than +37.57 (+36),
for instance, on bridges and shade-
covered surfaces.<
2 Odometer
The odometer panel also provides displays
for the computer and the Check Control.
Regardless of the current display mode,
you can view the odometer reading for a
short period by pressing the knob at the
upper left of the Info Display. Check Control, refer to page 85.
Computer, refer to page 86.
3 Trip odometer
The trip odometer must be present in the
display before you can reset it to zero.
Reset by pressing the knob at the upper left
of the Info Display.
Tachometer
The orange warning sector gradually
moves upward as the engine warms to its

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Reference
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normal operating temperature. The seg-
ments disappear in sequence as the engine
warms to its normal operating temperature.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as
far as the orange warning sector whenever
possible.
Service Interval Display
Info Display screen contents
The distance/period remaining until your
next service briefly appears when you
switch on the ignition.
The Info Display immediately
switches to its computer mode when
you press one of the two buttons in the turn
signal lever, refer to page 86.<
Control Display screen contents
You can view additional information on ser-
vice and maintenance procedures by
selecting the "Car data" menu. 1.Select and confirm
2.Select "Service" and confirm
3.The display shows a list of selected ser-
vice and maintenance procedures, as
well as legally-mandated official
inspections.
Red sectors
The service deadline has already passed.
Yellow sectors
The deadline for service or an official
inspection is approaching. Please contact
your BMW center for an appointment.
Green lamps
No service is currently required. If you
desire, certain maintenance operations can
be carried out at the next service at the
customer's request.
You can request more detailed information
on every entry.
Turn the controller to scroll through the list,
then confirm the selected entry.
Confirm to exit the list.

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Info Display screen contents
The display sequence:
>Fuel gauge, refer to next column
>Range and remaining distance, refer to
next colum and page88.
The display sequence:
>Odometer82 >Energy Control/ Current fuel
consumption88
>Average fuel consumption88
>Average speed88
>Time of arrival88.
Maintain pressure on button 1 to
cancel the display from the computer.
Press the button again to return to the last
display.
It will not be possible to cancel the display
if the fuel level has fallen into the reserve
range or if a Check Control status report is
currently on the screen.
Press the button again to view the last dis-
play.<
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge mode appears automati-
cally once the fuel level falls into the
reserve range. At the same time the words
"Fuel reserve" appear. The tank still con-
tains approx. 2.6 gallons (10 liters) of fuel.
It will not be possible to cancel the
computer display once the fuel level
drops into the reserve range. However, you
can still request a display of the travel
range. Computer, refer to page 86.<
Tank capacity: approx. 23.2 gallons
(88 liters).
If the tilt of the vehicle varies, when you are
driving in mountainous areas, for example,
the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Refuel well before the tank is empty,
as otherwise engine functions will not
be ensured and damage can occur if you
drive down to the last drop.<
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range
available with the remaining fuel. The
system calculates the cruising range based
on operating conditions and the amount of
fuel remaining in the tank. The basis for the
calculations is the average fuel consump-
tion over the preceding 20 miles (30 km).
Always refuel as soon as possible
once your cruising range falls to
below 30 miles (50 kilometers), as other-

Everything under control
88 wise engine functions are not ensured and
damage can occur.<
Refueling is only registered by the com-
puter for fuel amounts above approx.
1.3 gallons (5 liters).
Distance to destination
When you enter a destination in the naviga-
tion system or manually enter a distance in
the computer prior to departure, the
system can also display the distance
remaining to your destination, refer to
page 132 or 89.
The system automatically adopts the dis-
tance to your destination using the route
recommended by the navigation system.
When you enter a destination in the
navigation system, any manual
entries will be overwritten no later than
once 1,640 ft (500 meters) of the calcu-
lated distance have elapsed.<
Energy Control/
Current fuel consumption
Shows your current fuel consumption rate
in mpg Ð in liters/100 km on Canadian vehi-
cles. This allows you to see whether your
current driving style is conducive to fuel
economy with minimum exhaust emis-
sions.
When the vehicle is stationary the display
goes to the maximum reading, zero on
Canadian models.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated
for the time during which the engine is run-
ning.
You can use the Control Display to view
your fuel consumption rate over two dif-
ferent distances, refer to Computer or Trip
computer.
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the
engine off are not included in the calcula-
tions of average speed.
Time of arrival
A display of your estimated time of arrival is
available whenever you enter a destination
in the navigation system, refer to page 132,
or enter the distance manually in the com-
puter, refer to page 89, prior to departure.
This function is only available if the
time in the Control Display has been
correctly set, refer to page 91.<
Control Display screen contents
You can activate the computer function at
any time by selecting it from the "Car data"
menu.
The computer furnishes you with a choice
between two display options.
Computer
>Time of arrival
>Distance to destination.
Enter a destination in the navigation
system, or enter a distance in the
computer manually, refer to page 132
or 89
>Cruising range
>Average fuel consumption
>Average speed.
You can reset calculations of both
average speed and average fuel con-
sumption to zero. Select the menu entry
and confirm.<

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.

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Check Control messages, refer to page 85.
Please note the supplementary information
provided in the Control Display.
Indicator and warning lamps on
Canadian models.
Dynamic Drive
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and
optimizes vehicle stability during cornering
and evasive maneuvers.
Active stabilizers at the front and rear axles
form the basis for Dynamic Drive. Suspen-
sion compliance adapts to suit driving con-
ditions, varying from performance-oriented
during cornering to smooth and comfort-
oriented when the vehicle is proceeding in
a straight line.
The system assumes operational status
each time you start the engine.
Driving with Dynamic Drive
During vehicle operation, the system con-
tinuously runs through closed-loop control
cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
In case of malfunction
The symbol will light up, accompa-
nied by a status message in the
Check Control. Please take note of
the additional information in the Control
Display.
You can find more detailed information on
the Check Control starting on page 85.
If the Dynamic Drive system switches
off in response to malfunction, please
remember to adapt your speed accord-
ingly, especially in curves.
The suspension will be noticeably softer
and the vehicle will display a greater ten-dency to tilt during cornering and in cross-
winds.
If a Check Control message stating that
you should stop appears in addition to the
red symbol, stop immediately and switch
off the engine. In this case the oil level in
the reservoir may have dropped below the
minimum, possibly owing to a leak in the
hydraulic system.
Please observe the additional instructions
provided in the Control Display.<
EDC Electronic Damping
Control*
The suspension responds to changes in
factors such as road surface, or operating
conditions such as steering and braking, by
adapting to the new conditions within frac-
tions of a second.
Comfort program
The system automatically assumes opera-
tion in its Comfort mode each time you start
the engine; this mode is suitable for use
throughout the vehicle's entire speed range
and regardless of load.
Sport program
Activate in "Settings" menu with the igni-
tion on.
You should select the Sport program for
consistently performance-oriented
response from shock absorbers and
steering.