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Reference
15
Indicator and warning lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The indicator and warning lamps identified
by the
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the
ignition or start the engine. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored
system, the corresponding lamp will either
fail to go out when the engine is started, or
it will come on again during normal driving.
For information on how you should respond
when this happens, please refer to the
pages indicated.
Please fasten safety belts
+50
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
+95
DTC Dynamic Traction Control95
ABS Antilock Braking
System
+96
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
systems/DBC Dynamic Brake
Control
+62/ 192/ 96
Parking brake/Brake hydraulic
systems/DBC Dynamic Brake
Control for Canadian models.
Parking brake
+62,65
Parking brake62,65
Automatic parking brake Ð Auto-
matic Hold
+63,65 Engine
+194
Airbags
+57
Turn signal indicators71
High beams/headlamp
flasher 103
Front fog lamps103
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light
up in different colors and combinations.
The following section explains the signifi-
cance of the individual colors as well as
how you should respond when they
appear.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system inspected at the
earliest opportunity
or
for your information
>Green:
For your information
>Blue:
For your information.

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Reference
53
The mirrors automatically revert to their
clear, undimmed mode whenever you
place the selector lever into reverse.
For trouble-free operation, keep the
photocells clean and do not cover the
area between the interior rearview mirror
and the windshield. Do not attach any kind
of stickers on the windshield in front of the
mirror, either.<
Illuminated vanity mirror in the rear
1.Press button 1. The vanity mirror folds
down
2.Pull the mirror down slightly before pro-
ceeding to turn it or tilt it into the
desired position
3.Press the vanity mirror back up before
folding it back in.
Steering wheel adjustment
The steering wheel can be adjusted in any
of four directions by pressing the appro-
priate end of the button.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
the vehicle is moving. There is a risk
of accident from unexpected movement.< Storing steering wheel positions, refer to
Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory on
page 54.
Automatic steering wheel
adjustment
The steering wheel automatically moves as
high up and far forward as possible to ease
driver entry and exit before then returning
to the standard position or stored memory
setting.
This automatic feature is governed by the
driver's door and the ignition switch.
Steering wheel heater*
The steering wheel's heater operates when
the ignition is on.
Press the button to activate or deactivate
this system.
The indicator lamp within the button lights
up when the steering wheel heater is in
operation.
Programming button function
You can assign specific individual
functions to the programmable
button. This feature then provides
you with quick access to this function,
allowing you to control it without undue
distraction from road and traffic conditions.

Driving
64 and-go traffic, etc. As the vehicle then no
longer tends to creep when the transmis-
sion 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 "Set-
tings" menu in the Control Center.
A description of the Control Center is pro-
vided on page 19.
Automatic Hold activation/
deactivation
1.Select "Settings"
2.Select and confirm your selec-
tion
3.Select "AUTO P". Press the controller
to activate/deactivate the desired func-
tion
>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 status message dis-
appears from the Info Display.
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 sta-
tionary. 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 lights
up green.
To start off again, simply press the acceler-
ator pedal. The parking brake is released
automatically; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Do not drive through an automatic car
wash with Automatic Hold on and the
engine running. The system would engage
the parking brake while the vehicle is sta-
tionary.<
Parking with Automatic Hold
The parking brake engages automatically
when you stop the vehicle and switch off
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.<

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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Reference
95
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.

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

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135
map, after a brief pause the name of the
street or locality marked by the cursor
will appear on the screen.
4.Press the controller to view other menu
entries:
>closes "With map"
>"Next" switches back to "With map"
>"Location" selects the current loca-
tion as the map's focus again
>With "Save dest.", the address in the
target cursor can be adopted into the
destination input using "AS DEST." or
stored in the address book "AS
ADDRESS". If the navigation system is
unable to identify a street or town/city,
your current map coordinates will
appear. In order to be able to select this
position as destination or to store it in
the address book as an address, a
name must first be entered, see
"ABC...".
You can also use the destination
entry map without entering a town
or city if you wish to select a destination
and import it using the target cursor.<
Selecting destination in
"Information"
Assume that you are searching for a partic-
ular place within a town or city, such as a
hotel or restaurant, a filling station, the
nearest BMW center, tourist attractions, a
hospital.1.Select "Information" and confirm
2.Select "On location" and confirm
3.Select the desired type of destination,
such as "Hotel / Motel" and confirm
your selection
4.A maximum of ten destinations now
appears on the right side of the Control
Display. These are listed by distance to
destination, while arrows also appear to
indicate their directions from your cur-
rent location
5.Select and confirm the destination
6.If you select
>the address, it will be transferred to
the destination list
>, the view can be shifted
upwards or downwards
>, you can switch back to "ABC...".
Using the voice command system:Selecting interesting
destinations
Are you looking for an interesting destina-
tion in a specific locality or country? You
can obtain an overview from the map CD,
which contains listings of interesting desti-
nations in various categories.
1.{Navigation}
2.{Information location}
3.Enter the desired type of destina-
tion:
>{Hotels}
>{Parking}
>{Gas stations}.

Wheels and tires
186
Tire condition
Tire tread Ð tire damage
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
The tread depth should not drop below
0.12 in (3 mm), although, for example,
European legislation only specifies a
minimum tread depth of 0.06 in (1.6 mm).
At tread depths below 0.12 in (3 mm) there
is an increased risk of high-speed hydro-
planing, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base,
see arrow, are distributed over the tire's
circumference and are marked on the tire
sidewall with TWI Ð Tread Wear Indicator.
These indicators signal at a tread depth of
0.06 in (1.6 mm) that the legal wear limit
has been reached.
Never attempt to continue driving on
a flat tire. Because a flat tire will
seriously impair your vehicle's handling
and braking response, attempts to drive on
a flat tire can lead to loss of control over the
vehicle.
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never overload
the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and damage inside the tires. The
ultimate result can assume the form of a
sudden air loss.
Unusual vibrations encountered during
normal vehicle operation can indicate tire
failure or some other vehicle defect. This
can, for example, be caused by driving over
curbs. These kinds of problems may also
be signaled by other changes in vehicle response, such as a strong tendency to pull
to the left or right. Should this occur,
respond by immediately reducing your
speed. Carefully proceed Ð or have your
vehicle towed Ð to the nearest BMW center
or tire dealer to have the wheels or tires
inspected.
Tire damage, extending to sudden and
complete loss of pressure in extreme
cases, can pose a potentially lethal safety
hazard for the vehicle's occupants and
other road users alike.<
Run-flat tires*
Run-flat tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree, refer to page 200.
The vehicle is equipped with a Flat Tire
Monitor or TPM Tire Pressure Monitor
which indicates flat tires.
Tire replacement
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single tread
configuration from a single manufacturer.
BMW tests and approves specific wheel
and tire combinations.
DOT Quality Grades
Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.<
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would