
Driving
70
Signaling briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond the 
resistance point. It then returns to the cen-
ter 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 sig-
nal indicator bulbs is defective. 
Wiper system
1Standard wiper speed: briefly press 
once. 
Fast wiper speed: briefly press twice 
2Switching off wipers or for brief wipe 
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor 
4Cleaning windshield and headlamps 
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
 
The lever automatically returns to its 
initial position when released.< 
1 Standard wiper speed 
The system automatically reverts to opera-
tion in the intermittent mode whenever the 
vehicle is stationary. 
Fast wiper speed 
You can also select this position by press-
ing the lever upward past the resistance 
point. 
The system automatically reverts to opera-
tion in the standard wipe mode whenever 
the vehicle is stationary. 
4 Cleaning windshield 
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a 
brief period. 
Headlamp washers 
Each fifth time you press into position 4 to 
clean the windshield while the headlamps 
are on. 
Do not use the washers if there is any 
danger that the fluid will freeze on the 
windshield. If you do so, your vision could 
be obscured. To avoid freezing, use a 
washer fluid antifreeze, refer to page 71.
Avoid activating the washer when the res-
ervoir is empty, as damage to the pump 
could result.< 
Windshield washer nozzles 
The windshield washer nozzles and the 
windshield itself in the area around the wip-
ers are heated automatically when the igni-
tion is switched on. 
Rain sensor 
The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror. 
Activating the rain sensor 
Briefly press the button with ignition in 
radio mode. The indicator lamp comes on. 
The wipers will always respond by com-
pleting at least one sweep of the wind-
shield. 
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level 
Turn the serrated dial 5.  

Controls
 73Reference
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mode activated each time you press or pull 
the lever beyond the resistance point.<
Changing preset level 
Push 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point. The preset speed progresses 
to the next desired speed.
The available speed changes to the 
minimum speed of approx. 20 mph/
30 km/h when you pull 2 the lever beyond 
the resistance point at the lowest desired 
speed.<
Interrupting the cruise control 
With the cruise control active, briefly press 
the lever up or down. 
Hiding display for multilevel preset 
mode 
When activated, press the lever upward or 
downward for approx. 3 seconds. 
Showing display for multilevel preset 
mode again 
Press 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point. 
Deactivating the multilevel preset 
mode 
The multilevel preset mode is also deacti-
vated when you switch off the ignition. 
Storing desired speeds 
With vehicle stationary 
Switch on the ignition. Press 1 or pull 2 the lever beyond the resis-
tance point: The selectable speed level is 
displayed with 5. 
>To increase desired speed: 
Press the lever forward 
>To decrease desired speed: 
Pull back the lever 
>To store desired speed: 
Press button 4 for approx. 3 seconds. 
The stored desired speed appears in 6. 
If 6 speeds have already been stored, 
it will be necessary to delete one 
before entering a new preset speed.<
While driving 
Activate multilevel preset mode. 
Press button 4 for approx. 3 seconds. The 
respective driven speed is applied as the 
desired speed and displayed with 6. 
If all of the graduations flash at once, 
this indicates that 6 desired speeds 
have already been stored. You must then 
delete at least one.<
Deleting desired speeds 
Select the desired speed 5. 
Press button 4 for approx. 3 seconds. 
Active cruise control* 
The concept 
With active cruise control you can select a 
desired speed which is not only automati-
cally maintained when driving on open 
roadways, but also varied to maintain a 
selected distance setting as slower traffic 
is encountered. 
Active cruise control is a technological 
advance over the familiar cruise control 
and is a welcome relief from the constant 
adjustment of speed that can accompany 
driving in traffic on freeways or other high-
speed thoroughfares. Especially on longer 
trips, the system can reduce fatigue and 
tension, while increasing your enjoyment 
of driving. Please use it safely and respon-
sibly.  

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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 vehi-
cle. 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 high-
way-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, slip-
pery 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 applicable legal 
limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially 
when the system is actively following 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 vehi-
cle. 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. 
Be certain to deactivate the system 
when you pull into an exit lane for a 
highway off-ramp.< 
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered man-
ner 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  

Controls
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Mobility
Priority 1: 
These status messages and malfunction 
reports are signaled by a gong. Simulta-
neous defects will be displayed consecu-
tively. These messages cannot be deleted, 
and they remain in the display until the 
problem is corrected. Supplementary infor-
mation is also shown on the Control Dis-
play, refer to Automatic display on the Con-
trol Display. 
Priority 2: 
These status messages and malfunction 
reports appear in the Info Display for 
approx. 20 seconds. 
Briefly press the CHECK button on the turn 
signal indicator lever to cancel the mes-
sage in the display, if allowed by priority 
rating. 
Requesting stored messages using the 
Control Center see there. 
Check Control symbol and messages 
on the Control Display 
Depending on the status of the monitored 
systems, the Check Control symbol   is 
displayed in different colors. 
Yellow or red 
Faults are present in the monitored sys-
tems. Depending upon how serious the 
problem is, a supplementary message may 
also appear on the Control Display. 
Requesting stored messages using the 
Control Center see there. 
The symbol in the status line also indi-
cates the status of the Service Interval 
Display, refer to page 23.< 
Automatic display on the Control 
Display 
These supplementary messages are 
intended to assist you in assessing the 
severity of malfunctions; they provide you 
with the information you need to decide on 
the best way to respond. 
Select   and confirm to switch off the dis-
play. 
Requesting stored messages using 
the Control Center 
1.Select "Car data" 
2.Select     and confirm
3.Select "Check" and confirm 
4.The stored status reports appear in the 
display. Select the desired report and 
confirm.  

Controls
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Mobility
PDC with visual warning 
You also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show distances to objects on the Con-
trol Display. The Control Display will also 
indicate the presence of objects in green 
before they are close enough to generate a 
signal tone. 
Select "PDC pic." from the "Settings" menu 
and confirm. This activates the PDC dis-
play. 
The display then appears on the Control 
Display whenever the PDC is automatically 
or manually activated. 
The previous display automatically 
reappears after the system is deactivated. 
Confirming the menu item takes 
you back to the previous display.< 
Limits of the system
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/
ABS Antilock Brake 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 supplement to ABS. It provides 
further enhancements in vehicle stability 
and steering response during lane changes 
and cornering at high rates of lateral accel-
eration. 
EBV Electronic brake-force 
distribution
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure 
stable deceleration.  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
In case of malfunction 
If the brake system warning lamp 
lights up in red, 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. The electronic brake-
force distribution is active.
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. 
Check Control messages, refer to page 82. 
Please take note of the additional informa-
tion on the Control Display. 
Indicator and warning lamps on 
Canadian models.
Driving stability control/ 
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 
The concept 
DSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations. 
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing 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 optimized 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. 
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 using the Con-
trol Center. 
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.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control 
In particular driving situations, in deep 
snow, for example, DTC ensures the maxi-
mum forward momentum. The gain in for-
ward momentum in these situations 
involves a reduction in vehicle stability. 
DTC is active up to 45 mph/70 km/h. 

Controls
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Activating DTC
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. DTC is now activated. The DTC indi-
cator lamp in the Info Display lights up per-
manently. 
When DTC is active, DSC provides 
only limited system response up to a 
speed of approx. 45 mph/70 km/h. Inter-
vention for stability enhancement is 
reduced.< 
Deactivating DTC again 
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm. DTC is now deactivated. The DTC 
indicator lamp in the Info Display goes out. 
DSC is once again available without 
restriction.
Switching off DSC 
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm. DSC is deactivated. The indicator 
lamp in the Info Display remains on contin-
uously. 
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 on the Control Display. 
To maintain optimized stability, drive 
with the system on whenever possi-
ble.< 
Reactivating DSC
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm. DSC is now activated. The indicator 
lamp in the Info Display goes out. 
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate 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 
approx. 45 mph/70 km/h. Intervention 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 sys-
tem.< 
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this 
system automatically produces the maxi-
mum 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.  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94 In the event of a malfunction, the 
warning lamp lights up yellow. 
Have the system checked and 
repaired at your BMW center as soon as 
possible. 
Check Control messages, refer to page 82. 
Please take note of the additional informa-
tion on the Control Display. 
Warning lamp 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 on the Control 
Display. 
You can find more information on the 
Check Control starting on page 82.
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 on 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. 
Two programs are available; they can be 
selected in the "Settings" menu. 
Comfort program 
The Comfort program is suitable for use 
throughout the vehicle's entire speed range 
and regardless of load. 
Sport program
You should select the Sport program for 
consistently performance-oriented 
response from shock absorbers and steer-
ing.