Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
53
If the brake warning lamp comes on
together with the yellow indicator
lamps for the Antilock Brake Sys-
tem ABS and the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC:
The entire ABS and DSC control
system has failed. Continue driving
cautiously and defensively. Avoid
hard brake applications. Please have the
system checked by your BMW center as
soon as possible.
Indicator and warning lamps for
Antilock Brake System ABS and
Dynamic Stability Control DSC for
Canadian models.
Switching off DSC/Activating DTC
Press the DSC button briefly. The DTC indi-
cator lamp comes on and stays on.
DSC has been switched off; DTC is in ready
mode.
In the following exceptional circumstances,
it may be effective to activate the DTC for a
short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting off
in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving on snow-covered grades,
in deep snow, or on a snow-covered
surface that has been packed down
from being driven on
>When driving with snow chains.
The gain in traction is achieved by a reduc-
tion in stabilizing intervention.
Switching off DSC and DTC
Hold the DSC switch down for at least
3 seconds. The DSC indicator lamp stays
lit.
In this case, no interventions to increase
stability and traction for the engine and
brakes are carried out.
To maintain vehicle stability, drive
with the DSC switched on whenever
possible.<
Reactivating DSC and DTC
Press the button again.
The indicator lamp goes out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed with DSC. It will always be
the driver's responsibility to drive in a man-
ner that matches road conditions. We
therefore urge you to avoid using the addi-
tional safety margin of the system as an
excuse for taking risks. Stabilizing interven-
tion is only performed to a limited degree
when the DTC is activated.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
DSC.<
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
If you step on the brake rapidly, this system
automatically produces maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the
shortest possible braking distance during
panic stops. All of the benefits of the ABS
system are exploited under these circum-
stances.
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.
Brake force display
The Brake force display indicates to the
road user behind you how hard you are
braking.
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
55
place in all four tires over an extended
period of time.<
On the other hand, the following situations
can lead to false warning, a delayed detec-
tion of pressure loss and even to the sys-
tem not functioning:
>Driving on snow-covered or slippery
roads
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at
the drive wheels, high levels of lateral
acceleration
>When driving with snow chains, false
warnings and undetected pressure
losses may occur
>If the Flat Tire Monitor was not initial-
ized after the last time the tire inflation
pressures were corrected, undetected
losses in pressure or false warnings
that indicate a non-existent flat tire are
possible.
Initializing the system
Each time you correct the pressure in
a tire, or change a wheel or tire, reini-
tialize the system immediately afterwards.
This requires driving.<
1.Start the engine, but do not drive off
2.Press the button as long as you need to
until the yellow indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up for a few
seconds
3.Drive off.
It takes a few minutes before the Flat Tire
Monitor can detect a flat tire and issue a
warning.
When driving with snow chains, do
not initialize the system.<
Flat tire warning
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up in red. This visual
alert is accompanied by an acoustic
warning signal. There is a flat tire or a sign-
ficant loss of tire pressure.
1.Carefully reduce your speed to under
50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid strong braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed
a maximum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h.
2.Check the inflation pressure in all four
tires as soon as possible.
Because the sides of Run Flat
tires are reinforced, a drop in infla-
tion pressure usually cannot be
detected from the outside, refer to Run
Flat tires on page 80.<
3.Before continuing to drive, refer to the
notes on page 80.
If the vehicle is not equipped with Run
Flat tires, refer to page 80, the stan-
dard equipment by design, continuing to
drive with a flat tire can result in serious
accidents.<
System malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up yellow. The Flat
Tire Monitor is malfunctioning or out
of order. Please refer the problem to your
BMW center.
Wheels and tires
80
Run Flat tires
Run Flat tires are labeled on the sidewall
with a circular symbol containing the letters
RSC. Run Flat tires consist of self-support-
ing tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that driving remains
possible to a restricted degree in the event
of pressure drop or even if the tire is
deflated.
When mounting or replacing summer
tires with winter tires, or vice versa,
use Run Flat tires since no spare wheel is
available in the event of a flat. Your BMW
center knows how to work with Run Flat
tires and is equipped with the necessary
special tools.<
Driving with a damaged tire
When using Run Flat tires, you can con-
tinue driving cautiously at a maximum
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h, depending on
the cargo load and the extent of tire dam-
age.
If there is a total loss of tire inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/kilopascal, or obvious tire dam-
age, you can gauge the mileage for contin-
ued driving on the basis of the following
indications:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 150 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, luggage compartment full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km>With a full load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h. Be aware
that vehicle handling will be altered when
there is a loss in inflation pressure. Antici-
pate, e.g., reduced tracking during braking,
longer braking distances and changed
steering characteristics.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends not
to have Run Flat tires repaired if they are
damaged, but to consult your BMW center
in such cases.<
Snow chains*
Only certain types of snow chains have
been tested by BMW, classified as road-
safe and approved. Consult your BMW
center for more information. BMW recom-
mends using only approved fine-link snow
chains. Use them in pairs on either summer
or winter tires, but only on both rear
wheels.
Comply with all manufacturer's safety pre-
cautions when mounting the chains.
Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph /
50 km/h when using snow chains.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
after snow chains have been
mounted.
When driving with snow chains, it may be
useful to deactivate the DSC briefly. Refer
to page 53.<
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
111
Securing, locking the
vehicle
– from inside 19
– from outside 17
Securing loads,
refer to Cargo loading 70
Selector lever
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Selector lever lock, refer to
Shiftlock 39
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Service, see Service and
Warranty Information
Booklet for US models,
Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for
Canadian models 86
Service and warranty 6
Service interval
display 49, 86
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
– manual transmission 38
Shiftlock 39
Side airbags 56
Side turn signal indicators
– bulb replacement 90
Signal horn, refer to
Horn 10
Slipstream deflector, refer
to Wind deflector 24
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray 65
Snow chains 80
Socket, refer to Cigarette
lighter 65
Socket for Onboard
Diagnostics 87
SOS, refer to Emergency
call 93
Spare fuses 92
Spare key 16
Special oils, refer to
Specified engine oils 84
Special wash program,
refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochureSpecified engine oils 84
Speed
– winter tires 79
Speedometer 12
Sport program
– automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
– Driving Dynamic
Control 42
Sports seat 29
Stability control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 52
Standing lamps 47
Starting 36
– engine 36
Starting assistance
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 52
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting 94
– temperature 37
Status of the Owner's
Manual 5
Steering lock 36
Steering wheel 10
– adjusting 30
Steptronic, refer to Manual
mode 39
Storage, tires 79
Storage compartments 64
– electrical fault 64
– opening manually 64
Storage nets 64
Storage space, refer to
Luggage compartment 20
Storage space, refer to
Storage
compartments 64
Storing seat position, refer
to Seat memory 29
Stroke, refer to Engine
data 100
Summer tires, refer to
Wheels and tires 75
Surface ice, refer to Ice
warning 50
Switches, refer to
Cockpit 10
Switch for passenger
airbags 33Switching gears, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 39
Switching off
– engine 37
– vehicle 38
Symbols 4
T
Tachometer 48
Tail lamps
– bulb replacement 90
– indicator lamp, defective
lamp 13
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps 90
– bulb replacement 90
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel
tank capacity 103
Tank indicator, refer to Fuel
gauge 48
Technical data 100
Technical modifications,
refer to For your own
safety 5
Telephone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Telephone preparation 65
Temperature
– air conditioning 59
– automatic climate
control 62
– engine 48
Temperature display
– ice warning 50
– outside
temperature 49, 50
– setting units of
measure 50
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control 45
The BMW Maintenance
System 86
Third brake lamp
– bulb replacement 90
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center high-mount brake
lamp 90
Three-point seat belt, refer
to Safety belts 30