Technology for driving comfort and safety
78 4.Select "PDC" and press the controller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
6. The PDC screen is activated.
The display is shown on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and couplings,
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low
objects already indicated, such as a curb, may
enter the sensors' dead areas before a continu-
ous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding
objects, such as ledges, may not be detectable.
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car
can drown out the PDC signal.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice or
snow in order to ensure that they will con-
tinue to operate effectively.
Do not spray the sensors for a long period of
time using high-pressure cleaners and maintain
a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm when spraying
the sensors.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. Braking safely, refer to page107.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the brake application. If the
brake pedal is released, DBC will be switched
off.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. DSC also recognizes unstable driving
conditions, for example if the rear of the car is
about to swerve or if momentum is acting at an
angle past the front wheels. In these cases,
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course
within physical limits by reducing engine output
and through braking actions at the individual
wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with DSC. An appropriate driving
style always remains the responsibility of the
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional
safety margin again by taking risks.<
Giving and receiving assistance
196
Vehicles with automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page52.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, as otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged.<
Towing methods
In some countries, towing with tow bars or
ropes is not permitted in public traffic.
Familiarize yourself with the regulations on tow-
ing in the respective country.
With tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Secure the tow bar to the tow fitting only.
Otherwise damage to other vehicle parts
could result.<
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Secure the tow rope to the tow fitting only. Oth-
erwise damage to other vehicle parts could
result.<
With tow truck
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, as otherwise
damage may result.<
Tow-starting
If the electrical system fails, do not
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car.
The electric steering wheel lock cannot be dis-
engaged and the car is not steerable. Jump
starting, refer to page194.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission. Only tow-start vehi-
cles with a catalytic converter with the engine
cold. It is better to jump start the engine, refer to
page194.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page49.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch pedal com-
pletely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Automatic programs" with
automatic climate control91
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC91
Automatic station search139
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic51
– interlock51,52
– overriding selector lever
lock53
– shiftlock52
– sport program52
– towing away195
– tow-starting195
AUTO program for automatic
climate control90
"Autostore"
on the radio140
AUX-IN149
– port97
Average fuel consumption66
– setting the units68
Average speed65
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation124
Avoid freeways for
navigation123
"Avoid highways" in
navigation123
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation124
Axle loads, refer to
Weights201
"A - Z"154
B
Backrests, refer to Seats39
Backrest width adjustment40
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints41
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs190
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps189
Balance, tone control135Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away196
Bass, tone control135
Battery191
– charging191
– disposal191
– jump starting194
– temporary power failure191
Being towed195
Belts, refer to Safety belts43
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts43
Beverage holders, refer to
Cup holders98
Black ice, refer to Ice
warning64
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate91
BMW Assist160
– enabling160
– services offered161
"BMW Contact"164
"BMW Contact
Numbers"164
BMW Maintenance
System185
"BMW Service"162
"BMW Service settings"161
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders98
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control78
Brake fluid184
– level too low184
– warning lamp184
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements69
Brake Force Display82
Brake hydraulics, refer to
Brakes184
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display82
– replacing bulbs190
Brake pads, breaking in106
Brake rotors108
– brakes106
– breaking in106Brakes
– ABS78
– BMW Maintenance
System185
– brake fluid184
– brake pads184
– breaking in106
– handbrake51
– service requirements69
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely107
Brake system106
– BMW Maintenance
System185
– brake fluid184
– brake pads184
– breaking in106
– disc brakes108
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance193
Breaking in the clutch106
Breaking in the
differential106
Break-in period106
"Brightness"76
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs187
Button for starting engine49
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
"Call"154
Call
– accepting153
– displaying accepted155
– ending154
– in absence155
– starting153
Calling
– from phone book154
– from Top 8 list155
– redialing155
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders98
Capacities201
Everything from A - Z
218 Temperature display
– ice warning64
– outside temperature64
– setting the units68
"Terminate services"163
"Text language"76
"Theater" tone settings136
Thigh support40
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp190
Tilt alarm sensor35
Tilt function, passenger-side
mirror44
"Time"72
"Time format"72
Tire inflation pressures170
Tire pressure
– loss81
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor80
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor81
Tire Quality Grading176
Tires
– age176,178
– breaking in106
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels191
– condition177
– damage177
– inflation pressure170
– minimum tread depth177
– new tires178
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor80
– puncture81
– Run-Flat Tires178
– size176
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth177
– winter tires179
"Tone"135
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting135
– middle setting137
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit187
"Top 8" for portable
phone155Torque200
Touch tone dialing156
Tow bar196
Tow fittings195
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away195
Towing195
– methods
196
Towing away
– car with automatic
transmission195
"Town / City" in destination
entry116
Tow rope196
Tow-starting195
Tracks
– random play sequence147
Track width, refer to
Dimensions200
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC78
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control78
Trailer towing
– towing loads and gross
weight201
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic51
– manual transmission51
Transporting children
safely46
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo109
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread177
Treble, tone control135
"Trip computer"66
Trip computer66
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer64
"Triple turn signal
activation"53,85
Trip odometer64
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage
compartment lid32
Trunk lights, refer to Luggage
compartment lamp87Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions200
Turn signals53
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs189
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading109
U
Underbody protection, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR176
"Units"68
Units
– average consumption68
– temperature68
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control93
Universal remote control93
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside32
– from outside30
"Update services"163
V
Vehicle
– battery191
– breaking in106
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading108
– dimensions200
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment181
– parking50
– washing, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
– weight201
Vehicle jack191
Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position129
"Vehicle settings"80