Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
78
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
The system prevents traction loss in the driving
wheels when starting off and accelerating. DSC
also detects unstable driving conditions such
as a fishtailing rear end or sliding of 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 in the individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start the
engine.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,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.<
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snowy inclines, in slush, or
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up.
Deactivating DTC again
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Deactivating DTC and DSC together
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer
than approx. 10 seconds. Stabilizing and drive
output promoting actions are no longer exe-
cuted. In addition, the stability promoting inter-
vention of the active steering is deactivated,
refer to page81.
A message appears on the Control Display.
Please note any supplementary information
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Reactivating DSC
Press the button; the DTC indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
To control
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive forces
and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DSC and DTC are deactivated together via the
button DTC.
The indicator lamp lights up:
DTC is activated via the DTC button.
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Malfunction in vehicle stability-control
systems
The brake system warning lamp lights
up in red, appearing together with the
indicator lamps for ABS and DSC. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The driving stability control sys-
tems are deactivated. Conventional
braking efficiency remains available
without limitations. While you may con-
tinue, you should remember to proceed cau-
tiously and drive defensively while avoiding full
brake applications. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The indicator lamp for DSC lights up; a
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. DSC and DTC are deactivated.
The stability maintenance functions are no
longer available. The vehicle remains in running
order. Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
The warning lamp for the brake system
lights up in yellow; a message appears
on the Control Display. DBC has failed.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Active roll stabilization*
The concept
Active roll stabilization minimizes body roll and
optimizes vehicle stability during cornering and
evasive maneuvers.
Dynamic stabilizers at the front and rear axles
form the basis for active roll stabilization. Sus-
pension compliance adapts to suit driving con-
ditions, varying from performance-oriented during cornering to smooth and comfort-ori-
ented when the vehicle is proceeding in a
straight line. During vehicle operation, the sys-
tem continuously runs through closed-loop
control cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
The system assumes operational status each
time you start the engine.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up and a mes-
sage appears on the Control Display.
There is a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
If there is a malfunction in the system,
please remember to adapt your speed
accordingly, especially in curves. The suspen-
s i o n w il l b e n o t i c ea b ly s o f t e r a n d t h e v e h i cl e w il l
display a greater tendency to tilt during corner-
ing and in crosswinds. If a message stating that
you should stop appears on the Control Display,
stop and switch off the engine as soon as pos-
sible. In this case the oil level in the reservoir
may have dropped below the minimum, possi-
bly owing to a leak in the hydraulic system. Do
not continue driving. Contact your BMW cen-
ter.<
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system provides an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly in rela-
tion to the pressure in another tire.
In the event of a pressure loss, the rolling radius
and therefore the rotation speed of the wheels
change. This change is detected and is
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
Perform the initialization immediately
after correcting the inflation pressure,
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
80 after changing a tire or after changing a wheel or
all of the wheels.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate
sudden severe tire damage caused by
outside factors and does not detect a natural,
even pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
When you are driving with the compact wheel,
the Flat Tire Monitor is unable to function.
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving,
which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. When driving with snow
chains or with the compact wheel, do not initial-
ize the system.<
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
3.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
4.Start engine, but do not start driving.5.Select "Set tire pressure" and press the
controller.
6.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
7.Start to drive.
The message "Initializing" is displayed.
The initialization finishes during driving. Then
the message "Status: Active" appears on the
Control Display again.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up in red and a
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, an acoustic signal
sounds. There is a flat tire or extensive inflation
pressure loss.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact a BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to
Changing a wheel on page185.
Vehicles with run-flat tires
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page174, do not
continue driving. Continuing to drive with a
flat tire could cause severe accidents.<
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2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor
has not been initialized. The system must
then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, or obvious tire damage, you can
estimate the possible distance for contin-
ued driving on the basis of the following
guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
4 or more persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle is
being driven, this can indicate final failure of the
damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon
as possible. Do not continue driving. Contact
your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message appears on the Control Dis-
play. The Flat Tire Monitor has a mal-
function or has failed. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Active steering*
The concept
The active steering is a system that actively var-
ies the steering angle of the front wheels in rela-
tion to the steering wheel movements.
When you are driving in the low road speed
range, e. g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes
very direct. In the higher speed range, on the
other hand, the steering angle is reduced more
and more. This improves the handling capability
of your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing
intervention is simultaneously deactivated
when DSC is switched off, refer to page78.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. The active
steering is no longer operational. At low
speeds, greater steering wheel move-
ments are required, whereas at higher speeds,
the vehicle reacts more sensitively to steering
wheel movements. Have the system checked.
If the warning lamp lights up during the first
engine starting following a power supply inter-
ruption, the system must be activated by being
initialized.
Initializing system
1.Start the engine.
2.With the vehicle stationary, turn the steer-
ing wheel from the straight-ahead position
t o t h e le f t a s f a r a s i t w i ll g o a n d t h e n b a c k t o
the straight-ahead position.
3.Switch off the engine.
When you start the engine again, all the func-
tions of the active steering are available once
again.
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Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lights off
1Parking lamps
2Low beams/daytime driving lamps
*
3Automatic headlamp control*/
Adaptive Head Light
*
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking. For lighting on one
side for parking as an additional feature, refer to
page88.
Low beams
The low beams are activated in switch
position2 only when the engine is running, oth-
erwise only the parking lamps are switched on.
Pathway lighting
If the vehicle is parked and the headlamps are
switched off, operating the headlamp flasher
activates the low beams. You can set the dura-
tion on the Control Display or deactivate the
function.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.3.Select "Light" and press the controller.
4.Select "Pathway lighting" and press the
controller.
5.Turn the controller to select the corre-
sponding duration.
6.Press the controller to apply the setting.
Lights on warning
If you turn the ignition key to position 0, an
acoustic signal sounds when you open the
driver's door for a few seconds to remind you
that the light has not yet been switched off.
At the same time a message appears on the
Control Display.
Daytime driving lamps*
If so desired, you can leave the light switch in
the low beam position2.
Always observe all applicable laws governing
the use of daytime driving lamps.
You can switch on the parking lamps when
needed using the standard procedure
described under Parking lamps.
Automatic headlamp control*
In the switch position3, the system activates
and switches on and off the low beams in
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for instance, in a tunnel, at dawn and
d u s k , a n d in r a i n o r s n o w . A d a p t iv e H e a d L ig h t
*
is active. The LED next to the symbol is illumi-
nated when the low beams are on.
Lamps
88 The low beams remain switched on inde-
pendent of the ambient lighting condi-
tions when you switch on the fog lamps.
With the daytime driving lamps
* activated, the
low beams are always switched on when the
ignition key is in position 2.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the system
cannot detect fog. To avoid safety risks, you
should always switch on the lamps manually
under these conditions.<
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables better illumination
of the road surface. Depending on the steering
angle and other assumptions, the light from the
headlamp follows the course of the road.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
In the switch position3, the Adaptive Head
Light is active and the automatic headlamp con-
trol
* is switched on.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive
Head Light
>is not active when driving in reverse
>is only active toward passenger side when
stationary
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is
faulty or has failed. Have the system checked as
soon as possible.
High beams/roadside parking
lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
You also enjoy the option of lighting up just one
side of your vehicle when parking. When using
this function, comply with national regulations:
With the ignition off, press the lever in the
desired direction3, past the resistance point.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Do not switch them on for long peri-
ods of time, otherwise it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine.<
Front fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must
be switched on for the fog lamps to
operate. The green indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up whenever the
fog lamps are on.
The fog lamps are switched off whenever the
high beams are switched on.
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A congenial climate
For almost all conditions, the AUTO program
offers the optimal air distribution and air vol-
ume. Select an interior temperature you find
pleasant.
The following section contains more detailed
information on the available setting options.
AUTO program
The AUTO program handles the
adjustment of air distribution to the
windshield and side windows, in
the direction of the upper body, and in the foot-
well, as well as the adjustment of the air volume.
It also adapts your instructions for the tempera-
ture to outside influences throughout the year.
The cooling is switched on automatically with
the AUTO program. At the same time, a con-
densation sensor controls the program in such
a way that window condensation is prevented
as much as possible.
Adjusting temperature
You can also set the desired tem-
perature on the driver's side and
the passenger side by turning the
knob.
When you start driving, the system ensures that
the selected temperature is achieved as quickly
as possible. It then maintains this temperature,
regardless of the season.
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation
This program quickly removes ice
and condensation from the wind-
shield and front side windows.
Air volume, manual
You can adjust the air volume by
turning. You can reactivate the
automatic mode for the air volume
with the AUTO button.
Switching cooling function on and off
manually
The cooling function cools and
dehumidifies the incoming air
before also reheating it as
required, according to the temperature setting.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
The cooling function is only available when the
engine is running and is switched on automati-
cally with the AUTO program.
Maximum cooling
This program quickly provides
maximum cooling.
The system switches to the recir-
culated-air mode and the air flows
at maximum air volume only from the air vent
outlets for the upper body area. For this reason
you should ensure that these vent outlets are
open before selecting this program.
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control/Recirculated-air mode
You can respond to pollutants or
unpleasant odors in the immediate
environment by suspending the
supply of outside air. The system then recircu-
lates the air currently within the vehicle. During
AUC operation, a sensor detects pollutants in
the outside air and controls the shut-off auto-
matically.
By pressing the button repeatedly, you can
request three operating modes:
>LED off: outside air flows in continuously.
>Right LED on, AUC mode: the system
detects pollutants in the outside air and
shuts off the supply as needed.
>Left LED on, recirculated-air mode: the
supply of outside air is permanently shut off.
If condensation starts to form on the
inside window surfaces during operation
in the recirculated-air mode, you should switch
it off while also increasing the air volume as
required.
A congenial climate
92 The recirculated-air mode should not be used
over an extended period of time, as the air qual-
ity inside the vehicle deteriorates continu-
ously.<
Residual heat mode
Press this button when the engine
is switched off, but warm.
The heat stored in the engine is
used to heat the passenger com-
partment, e.g. while stopped at a school to pick
up a child.
You can adjust the automatic climate control
settings in ignition key position 1.
Provided that the engine has warmed to its nor-
mal operating temperature and the battery is
charged, you can use this function for up to
15 minutes after switching off the ignition. The
LED in the button lights up to confirm compli-
ance with both of these conditions.
Switching off automatic climate control
The air volume, the heater and the
cooling function are all switched
off.
You can restart the automatic cli-
mate control by pressing any of its buttons
except the REST button.
Settings using Control Center
Ignition key:
>On vehicles with separate drives for audio
CDs and navigation DVDs, ignition key in
position 2
>In vehicles with one drive for audio CDs,
ignition key in position 1Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the left to open "Cli-
mate".
You can set the following:
>Manual air distribution, separate for driver's
side and passenger side
>Adjusting temperature in upper body region
>Intensity of the AUTO program
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Manual air distribution
You can preset your air distribution yourself and
also individually adjust the air temperature in
the upper body area.
1.Select "Vent settings" and press the con-
troller.
2.Move the controller to select the desired
field and turn the controller to adjust the air
distribution.
1Airflow directed toward the windshield and
side windows, driver's side only
2Airflow for the upper body