Driving
58
Windshield washer nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated in ignition key position 2.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks and
open flames, and store it in tightly closed con-
tainers well out of the reach of children. Always
observe the instructions for use provided on the
containers.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Fill with water and – if required – with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
In order to maintain the mixture ratio, mix
the washer fluid before filling.<
Capacity
3.2USquarts/3liters, in conjunction with head-
lamp washer system
* approx. 5.3 US quarts/
5liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
The cruise control is available for use at speeds
of approx. 20 mph/30 km/h and higher. The
vehicle maintains and stores the speed that you
set using the lever mounted on the steering col-
umn.Do not use the cruise control under driv-
ing conditions that do not permit a con-
stant speed, e.g.when driving on winding roads,
in heavy traffic or in poor road conditions such
as snow, rain, ice, and loose road surface.<
One lever for all functions
1Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
accelerating
2Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
decelerating
3Interrupting cruise control
4Resuming stored speed
Maintaining speed, storing speed, and
accelerating
Press lever to resistance point 1:
The speed currently being driven is maintained
and stored. The display1 in the speedometer,
refer to page59, indicates this regulated speed.
Every time you press the lever, the vehicle's
speed increases by roughly 1 mph/1 km/h.
Press lever to resistance point for a longer time:
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. The system maintains
and stores your current speed as soon as you
release the lever.
Press the lever beyond the resistance point:
increase speed by 5 mph/10 km/h.
The vehicle may accelerate beyond the regu-
lated speed on steep downhill stretches where
the engine's braking effect alone may not be
sufficient to slow the vehicle. Speed can drop
on uphill grades if the engine output is insuffi-
cient.
Driving
60 Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems
which you may be accustomed to, you are
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Pay special attention
to the information contained in the Things to
know about active cruise control section in this
manual beginning on page62.<
Vehicles with manual transmission
You can use the system in the 2nd to 6th gear
within a normal engine speed range and also
change gears. Continuous operation at very
high or very low engine speeds is not possible.
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the
system deactivates itself.
Vehicles with SMG
Continuous operation at very high engine
speeds is not possible in the Sequential mode.
In this case the driver is asked to shift or the
system deactivates itself.
In the Drive mode, the SMG acts similarly to the
automatic transmission in the D position.
Operating active cruise control
1Activate system, store and increase desired
speed
2Activate system, store and decrease
desired speed
3Deactivate system4Recall the stored speed and distance or
increase desired speed by 1 mph/1 km/h
with each press of the button
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead.
You can choose from four available distance
settings. You will find more detailed infor-
mation on page62.
Adjust your desired speed to the traffic
conditions and remain ready to brake at
all times. Great differences in speed to the vehi-
cles driving ahead, e. g. when quickly approach-
ing a truck or when another vehicle swerves into
your lane, cannot be compensated for by the
system.<
Displays in instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed display
2Detected vehicle display. Lights up when
vehicle driving ahead is detected
3Selected distance to vehicle driving ahead
4Digital speed display.
Appears briefly when you select your
desired speed
The system is activated.
The display 3 appears as soon as
you activate the system and no
vehicle is detected driving ahead.
Vehicle detected.
The display 2 lights up yellow
when a vehicle is detected driving
ahead.
Driving
62
Fine adjustment of desired speed
In the activated state, the desired speed
increases by 1 mph/1 km/h each time button4
is pressed briefly.
Select distance
You can choose from four distance steps.
>Rotary switch downward:
Increase distance
>Rotary switch upward:
Decrease distance
The selected distance is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster. Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
This distance is always set when
the system is used for the first time
after starting the engine.
Distance 4
Use good judgment to select the appro-
priate following distance given road con-
ditions, traffic, applicable laws and driving rec-
ommendations for safe following distance.<
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own
personal responsibility, alertness and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking or otherwise
controlling the vehicle. 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
highway-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, slippery roads or
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-
ramps; during inclement weather such as snow,
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, 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.<
Controls
63Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system does have physical limi-
tations. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead
of you, as for example, at a traffic light or a
parked vehicle. Also, the system does not react
to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other types
of potential traffic such as a rider on horseback.
It is also possible that the system may not
detect smaller moving objects such as motor-
cycles or bicycles. Be especially alert when
encountering any of these situations as the sys-
tem will neither automatically 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 vehi-
cle 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,
unobstructed 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 manner
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 sys-
tem 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 deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle
brakes, shifts the transmission to neutral/N, or
deactivates DSC. After any deactivation, the
system will no longer automatically activate the
vehicle brakes, which means the driver must intervene and resume manual braking. You
should then reactivate the system only when
you are fully aware of the prior speed and dis-
tance settings.<
Active cruise control may brake when you
reduce the stored desired speed; however, the
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition,
active cruise control is fully switched off, too,
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway.
In approaching a curve, it is possible that active
cruise control would react briefly to a vehicle in
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.
Controls
65Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Everything under control
Odometer, outside
temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly activate
the time, outside temperature and odometer
displays by pressing the knob 3 in the instru-
ment cluster.
1 Outside temperature display, time,
date
The outside temperature and the time are dis-
played as of ignition key position 1.
Date retrieval:
Press CHECK button on turn signal lever, refer
to page69.
Time and date setting, refer to page74.
You can set the measurement unit 7 or 6 on
the Control Display, refer to Measurement units
on page73.
Ice warning
A signal sounds when the outside temperature
falls to approx. +37.57/+36; this is accompa-
nied by a message.
Please bear in mind that the ice warning
does nothing to alter the fact that black
ice may be present on roads at temperatures
higher than +37.57/+36, e. g. on bridges and
shaded roads.<
2 Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting trip odometer: press the knob3 in the
instrument cluster.
Tachometer
The white-striped advance warning field,
arrow1, changes depending on the engine
temperature. The segments disappear in
sequence as the engine warms to its normal
operating temperature. Avoid allowing the
engine speed to rise as far as the orange warn-
ing sector whenever possible.
Engine speeds in the red warning field, arrow2,
must absolutely be avoided. In this range, the
fuel supply is interrupted to protect the engine.
Everything under control
66
Energy Control
Displays the current fuel consumption. This
allows you to see whether your current driving
style is conducive to fuel economy with mini-
mum exhaust emissions.
Fuel gage
Fuel tank capacity: approx. 18.5 gallons/
70 liters, including the reserve capacity of
approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters. You can find infor-
mation on refueling on page168.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
After the reserve quantity has been reached, a
message appears for a short time on the Con-
trol Display; the remaining range is shown in the
computer. With a range below approx. 30 miles/
50 km, the message remains on the Control
Display.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Service requirements
The remaining travel distance and the date for
the next maintenance are displayed briefly
when the ignition key is in position 2.
Your BMW Service Advisor can deter-
mine your vehicle's current service
requirements by reading out the data stored in
the master key.<
Additional information
You can view additional information on service
and maintenance procedures on the Control
Display.
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Open the menu.
2.Select "Service" and press the controller.
3.Select "Service requirements" and press
the controller.
4.Select "Status" and press the controller
The display shows a list of selected service and
maintenance procedures, as well as legally
mandated inspections.
Everything under control
70 Further information appears each time you
press the BC button.
In the instrument cluster
The display sequence:
>Cruising range
>Average speed
>Average fuel consumption
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. It is projected based on
the driving style over the last 20 miles/30 km.
Refuel as soon as possible once your
cruising range falls below 30 miles/
50 km, as otherwise engine functions are not
ensured and damage can occur.<
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
switched off are not included in the calculations
of average speed.
To reset average speed: press BC button on
turn signal lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Average fuel consumption
The average fuel consumption is calculated for
the time during which the engine is running.
You can use the Control Display to view your
fuel consumption rate over two different dis-
tances, refer to Computer or Trip computer*.
To reset average fuel consumption: press BC
button on turn signal lever for approx. 2 sec-
onds.
On the Control Display
You can also call up the computer via the Con-
trol Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller to the right to open
"Navigation".
In vehicles without navigation system:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller
You now have a choice between:
>Computer
>Trip computer,
suitable e.g. for a vacation trip.
Computer
Select "Onboard info" and press the controller.
>Estimated time of arrival at destination:
>Entering a distance manually in the com-
puter, see below.
>Entering a destination in the navigation
system
*, refer to page115.
>Cruising range
Controls
77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communication
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Control Center, for principle details, refer to
page16.
1.Press button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the
controller.
4.Select "PDC" and press the controller.
5.Select "Monitor display on" and press the
controller.
The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as
soon as PDC is activated.
The setting for the remote control currently in
use is stored.
System limits
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 thin and wedge-shaped
objects, etc. Low objects already displayed, e. g. a curb, can also disappear from the detec-
tion area of the sensors again before a continu-
ous tone sounds. Loud noises from outside and
inside your vehicle may prevent you from hear-
ing the PDC signal tone.<
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
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme 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. Safe braking, refer to page107.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking
during a gear change, driving stability and
steering response are improved further.
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. When
the brake pedal is released, DBC is deactivated.