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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 is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
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 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 ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc.  
Low objects already displayed, e.g. a curb, can 
also disappear from the detection area of the sensors again before a continuous tone 
sounds.
Loud noises from outside and inside your vehi-
cle may prevent you from hearing the PDC sig-
nal 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 the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page109.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change. 
Electronic brake-force distribution
This system controls the brake system's appli-
cation pressure at the rear wheels to ensure 
stable deceleration.
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 panic 
stops. This system exploits all of the benefits 
provided by ABS. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
82 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.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
The system prevents slip at the drive wheels 
when driving off and accelerating. DSC also 
detects unstable driving conditions such as 
fishtailing or sliding of the front wheels. In these 
cases DSC helps the vehicle safely stay on 
course within the physical limits by reducing the 
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 variant of DSC for special road condi-
tions, e.g. uncleared snow-covered roads, that 
is optimized for forward momentum. The sys-
tem ensures maximum forward momentum, but 
with limited driving stability. Therefore, drive 
with the corresponding caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snow-covered uphill 
grades, in slushy snow or on uncleared, 
snow-covered roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or when 
starting off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button; 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, however not 
longer than approx. 10 seconds. Interventions 
promoting stability and forward momentum will 
no longer be carried out. In addition, the stability 
promoting intervention of the active steering
* 
is deactivated, refer to page85.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To support enhanced operating stability, reacti-
vate DSC again as soon as possible.
Reactivating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out. 

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Report of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up in red. 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.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden brak-
ing and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed 
a vehicle speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not, as provided at the 
factory, equipped with run-flat tires, 
refer to page172, stop driving. Continued 
driving after a flat tire can result in serious 
accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the 
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four 
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor 
may not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In case of a complete loss of the tire inflation 
pressure or obvious tire damage, you can 
estimate the possible driving distance for 
continued driving base on the following ref-
erence values:
>With low load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km.
>With medium load: 
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or 
4 persons without luggage: 
approx. 94 miles/150 km.
>With full load: 
4 persons, luggage compartment 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 dis-
tance and altered natural steering charac-
teristics.
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 in yellow. 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.
A t  l o w  s p e e d ,  e . g .  i n  a  t o w n  o r  w h e n  p a r k i n g ,  t h e  
steering angle of the wheels is reinforced, 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 stability-pro-
moting intervention is deactivated when DSC is 
switched off, refer to page82.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. The active 
steering is no longer operational. At low 
speed, larger steering wheel move-
ments are required, while the vehicle reacts 
more sensitively to steering wheel movements 
in the higher road-speed range. Have the sys-
tem 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. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
86
Initializing system
1.Start the engine.
2.With the vehicle stationary, turn the steer-
ing wheel from the straight-ahead position 
to the left as far as it will go and then back to 
the straight-ahead position.
3.Switch off the engine.
When you start the engine again, all the func-
tions of the active steering will be available once 
again.
Brake Force Display
The Brake Force Display lights up in two stages 
depending on how strongly you brake.
>Normal braking:
The brake lamps and the third brake lamp 
go on.
>Heavy braking and braking with ABS:
In addition, the illuminated area of the rear 
brake lamps is enlarged, refer to illustration.
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags for driver and front passenger
2Coupe: Head airbags
3Front side airbags
4Knee airbag for front passenger
5Knee airbag for driver
Protective action
 To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please observe the adjustment instructions on 
page44.
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of a side impact. The side airbag sup-
ports the side upper body area. The head air 
bag supports the head.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-
dents, certain rollover conditions, or rear-end 
collisions.
For information on the correct sitting position, 
refer to page44. 

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Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention 
system from the vehicle. Never modify or 
tamper with either the wiring or the individual 
components in the airbag system. This cate-
gory includes the upholstery in the center of the 
steering wheel, on the instrument panel, the 
side trim panels on the doors and on the Coupe, 
the roof pillars along with the sides of the head-
liner. Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel.
Do not touch the individual components 
directly after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns.
If you note any indication of system malfunc-
tion, if you wish to have an airbag deactivated, 
or if the airbag retention system is triggered in 
response to an accident, you should always 
entrust all inspection, repair and dismantling 
operations to your BMW center. Unprofessional 
attempts to service the system could lead to 
failure in an emergency or undesired airbag 
activation, either of which could result in per-
sonal injury.<
Airbag warning information is also provided on 
the sun visors.
Operational readiness of airbag system
From ignition key position 1 the warning lamp 
lights up briefly, indicating the operational 
readiness of the entire airbag system and the 
belt tensioners.
Airbag system malfunction
>The warning lamp does not light up as of 
ignition key position 1.>The warning lamp lights up continuously.
Have the airbag system checked immedi-
ately if a malfunction occurs, as otherwise 
there is a danger of the system not responding 
in the expected manner to an impact occurring 
within its normal response range.<
Convertible: 
Rollover protection system
The rollover protection system is automatically 
activated in the event of an accident or a critical 
driving situation, extreme inclination on the lon-
gitudinal or transverse axis, or loss of ground 
contact. The rollover bars located behind the 
rear head restraints are deployed within frac-
tions of a second.
As a supplement to the rollover bar integrated 
into the windshield frame, the rollover protec-
tion system ensures that all vehicle occupants 
have the necessary headroom.
Always keep the path of movement of the 
rollover protection system clear.
In less severe accidents, you are protected by 
the fastened safety belt and, depending on the 
severity of the accident, the belt tensioner and 
the multistage airbag restraint system.<
Lowering
If the protection function was not required after 
automatic activation, the rollover protection 
system can be lowered again. No tools are nec-
essary for this purpose.
1.Press the release backward and hold in that 
position. 

Lamps
92 The low beams remain on independent of 
the ambient lighting conditions when you 
switch on the fog lamps.
With the daytime driving lamps activated, the 
low beams are always switched on in this switch 
position with the ignition key 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 switch position3 the Adaptive Head Light is 
active and the automatic headlamp control is 
switched on.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light
>is not active when driving in reverse
>i s  o n l y  a c t i v e  t o w a r d  p a s s e n g e r ' s  s i d e  w h e n  
stationary
Malfunction
The LED beside the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. The Adaptive Head Light 
is malfunctioning 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 switched off, press the lever in 
the desired direction3, past the resistance 
point.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Avoid using for longer periods, as 
otherwise it may not be possible to start the 
engine.<
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 when the fog 
lamps are switched on. 

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Mobile communication devices in 
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munication devices, e.g. portable phones, 
inside the vehicle without a direct connection to 
an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle 
electronics and mobile communication device 
can influence one another. In addition, there is 
no assurance that the radiation emitted during 
transmission will be conveyed out of the vehicle 
interior.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or 
complete loss of contact between the tires and 
the road surface, ultimately undermining your 
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread 
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page171.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it 
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at 
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the 
transmission may be damaged.<
Using handbrake on inclines.
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with 
the clutch; use the handbrake. Otherwise 
greater clutch wear will result.<
SMG Sequential manual transmission
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold 
the vehicle on a hill by applying the throt-
tle, but engage the handbrake instead. Other-
wise overheating can occur in the transmission 
region.<
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard. In 
situations that require it, it is best to brake with 
full force. Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can still avoid possible 
obstacles with a minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to 
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the 
brake pedal. Even light but consistent 
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, 
briefly brake with light pedal pressure at inter-
vals of a few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to 
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger 
other road users. The heat generated in this 
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced 
efficiency of the brake system, downshift 
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or 
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pedal pressure can lead to high tempera-
tures, brake wear and possibly even brake fail-
ure.<
You can further enhance the engine's braking 
effect by selecting a lower gear in the automatic 
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as 
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches, 
refer to page58. This strategy helps you avoid 
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Never drive with the clutch pressed 
or allow the vehicle to coast with the 
transmission in Neutral – or with the engine 
switched off – there is no engine braking when 
the transmission is in Neutral, and no power 
assist for brakes and steering when the engine 
is not running. 

Destination guidance
126
Destination guidance 
through voice instructions
Switching voice instructions on/off
Control Center, for principle details, refer to 
page16.
1.Open start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Display settings" and press the 
controller.
4.Select "Languages" and press the control-
ler.
5.Select "Navigation voice instructions on" 
and press the controller.
 The voice instructions are switched on.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Repeating and canceling voice 
instructions
With the programmable buttons on the steering 
wheel, you can also make the following set-
tings, refer to page51:
>Repeat the voice instruction:
Press the button.
>Switch voice instructions on/off:
Maintain pressure on the button for several 
seconds.
Adjusting volume
1.Repeat the last voice instruction, if required.
2.Turn the button during the voice instruction 
to select the desired volume.
This volume is independent of the volume of the 
audio sources.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.