Driving
68 >Engaging: the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initial-
ized. The indicator lamp in the
Info Display lights up red.
>Releasing: the parking brake is ready
for operation. The indicator lamp
in the Info Display goes out.
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you
can also manually shift with the button on
the steering wheel, refer to page70.
Transmission range selection
P R N D
The selector lever position is indicated, and
in the manual mode the gear currently
engaged.
Program display
S or M1 – M6
Buttons on steering wheel
Press briefly to proceed through a selection
sequence consisting of the automatic pro-
gram, the Sport program, and the manual
mode.Steptronic:
Upshifting and downshifting, refer to Sport
program and manual operation.
Selecting transmission range
The selector lever is at the center
position. To select transmission
ranges D, R or N, always start by pulling
toward the steering wheel, arrow1, then
press up or down. Note the range indicated
in the Info Display.<
>Range D or R:
Press the selector lever up or down,
continuing to apply pressure to move it
beyond the resistance point
>Neutral N:
Press the selector lever up to the resis-
tance point
Driving
76 The vehicle brake lamps will automatically
illuminate to signal a following driver to take
action. In addition, it may be necessary for
the vehicle to downshift to maintain the dis-
tance setting selected. If the vehicle ahead
speeds up or when the lane ahead
becomes clear, your vehicle will accelerate
to the speed you have selected by increas-
ing the throttle setting and shifting gears as
needed.
Active cruise control is not and must
not be used as a collision avoidance/
warning system.<
Since this active cruise control sys-
tem is a new technology and operates
differently from conventional cruise control
systems which you may be accustomed,
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 page78.<
Info Display screen contents
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, refer to page 77
The system is activated.
The display appears as soon as
you activate the system and no
vehicle is detected driving
ahead. Vehicle detected.
The display lights up when a
vehicle is detected driving
ahead.
The system requests you to
intervene by braking or with an
evasive maneuver. The display
flashes and a chime sounds.
The active cruise control cannot
automatically restore the distance to the
vehicle driving ahead. You will find more
detailed information on page 80.
Automatic intervention by ABS
or DSC, or you actuate the
parking brake while driving. The
active cruise control now only
intervenes by braking.
Operating active cruise control
1Activate system,
store and increase desired speed
2Activate system,
store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system
4With system deactivated:
Briefly press the button to recall the
stored speed and distance
4With system activated:
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 avail-
able distance settings. You will find
more detailed information on page 78
Controls
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Mobility
Technology for comfort, convenience
and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking.
Signal tones indicate the current distance
to an object behind or in front of your vehi-
cle. Four ultrasonic sensors in both the
bumpers monitor the distance to the near-
est object. The sensors at the front and at
the two rear corners have a range of
approx. 2 ft/60 cm; the rear middle sensors
have approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually the case when parking.
Avoid approaching an object at high speed,
as otherwise the physical circumstances
would mean that the system warning was
too late.<
Automatic function
Whenever the ignition is on the system
automatically assumes operational status
after a few seconds each time you engage
the transmission position R.
Wait this short period before revers-
ing.<
Switching on manually
Press the button, the indicator lamp lights
up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Automatic deactivation
The system is automatically deactivated
once the vehicle travels approx. 165 ft/
50 m or exceeds a speed of roughly
20 mph/30 km/h; the indicator lamp goes
out. You can reactivate the system manu-
ally as needed.
Signal tones
The signal indicating the distance to the
nearest obstacle is directional. Thus, an
object detected to the left rear of the vehi-
cle will be indicated by a signal tone from
the left rear speaker, etc. As the distance
between vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become
shorter. The signal tone becomes continu-
ous once the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. 3 seconds if you are moving paral-
lel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp within the button flashes
and a status message appears in the Check
Control. PDC has failed. Switch off PDC.
Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to
ensure that they will continue to operate
effectively.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
PDC with visual warning
You also enjoy the option of having the sys-
tem show distances to objects on the Con-
trol Display. The Control Display will also
indicate the presence of objects in green
before they are close enough to generate a
signal tone.
Select "PDC pic." from the "Settings" menu
and confirm your selection. This activates
the PDC display.
The display then appears on the Control
Display whenever the PDC is automatically
or manually activated.
The previous display automatically reap-
pears after the system is deactivated.
confirm to return to the previous dis-
play.
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 ultrasonic measurement,
such as those encountered with tow bars
and trailer couplings, as well as thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
already displayed, e.g. a curb, can also dis-
appear from the detection area of the sen-
sors again before a continuous tone
sounds.
Loud noises from outside and inside the
vehicle may prevent you from hearing the
PDC's signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice
or snow in order to ensure that they
will continue to operate effectively.
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. The following section describes
these functions based on DSC and ABS.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS enhances active safety by preventing
the wheels from locking under braking.
ABS incorporates CBC and EBV.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow
and ABS is switched off. Conven-
tional braking efficiency remains
available without limitations. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
CBC is a supplement to ABS. It provides
further enhancements in vehicle stability
and steering response during lane changes
and cornering at high rates of lateral accel-
eration.
Controls
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EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution
EBV controls the brake system's applica-
tion pressure at the rear wheels to ensure
stable deceleration.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing acceleration and when starting from a
full stop, as well as optimizing traction.
The system recognizes any tendency for
the vehicle to assume an unstable attitude
such as oversteer or understeer; it then
counteracts this tendency with a combina-
tion of graduated reductions in engine
torque and selective braking intervention at
individual wheels. DSC provides optimized
stability within the limits defined by the
laws of physics.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC contains the functions
DTC Dynamic Traction Control and DBC
Dynamic Brake Control.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp goes out shortly
after the engine starts.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
DSC has been switched off using the Con-
trol Center.
Activating DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
In particular driving situations, in deep
snow, for example, DTC ensures the maxi-
mum forward momentum. The gain in for-
ward momentum in these situations
involves a reduction in vehicle stability.
DTC is active up to 45 mph/70 km/h.You may find it useful to briefly activate
DTC under the following special circum-
stances:
>When rocking the vehicle and starting
off in deep snow or on loose road sur-
faces
>When ascending snow-covered hills,
and when driving in deep or on hard-
packed snow
>When driving with snow chains.
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm your selection. DTC is now activated.
The DTC indicator lamp in the Info Display
lights up permanently.
When DTC is active, DSC provides
only limited system response up to a
speed of approximately 45 mph/70 km/h.
Intervention for stability enhancement is
reduced.<
Deactivating DTC again
Select "Settings". Select "DTC" and con-
firm your selection. DTC is now deacti-
vated. The DTC indicator lamp in the Info
Display goes out. DSC is once again avail-
able without restriction.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
Switching off DSC
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm your selection. DSC is deactivated.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
remains on continuously.
Deactivating DSC automatically deacti-
vates DTC as well. The systems for
enhancing stability and traction are deacti-
vated, and there is no active braking inter-
vention or torque control.
A status report appears in the Check Con-
trol. Please take note of the additional infor-
mation on the Control Display.
To maintain optimized stability, drive
with the system on whenever possi-
ble.<
Reactivating DSC
Select "Settings". Select "DSC" and con-
firm your selection. DSC is now activated.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display goes
out.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the
additional safety margin provided by the
system as an excuse for taking unneces-
sary risks.
When DTC is active, DSC provides only
limited system response up to a speed of
approximately 45 mph/70 km/h. Interven-
tion for stability enhancement is reduced.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Never allow anyone other than
authorized professional technicians to
carry out service or repairs on the DSC sys-
tem.<
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this
system automatically produces the maxi-
mum braking force boost and thus helps to
achieve the shortest possible braking dis-
tance during panic stops. This system
exploits all of the benefits provided by ABS.
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.
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 status report appears in
the Check Control. Please take note
of the additional information on the
Control Display. Driving stability
control and ABS have failed. Con-
ventional braking efficiency remains avail-
able without limitations.
While you may continue, you should
remember to proceed cautiously and drive
defensively while avoiding full brake appli-
cations. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
The DSC warning lamp lights up.
DSC and DTC have failed. Their sta-
bilizing interventions are no longer
available. The vehicle will remain com-
pletely operational, however, without DSC.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
The brake system warning lamp
lights up yellow and a message
appears in the Check Control.
Please take note of the additional informa-
tion on the Control Display. DBC has failed.
Controls
95Reference
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Mobility
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Display of the previously described
malfunction on Canadian models.
Dynamic Drive
The concept
Dynamic Drive minimizes body roll and
optimizes vehicle stability during cornering
and evasive maneuvers.
Active stabilizers at the front and rear axles
form the basis for Dynamic Drive. Suspen-
sion compliance adapts to suit driving con-
ditions, varying from performance-oriented
during cornering to smooth and comfort-
oriented when the vehicle is proceeding in
a straight line.
The system assumes operational status
each time you start the engine.
Driving with Dynamic Drive
During vehicle operation, the system con-
tinuously runs through closed-loop control
cycles lasting only fractions of a second.
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up, accom-
panied by a status message in the
Check Control. Please take note of
the additional information on the Control
Display. A malfunction has occurred in the
system. Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
If the Dynamic Drive system switches
off in response to malfunction, please
remember to adapt your speed accord-
ingly, especially in curves.
The suspension will be noticeably softer
and the vehicle will display a greater ten-
dency to tilt during cornering and in cross-
winds.
If a Check Control message stating that you
should stop appears in addition to the red
symbol, stop immediately and switch off
the engine. In this case the oil level in the
reservoir may have dropped below the min-imum, possibly owing to a leak in the
hydraulic system.
Please observe the additional instructions
provided on the Control Display.<
EDC Electronic Damping
Control*
The suspension responds to changes in
factors such as road surface, or operating
conditions such as steering and braking, by
adapting to the new conditions within frac-
tions of a second.
Two programs are available; they can be
selected in the "Settings" menu.
Comfort mode
The Comfort mode is suitable for use
throughout the vehicle's entire speed range
and regardless of load.
Sport program
You should select the Sport program for
consistently performance-oriented
response from shock absorbers and steer-
ing.
Flat Tire Monitor
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the
inflation pressures in the four fitted tires as
you drive. The system provides an alert
whenever the inflation pressure drops sig-
nificantly in relation to the pressure another
tire.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
96 The check of the tire inflation pressure is
based on monitoring the relative speeds of
the wheels. A flat tire is detected and
reported on the basis of a deviation in cer-
tain speed ratios.
Functional requirements
So that the Flat Tire Monitor can learn the
correct inflation pressure, please perform
the following:
1.Check the inflation pressures in all tires
2.Compare with the inflation pressure
table on page189 and correct if neces-
sary
3.Initialize the system.
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate
sudden severe tire damage caused by
outside factors and does not detect a natu-
ral, even pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, on the other
hand, there can be delays in detecting tire
pressure losses, and even system failure:
>When you are driving on snow-covered
or slippery road surfaces
>In the case of performance-oriented
driving: slip on the drive wheels, high
lateral acceleration
>False alarms and undetected loss of
pressure may occur when you are driv-
ing with snow chains fitted.
Initializing system
Perform the initialization immediately
after correcting the inflation pressure,
changing a tire or changing a wheel or all
wheels. A drive is necessary for this pur-
pose.<
1.Start the engine, but do not drive off
2.Select "RPA" from the "Settings" menu
and confirm your selection. The initial-
ization menu appears 3.Select "SET" and confirm your selection
4.Drive off.
"FTM is being initialized" is displayed as the
status.
It takes at least 10 minutes before the Flat
Tire Monitor can detect and report a flat
tire.
When driving with snow chains, do
not initialize the system.<
Select and confirm to exit from the
menu.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red,
accompanied by a status message
in the Check Control. In addition, an
acoustic signal sounds. A flat tire or a major
air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle
carefully. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers
2.Identify damaged tire
If identification is not possible,
contact your BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged tire, refer to
Changing wheels on page204.