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Indicator and warning
lamps
Technology that monitors itself
The indicator and warning lamps identified
by the
+ symbol are subjected to an oper-
ation check each time you switch on the
ignition or start the engine. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
When a malfunction occurs in a monitored
system, the corresponding lamp will either
fail to go out when the engine is started, or
it will come on again during normal driving.
Detailed information is provided on the
specified pages.
Fixed indicator and warning lamps
Colors
The indicator and warning lamps can light
up in different colors and combinations.
>Red:
Stop the vehicle immediately
or
an important reminder
>Red and yellow:
Continue to drive; drive cautiously
>Yellow:
Have the system inspected at the earli-
est opportunity
or
for your information
>Green:
For your information
>Blue:
For your information.
Variable indicator and warning lamps
In the display 8 of the Info Display, addi-
tional indicator and warning lamps appear
when necessary. Observe the instructions
for action of the accompanying Check Con-
trol messages, also refer to page83. Please fasten safety belts
+51
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
+93
DTC Dynamic Traction Control93
ABS Antilock Brake System
+92
Brake system
+
With other warning lamps94,197
Warning lamp on Canadian models
With parking brake released66
With parking brake set64
Warning lamp on Canadian models
Automatic parking brake,
Automatic Hold
+65,66
Service Engine Soon +200
Indicator lamp on Canadian
models
Airbags
+98
Turn signals71
High beams/
headlamp flasher101
Front fog lamps101
Driving
62
Driving
Ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into
the ignition lock. This also activates the
radio mode.
When the remote control is in the igni-
tion lock you can start the engine
without first switching on the ignition.<
Comfort Access*
Carry the remote control on your person
if you want to use the Comfort Access.
With Comfort Access, you do not need to
insert the remote control in the ignition
lock. You can switch the ignition on and off,
see below, or start the engine, page 63,
when a remote control is detected in the
vehicle interior.
When you switch off the engine, the
transmission moves automatically to
position P: interlock.<
Switching ignition on and off
Continue to briefly press the start/stop but-
ton to switch the radio mode on and off or
switch the ignition on and off. Do not press the brake pedal until you
are ready to start the engine. If you
briefly press the start/stop button while the
brake pedal is pressed the engine will start
immediately.<
Radio mode
Several systems, such as the Control Cen-
ter, independent ventilation, etc., are avail-
able for use. The time and outside temper-
ature appear in the Info Display.
The radio mode is automatically
deactivated:
>After approx. 16 minutes, when a door
is closed and the system does not reg-
ister the presence of any individuals in
the vehicle
>Immediately if the remote control is
removed from the ignition lock
>With Comfort Access, by pressing the
door handle.<
Ignition switched on
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Ignition off
The indicator lamps in the Info Display go
out. Only the automatic transmission's
range display remains visible for a brief
period.
Removing remote control from
ignition lock
Press the remote control in briefly; it is
ejected and now protrudes slightly from the
lock. This procedure will also switch off the
ignition if it is on.
Switch off the engine before removing
the remote control from the ignition
lock.
The transmission automatically shifts to
position P: interlock.<
If the remote control is still in the ignition
lock when the driver's door is opened, a
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gong will sound and a message will appear
in the Info Display.
Starting engine
Do not run the engine in closed
rooms, as otherwise the inhaling of
toxic exhaust gases can cause uncon-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always
select position P on the selector lever and
engage the parking brake before leaving
the vehicle with the engine running.<
When starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not allow the engine to warm up by
leaving it running while the vehicle remains
stationary. Instead, begin to drive immedi-
ately at a moderate engine speed.
Your BMW is equipped with the conve-
nience starting feature. After pressing the
brake pedal, all you need to do is briefly
press the start/stop button. The system
responds by automatically engaging the
starter and allowing it to run until the engine
starts, after which it then disengages auto-
matically.
If the engine fails to start on the first
attempt, for instance, if it is very hot or cold:
Press the accelerator pedal halfway down
while engaging the starter.During a cold start at very low tempera-
tures, below + 57/– 156, at high altitudes
over 3,281 ft/1,000 m:
>Engage the starter for approx.
10 seconds the first time
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Refrain from starting the vehicle
repeatedly at brief intervals, and avoid
an excessive number of starting attempts if
the vehicle fails to start; repeated activation
of the starter over an extended period
would allow unburned or only partially
combusted fuel to enter the catalytic con-
verter, where it can cause overheating and
damage to the unit.<
If you have accidentally switched off
the engine while driving, it can be
restarted from a speed of approx. 3 mph/
5 km/h by pressing the button. It is not nec-
essary to press the brake pedal.<
Switching off engine
With the vehicle stationary, briefly press the
start/stop button. This also activates the
radio mode.
The transmission automatically shifts to
position P: interlock.
Transmission position N remains
engaged if you keep to the following
order:
1.With Comfort Access: insert the remote
control into the ignition lock
2.With the engine running, engage trans-
mission position N
3.Switch off the engine
4.Leave the remote control in the ignition
lock.
This function is useful in automatic car
washes, etc.
Position P is engaged automatically after
approx. 30 minutes or when you remove
the remote control from the ignition lock.
Remember to observe the Check Control
for status messages.<
Driving
64 Should exceptional circumstances
render it necessary for you to switch
off the engine while the vehicle is moving,
press the start/stop button for approxi-
mately 1 second.
If you maintain pressure on the start/stop
button for longer than two seconds while
switching off the ignition, the remote con-
trol will be ejected.<
Before leaving the vehicle, remove
the remote control from the ignition
lock; with Comfort Access, always take the
remote control with you.<
Parking brake
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with an electrome-
chanical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to
prevent the vehicle from rolling while
parked.
You can operate or use the parking brake in
two different ways:
>Manually, by briefly pressing the button
>Automatically, through activation of the
Automatic Hold mode, refer to page65.
An electrohydraulic mechanism then
engages the parking brake to prevent the
rear wheels from turning whenever you
switch off the engine.
When the engine is running, parking brake
engagement is controlled by the brake sys-
tem's hydraulic circuits, which act on the
disc brakes at the front and rear wheels.
Brake pedal feel
Because this function is activated using
the brake system's hydraulic circuits, the
response of the brake pedal may change
slightly. Engagement may also be accom-
panied by activation noise – this is normal.
Manual engagement
Briefly press the button, the
word PARK appears briefly in
the Info Display. With the park-
ing brake engaged, the indica-
tor lamp lights up red in
the Info Display, refer to page12.
With the ignition off, the indicator
lamp goes out after a brief
period.<
Manual release
With the ignition on, briefly
press the button: the indicator
lamp in the Info Display goes
out.
Provided that the remote control is
inserted in the ignition lock, you can
also release the parking brake after the
engine has been switched off. This function
is intended for use in automatic car
washes, etc.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control from the
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution
prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.
The parking brake can still be engaged at
any time when the remote control is
released from the detent. It is only possible
to disengage the parking brake with the
ignition on.<
If exceptional circumstances should
make it necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in motion,
maintain pressure on the button.
The indicator lamp appears in red in the
Info Display. A gong sounds at the same
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time.
The brake lamps come on.
The vehicle continues to brake automati-
cally for as long as you maintain pressure
on the button.<
When you brake the vehicle to a vir-
tual stop, i.e., down to a speed of
approximately 2 mph/3 km/h or below, the
parking brake remains engaged.
The indicator lamp in the Info Display
lights up red. Briefly press the button to
disengage the parking brake manually.<
Automatic Hold
You can activate this feature after starting
the engine; it then remains operational until
the next time the engine is switched off.
This feature provides supplementary sup-
port during vehicle operation by automati-
cally engaging and releasing the parking
brake during stops at traffic lights, in stop-
and-go traffic, etc. As the vehicle then no
longer tends to creep when the transmis-
sion is engaged, it is no longer necessary to
hold the vehicle by pressing the brake
pedal.
It prevents the vehicle from rolling back-
ward during uphill starts.
The parking brake engages automatically
when you stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine.
You can activate or cancel the Automatic
Hold feature by selecting the "Settings"
menu in the Control Center. A description
of the Control Center is provided on
page17.
Automatic Hold activation/
deactivation
1.Select "Settings"
2.Select and confirm
3.Select "AUTO P". Press the controller
to activate/deactivate the desired func-
tion
>Automatic Hold is activated.
The green AUTO P status message in
the Info Display shows you that the sys-
tem is ready for operation >Automatic Hold is deactivated.
The green AUTO P status message dis-
appears from the Info Display.
You can assign the Automatic Hold
function to the programmable button
on the steering wheel, refer to page54.
This feature then provides you with quick
access to the Automatic Hold function,
allowing you to control it without undue dis-
traction from road and traffic conditions.<
You can also deactivate Auto-
matic Hold by pressing the but-
ton while the vehicle is station-
ary. The vehicle remains
stationary, the indicator lamp
changes from green to red. Press the but-
ton again to release the parking brake.
Driving with Automatic Hold
The parking brake engages automatically
when the vehicle comes to a stop. The indi-
cator lamp in the Info Display lights
up green.
To start off again, simply press the acceler-
ator pedal. The parking brake is released
automatically; the indicator lamp
goes out.
Do not drive through an automatic car
wash with the Automatic Hold on and
the engine running. The system would
engage the parking brake while the vehicle
is stationary.<
Parking with Automatic Hold
The parking brake engages automatically
when you stop the vehicle and switch off
the engine. The indicator lamp
changes from green to red.
Driving
66 Provided that the remote control is
inserted in the ignition lock, you can
also release the parking brake manually
after the engine has been switched off,
refer to page64. This function is useful in
automatic car washes, etc.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, always
release the remote control from the
detent in the ignition lock; this precaution
prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, etc.<
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deacti-
vated when
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat
is not occupied while the engine is run-
ning
>the hood is opened while the engine is
running
>the luggage compartment is opened
with the transmission in position R while
the engine is running, and
>when the parking brake is used to bring
the vehicle to a stop.
The indicator lamp changes from
green to red, and the AUTO P letters in the
Info Display disappear.
Before starting off again, briefly press the
button to disengage the parking brake
manually, refer to page64, or reactivate
Automatic Hold, refer to page65.
Before leaving the vehicle with the
engine running, always move the
automatic transmission's selector lever to
position P and ensure that the parking
brake is engaged. The vehicle could start to
roll if you fail to observe these precautions.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
Automatic Hold is automatically deac-
tivated whenever the system detects
any tendency for the wheels to spin in
response to slippery road surfaces. Note the status reports in the Check Control.
You can find additional information on the
Check Control on page83.<
Malfunction
If a malfunction occurs, the indicator
lamp lights up yellow in the Info Dis-
play and a status report will appear in the
Check Control. Please note any supple-
mentary information that appears on the
Control Display.
Releasing parking brake manually
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the parking brake manually.
Before proceeding to release the
parking brake manually, and each
time you park the vehicle without engaging
the parking brake, always ensure that the
automatic transmission's selector lever is in
position P, refer to page68. Note the range
indicated in the Info Display.
If the wheel must be changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from roll-
ing e.g. with a chock, refer to page204
Otherwise there is a danger that the vehicle
could start to roll if parked on a steep
slope.<
Should it also be necessary to release the
automatic transmission's lockout manually,
for instance, if the battery is discharged,
always adhere to the following sequence:
1.If necessary, start by manually releasing
the parking brake
2.Then release the automatic transmis-
sion's lockout manually, refer to
page70.
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages209 and210.
Everything under control
88 You are only warned of reaching this speed
a second time if you again drive at least
3 mph/5 km/h slower.
Adjusting, changing
1.Select "Limit" and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select "SET" and confirm your selection
3.Turn the controller to the left or right to
select the preset speed
4.Press the controller to confirm your
entry. The speed limit function is now
active.
Switching on or off
1.Select "Limit" and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select "ON / OFF" and confirm your
selection. "ON / OFF" is highlighted
when the speed limit function is acti-
vated.
Applying your current speed as limit
1.Select "Limit" and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select and confirm your selec-
tion. The system applies your current
speed as the limit.
Limit on Info Display
If, for instance, the warning sector in the
tachometer is visible, refer to page81, the
speed limit will be indicated by a warning
sector in the speedometer, refer to arrow.
Stopwatch
Starting and stopping
1.Select and confirm your selection
2.Select and confirm your selection.
The stopwatch is reset to 0 and starts
3.Select and confirm your selection.
This stops the timer.
Confirm again to reset the stopwatch to
zero.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "INTERM. TIME" and confirm your
selection. This intermediate time appears
below the ongoing primary stopwatch
count.
All of the remaining functions remain
available at all times while the stop-
watch is running. The stopwatch continues
operation in the background.<
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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.