
At a glance
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Mobility
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  

At a glance
 23Reference
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Top and bottom status lines 
1Hands-free mode active 
2Display field for calls received in 
absence
3Portable phone reception strength
4Display field
>of the telephone provider
>of the entered/selected phone num-
ber
5Telephone status 
>Green: incoming or outgoing call 
>Red: no network available 
>Lit up yellow: 
The network of another provider is 
being used, partner network 
Flashing yellow: 
The network of another provider is 
being used, external network 
Roaming in a partner or external 
network entails higher call 
charges than in your home network.<6Traffic Message Channel activated, cur-
rently not available
7Display of Check Control83 
>Yellow: priority 2, the symbol flashes 
briefly. You can use the "Car data" 
menu to have the status report 
shown on the Control Display 
>Red: priority 1, these messages 
appear immediately, accompanied 
by a gong and a flashing symbol 
Status service requirement display82 
>Red: at least one service interval has 
been exceeded 
8Temperature selection display, right 
side of passenger compartment 
9Air supply, right side of passenger com-
partment 
10Entertainment: display for radio, CD, 
TV, DVD
11Air supply, left side of passenger com-
partment 
12Temperature selection display, left side 
of passenger compartment 
Assistance window
The status lines in the assistance window 
show the following:
>Outside temperature 
>Navigation system destination
>Time 
>Date. 

Opening and closing
40
Locking separately 
The switch position will vary according to 
the individual vehicle's equipment level. 
1Luggage compartment lid locked 
2Luggage compartment lid unlocked 
Push the switch into position1. This locks 
the luggage compartment lid and discon-
nects it from the central locking system.
If you then lock the storage compartment 
in the center armrest before handing over 
only the remote control when leaving the 
vehicle for valet parking, etc., this will pre-
vent unauthorized access to the vehicle 
through the luggage compartment, refer to 
page34. This is an advantage in a hotel, for 
example. 
Manual operation 
If an electrical defect occurs, refer to 
Opening separately.
Opening from inside 
You can use this button to open the lug-
gage compartment lid when the vehicle is 
stationary. This is not possible, if the lug-
gage compartment lid has been locked 
separately. 
Closing
A recess has been incorporated into the 
inside trim on the luggage compartment lid 
to make it easier to pull down. 
Comfort Access*
If a remote control is detected in the 
luggage compartment after the lug-
gage compartment lid has been closed, the 
luggage compartment lid opens automati-
cally.
During opening the luggage compartment 
lid pivots upward and to the rear. Ensure 
that adequate clearance is available before 
opening.< 
Automatic soft closing 
To close the luggage compartment lid, 
merely press it down gently. The closing 
process will then be carried out automati-
cally. 
To avoid personal injury, always 
ensure that no individuals are within 
the luggage compartment lid's travel range 
when closing.<
Operate the vehicle only when the 
luggage compartment lid is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes 
could penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it 
absolutely necessary to operate the vehicle 
with the luggage compartment lid open:
>Close all windows and the glass roof
>Adjust the automatic climate control's 
blower to supply a high rate of airflow, 
refer to page105.  

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Automatic luggage compartment lid 
operation* 
Opening
The luggage compartment lid opens all the 
way, when you
>press the button next to the steering 
column
>press the button on the outside of the 
luggage compartment lid, refer to 
page39
>press button3on the remote 
control, refer to page36.
During opening, the luggage com-
partment lid pivots upward and to the 
rear. Ensure that adequate clearance is 
available before opening.< 
Closing
The luggage compartment lid closes auto-
matically when you 
>press the button or 
>press the button on the outside of the 
luggage compartment lid, refer to 
page39. 
The luggage compartment lid imme-
diately stops opening or closing if you 
hold it in place by hand.< 
To avoid injuries, be sure that the 
travel path of the luggage compart-
ment lid is clear when it is closed, as with 
all closing procedures. 
Operate the vehicle only when the luggage 
compartment lid is completely closed. 
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could penetrate 
the interior of the vehicle. If special circum-
stances should make it absolutely neces-sary to operate the vehicle with the luggage 
compartment lid open:
>Close all windows and the glass roof
>Adjust the automatic climate control's 
blower to supply a high rate of airflow, 
refer to page105.< 
Automatic closing of the luggage 
compartment lid is not activated in 
your vehicle. If you desire, you can have 
this function set.<
Comfort Access*
If a remote control is detected in the 
luggage compartment after the lug-
gage compartment lid has been closed, the 
luggage compartment lid opens automati-
cally.
During opening the luggage compartment 
lid pivots upward and to the rear. Ensure 
that adequate clearance is available before 
opening.< 
Manual operation 
In the case of an electrical defect, you can 
unlock the luggage compartment lid with 
the key, refer to page39, and slowly open 
and close it without sudden movements. 
Emergency release 
This lever releases the luggage compart-
ment lid from inside the luggage compart-
ment.  

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  

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 79Reference
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in city driving; heavy traffic such as during 
rush hour; on curvy, winding roads, slip-
pery roads or roads with sharp curves such 
as highway off-ramps; during inclement 
weather such as snow, strong rain or fog; 
or when entering interchanges, 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.< 
Always remember that the range and 
ability of the system does have physi-
cal limitations. It will not apply the brakes or 
decelerate your vehicle when there is a 
slow-moving vehicle, stopped vehicle or 
stationary object ahead of you, as for 
example, at a traffic light or a parked vehi-
cle. Also, the system does not react to 
oncoming traffic, pedestrians or other type 
of potential traffic such as a rider on horse-
back. It is also possible that the system 
may not detect smaller moving objects 
such as motorcycles or bicycles. Be espe-
cially alert when encountering any of these 
situations as the system will neither auto-
matically 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 
vehicle 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, unob-
st r uc ted  lan e  w il l als o r esu lt  in  y ou r  v eh icle  
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 man-
ner 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 vehi-
cle 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 system 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 
deactivated whenever the driver applies 
the vehicle brakes, shifts the transmission 
from drive/D to neutral/N, or deactivates 
DSC. After any deactivation, the system will 
no longer automatically activate the vehicle 
brakes, which means the driver must inter-
vene and resume manual braking. You 
should then reactivate the system only 
when you are fully aware of the prior speed 
and distance settings.< 
Active cruise control may brake when you 
reduce the stored desired speed; however, 
the driver must constantly monitor traffic 
and intervene 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 
canceled. 
Behavior in curves 
Because of the limited range of the system, 
it is possible that in curves or on the peaks 
and valleys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead 
may be recognized late, or not at all. There-
fore, it is up to the driver to select a speed 
that is prudent in view of the curves and 
terrain of the roadway.  

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.  

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.