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69Reference
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>Park P:
Press button P, arrow2.
The selector lever immediately returns to
the center position when released.
With the vehicle stationary, press the
brake pedal before shifting out of P
or N; the shift command will not be exe-
cuted unless the brake is applied: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a range, maintain pressure on
the brake pedal until you are ready to start.
You can activate the Automatic Hold fea-
ture to suppress the vehicle's tendency to
creep, refer to page65.<
Shift commands are transmitted electroni-
cally. To help avoid malfunctions, each
command undergoes a plausibility check
prior to execution.
Remember to observe the Check Control
for status messages.
You can find additional information on the
Check Control on page83.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling,
always select position P and engage
the parking brake before leaving the vehicle
with the engine running. Note the informa-
tion provided in the Info Display.
Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running, as such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.<
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
The transmission lockout prevents the rear
wheels from turning. The lockout disen-
gages when you press the selector lever
toward D, N or R while the engine is run-
ning.
P is engaged automatically as soon as
you switch off the engine unless N is
engaged and the remote control is inserted
in the ignition lock, refer to page63.<
R Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
Select only if your journey is interrupted for
a long period.
>From D press the selector lever up
>From R press the selector lever down.
Note the arrows indicating direction in the
range display.
N remains engaged whenever the
remote control remains in the ignition
lock after the ignition is switched off. This
function is useful in automatic car washes,
etc.
After approx. 30 minutes the system auto-
matically engages P. Remember to observe
the Check Control for status messages.
Switching off engine refer to page63.<
D Drive, automatic driving position
This is the range recommended for normal
vehicle operation. All forward gears are
available.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in
position D.
Kick-down
The kick-down mode provides maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator pedal beyond the
full-throttle resistance point.
Driving
70
Sport program and manual operation
Press the S/M/D button on the steering
wheel:
The sport program is activated, and S
appears in the program indicator of the Info
Display. This program is recommended for
a performance-oriented driving style.
Pressing the S/M/D button again switches
into the manual mode.
When the buttons on the back of the steer-
ing wheel are touched, the transmission
upshifts. When the buttons on the front of
the steering wheel are touched, the trans-
mission downshifts. The Info Display shows
the manual ranges M1 through M6.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only
when they will result in a plausible combi-
nation of engine and vehicle speed; thus,
for example, a downshift that would cause
the engine to overrev will not be executed
by the system. The selected gear appears
briefly in the Info Display, followed by the
current gear.
Pressing the S/M/D button again switches
into the Automatic program again, and D
appears in the program indicator of the Info
Display.
Malfunction
A message appears in the Check Control
and in the Control Display. The directional
arrows also start to flash in the Info Display.
A malfunction has occurred in the transmis-
sion system. Avoid heavy loads.
While it will remain still possible to move
the selector lever to any desired position,
the transmission will revert to operation in
its default mode with only a limited number
of forward gears.
Have the system checked as soon as pos-
sible.
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages209 and210.
Manual release of transmission
lockout
You can respond to any interruptions in the
supply of electrical power, for instance, if
the battery is discharged or disconnected,
by releasing the transmission lockout man-
ually.
To prevent the drive wheels from
locking up and sliding, the transmis-
sion lockout must always be released man-
ually before the vehicle is towed.<
Press the brake pedal before releas-
ing the transmission lockout manu-
ally. If the brakes are not applied, the vehi-
cle could start to roll if parked on a steep
slope.
The transmission lockout should only be
released for towing. Remember to engage
the transmission lockout when you repark
the vehicle after moving it.
Should it also be necessary to release the
parking brake manually, owing to a dis-
charged battery, etc., always adhere to the
following sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking
brake, refer to page66
2.Then proceed to manually release the
transmission lockout.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages209 and210.
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Releasing
1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover
panel beneath the instrument panel by
turning the lock counterclockwise, then
fold down the cover
2.Pull out the release lever with the loop1
until it locks into place: the transmission
lockout is unlocked.
Re-engage the transmission lockout
after parking the vehicle at its destina-
tion. Otherwise there is a danger that the
vehicle could start to roll if parked on a
steep slope.<
Locking again
1.Disengage the release lever by pressing
it together with the red detent lever,
arrow 2.Guide the release lever all the way back
into its original position – the transmis-
sion lockout is again engaged
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel again.
Now – and not before – the key may be
removed.
Once the transmission lockout has
been re-engaged, the warning in the
Check Control should disappear, and the
symbol in the Info Display should change
from N to P. Should this fail to happen,
there is a danger that the vehicle could start
to roll.<
Information on jump-starting and towing
begins on page209.
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signals
Using turn signals
Move the lever beyond the resistance
point. It then returns to the center position
when released. Press the lever up to the
resistance point to switch off the turn sig-
nals.
Signaling briefly
Press the lever up to but not beyond the
resistance point. It then returns to the cen-
ter position when released.
If the flashing of the indicator lamp and the
ticking from the relay are both faster than
usual, this indicates that one of the bulbs is
Controls
73Reference
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The rain sensor is automatically deac-
tivated when you switch off the igni-
tion.<
Deactivate the rain sensor when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in dam-
age caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Selecting wiper fold-out position
Important for changing wiper blades, when
folding away from windshield to prevent
blades from sticking when ice forms, etc.
1.Switch off the engine and remove the
remote control from the ignition lock
2.Press the wiper lever up and maintain
pressure for about 3 seconds until the
wipers are roughly vertical: this is the
fold-out position.
After folding the wipers back against the
windshield you will need to reactivate the
wiper system:
1.Insert the remote control to activate the
radio mode in the ignition lock
2.Apply brief upward pressure to the
wiper lever. The wipers return to their
retracted position and are ready for nor-
mal operation.
To prevent damage to the wipers,
always fold them back against the
windshield before switching on either the
radio mode or the ignition.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks
and open flames, and store it in tightly
closed containers well out of the reach of
children. Always observe the instructions
for use provided on the containers.<
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Windshield and headlamp washer
system
Capacity: 6.3USquarts/6liters.
Fill with water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze, according to manufac-
turer's recommendations.
Programmable cruise
control
The concept
The programmable cruise control is avail-
able 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 column.
You can also use the multilevel preset
mode to store 6 desired speeds for later
selection with the same lever, refer to
page74.
This feature assists you in quickly adapting
the vehicle speed to specific road condi-
tions, e.g. changes in speeds limits.
Do not use the programmable cruise
control when driving on winding
roads, in heavy traffic or in poor road con-
ditions, e.g. snow, rain, ice, loose road sur-
face, that do not permit a constant speed.<
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81Reference
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Everything under control
Odometer, outside temperature display, clock
When the ignition is off you can briefly acti-
vate the time, outside temperature and
odometer displays by pressing the knob at
the upper left of the Info Display.
1 Outside temperature display, clock
The outside temperature and the time dis-
plays are active starting at the radio mode
in the ignition lock.
You can change the units of measure,
7/6, in the "Settings" menu, refer to
page89.
Setting the clock, refer to page90.
Ice warning
A warning signal sounds when the outside
temperature falls to roughly +37.57/+36,
this is accompanied by a message in the
Check Control.
Please bear in mind that the ice warn-
ing does nothing to alter the fact that
glare ice may be present on roads at tem-
peratures higher than +37.57/+36, for
instance, on bridges and shaded sur-
faces.<
2 Odometer
The odometer panel also provides displays
for the computer and the Check Control.
Regardless of the current display mode,
you can view the odometer reading for a
short period by pressing the knob at the
upper left of the Info Display. Check Control, refer to page83.
Computer, refer to page85.
3 Trip odometer
The trip odometer must be present in the
display before you can reset it to zero.
Reset by pressing the knob at the upper left
of the Info Display.
Tachometer
The orange warning sector gradually
moves upward as the engine warms to its
normal operating temperature. The seg-
ments disappear in sequence as the engine
warms to its normal operating temperature.
Avoid allowing the engine speed to rise as
far as the orange warning sector whenever
possible.
Controls
85Reference
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Mobility
Confirm to hide the display.
Displays after completion of trip
Selected fault reports generated during the
trip are shown consecutively when you
switch off the ignition.
If indicated, the following message may
also appear:
"Parking lamps on!"
This message appears when you open the
driver's door after parking. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
Even with the ignition and Info Display off,
you can reactivate the screen and display
the messages.
Press the CHECK button for approx.
8 seconds, refer to page84. The stored
status reports appear again in the display. If
several messages are present, you can
continue to briefly press the CHECK button
to view them in succession.
The Check Control function
>cancels itself automatically after a brief
period
>can be canceled by again pressing the
CHECK button for approximately
8seconds.
You can select the language in which
Check Control status reports and
messages from the computer will appear,
refer to page89.<
Computer
Requesting functions
You can use the buttons in the turn signal
lever to request a display from the com-
puter on the Info Display, starting at the
radio mode in the ignition lock.
1Info Display on left
2Info Display on right
A new function appears each time you
briefly press the button.
Displays on Info Display
The display sequence:
>Fuel gauge86
>Range and remaining distance86.
The display sequence:
>Odometer81
Everything under control
90
Time and date
Select "Clock" and confirm your selection.
Setting time
Select "Time" and confirm your selection.
The first setting sector is highlighted.
>Turn to reset
>Press to store your entry and proceed
to the next setting.
The clock applies your entry the last
time you confirm your entry.
Switching on memo mode
You will hear four tones just before each
full hour.
>Select "Memo" and confirm your selec-
tion. "Memo" is highlighted when this
function is activated.
Setting date
Select "Date" and confirm your selection.
The first section of the date display is high-
lighted – here day.
>Turn to reset
>Press to store and highlight the next
entry – here month and year.
Your date is applied by the system the
last time you store your entry.
Brightness
You can set the brightness of the screen.
1.Select and confirm your selec-
tion
2.Select "Brightness" and confirm your
selection. Press and turn the controller
to make the adjustment.
With unfavorable conditions, e.g.
bright environment, the brightness
control of the screen might not be immedi-
ately recognizable.<
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.