
80Technology for safety and driving convenience
Park Distance Control (PDC)*The conceptPDC assists you when you back into a 
parking space. Acoustic signals alert 
you to the momentary distance to an 
object behind your vehicle. For this pur-
pose, four ultrasonic sensors in the rear 
bumper measure the distance to the 
next object. The monitoring range for 
the rear bumper's two corner sensors 
extends outward roughly 2 ft/60 cm, 
while the two centrally located sensors 
detect objects at distances of up to 
approx. 5 ft/1.50 meters.
PDC is a parking aid that can 
identify objects if they are 
approached slowly, as is generally the 
case when parking. Avoid driving 
towards objects rapidly; due to underly-
ing physical principles, the system may 
otherwise alert you too late for you to 
take evasive steps.<
The system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you shift 
into Reverse or move the selector lever 
into the R position with the ignition key 
in position 2. 
Let this short period elapse before 
driving backwards.<
PDC is deactivated when you shift back 
out of Reverse.
You can have a signal set to con-
firm that the PDC has been acti-
vated. The signal then sounds when 
you shift into Reverse or move the 
selector lever into the R position.
intervals. As the distance between vehi-
cle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. A 
continuous tone indicates the pres-
ence of an object less than 1 ft/30 cm 
away.
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. three seconds if the distance to 
the object remains constant during this 
time – if you are moving parallel to 
a wall, for instance.
System malfunctions will be indicated 
by a continuous high-pitched tone 
when the system is activated the first 
time. Please have the problem fixed by 
your BMW center.
PDC does not replace the driver's 
personal responsibility for evaluat-
ing the distance between the vehicle 
and any objects. Even when sensors 
are involved, there is a blind spot in 
which objects cannot be detected. This 
applies especially in those cases where 
the system approaches the physical 
limits of ultrasonic measurement, as 
occurs with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, and in the vicinity of thin or 
wedge-shaped objects. Moreover, low 
objects that have already been 
detected – such as a curb edge – can 
disappear out of the detection range of 
the sensors before a continuous tone 
sounds.
Loud sources of sound from outside or 
inside the vehicle could drown out the 
PDC signal tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free 
of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effec-
tively.
Do not apply high pressure spray to the 
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance of more 
than 4 in/10 cm.< 

114
Inclines:
To prevent overheating and, as a 
result, diminished braking effec-
tiveness, drive down long or steep 
downhill grades in a gear which 
requires the least braking. Otherwise, 
even light but consistent pedal pres-
sure can lead to high temperatures, 
brake wear and possibly even brake 
failure.<
The braking power of the engine can be 
further enhanced by downshifting the 
automatic transmission in manual 
mode, if necessary, into first gear. This 
helps avoid placing excessive loads on 
the brake system.
Do not coast with the clutch 
depressed or with the transmis-
sion or selector lever in Neutral. Do not 
coast with the engine switched off. Oth-
erwise, the engine provides no braking 
effect while the transmission is in idling 
position, and there is no power-assist 
for braking or steering when the engine 
is off.
Floor mats, floor carpets or other 
objects must not be in the area near the 
brake or accelerator pedal, as this 
could impair the movement of the ped-
als.<
Corrosion on the brake rotorsLimited vehicle use, extended periods 
with the vehicle parked or in storage, 
and operating conditions in which brak-
ing is restricted to gentle, low-pressure 
applications will all increase the ten-
dency for corrosion to form on the 
rotors and contamination to accumulate 
on the brake pads. This occurs because 
the minimal pressure which must be 
exerted by the pads to clean the rotors 
by brake applications is not reached.
If the brake rotors are corroded, they 
will tend to respond to braking with a 
pulsating effect that even extended 
brake applications will fail to cure.
Brake pads
For your own safety: use only 
brake pads that BMW has 
released for your particular vehicle 
model. BMW cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if 
they are suitable for use, and therefore 
cannot ensure the operating safety of 
the vehicle if they are installed.<
Portable phone in the vehicle
BMW advises against using 
mobile equipment, e.g. cellular 
phones, inside the vehicle without con-
necting them directly to an outside 
antenna. Otherwise, it cannot be ruled 
out that vehicle electronics and the 
mobile equipment interfere with one 
another. In addition, it is not ensured 
that the radio waves emitted during 
transmission are directed outside of the 
vehicle interior.<
General driving notes 

147
Mobile Service*To establish contact with the BMW 
Group's Mobile Service:
Press button 2 for at least 2 seconds.
The indicator lamp above the buttons 
lights up. As soon as a telephone con-
nection has been set up with the Mobile 
Service, the indicator lamp flashes.
Depending on the country you are in, 
your vehicle's current location will also 
be transmitted if your vehicle is 
equipped with an activated BMW Assist 
function.
Jump-startingWhen your battery is discharged, you 
can use two jumper cables to start your 
vehicle with power from the battery in a 
second vehicle. You can also use the 
same method to help start another 
vehicle. Only use jumper cables with 
fully insulated handles on the terminal 
clamps.
Do not touch high-voltage wiring 
and cables on a running engine. 
Contact with components carrying high 
voltage can be harmful or fatal. Care-
fully observe the following instructions 
to avoid personal injury and/or damage 
to one or both vehicles.
approximately the same capacity – 
measured in Ah. This information is 
provided on the battery
2. Stop the engine of the support vehi-
cle
3. Switch off all electrical components 
in both vehicles.
Make absolutely certain that there 
is no contact between the body-
work of the two vehicles, otherwise 
there is a short circuit hazard.<
Connecting the jumper cables
Always adhere to this sequence 
when connecting jumper cables; 
failure to observe this procedure can 
lead to sparks at the battery terminals 
and pose an injury hazard.<
The auxiliary jump-starting terminal 
located in your BMW's engine compart-
ment acts as the positive battery termi-
nal. Refer to the engine compartment 
overview on page 124. The cover of this 
auxiliary terminal is marked with a +.
1. Open the cover of the BMW auxiliary 
jump-starting terminal. Do so by pull-
ing the tab – see arrow 1
Receiving assistance
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex 

Everything from A to ZFootbrake, refer to Braking 
safely 113
Front airbags 51
Front center armrest 100
Front fog lamps 87
indicator lamp 20
Fuel
display 75
quality 24
volume 157
Fuel consumption
display 79
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge 75
Fuel economy, refer to 
Energy control 74
Fuel filler door 23
release following an elec-
trical malfunction 23
Fuel level indicator, refer to 
Fuel gauge 75
Fuel reserve indicator, refer 
to Fuel gauge 75
Fuel tank capacity 157
Fuses 145
G
Gasoline consumption, refer 
to Average fuel consump-
tion 79
Gasoline, refer to Fuel spec-
ifications 24Gear indicator 65, 69
Gear lever
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 67
sequential manual gear-
box SMG 63
Gearbox
manual transmission 62
Gearshift lever
manual transmission 62
General driving notes 113
Glass sunroof
closing following an elec-
trical malfunction 40
convenience operation
30, 31
remote control 29, 30
Glass sunroof, electric 39
Glove compartment 99
Grills, refer to Ventilation
90, 94
Gross weight, refer to 
Weights 156
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake 61
Hands-free system 101
Harman Kardon premium 
sound system 99
Hazard warning flashers 14
Hazard warning triangle 22Head airbags 51
Head restraints 45
Headlamp cleaning system
cleaning headlamps 72
washer fluid 126, 157
Headlamp control, auto-
matic 85
Headlamp flasher 87
indicator lamp 20
Headlamps
bulb replacement 137
care, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Heated mirrors 49
Heated rear window
air conditioning 92
automatic climate 
control 97
Heated seats 48
Heating
exterior mirrors 49
rear window 92, 97
seats 48
Heating and ventilation
90, 94
Heavy loads, refer to Cargo 
loading 107
Height adjustment
seats 42, 44
steering wheel 50
Height, refer to 
Dimensions 155High beams 70, 87
bulb replacement 138
headlamp flasher 87
indicator lamp 20
Holder for
beverages 100, 101
litter bag 101
Hood release 123
Horn 14
Hub cap 142
Hydraulic brake assistant, 
refer to DBC 115
Hydroplaning 113
I
Ice warning 78
Ignition 59
Ignition key 28
positions 59
Ignition lock 59
Imprint 4
Indicator lamps 18 

Everything from A to Z
167
Opening and closing
from inside 32
from outside 29
via door lock 31
via remote control 29
Outlets, ventilation 90, 94
Outside temperature dis-
play 78
changing unit of 
measure 78
P
Paintwork care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Panic mode – trigger 
alarm 30
Park Distance Control 
(PDC) 80
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control (PDC) 80
Parking brake 61
indicator lamp 18
Parking lamps 85
bulb replacement 138
Parking lamps/Low 
beams 85
Parts and accessories, refer 
to Your individual vehicle 5
Passenger-side exterior mir-
ror tilt function 48PDC Park Distance 
Control 80
Plastic, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Pollen, refer to Microfilter 93
Pollen, refer to Microfil-
ter/activated-charcoal fil-
ter 98
Power output, refer to 
Engine data 154
Power seat 44
Power socket 102
Power socket, cigarette 
lighter 102
Pressure monitoring, tires
Flat Tire Monitor 82
Pressure, tires 116
Protective function
electric power windows 38
R
Radio remote control key, 
refer to Master key with 
remote control 28
Radio, refer to the Owner's 
Manual for Radio
Rain sensor 71
Raising the floor panel 35
Range 79
Reading lamps
front 88
rear 88Rear armrest, refer to Rear 
center armrest 101
Rear backrest, folding 104
Rear center 3-point safety 
belt 104
Rear center armrest 101
Rear lamps
bulb replacement 139
indicator lamp, defective 
lamp 76
Rear window defroster
air conditioning 92
Rear window heating
automatic climate 
control 97
Rear-entry assist 45
Rearview mirror 49
Receiving assistance 146
Recirculated-air mode
air conditioning 92
automatic climate 
control 97
Recirculating the air, refer 
to Recirculated-air mode 
92, 97
Reclining seat, refer to Seat 
adjustment 42, 44
Refueling 23
fuel filler door 23
Releasing
hood 123Remaining distance to ser-
vice 76
Remaining distance, refer to 
Range 79
Remote control 29
luggage compartment
lid 30
malfunction 30
Replacement key 29
Replacing lamps, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs 137
Reporting safety defects 7
Restraint systems
for children 54
Restraint systems, refer to 
Safety belts 46
Reverse 62
automatic transmission 
with Steptronic 67
SMG gearbox 64
Roof load capacity 156
Roof-mounted luggage
rack 109
Rope, refer to Towing 
and tow-starting the vehi-
cle 149
Run Flat tires 120
S
Safe seating position 41
Safety belt height adjust-
ment 46
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex