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