
Controls
 85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster 
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated. 
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions 
are no longer executed.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster go out.
To control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DSC has been completely deacti-
vated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with 
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads, 
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered 
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Briefly press the button; the DTC indicator 
lamps in the instrument cluster come on.
To control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator 
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive 325xi, 330xi
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system. 
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to 
further optimize traction and driving dynamics. 
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes 
driving power variably to the front and rear axles 
depending on the driving situation and road 
conditions.
Malfunction
In case of any of the malfunctions 
described below, drive cautiously and 
think well ahead. Avoid driving on rough tracks 
and pressing the accelerator pedal down to full 
throttle or kick-down position, otherwise the 
drive system could be damaged or accidents 
could result.< 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
88
Malfunction
The warning lamps for the brake sys-
tem light up in yellow. The drive-off 
assistant has failed. The car will not 
be held in place after the brake is 
released. Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures 
while the car is being driven. The system 
reports any significant loss of pressure in one 
tire in relation to another.
If a tire loses pressure, its rolling radius 
changes, and this in turn alters the speed of 
rotation. This change is detected and is 
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The system must be reinitialized each 
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn 
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage 
caused by external factors, nor can it identify 
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably 
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of 
time.<
In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip 
in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration>If snow chains are attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. 
Do not initialize the system while snow chains 
are attached.<
iDrive concept, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Vehicle settings" and press the 
controller.
4.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "FTM" is selected and press the con-
troller.
5.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
6.Select "Set tire pressure" and press the 
controller.
7.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
8.Start to drive.
"Status: FTM active" reappears in the Con- 

Mobility
 197Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Run-Flat Tires
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, moreover, no spare wheel is 
available. Your BMW Center will be glad to 
advise you.
For safety reasons, BMW recommends 
that damaged Run-Flat Tires be replaced 
rather than repaired.<
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold 
winter driving conditions. Although all-season 
M+S tires provide better winter traction than 
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the 
same levels of cold-weather performance as 
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the 
winter tires mounted on your car; failure 
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that 
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the 
maximum permitted speed for the mounted 
tires must be displayed in your field of view. 
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW Center 
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry 
place with as little exposure to light as possible. 
Always protect tires against all contact with oil, 
grease and fuels.  Do not exceed the maximum 
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall 
of the tire.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been 
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and 
recommended. Consult your BMW Center for 
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs 
and only to the rear wheels. Observe the manu-facturer's instructions when mounting snow 
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or 
50 km/h.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to 
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
>255/30 R 19
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if 
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the 
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it 
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to 
page85.< 

Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid 
from inside34
Emergency services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance211
Emissions test, refer to 
Service requirements74
"Enable services"179
"End call"171
Energy-conscious driving, 
refer to Energy Control70
Energy Control70
Engine
– breaking in116
– data218
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature69
– speed218
– starting53
– starting, convenient 
access35
– switching off53
Engine compartment199
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant201
Engine oil
– adding201
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– checking level199
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements74
"Engine oil level"200
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data218
Engine speed218
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine53
"Enter address"126
Entering destination126
Entering the address128
Entering the intersection127
"Entertainment"144
"Entertainment 
settings"145,152
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control70"Equalizer", refer to Tone 
control146
Equalizer, refer to Tone 
control146
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control79
"ESN"154
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control84
Event data recorders204
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system116
Exterior mirrors45
– adjusting45
– automatic dimming 
feature117
– automatic heating46
External audio 
device107,162
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away213
– for tying down loads119
F
Fader, tone control145
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control79
Failure of an electrical 
consumer209
False alarm, refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts45
Fastest route for 
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer160
– CD player160
"Fast route" in navigation135
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control101
First aid pouch212Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock52
Flashlight, refer to 
Rechargeable flashlight106
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat
– Run-Flat Tires196
Flat Tire Monitor FTM88
– indicating a flat tire89
– initializing the system88
– malfunction89
– snow chains88,197
– system limits88
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition195
"FM", waveband144,148
FM, waveband148
Fog lamps95
– indicator lamp13,95
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely117
Footwell lamps96
For your own safety5
Front airbags90
Front seat adjustment40
"FTM"88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor88
Fuel186
– display70
– high-quality brands186
– quality186
– specifications186
– tank capacity221
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge
70
Fuel consumption, refer to 
Average fuel 
consumption71
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge70
Fuel filler door186
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction186
Fuses209