
Technology for driving comfort and safety
84 1.Open 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 "PDC" is selected and press the con-
troller.
5.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
6. The PDC screen is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
The display is shown on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with trailer towbars and couplings, 
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low 
objects already indicated, such as a curb, may 
enter the sensors' dead areas before a continu-
ous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding 
objects, such as ledges, may not be detectable. 
Loud sound sources outside or inside the car 
can drown out the PDC signal.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page117.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
DBC Dynamic Brake Control
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the 
duration of the brake application. If the brake is 
released, DBC will be switched off.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. DSC also recognizes unstable driving 
conditions, for example if the rear of the car is 
about to swerve or if momentum is acting at an 
angle past the front wheels. In these cases, 
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course 
within physical limits by reducing engine output 
and through braking actions at the individual 
wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin again by taking risks.< 

Giving and receiving assistance
214 headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable. If the 
electrical system fails, do not attempt to tow-
start or tow away the car. The electric steering 
wheel lock cannot be disengaged and the car is 
not steerable. Jump starting, refer to page212. 
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in idle position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to 
page57.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph 
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic 
transmission may be damaged.<
Sequential manual gearbox SMG
With the ignition switched on, engage selector 
lever position N, and then switch the ignition 
back off.
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.<
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage.<
Towing with a tow truck
323i*, 325i, 330i
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
325xi, 330xi
Do not tow a BMW with xDrive with just 
the front or rear axle raised, otherwise the 
wheels could lock up and the transfer case 
could be damaged.<
Have the BMW transported on a flatbed surface 
only. 

Mobility
 215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tow-starting
If the electrical system fails, do not 
attempt to tow-start or tow away the car. 
The electric steering wheel lock cannot be dis-
engaged and the car is not steerable. Jump 
starting, refer to page212.<
Do not tow-start vehicles with an auto-
matic transmission. Only tow-start vehi-
cles with a catalytic converter with the engine 
cold. It is better to jump start the engine, refer to 
page212.<
1.Switch on the hazard warning flashers, 
comply with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page52.
3.Shift into 3rd gear. Vehicles with SMG, see 
below.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
completely depressed and slowly release 
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi-
ately depress the clutch completely again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow 
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.
Vehicles with sequential manual gearbox SMG:
1.Have the vehicle tow-started with the selec-
tor lever in position N.
2.Select sequential mode. The correct gear is 
automatically engaged.
325xi, 330xi: do not activate Hill Descent 
Control HDC when the vehicle is being 
tow-started, page86.< 

Reference 227
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Audio device, 
external107,162
"Audio" tone settings145
"Auto. headlamps"94
Automatic
– air distribution98
– air flow rate98
– cruise control60,62
– headlamp control93
– service notification179
– storing of stations149
Automatic climate control97
– automatic air distribution98
– settings via iDrive98
Automatic curb monitor46
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate control99
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC99
Automatic station search149
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– interlock57
– overriding selector lever 
lock58
– shiftlock57
– sport program58
"Automatic ventilation"101
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control98
"Autostore"
– on the radio150
AUX-IN162
– port107
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units73
Average speed70
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation135
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation135
Avoid highways in 
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation135
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights220"A - Z"172
B
Backrests, refer to Seats40
Backrest width adjustment42
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats
Backup lamps
– replacing bulbs208
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps207
Balance, tone control145
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch212
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, 
towing away214
Bass, tone control145
Bass sounds, refer to Tone 
control145
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass145
Battery209
– charging209
– disposal37,209
– jump starting212
– temporary power failure209
Battery renewal
– remote control37
Being towed213
Belts, refer to Safety belts45
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts45
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders107
Black ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning69
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate99
BMW Assist178
– enabling178
– services offered179
"BMW Contact"182
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"182
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System203
"BMW Service"180"BMW Service settings"179
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control84
Brake fluid202
– level too low202
– warning lamp202
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements74
Brake Force Display90
Brake hydraulics, refer to 
Brakes202
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display90
– replacing bulbs208
Brake pads, breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116
Brakes
– ABS84
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– handbrake54
– service requirements74
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely117
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance 
System203
– brake fluid202
– brake pads202
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance211
Breaking in
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG116
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the 
differential116
Break-in period116 

Reference 239
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Steering wheel47
– adjustment47
– buttons on steering 
wheel11
– freely programmable 
buttons47
– lock52
"Steering wheel buttons"47
Steering with variable ratio, 
refer to Active steering89
Steptronic, refer to Automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic57
"Stopwatch"81
Stopwatch81
Storage compartments107
"Store in address book" in 
navigation132
"Store" on the radio150,155
Storing current position132
Storing radio stations150
Storing seat positions, refer to 
Seat and mirror memory44
Storing tires197
Stowage, refer to Storage 
compartments107
"Street" in destination 
entry127
Summer tires, refer to Wheels 
and tires188
Sun blinds106
Switches, refer to Cockpit10
Switching off
– engine53
Switching off the engine
– start/stop button52
Switching on
– audio144
– CD changer144
– CD player144
– radio144
Switching on the hour 
signal78
Switching the cooling function 
on and off100
Symbols4
– Control Display20T
Tachometer69
Tailgate
– locking or unlocking 
separately33
– opening and closing33
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
Tail lamps207
– replacing bulbs208
Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities221
Technical data218
Technical modifications5
Telematik, refer to 
TeleService, BMW 
Assist178
Telephone
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest106
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Telephone, refer to Mobile 
phone166
"Telephone list"47
TeleService178
– enabling178
– services offered179
Temperature adjustments
– automatic climate control98
Temperature display
– ice warning69
– outside temperature69
– setting the units73
Temperature of the coolant, 
refer to Coolant 
temperature69
Tensioning straps, refer to 
Securing cargo119
"Terminate services"181
"Text language"82
"Theater" tone settings146
The individual vehicle5
Thigh support42
Third brake lamp, refer to 
Center brake lamp208
Tilt alarm sensor35Tilt function, passenger-side 
mirror46
"Time"78
"Time format"78
Timer, refer to Preselecting 
switch-on times101
"Timer 1" for parked car 
ventilation/heating101
"Timer 2" for parked car 
ventilation/heating101
Tire inflation pressures188
Tire pressure
– loss89
Tire pressure monitoring, 
refer to Flat Tire Monitor88
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor89
Tire Quality Grading194
Tires
– age194,196
– breaking in116
– changing, refer to Changing 
wheels209
– condition195
– damage195
– inflation pressure188
– minimum tread depth195
– new tires196
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Flat Tire Monitor88
– puncture89
– Run-Flat Tires196
– size194
– wear indicators, refer to 
Minimum tread depth195
– winter tires197
"Tone"145
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting145
– middle setting147
Tools, refer to Onboard tool 
kit205
"Top 8" for mobile phone172
Torque218
Touch tone dialing173
Tow bar214
Tow fitting
– screw thread213
Tow fittings213