
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.< 

Driving tips
 119Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of the occupants, the less cargo/lug-
gage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the 
respective seat backs.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
opposite buckle.
Securing cargo
>Smaller and relatively light items can be 
retained with tensioning straps or draw 
straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing 
larger and heavier objects are available at 
your BMW Center. Four lashing eyes are 
provided for attaching the cargo straps. 
Two are located on the inside rear wall of 
the luggage compartment 1, and two others 
are on the side walls of the luggage com-
partment 2. 
Comply with the information provided with 
the cargo straps.
Always position and secure the cargo as 
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden 
braking or swerves are necessary. 
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle loads, refer 
to page220, as excessive loads can pose a 
safety hazard, and may also place you in viola-
tion of traffic safety laws. 
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried 
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown 
around, for example as a result of heavy braking, 
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants.<
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option 
for your BMW. Comply with the precautions 
included with the installation instructions. 

Everything from A - Z
240 Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away213
Towing213
– methods214
Towing away
– car with automatic 
transmission213
"Town / City" in destination 
entry126
Tow rope214
Tow-starting213
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG215
Tracks
– random play sequence159
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions219
Traction-assist feature, refer 
to DSC84
Traction control, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control84
Trailer towing
– towing loads and gross 
weight220
Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic57
– manual transmission54
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic58
– sequential manual gearbox 
SMG55
Transporting children 
safely49
Transport securing device, 
refer to Securing cargo119
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tire tread195
Treble, refer to Tone 
control145
Treble, refer to Treble and 
bass145
Treble, tone control145
"Trip computer"72
Trip computer71
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer69"Triple turn signal 
activation"59
Triple turn signal activation59
Trip odometer69
Trunk
– lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid33
Trunk lamp, refer to Luggage 
compartment lamp96
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid33
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions219
Turn signals58
– indicator lamp12
– replacing bulbs207
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading119
U
Underbody protection, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR194
"Units"74
Units
– average consumption73
– temperature73
Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control103
Universal remote control103
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking35
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside32
– from outside30
– luggage compartment lid36
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access35
"Update services"181
V
Vehicle
– battery209
– breaking in116
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading118
– dimensions219
– Identification Number, refer 
to Engine compartment199
– parking53
– washing, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– weight220
Vehicle jack209
Vehicle position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position140
"Vehicle settings"88
Ventilation100
– draft-free100
– in the rear100
Ventilation while at a 
standstill101
Vents, refer to Ventilation100
"Vent settings"98
Voice commands
– overview22
– short commands222
Voice instructions for 
navigation system139
– muting48,139
– repeating48,139
– switching on/off139
– volume139
Voice phone book175
Volume144
– audio sources144
– mobile phone170
– speed-dependent 
adjustment145
– voice instructions139
W
Warning and indicator 
lamps13