
Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
safety margin further by taking risks.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together. 
Stabilizing and drive output promoting actions 
are no longer executed. In addition, the stability 
promoting intervention of the active steering
* 
is deactivated, refer to page93.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces. 
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DSC is deactivated.
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 on snowy inclines, in slush, or 
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
*
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster lights up.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DTC is activated. 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
xDrive on 525xi, 530xi
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your 
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC 
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system 
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to 
the front and rear axle depending on the driving 
situation and prevailing road conditions. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 The initialization must be repeated after 
each time the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate 
sudden severe tire damage caused by 
outside factors and does not detect a natural, 
even pressure drop in all four tires.<
In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
When you are driving with the compact wheel* 
the Flat Tire Monitor is unable to function.
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. Do not initialize the sys-
tem when driving with snow chains
* or com-
pact wheel
*.<
iDrive, for explanation of principle, 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.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
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.
The message "Initializing..." is displayed. 
The initialization finishes during driving. Then 
the message "Status: FTM active" appears on 
the Control Display again.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red. A mes-
sage appears on the Control Display. 
In addition, an acoustic signal sounds. 
There is a flat tire or extensive inflation pressure 
loss.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Identify damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact a BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged wheel, refer to 
Changing wheels on page215.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steer-
ing maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page201, do not 
continue driving. Continuing to drive with a 
flat tire could cause severe accidents.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires. 

Mobility
 203Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum 
tire inflation pressure indicated on the side wall 
of the tire.
Snow chains*
BMW only tests certain fine-link snow chains, 
classifies them as road-safe and recommends 
them. Consult your BMW center for more infor-
mation.
Use is only permissible in pairs on the rear 
wheels.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when 
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed 
of 30 mph/50 km/h with the chains mounted.
After mounting snow chains, do not ini-
tialize the Flat Tire Monitor, otherwise 
incorrect displays can occur.
When driving with snow chains, it may be prac-
tical to briefly activate DTC, refer to page87.< 

Everything from A to Z
250 Settings
– BMW Night Vision99
– changing on Control 
Display82
– clock, 12h/24h mode83
– configuring, refer to 
Personal Profile29
Setting speed limit81
Setting time, refer to Prese-
lecting activation time109
"Set tire pressure"90
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic64
– SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission62
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic63
– SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission61
Shift paddles62
Short commands of voice 
command system231
"Short route" for 
navigation143
Short route in navigation, refer 
to Selecting route142
Shoulder support46
"Show current position"138
"Show destination 
position"138
Shuffled, refer to Random
– CD changer168
– CD player168
Side airbags94
Side marker lamps, replacing 
bulbs213
Side turn signals, replacing 
bulbs213
Side window blinds, refer to 
Sun blinds112
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely45
– with airbags45
– with head restraint45
– with safety belts45
Ski bag120Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof, 
electric41
– refer to Panorama glass 
sunroof43
Slope assistant, refer to 
Starting assistant125
SMG Sequential Manual 
Transmission61
– acceleration assistant63
– breaking-in124
– Dynamic Driving Control62
– gear display61
– kick-down62
– shiftlock61
– towing222
– tow-starting223
Snow chains203
Socket for Onboard 
Diagnostics interface210
Socket for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock58
Sockets, refer to Connecting 
electrical devices115
Soft closure aid, refer to 
Automatic soft closing33
Song search with CD, refer to 
Playing a track167
SOS, refer to Initiating an 
emergency call219
Spare fuses218
Spare key28
– adapter28
Spare remote control28
Spare wheel
– refer to Changing 
wheels215
– refer to Compact wheel216
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils206
Specified oil grades, refer to 
Approved engine oils206
Speed
– with compact wheel217
– with winter tires202
Speed-dependent 
volume154
Speed limit warning, refer to 
Speed limit81Speedometer12
"Speed volume", refer to Tone 
control154
"Sport", active backrest width 
adjustment47
Sport program, refer to 
Dynamic Driving Control62
Sports Wagon
– automatic roll-up cover117
– automatic tailgate 
operation36
– compartments in cargo 
area118
– increasing cargo area117
– opening rear window34
– opening tailgate35
– panorama glass sunroof43
– rear window wiper66
– rear window wiper, changing 
wiper blade211
– releasing fuel filler door in 
event of electrical 
malfunction194
– roll-up cover117
– roll-up cover for cargo 
area117
– self-leveling suspension89
– separation net118
– socket in cargo area116
– storage area package119
– tail lamps, replacing 
bulbs214
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems86
"Star button"53
Star button53
Start/Stop button58
"Start" for stopwatch82
"Start guidance"136,144
Starting, refer to Starting 
engine59
Starting assistance, refer to 
Jump starting220
Starting assistant125
Starting difficulties
– jump starting220
– refer to Special starting 
conditions59