Driving
64
Manually releasing transmission lock
In case of a power failure, e.g. when the
battery is drained or disconnected, or in
the event of an electrical malfunction, the trans-
mission lock must be manually released; other-
wise, the drive wheels are locked and the vehi-
cle cannot be towed.<
When manually releasing the transmis-
sion lock, depress the brake pedal; other-
wise, there is a danger of the vehicle rolling
when the transmission lock is manually
released.<
The transmission lock should only be released
for towing. Reengage the transmission lock
after parking the vehicle at its destination.
If it also becomes necessary to manually
release the parking brake, follow this sequence:
1.Start by manually releasing the parking
brake, refer to page60
2.Then proceed to manually release the
transmission lock.
Jump starting and tow starting, refer to
pages213 and214.
Releasing
1.Use the vehicle key to release the cover
panel beneath the instrument panel by turn-
ing the lock counterclockwise, then fold
down the cover.2.Pull out the release lever with the loop1
until it locks into place: the transmission
lock is unlocked.
Reengage the transmission lock after
parking the vehicle at its destination. Oth-
erwise, there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
Engaging locks
1.Disengage the release lever by pressing it
together with the red detent lever, refer to
arrow.
2.Guide the release lever all the way back into
its original position – the transmission lock
is engaged once more.
3.Fold up and lock the cover panel again. Now
– and not before – the key may be removed.
Once the transmission lock has been
engaged, the message in the Info Display
should disappear, and the symbol on the Info
Display should change from N to P. Otherwise,
there is a danger of the vehicle rolling.<
Jump starting and tow starting, refer to
pages213 and214.
Controls
87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "PDC pic." and press the controller.
This activates the PDC display.
The display appears as soon as PDC is acti-
vated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
To exit the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any objects always remains with the
driver. Even when sensors are involved, there is
a blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. The system's detection of objects is
also subject to the physical limits that apply to
all forms of ultrasonic measurement, such as
those encountered with tow bars and trailer
couplings, as well as thin and wedge-shaped
objects, etc. It is also possible that low objects
already displayed, such as curb edges, may come into the blind spot of the sensors before a
continuous signal sounds or that the system will
fail to detect higher, projecting obstacles such
as ledges. Loud noises from outside and inside
the vehicle may also prevent you from hearing
the PDC's signal tone.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array
of systems designed to enhance and maintain
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during hard braking. This increases active
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to
page123.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to
vehicle stability and steering response when
braking while cornering or when braking during
a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure a 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 pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when starting off and accelerating. DSC also
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 There are two programs.
With each press of the controller, you can
switch back and forth between "Comfort" and
"Sport".
Comfort program
The Comfort program is suitable for use
throughout the vehicle's entire speed range and
regardless of load.
Sport program
You should select the Sport program for consis-
tently performance-oriented response from
shock absorbers and steering.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the infla-
tion pressures in the four mounted tires as you
drive. The system triggers an alert whenever
the inflation pressure drops significantly in rela-
tion to the pressure in another tire.
When a loss of pressure occurs, the rolling
radius changes and with it, the rotational speed
of the wheels. This change is detected and sig-
naled as a flat tire.
Functional requirements
To ensure the reliable signaling of a flat tire, the
system must be initialized at the correct tire
inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after
every correction of the tire inflation pres-
sure 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:
>When the system has not been initialized.>When driving on snow-covered or slippery
road surfaces.
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels,
high lateral acceleration.
>When driving with snow chains
*.
Initializing system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
The initialization automatically continues when
driving resumes. Do not initialize the system
when driving with snow chains
*.<
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Select "Settings".
2.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
3.Select "FTM" and press the controller.
The initialization menu appears.
4.Start the engine, but do not begin to drive.
5.Select "SET" and press the controller.
During the initialization, "Initialization is run-
ning and will be completed after driving for a
while! Status: FTM is being initialized"
appears on the Control Display.
6.Start driving.
It takes at least 10 minutes before the Flat
Tire Monitor can detect and report a flat tire.
The initialization is completed during driving.
Then the message "Only set after tire pressure
is correctly adjusted (vehicle must be stopped
and ignition on) Status: active" appears on the
Control Display again.
To exit the menu:
Select the arrow and press the controller.
Controls
91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red and a
message is shown on the Info Display.
In addition, a signal sounds. A flat tire or
a major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Identify the damaged tire.
If identification is not possible, con-
tact your BMW center.<
3.Replace the damaged tire, refer to Chang-
ing wheels on page209.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid sudden brak-
ing and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed
a vehicle speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page199, do not
continue to drive. Continued driving after a
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<
2.Check the air pressure in all four tires at the
next opportunity.
If the tire inflation pressure in all four
tires is correct, the Flat Tire Monitor
may not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of a total loss of inflation pres-
sure, 0 psi/kPa, or obvious tire damage, you
can estimate the possible distance for con-
tinued driving on the basis of the following
guide values:
>With low load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km.
>With medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km.
>With full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km.Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distances, and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations or loud noises occur while
the vehicle is being driven, this can indicate final
failure of the damaged tire. Reduce speed and
stop at a suitable location as soon as possible;
otherwise, pieces of the tire could come off and
cause an accident. Do not continue driving,
contact your BMW center.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up yellow and
a message is shown on the Info Display.
The Flat Tire Monitor has failed. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
TPM Tire Pressure Monitor*
The concept
TPM checks the tire inflation pressure in the
four mounted tires. The system indicates if the
tire inflation pressure has dropped considerably
in one or several tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must have been reset with the
correct tire inflation pressure.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics; oth-
erwise, fault-free operation of the system is not
ensured.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden serious
tire damage caused by external influ-
ences.<
The system does not function properly if it has
not been reset, e.g. a flat tire is reported despite
correct tire inflation pressures.
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92 The system is inactive and cannot display a flat
tire if a wheel has been mounted without TPM
electronics or if TPM experiences temporary
interference from other systems or devices that
use the same radio frequency.
Status display on Control Display
The tire and system status is indicated by the
color of the tires.
TPM takes the fact that the tire pressure
changes during driving into account. A correc-
tion is only required if the color of the TPM dis-
play indicates that it is necessary.
Green
The tire pressure matches the learned set state.
"Status: TPM active" is displayed on the Con-
trol Display.
A wheel is yellow
There is a flat tire or a major drop in inflation
pressure in the indicated tire. A message
appears on the Control Display.
All wheels are yellow
There is a flat tire or a major drop in inflation
pressure in several tires. A message appears on
the Control Display.
Gray
The system cannot detect a flat tire.
Reasons for this can include:
>TPM is being reset
>Temporary interference due to systems or
devices that use the same radio frequency
>Malfunction
Resetting system
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after
every tire or wheel change.<
Resetting finishes during driving and which can
be interrupted at any time. When driving
resumes, resetting is continued automatically.iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "TPM" and press the controller.
5.Start the engine, but do not begin to drive.
6.Select "RESET" and press the controller.
7.Select "YES" and press the controller.
8.Start to drive.
The tires are shown in gray and "Status:
Resetting TPM..." is displayed.
After a few minutes of driving, the set tire infla-
tion pressures in the tires are applied as the set
values to be monitored. Resetting finishes dur-
ing driving. The tires are shown in gray on the
Control Display and "Status: TPM active" is dis-
played again.
If a flat tire is detected during resetting
and applying the tire inflation pressures,
all tires are shown in yellow on the Control Dis-
play. The message "Status: Tire low!" is dis-
played.<
Controls
93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Low tire pressure message
The warning lamp lights up yellow. A
message appears on the Control Dis-
play. In addition, a signal sounds. A flat
tire or a major air loss has occurred.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle care-
fully. Avoid sudden braking and steering
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped
with standard tires or run-flat tires.
You will recognize run-flat tires by a
circular symbol containing the letters
RSC on the side of the tire, refer to
page199.<
Standard tires
1.If all four wheels are shown in yellow, iden-
tify the damaged tire on the vehicle.
2.Replace the damaged wheel or wheels,
refer to Changing wheels on page209.
The spare wheel is equipped with the neces-
sary TPM electronics and when mounted, will
also be monitored once the system has been
reset.
Have the tire replaced by a BMW center or a
workshop that is familiar with handling TPM and
works according to BMW repair procedures
with correspondingly trained personnel.
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 page199, do not
continue to drive. Continued driving after a
flat tire can result in serious accidents.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss,
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible
distance for continued driving on the basis
of the following guide values:
>With a light load:
1 to 2 persons without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km>With a medium load:
2 persons, luggage compartment full, or
4 persons without luggage:
approx. 95 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
More than 4 persons, luggage compart-
ment full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive reservedly and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. In the event of
pressure loss, vehicle handling changes. This
includes reduced tracking stability in braking,
extended braking distance and altered natural
steering characteristics.
If unusual vibrations occur while the vehicle is
being driven, this can indicate final failure of the
damaged tire. Reduce speed and stop as soon
as possible; otherwise, pieces of the tire could
come loose and cause an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving, but instead contact your BMW
center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning light flashes and
then lights up continuously. The tires
are shown in gray on the Control Dis-
play and a message is displayed. No flat tire can
be detected. Have system checked.
A message like this is displayed in the following
situations:
>When a malfunction is occurring.
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted.
>If TPM is temporarily interfered with by
other systems or devices which use the
same radio frequency.
On/off and settings
152
On/off and settings
The following audio and video sources share
the same controls and adjustment options.
>Radio
>CD player
*
>CD changer*
>DVD changer*
The CD changer can play CDs with com-
pressed audio files, such as MP3s.<
Controls
The audio and video sources can be operated
using:
>Buttons on the CD player
>iDrive
>Buttons on steering wheel, refer to page11
Buttons on the CD player
The illustration shows a CD player as an exam-
ple.
1Entertainment sound output on/off, volume
>Press: switching on/off
When switching on, the most recently
selected radio station or CD track is
selected.
>Turn: adjusting volume
2 button
Selecting radio, CD player, and CD changer
3 button
Selecting AM or FM waveband4CD slot
5 button
Eject CD
6 button
Station scan/track search
>Select radio station
>Fast forward/reverse
>Change track for CD player,
change chapter for DVD changer
Operating using iDrive
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Entertain-
ment".
3.You have the choice of:
>"FM" and "AM": select radio reception.
>"WB": select Weather Band.
>"SAT": select satellite radio.
>"CD" and "CDC": select CD player or
CD changer.
>"DVD": select DVD changer.
*
>"Picture": adjust picture.*
>"Tone": adjust tone, e.g. treble and bass.
You can also control the radio, CD player, and
the CD changer using the buttons on the steer-
ing wheel, refer to page11, and using the voice
command system, refer to page23.
Wheels and tires
198
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, B, and C, A
being highest, and represent the tire's resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC Run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page199.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires frequently for tread depth,
signs of damage and for foreign objects lodged
in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Minimum tread depth
The tread depth should not fall below 0.12 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
At tread depths below 0.12 in/3 mm, there is an
increased risk of high-speed hydroplaning,
even when only small amounts of water are
present on the road surface.
Winter tires display a noticeable loss in their
ability to cope with cold-weather driving condi-
tions once the tread wears to below 0.16 in/
4 mm. To ensure continued safety, you should
always have such tires replaced.
Wear indicators at the tread-groove base, refer
to arrow, are distributed over the tire's circum-
ference and are marked on the side of the tire
with TWI – Tread Wear Indicator. If the tire tread
has been driven down to the wear indicators, a
tread depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm has been
reached.
Wheel/tire damage
Please note that low profile tires make wheels,
tires, and suspension parts more susceptible to
road hazards and consequential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. These
kinds of problems may also be signaled by other
changes in vehicle response, such as a strong
tendency to pull to the left or right.
In these cases, reduce speed immedi-
ately and have wheels and tires thor-
oughly checked. Drive carefully to the nearest
BMW center or tire shop that works according
to BMW repair procedures with correspond-
ingly trained personnel. If necessary, have the
vehicle towed there.
Tire damage can be extremely dangerous for
vehicle occupants and other road users.<