Things to remember when driving
98
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues
to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
Do not use the driving programs 5 and 6, refer
to Drivelogic on page54, during break-in.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at changing engine and driving speeds,
however do not exceed 5,500 rpm or 105 mph/
170 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode during these
initial miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to
3,000 miles/5,000 km
The engine and driving speed can gradually be
increased up to a continuous vehicle speed of
135 mph/220 km/h. Only drive at top speed
briefly, e.g. when passing.
Transmission
The function of the transmission is only at its
optimized level after driving a distance of
approx. 300 miles/500 km. Do not exceed
engine speeds of 5,500 rpm during this time.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive reservedly during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive in a reserved manner during
this break-in period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch is only at its opti-
mized level after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km.
Following part replacement
Observe the break-in instructions again if com-
ponents mentioned above must be replaced
after subsequent driving operation.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Only drive with the luggage compartment
lid completely closed, otherwise exhaust
can penetrate into the passenger compart-
ment.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Close both windows.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic
climate control to a high level, refer to
page86.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to
them. When driving, standing at idle and while
parking, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, and with it
Driving tips
99Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury.<
Mobile communications devices in
vehicle
BMW advises against using mobile com-
munications devices, e.g. mobile phones,
inside the vehicle without a direct connection to
an external antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle
electronics and mobile communications device
can interfere with each other. In addition, there
is no assurance that the radiation emitted dur-
ing transmission will be conveyed out of the
vehicle interior.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or
complete loss of contact between the tires and
the road surface, ultimately undermining your
ability to steer and brake the vehicle.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tread
depth of the tires decreases, also refer to Mini-
mum tire tread on page172.
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the road if it
is deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only at
walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Starting off
On slopes
The starting assistant enables starting off on
slopes virtually without rolling back.
1.Hold the vehicle with the footbrake.
2.Make sure that the handbrake is released.
3.Release the footbrake and immediately
drive off quickly.The starting assistant holds the vehicle
for approx. 1 second after releasing the
footbrake. Depending on the load, the vehicle
may also roll back slightly during this time.
After releasing the footbrake, immediately start
quickly, otherwise the starting assistant no
longer holds the vehicle after approx. 1 second
and it begins to roll back.<
Start off quickly on slopes. Do not hold
the vehicle on a hill by pressing the accel-
erator, but apply the footbrake or handbrake
instead. Otherwise overheating and heavy wear
can result in the area of the Sequential Manual
Transmission.<
To protect the clutch of the Sequential Manual
Transmission from overheating, the starting-off
behavior is changed under heavy loading, e.g. a
rapid succession of starts on slopes. This can
be noticed from shaking during starting off.
On a slippery surface
1.Select program "P 400" of M Engine
Dynamic Control, refer to page55.
2.Gently press accelerator pedal to prevent
wheels from spinning when starting off.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. In situations that require it, it is best to
brake with full force. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
The pulsing of he brake pedal indicates that the
ABS is controlling braking.
In certain braking situations the perforated
brake rotors can cause operating noises which,
however, have not effect on the performance
and operating safety of the brake system.
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
brake pedal. Even light but consistent
pedal pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake failure.<
Things to remember when driving
100
Driving in wet conditions
When driving on wet roads or in heavy rain, it is
a good idea to apply light pressure to the brake
pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions
to ensure that this maneuver does not endan-
ger other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and thus reduced
efficiency of the brake system, downshift
to a gear in which only minimal brake applica-
tions are needed when descending long or
steep downhill stretches. Even light but consis-
tent pressure on the brake pedal can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Do not drive in idle or with the engine
switched off, otherwise there will be no
engine braking action or support of the braking
force and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area of movement
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate
control during operation, and then exits under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page44,
otherwise they could be damaged due to the
width of the vehicle.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Ground clearance
Ensure that sufficient ground clearance
is available. To drive down curbs, select
the "Sport" program of the EDC Electronic
Damping Control, refer to page73, to keep the
ground clearance as uniform as possible. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle may be damaged.<
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result
can assume the form of a sudden blow-out.<
Determining loading limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX lbs. or YYY kg, otherwise the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
Reference 207
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic
– air distribution85
– air volume85
– headlamp control80
– service notification162
– steering wheel adjustment,
refer to Easy entry/exit45
– storing stations131
Automatically switching
between high beams and
low beams, refer to High-
beam assistant81
Automatic car washes100
– also refer to the Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Automatic climate control84
– automatic air distribution85
– switching off87
Automatic closing of doors,
see Automatic soft
closing33
Automatic curb monitor44
Automatic lighting
– refer to Automatic headlamp
control80
– refer to Daytime running
lamps81
– refer to High-beam
assistant81
– refer to Interior lamps83
– refer to Pathway lighting80
"Automatic programs"85
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC87
Automatic soft closing33
Automatic station search131
"Automatic ventilation"88
AUTO program with
automatic climate control85
"Autostore" on the
radio130,132
Average fuel consumption61
– setting units69
"Avoid ferries" for
navigation117
"Avoid highways" for
navigation117Avoiding freeways for
navigation116
Avoiding unintentional
alarms35
"Avoid tollroads" for
navigation117
Axle loads, refer to
Weights200
"A - Z"153,154
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support40
Backrests, refer to Seats39
Backrest width adjustment40
Backup lamps, replacing
bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps184
"Balance", refer to Tone
control128
Balance, refer to Tone
control128
Balance adjustment in audio
mode, right/left128
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
kit192
Bass, refer to Tone
control127
"Bass", tone control127
Battery
– disposal37
– jump starting192
– refer to Vehicle battery189
Battery change37
Being towed194
Belts, refer to Safety belts42
Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders93
Blower, refer to Air volume86
"BMW Assist"163
BMW Assist161
– enabling161
– services offered162
"BMW Contact"155
"BMW Contact
Numbers"155BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance
System180
"BMW Service"163
"BMW Service settings"162
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders93
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control71
Brake fluid179
– level179
– warning lamp179
Brake force display75
Brake hydraulic system179
Brake lamps
– brake force display75
– replacing bulbs, refer to Tail
lamps184
Brake pads179
– breaking-in98
Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System71
– brake fluid
179
– brake force display75
– brake pads179
– breaking-in98
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control71
– handbrake51
Brake system98
– brake fluid level179
– brake pads98,179
– brake rotors100
– breaking-in98
– warning lamp13,179
Brake wear warning
– brake pads179
– warning lamp179
Braking
– electronic brake-force
distribution71
– refer to Braking safely99
Braking safely99
Breakdown, M Mobility
System185