
Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
until "PDC" is selected and press the con-
troller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
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 hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
that have already been displayed, e. g. curbs, 
can disappear again from the detection area of 
the sensors before or after a continuous tone 
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges, 
cannot be detected. Loud sound sources out-
side 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 page125.
EBV 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 full braking application.
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The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 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, as this could 
result in an accident.< 

Mobility
 239Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the BMW.
Coupe: it is  sto red in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the 
cargo bay, refer to page230.
Convertible: it is stored in the onboard tool kit 
underneath the cargo bay floor, refer to 
page230.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow 
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press on the upper edges of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page59, otherwise the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when 
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and 
steering will require increased effort. Active 
steering is not active and it will be necessary to 
turn the steering wheel further.<
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 
page62.
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.<
Towing methods
In come countries, it is illegal to tow your vehicle 
with a tow bar or tow rope on public highways.
Please familiarize yourself with the relevant 
towing regulations for the country in which you 
are driving.
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.< 

Giving and receiving assistance
240
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.<
With a tow truck: vehicle without xDrive
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not tow the vehicle with just the rear axle 
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result.<
With a tow truck: vehicle with xDrive
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.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, refer to 
page237. Vehicles with a catalytic converter 
should only be tow-started when the engine is 
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission 
cannot be tow-started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply 
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page59.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
depressed and slowly release the clutch. 
After the engine starts, immediately 
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.
With xDrive: do not activate Hill Descent 
Control HDC when the vehicle is being 
tow-started, page91.< 

Reference 253
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Audio", refer to Tone 
control161
Audio device, external114
Automatic
– air distribution106
– air flow rate106
– cruise control66,67
– headlamp control100
– service notification203
– storing of stations165
Automatic climate control104
– automatic air 
distribution106
– settings via iDrive105
Automatic curb monitor53
"Automatic programs" with 
automatic climate 
control106
Automatic recirculated-air 
control AUC106
Automatic station search165
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic61
– interlock61,62
– overriding selector lever 
lock63
– shiftlock, refer to Changing 
selector lever position62
– sport program62
– towing238
– tow-starting238
"Automatic ventilation"108
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control106
"Autostore"
– on the radio166
"AUX"160,180,181
– AUX-In port180
– USB/audio interface181
AUX-IN
– port114
AUX-In port180
Average fuel consumption76
– setting the units78
Average speed76
"Avoid ferries" in 
navigation145
"Avoid highways" in 
navigation145Avoid highways in 
navigation145
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms36
"Avoid tollroads" in 
navigation145
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights
247
"A - Z"193,194
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support47
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment46
Backrest width adjustment47
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats48
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb232
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps232
Bag holder118
Balance, tone control161
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch237
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods239
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment114
Bass, tone control161
Bass sounds, refer to Treble 
and bass161
Battery234
– charging234
– disposal38,234
– jump starting237
– remote control28
– temporary power failure234
Battery renewal
– remote control38
– remote control for vehicle38
Being towed239
Belt hand-over52
Belts, refer to Safety belts51Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts51
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders115
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds113
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate106
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
"BMW Assist"202,203,204
BMW Assist
– activating206
– Concierge service204
– contacting BMW Customer 
Relations204
– Roadside Assistance202
– services offered201
– TeleService203
"BMW Contact"196
"BMW Contact 
Numbers"196
BMW Homepage
4
BMW Maintenance 
System228
"BMW Service settings"207
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders115
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC89
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements79
Brake Force Display97
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb232
– two-stage97
Brake pads124
– breaking in124
Brake rotors125
– brakes124
– breaking in124
Brakes
– ABS89
– BMW Maintenance 
System228
– breaking in124
– parking brake60
– service requirements79 

Reference 267
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
"Top 8" for mobile phone194
Torque, refer to Engine 
data244
Touch tone dialing196
Tow bar239
Tow fitting239
– screw thread239
Tow fittings for tow-starting 
and towing away239
Towing238
– car with automatic 
transmission238
– methods239
Towing and tow-starting238
Town/city for destination135
"Town / City" in destination 
entry135
Tow rope240
Tow-starting238,240
"TPM"94
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure 
Monitor93
Tracks
– random play sequence176
– sampling, Scan175
– searching for175
Track width, refer to 
Dimensions245
Traction control, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control89
Traffic information for 
navigation
– calling up152
– display on route map153
– during destination 
guidance154
– switching on/off151
– symbols154
"Traffic Info settings"152
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic 
information151
– driving around154Transmission
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic61
– manual transmission61
– overriding selector lever lock 
for automatic transmission 
with Steptronic63
Transmission interlock
– refer to Changing selector 
lever position62
– refer to P Park62
Transporting children 
safely56
Transport securing devices, 
refer to Securing cargo127
Tread depth, refer to Minimum 
tire tread220
Treble, refer to Treble and 
bass161
Treble, tone control161
"Trip computer"77
Trip computer77
Trip-distance counter, refer to 
Trip odometer74
"Triple turn signal"64
Triple turn signal activation64
Trip odometer74
Trunk lid, refer to Luggage 
compartment lid33
Turning circle, refer to 
Dimensions245
Turn signal indicators63
– indicator/warning lamp12
– triple turn signal64
Tying down loads, refer to 
Cargo loading127
U
Underbody protection, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR219
"Units"78
Units
– average consumption78
– temperature78Universal garage door opener, 
refer to Integrated universal 
remote control110
Universal mobile phone 
preparation package, refer 
to separate Owner's Manual
Universal remote control110
Unlatching, refer to 
Unlocking36
"Unlock button"30
Unlocking
– from inside33
– from outside29
– luggage compartment lid37
– without remote control, refer 
to Convenient access36
"Update services"205
USB/audio interface181
"USB" for audio 
mode180,182
V
Vehicle
– battery234
– breaking in124
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– cargo loading126
– Identification Number, refer 
to Engine compartment224
– measurements, refer to 
Dimensions245
– parking60
– washing, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– weight247
"Vehicle / Tires" for 
unlocking30
Vehicle jack234
Vehicle position, refer to 
Displaying current 
position155
Ventilation107
– draft-free108
– in the rear108
Ventilation, refer to 
Climate104