Controls
89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
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Mobility
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.
HDC Hill Descent Control on 525xi,
530xi
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to
maintain even better control of your BMW
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at
approximately twice walking speed without
active intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving
down steep hills with a speed below approx.
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed
automatically down to approximately double
walking speed, approx. 7 mph/12 km/h, and
then maintains this speed at a constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary
this automatically controlled speed within a
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range by using the lever of the cruise control.
Activating HDC
You can activate HDC:
>with the programmable buttons on the
steering wheel, refer to page53
>using iDrive
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 "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the
controller until "HDC" is selected and press
the controller.
6.Select "HDC on" and press the controller.
HDC is shown in the instrument cluster.
If the vehicle is automatically braked, a message
is displayed on the Control Display for approx.
20 seconds.
Deactivating HDC
When you use the programmable buttons on
the steering wheel or via iDrive, the HDC display
goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated in the follow-
ing situations:
>Above approx. 37 mph/60 km/h
>After switching off the ignition
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and reverse gear.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Things to remember when driving
126
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. To ensure that your vehicle contin-
ues to provide optimized economy of operation
throughout an extended service life, we request
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing section.
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 4,500 rpm or 100 mph/
160 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
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
SMG Sequential Manual Transmission
Do not use the acceleration assistant during the
break-in period, refer to page64.
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.During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
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/
tailgate
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid/tailgate is com-
pletely closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
enter the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the
luggage compartment lid/tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof or
panorama glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air volume of the automatic cli-
mate control to a high level, refer to
page109.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated on 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
the risk of serious property damage as well as
personal injury. Do not touch hot exhaust tail
pipes. Otherwise there is a risk of burns.<
Things to remember when driving
128 can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be further
increased by downshifting, if necessary all the
way down into first gear. This strategy helps
you avoid placing excessive loads on the brake
system. For information on downshifting in the
manual mode of the automatic transmission,
refer to page65.
Do not drive with the clutch depressed, in
idle or with the engine switched off, other-
wise 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 air conditioner sys-
tem during operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
To prevent the exterior mirrors on this vehicle
from being damaged, always fold them in by
hand before entering an automatic car wash.
General information on the care and mainte-
nance of your BMW is contained in the Caring
for your vehicle brochure.
Rear window wiper*
The rear window wiper can be damaged in car
washes. Take appropriate protective measures;
ask the car wash operator if necessary.
With comfort access and automatic
transmission
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock.
The engine can be switched off in selector lever
position N. Also refer to page40.
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
YYY lbs. or XXX kg, as otherwise the vehicle
may be damaged and unstable driving con-
ditions may result.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from YYY lbs. or XXX kg.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
Everything from A to Z
250 Beverage holder, refer to Cup
holders116
Blower, refer to Air
volume109
"Bluetooth"183
"BMW Assist"197
BMW Assist196
– activating201
– breakdown assistance197
– contacting BMW
Hotline199
– displaying vehicle data202
– information service199
– services offered196
– TeleService198
– updating200
"BMW Contact"190
"BMW Contact
Numbers"190
BMW homepage4
BMW maintenance
system220
BMW Night Vision100
– activating101
– cleaning camera102
– cleaning camera, refer to
Wiper system67
– deactivating101
– making settings101
"BMW Services"200
BMW website4
Bottle holder, refer to Cup
holders116
Bracket for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter194
Brake Assistant, refer to DBC
Dynamic Brake Control87
Brake force display96
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs225
– two-stage96
Brake rotors
– breaking-in126
– refer to Braking safely127Brakes
– ABS Antilock Brake
System87
– brake force display96
– breaking-in126
– CBC Cornering Brake
Control87
– electronic brake-force
distribution87
– handbrake61
– refer to Braking safely127
– warning lamps13
Brake system126
– brake pads126
– breaking-in126
– disk brakes128
– warning lamp90
Braking
– DBC Dynamic Brake
Control87
Braking safely127
Breakdown assistance197
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance232
Breaking-in brake pads126
Breaking-in the clutch126
Breaking-in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential126
Break-in period126
"Brightness"85,99
Brightness of Control
Display84
"Brightness" with BMW Night
Vision102
Button for starting engine,
refer to Start/Stop button59
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
Warning6
"Call"189,200
Call
– accepting187
– displaying accepted189
– ending188
– in absence189
– rejecting187
– starting187
Calling
– by entering phone
number187
– from phone book188
– from Top 8 list189
– redialing189
– refer to telephone operating
instructions
Can holder, refer to Cup
holders116
Capacities242
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery229
Car care, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
"Car data"77
Care221
– refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
Cargo
– refer to Cargo loading128
– securing130
– securing with ski bag123