Controls
59Reference
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Driving tips
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Navigation
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Mobility
It is only possible to disengage the parking
brake with the ignition on.
If exceptional circumstances should make it
necessary to engage the parking brake while
the vehicle is in motion, maintain pressure on
the button.
The indicator lamp on the Info Display lights up
in red, a chime sounds, and the brake lamps
light up.
The vehicle continues to brake forcefully for as
long as you maintain pressure on the button.
When you brake the vehicle almost to a stop,
i.e., down to a speed of approximately 2 mph/
3 km/h or below, the parking brake remains
engaged.
Manual release
Briefly press the button with the ignition
switched on.
The indicator lamp on the Info Display goes
out.
As long as the remote control is inserted
into the ignition lock, you can also release
the parking brake after the engine has been
switched off. This function is useful, for exam-
ple, in automatic car washes, refer to
page123<
When leaving the vehicle, always bring
the remote control with you; this precau-
tion prevents children from disengaging the
parking brake, for example.<
Automatic Hold
You can activate the system after starting the
engine; it then remains operational until the
next time the engine is switched off.
This feature provides additional assistance dur-
ing vehicle operation by automatically engaging
and releasing the parking brake during stops at
traffic lights, in stop-and-go traffic, etc. The
vehicle is automatically held in place so as to
suppress the tendency to creep when the
transmission is in drive.
It also prevents the vehicle from rolling back-
ward during uphill starts.
The parking brake engages automatically when
you stop the vehicle and switch off the engine.You can activate or deactivate Automatic Hold
via the "Settings" menu in iDrive.
Activation/deactivation
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 "AUTO P". Press the controller to
activate/deactivate the desired function.
>Automatic Hold is activated.
The green AUTO P status message on the
Info Display indicates that the system is
ready for operation.
>Automatic Hold is deactivated.
The green AUTO P status message disap-
pears from the Info Display.
You can program the programmable but-
ton on the steering wheel with the Auto-
matic Hold function, refer to page52. This gives
you the option of being able to quickly activate
or deactivate Automatic Hold without distract-
ing your attention from the road.<
Driving
The parking brake engages automatically when
the vehicle comes to a stop.
The indicator lamp on Info Display lights up
green.
To start off again, simply press the accelerator
pedal. The parking brake is released automati-
cally; the indicator lamp goes out.
Do not drive through an automatic car
wash with the Automatic Hold on and the
engine running. Otherwise, the system will
Driving
60 engage the parking brake the moment the vehi-
cle comes to a stop.<
Parking
The parking brake engages automatically when
you stop the vehicle and switch off the engine.
The indicator lamp changes from green to
red.
You can also release the parking brake
manually after the engine is switched off,
as long as the remote control is in the ignition
lock, refer to page59. You can use this function,
for example, in a car wash.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, release the
remote control from the detent in the igni-
tion lock; this precaution prevents children from
disengaging the parking brake etc.<
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deactivated
when:
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat is
not occupied while the engine is running
>the hood is opened while the engine is run-
ning
>the luggage compartment is opened while
the engine is running and the transmission
is in reverse
>and when the parking brake is used to brake
the vehicle to a stop during driving
The indicator lamp changes from green to
red, and the indication AUTO P on the Info Dis-
play disappears.
Before starting off again, briefly press the but-
ton to disengage the parking brake manually,
refer to page59, or reactivate Automatic Hold,
refer to page59.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, always move the automatic
transmission's selector lever to position P and
make sure that the parking brake is engaged.
The vehicle could start to roll if you fail to take
these precautions.
tendency for the wheels to spin in response to
slippery road surfaces.
Pay attention to the messages on the Info Dis-
play. For additional information, refer to Check
Control on page80.<
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Before manually releasing the parking
brake and each time you park the vehicle
without engaging the parking brake, make sure
that the automatic transmission is in position P,
refer to page62. Be sure to pay attention to the
information on the Info Display.
If circumstances should force you to park on a
steeply inclined road surface, it is essential to
take additional precautions against inadvertent
rolling, e.g. by using the chock, refer to
page216. Otherwise, there is the danger of the
vehicle rolling, depending on the incline.<
If it becomes necessary to also unlock the
transmission lock of the automatic transmis-
sion, follow this sequence:
1.If necessary, start by releasing the parking
brake manually.
2.Then release the automatic transmission's
transmission lock manually, refer to
page64.
Jump starting and tow starting information,
refer to section starting on page220.
Driving
62
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
In addition to fully automatic operation, you can
also shift manually using the buttons on the
steering wheel, refer to page63.
Transmission range selection
P R N D
Displays on Info Display
P R N D S or M1 to M6
The transmission range is indicated, and in the
manual mode, the gear currently engaged.
Selecting transmission range
>Only engage transmission positions D, R,
or N when the engine is running: interlock.
>With the vehicle stationary, depress the
brake pedal before shifting out of P or N;
otherwise, the shift command will not be
executed: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
maintain pressure on the brake pedal until
you are ready to start off. Activate Auto-
matic Hold to suppress the tendency to
creep, refer to page59.
Selecting D, R or N
Lightly pull selector lever and engage desired
position:
>N Neutral:
To resistance point, arrowsN.
>D Drive:
Downward past resistance point, arrowD.
>R Reverse:
Upward past resistance point, arrowR.
The selector lever immediately returns to the
center position when released.
Selecting P
Press button P.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
rear wheels are locked.
Transmission automatically shifts into P
as soon as you switch off the engine
unless N is selected and the remote control is in
the ignition lock, refer to page58.<
Everything under control
78
Resetting values
You can reset values for the average speed and
average fuel consumption:
1.Activate the relevant menu item and press
the controller.
2.Press the controller again to confirm your
selection.
This also resets the information currently
shown on the Info Display.
Entering a distance manually
1.Select "To dest." and press the controller.
2.Turn the controller to set the distance to the
destination.
3.Press the controller to save the setting.
The distance to the destination is automatically
predetermined when using the navigation sys-
tem route guidance, refer to page144.
Using voice command system
Trip computer
The trip computer can be used, e.g. for a vaca-
tion trip.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".3.Select "BC " and press the controller.
>Departure time
>Driving time
>Distance traveled
>Average fuel consumption
>Average speed
To switch trip computer on/off and reset all val-
ues:
Select "START / RESET" and press the con-
troller.
To deactivate trip computer:
Select "STOP" and press the controller.
Service required
The distance or time period remaining until your
next service briefly appears when you switch on
the ignition.
Your Service Advisor will determine your
vehicle's current service requirements by
reading out the data stored in the remote con-
trol.<
With BMW Assist enabled, information about
maintenance status of your vehicle or informa-
tion about legally mandated inspections is
automatically transmitted before the relevant {On-board computer}.
Everything under control
84
Settings on Control Display
Setting units of measure and display
format
You can change the units of measure used in
the displays of fuel consumption, distances and
temperatures as well as the display format for
the time and date.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Units" and press the controller.
4.Select the menu item that you wish to
adjust. Press repeatedly to view a listing of
your selection options.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting language
You can select a different language for the text
displays.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".3.Select "Language" and press the controller.
4.Select and activate the desired language.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Time and date
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Clock" and press the controller.
Setting time
1.Select "Time" and press the controller.
The first time setting is activated.
2.Turn to adjust the setting.
3.Press the controller to adopt the setting.
The next setting is selected.
4.Adjust the remaining settings. After the last
adjustment, the time is stored.
Setting date
1.Select "Date" and press the controller.
The first date display setting is activated.
2.Turn to adjust the setting.
Controls
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At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Press the controller to adopt the setting.
The next setting is selected.
4.Adjust the remaining settings. After the last
adjustment, the date is stored.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Hour signal activation
You will hear four tones just before the top of
each hour.
Select "Memo" and press the controller.
The symbol indicates the menu that is cur-
rently activated.
Setting brightness
You can set the brightness of the screen.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the button to open the start
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Screen" and press the controller.
4.Select "Brightness" and press the control-
ler.
5.Turn the controller until you reach the
desired setting and press the controller to
accept the setting.
Under unfavorable conditions, e.g. in
bright surroundings, the brightness con-
trol of the screen might not be immediately rec-
ognizable.<
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Controls
87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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 or wedge-shaped
objects. Low objects already indicated, such as
curb edges, may enter the blind spot of the sen-
sors before or after a continuous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding objects, such as
wall ledges, may not be detectable.
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.
Brake assistant
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. The system
also detects unstable driving conditions such
Lamps
100
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lamps off and daytime running lamps*
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps*
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control, daytime run-
ning lamps
* and Adaptive Head Light*
If you open the driver's door when the ignition is
switched off, then the exterior lighting is
switched off if the light switch is in position0, 2
or3.
Parking lamps
In switch position1, the front, rear and side
vehicle lighting is switched on. You can use the
parking lamps for parking.
The parking lamps drain the battery. Do
not leave them switched on for long peri-
ods of time; otherwise, it may no longer be pos-
sible to start the engine. It is preferable to
switch on the left-hand or right-hand roadside
parking lamps, refer to page101.<
Low beams
The low beams light up when the light switch is
in position 2 and the ignition is on.
Automatic headlamp control
In the switch position3, the system activates
the low beams and switches them on or off in
response to changes in ambient light condi-
tions, for example in a tunnel, at dawn and dusk,
and in case of precipitation. The LED next to the symbol is illuminated when the low beams are
on.
The low beams may be switched on when the
sun is low on the horizon in a clear sky.
The low beams remain switched on
regardless of the ambient light when you
switch on the front fog lamps.<
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal
judgment in determining when the lamps
should be switched on in response to ambient
lighting conditions. For example, the sensors
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid
safety risks, you should always switch on the
lamps manually under these conditions.<
Pathway lighting
After parking the vehicle and switching off the
headlamps, you can use the headlamp flasher
control to activate the low beams for a period of
roughly 40 seconds.
Pressing the button on the remote control,
refer to page32, also switches on the low
beams for approx. 40 seconds. In addition, the
door handle and interior lamps are switched on
for approx. 10 seconds.
Daytime running lamps*
The daytime running lamps light up in posi-
tion0, 1 or3. The light output is lower than with
the low-beam headlamps.
If the light switch remains in position1, then the
parking lamps are lit after the ignition is
switched off.
Adaptive Head Light*
The concept
Adaptive Head Light is a variable headlamp
control system that enables dynamic illumina-
tion of the road surface. Depending on the
steering angle and other parameters, the light