
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
88 as fishtailing or sliding of the vehicle's front 
wheels. In these cases, DSC helps the vehicle 
safely stay on course within the physical limits 
by reducing the engine output and by applying 
the brakes in the individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Do not squander your added margin of 
safety by driving dangerously; otherwise you 
run the risk of causing an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "DTC" and press the controller for at 
least 3 seconds.
The LED for "DTC" and the DSC indicator lamp 
on the Info Display light up. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC Dynamic Stability Control 
are deactivated together. Interventions promot-
ing stability and forward momentum will no 
longer be carried out.
To promote enhanced operating stability, reac-
tivate DSC again as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Select "DTC" and press the controller. 
The LED on the Control Display and the DSC 
indicator lamp on the Info Display go out.
For control purposes
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC is controlling the drive forces and 
brake forces. The indicator lamp comes on: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC that is optimized for 
forward momentum in special road conditions. 
The system ensures maximum forward 
momentum, but with limited driving stability. 
Therefore, drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snow-covered uphill 
grades, in slushy snow or on uncleared, 
snow-covered roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or when 
starting off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "DTC" and press the controller.
The LED for "DTC" and the DTC indicator lamp 
on the Info Display light up.
For control purposes
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC is controlling the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp comes on: 
DTC is activated. 

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.
>Performance-oriented style of driving: 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 "Tires: FTM" and press the control-
ler.
The initialization menu appears.
4.Start the engine, but do not begin to drive.
5.Select "Reset tire pressure" and press the 
controller.
During the initialization, "Reset will be com-
pleted while driving. A tire pressure loss 
cannot be detected while resetting.  Status: 
resetting FTM…" appears on the Control 
Display. 

Controls
 91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
6.Start driving. 
It takes at least 10 minutes before the Flat 
Tire Monitor is once again able to detect 
and report a flat tire.
The initialization is completed during driving.
To exit the menu: 
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamp lights up red and a 
message appears 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 page215.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce the vehicle speed to 
below 50 mph/80 km/h. Avoid hard braking 
and steering maneuvers and do not exceed 
50 mph/80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page205, 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:
4 or more 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 appears 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, the system cannot be assured of func-
tioning properly.
Reset the system again after each correc-
tion of the tire inflation pressure and after 
every tire or wheel change.< 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
System limits
TPM cannot warn you of sudden serious 
tire damage caused by external influ-
ences.<
The system does not work correctly if it has not 
been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-
cated even though the tire inflation pressures 
are correct.
If a wheel without TPM electronics has been 
mounted or if the TPM experiences temporary 
interference from other systems or devices that 
use the same radio frequency, then the system 
is inactive and unable to report a flat tire.
Status display on Control Display
The tire and system status is indicated by the 
color of the tires.
TPM takes into account the fact that the tire 
pressure changes during driving. A correction is 
only required if the color of the TPM display 
indicates that it is necessary.
Green
The tire pressure matches the learned set state.
"Status: TPM active" appears on the Control 
Display.
One 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 in the process of 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.<
The reset process is completed during driving 
and can be interrupted at any time. When driv-
ing resumes, the process resumes automati-
cally.
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 "Tires: TPM" and press the control-
ler.
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 newly cor-
rected inflation pressures in the tires are 
adopted as the set-point values to be moni-
tored. The resetting process is completed dur- 

Controls
 93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
ing driving. The tires are displayed in green on 
the Control Display.
If a flat tire is detected during the reset-
ting and adoption of the tire inflation pres-
sures, all tires are shown in yellow on the Con-
trol Display. The message "Status: Tire low!" is 
displayed.<
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 
page205.<
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 page215.
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 hard braking and steering 
maneuvers and do not exceed 50 mph/
80 km/h.
If the vehicle is not equipped with run-
flat tires, refer to page205, 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:
4 or more 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, 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.
>When a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted.
>When TPM is experiencing temporary inter-
ference from other systems or devices that 
use the same radio frequency. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be 
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the 
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle 
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a 
different size than the size indicated on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, 
you should determine the proper tire inflation 
pressure for those tires. As an added safety fea-
ture, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire 
pressure monitoring system TPMS that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure indicator lamp when 
one or more of your tires are significantly 
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire 
pressure indicator lamp comes on, you should 
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, 
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving 
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the 
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. 
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and 
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the 
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver's responsibility to 
maintain correct tire pressure, even if underin-
flation has not reached the level to trigger illumi-
nation of the TPMS low tire pressure indicator 
lamp.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure indicator lamp. When 
the system detects a malfunction, the indicator 
lamp will flash for approximately one minute and 
then remain continuously lit. This sequence will 
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as 
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system 
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may 
occur for a variety of reasons, including the 
installation of replacement or alternate tires or 
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS 
from functioning properly. Always check the 
TPMS malfunction indicator lamp after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle 
to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to func-
tion properly.Brake force display
Left: normal braking.
Right: heavy braking. 

Controls
 95Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Airbags
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Head airbags
3Side airbags in front and rear
*
4Knee airbags
Protective action
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection, 
please follow the adjustment instructions on 
page43.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
front passenger by responding to frontal 
impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-
vide adequate restraint. When needed, the 
head and side airbags help provide protection in 
the event of side impact. The relevant side air-
bag supports the side upper body area. The 
head air bag supports the head. The knee air-
bags help protect the legs against impact 
against the cockpit.
The airbags are deliberately not triggered in 
every impact situation, e.g. less severe acci-
dents or rear-end collisions.
Do not apply adhesive materials to the 
cover panels of the airbags, cover them or 
modify them in any other way.
Do not attempt to remove the airbag retention 
system from the vehicle. Never modify or 
tamper with either the wiring or the individual 
components in the airbag system. This cate-
gory includes the upholstery in the center of the 
steering wheel, on the instrument panel, the 
doors and the roof pillars along with the sides of the headliner. Do not attempt to remove or dis-
mantle the steering wheel. 
Do not touch the individual components 
directly after the system has been triggered, 
because there is a danger of burns. In the event 
of malfunctions, deactivation, or triggering of 
the airbag restraint system, have the testing, 
repair, removal, and disposal of airbag genera-
tors executed only by a BMW center or a work-
shop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Unprofessional attempts to service 
the system could lead to failure in an emer-
gency or undesired airbag activation, either of 
which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information about the airbags is 
also provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The system 
appropriately activates or deactivates the front, 
knee, and side airbag on the front passenger 
side.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, pay attention to the 
safety information and follow the handling 
instructions under Transporting children safely,  

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
98 BMW Night Vision is not a substitute or replace-
ment for driver responsibility or for adapting to 
the visibility conditions and the traffic situation. 
The forward view illuminated by the headlamps 
must always be the basis for making safe driv-
ing decisions; otherwise, a safety risk will 
result.<
Activating BMW Night Vision
1.Turn the light switch to position2 or3, refer 
to page100.
2.When the low beams are switched on:
>Press the  button.
>Press the  button.
Programming button on the steering 
wheel, refer to page52.
The image will be displayed on the Control Dis-
play after a few seconds. Depending on the last 
mode selected, either the normal or full screen 
image will be displayed.
Due to the system's need to adjust periodically, 
a still image is displayed at certain intervals for 
fractions of a second. This is normal and not an 
indication of a problem.
To prevent driving without headlamps, at a 
speed of more than approx. 3 mph/5 km/h and 
when dark, the thermal image on the Control Display is only shown when the low beams are 
on.
BMW Night Vision is not available on the 
rear screen. When the system is active, 
neither the navigation system nor BMW Assist 
can be started from the rear screen.<
Deactivating BMW Night Vision
>Press the  button.
>Press the  button.
>Press the  button.
>Make a selection with the controller, i. e.: 
change the radio station or make a phone 
call. For iDrive details, refer to page16.
Selecting settings
1.Activate BMW Night Vision.
2.Press the controller to display the menu 
items.
3.Select the menu item and press the control-
ler:
>"Zoom": 
At higher speeds, the image is zoomed 
in.
>"Curve mode": 
Depending on the steering angle and 
other parameters, the image section fol-
lows the course of the road to some 
degree.
>"Full screen": 
The image is shown on the entire Con-
trol Display.
>"Contrast": 
The contrast of the screen can be 
adjusted, refer to page172.