
Driving
44 the transmission can cool down again. You can 
continue your journey, but moderate your 
speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked immediately.
Yellow warning lamp
The transmission system is malfunc-
tioning. Avoid heavy loads.
All of the selector lever positions can 
continue to be engaged; in the forward drive 
positions, however, the vehicle will be operating 
in a restricted gear range only.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Instructions on towing, tow-starting and jump-
starting begin on page104.
Dynamic Driving Control
At the touch of a button, Dynamic Driving Con-
trol enables you to drive your BMW in an even 
sportier style:
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to any motion of the accelerator pedal.
>Power steering is adapted to further 
enhance contact with the road surface.
>Cruise control
*:
The stored speed is achieved more quickly 
when called up.
In addition with automatic transmission:
>The Sport program is activated.
To activate the system
Press the SPORT button while the key is in 
position 2.
The LED in the button lights up.
To deactivate the system
Press the SPORT button again.
The LED in the button goes out.
Turn signal indicators/
Headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signal indicators
Unusually rapid flashing of the indica-
tor lamp indicates that a turn signal 
indicator has failed.<
To signal briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
If you wish, you can have this function 
activated.< 

Driving
46
Cleaning windshield
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
The windshield washer nozzles are automati-
cally heated
* when the engine is running or the 
ignition is on.
Cleaning headlamps*
When the vehicle lighting system is switched 
on, the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable. For 
this reason, keep it away from sources of 
flame and store it only in its original container. 
Store it so that it is inaccessible to children. 
Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Fill with water and, if required, with antifreeze 
according to its manufacturer's recommenda-
tions.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling 
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure 
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 5.3 US quarts/5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available at speeds of at least 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. The car stores and 
maintains the speed that you specify with the 
lever on the steering column.
Do not use cruise control if conditions are 
unfavorable for driving at a constant 
speed, e.g. due to winding roads, dense traffic, 
or poor road conditions such as snow, rain, ice, 
loose surface, etc. Otherwise, you could lose 
control of the vehicle and cause an accident.<
One lever for all functions
1Storing and maintaining speed or accelerat-
ing
2Storing and maintaining speed or deceler-
ating
3To recall the stored speed
4Deactivating cruise control
To maintain current speed
Tap the lever, arrow 1, or pull it briefly, arrow 2.
The car's current speed is stored and main-
tained. If, on downhill grades, the engine brak-
ing effect is not sufficient, the controlled speed 
can be exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill 
grades if the engine output is insufficient.
To increase speed
Tap the lever repeatedly, arrow 1, until the 
desired speed is reached.
Every time you tap the lever, the speed 
increases by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 51
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Driving stability control 
systems 
Your BMW is equipped with a s eries  of systems  
that help maintain driving stability even in 
adverse driving situations.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during 
braking. Steering stability is maintained even 
during full brake applications. In this way, active 
safety is enhanced.
ABS is operational each time the engine is 
started. Braking safely, refer to page75.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls brake-force application at 
the rear wheels in order to obtain increased sta-
bility in the vehicle's braking response.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
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. At the same time, the benefits of the ABS 
are also exploited.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do 
not reduce pressure on the brake.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels while 
starting off and accelerating the vehicle. DSC 
also recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, 
such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In these 
cases, and subject to physical limits, DSC helps 
to keep the vehicle on a steady course by 
reducing engine speed and by applying brakes 
at individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed 
even with DSC. It will always be the 
driver's responsibility to drive in a manner that 
matches road conditions. Therefore, do not limit the additional safety margin by practicing 
risky driving.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamp for DSC lights up in the instrument 
cluster. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
DSC have been deactivated simultaneously. No 
more interventions to increase stability and for-
ward momentum are carried out.
To enhance vehicle stability, reactivate DSC as 
soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp goes 
out in the instrument cluster.
Checking 
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp is lit:
DSC has been deactivated completely.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a variant of the DSC in which forward 
momentum is optimized for special road condi-
tions, e.g. snow-covered roads that have not 
yet been cleared. The system ensures maxi-
mum forward momentum, but driving stability is 
limited. Therefore, drive carefully in accordance 
with conditions. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 53
Malfunction
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in yellow. The drive-off assis-
tant has failed. The car will not be held 
in place after the brake is released. Have the 
system checked as soon as possible.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor monitors tire pressures 
while the car is being driven. The system 
reports any significant loss of pressure in one 
tire in relation to another.
In the event of tire pressure loss, the rolling 
radius of the tire changes, thereby affecting the 
rotational speed of the wheels. This change is 
detected, and a flat tire warning is issued to the 
driver.
System requirements
To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system 
must be initialized with the correct tire inflation 
pressures.
The system must be reinitialized each 
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn 
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage 
caused by external factors, nor can it identify 
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably 
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of 
time.<
The system could issue a false warning or func-
tion in a delayed manner in the following situa-
tions:
>System was not initialized
>Driving on a snow-covered or slippery road 
surface
>Performance-oriented driving: slip at the 
drive wheels, high levels of lateral accelera-
tion
>Driving with snow chains attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed while you 
are driving, and can be interrupted at any 
time. Initialization is continued automatically 
when you continue driving.
When driving with snow chains, do not initialize 
the system.<
1.Start the engine immediately before pulling 
away, but do not drive off yet.
2.Press the button until the yellow indicator 
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a 
few seconds.
3.Drive off.
Initialization is completed during the drive, 
without any feedback issued.
Flat tire warning
The warning lamp in the instrument 
cluster lights up in red. A signal also 
sounds. There is a flat tire or a signifi-
cant loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, refer to page88, the stan-
dard equipment by design, do not continue 
driving. Otherwise a severe accident could 
result after a tire puncture.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the inflation pressure is correct in all 
four tires, it is possible that the Flat 
Tire Monitor was not initialized. In this case, 
initialize the system.< 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
54 3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kilopascal, you can estimate the 
possible distance for continued driving on 
the basis of the following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, cargo bay full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Driving characteris-
tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure. 
This includes reduced tracking stability in brak-
ing, extended braking distance and altered nat-
ural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at the 
earliest opportunity. Otherwise, parts of the tire 
could come loose and cause an accident. Do 
not continue driving. Contact a BMW center.<
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*
The concept
TPM monitors the tire inflation pressure in all 
four mounted tires. The system reports if infla-
tion pressure has dropped significantly in one 
or more of the tires.
System requirements
To ensure a reliable flat tire warning, the system 
must have been reset while tire inflation pres-
sures were correct.
Always use tires with TPM electronics to 
ensure that the system operates properly.The system must be reset each time a tire 
inflation pressure has been corrected or a 
wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
TPM cannot report sudden serious tire 
damage due to external causes.<
The system will not operate correctly if it was 
not reset, e.g. it may report a flat tire even if the 
tire inflation pressures are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat 
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted or if other systems or devices that use 
the same radio frequency temporarily interfere 
with the TPM system.
Resetting the system
The system must be reset each time a tire 
inflation pressure has been corrected or a 
wheel or tire has been changed.<
1.Start the engine but do not drive off yet.
2.Press the button until the yellow warning 
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up for a 
few seconds.
3.Drive off.
After several minutes of driving, the current 
inflation pressures in the tires are adopted 
as the target values to be monitored. The 
resetting procedure is completed automat-
ically without further notice during the trip, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
Resetting is continued automatically when 
you continue driving. 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 55
Warning of low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamp lights up in yellow. A 
signal also sounds. There is a flat tire or 
a significant loss of tire pressure in one 
or more tires.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to 50 mph/
80 km/h or lower. Avoid strong braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a maxi-
mum speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with Run-
Flat Tires, which is the standard 
equipment by design, refer to page88, then 
do not continue driving. Doing so after a tire 
puncture may result in a severe accident.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kilopascal, you can estimate how far 
you can continue driving on the basis of the 
following guidelines:
>With a light load:
1 person without luggage:
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load:
1 person, cargo bay full,
or
2 persons without luggage:
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load:
2 persons, cargo bay full:
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Driving characteris-
tics change if there is a loss of tire pressure. 
This includes reduced tracking stability in brak-
ing, extended braking distance and altered nat-
ural steering characteristics.
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce your 
speed and pull over to the side of the road at a 
suitable location at the earliest opportunity. 
Otherwise, parts of the tire could come loose 
and cause an accident. Do not continue driving. 
Contact a BMW center.<
Malfunction
The yellow warning lamp flashes and 
then lights up continuously. A flat tire 
cannot be detected.
This warning is displayed under the following 
circumstances:
>If there is a malfunction;
have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics is 
mounted.
>If other systems or devices that use the 
same radio frequency temporarily interfere 
with the TPM.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
System
Each tire should be checked monthly when cold 
and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If 
your vehicle has tires of a different size than the 
size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label, you should determine the 
proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As 
an added safety feature, your vehicle has been 
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure 
telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-
icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the 
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should 
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, 
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving 
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the 
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. 
Under-inflation 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 under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illu-
mination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain  

Technology for driving comfort and safety
56 continuously illuminated. 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 telltale after replacing 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 function 
properly.
Electric Power Steering EPS
The concept
The electric power steering is a direct, sporting 
steering system. A special combination of elec-
tric motor and transmission helps you steer 
more easily. As your speed increases, steering 
power assistance is reduced.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp stays lit:
The system is malfunctioning or defec-
tive.
Steering remains operational.
Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Brake Force Display
Left: normal braking.
Right: hard braking.
Airbags 
The following airbags are located under the 
marked covers:
1Front airbags
2Side airbags
3Knee airbags
Protective action
Comply with the instructions on page30, 
or the occupants' personal safety will be 
diminished.<
The front airbags help protect the driver and 
passenger in the event of a frontal impact in 
which safety belts alone cannot provide suffi-
cient protection. When needed, the side airbags 
help provide protection in the event of side 
impact. The relevant side airbag supports the 
side upper body area. The respective knee air-
bag protects the legs from hitting the cockpit.
The airbags will purposely not be activated by 
every collision, e.g. not by more minor 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 
dismantle the airbag retention system. Do not 
modify the individual components of the sys-
tem or its wiring in any way. This includes the 
padding in the steering wheel, the dashboard 
and the doors.
Do not attempt to remove or dismantle the 
steering wheel. Do not touch the individual 
components immediately after the system has 
been triggered, because there is a danger of 
burns.
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 71
Insert the wind deflector into the brackets.
Make sure that the wind deflector cannot 
be damaged by objects in the cargo 
bay.<
Connecting electrical 
appliances
In your BMW, you can use electrical devices 
such as a flashlight, car vacuum cleaner or a 
similar appliance up to approx. 200 watts at 
12 volts.
Do not damage the socket by inserting plugs of 
a different shape or size.
Cigarette lighter socket
Pull the cigarette lighter out of the socket. 
Mobile phone preparation 
package*
Hands-free microphone
In vehicles with a telephone preparation pack-
age, the cover for the hands-free microphone is 
located on the trim of the steering column.For further information on the mobile phone, 
refer to the Owner's Manual for the telephone.