
Technology for driving comfort and safety
52 In the following exceptional circumstances, it 
may be effective to activate the DTC for a short 
period:
>When driving on snow-covered grades, in 
slush or on uncleared, snow-covered roads
>When rocking the vehicle or starting off in 
deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
lights up in the instrument cluster.
Checking 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
Malfunction in the driving stability 
control systems
Have the system checked as soon as possible.Drive cautiously, think well ahead and 
avoid full brake applications, otherwise 
unstable driving conditions could result.<
The vehicle remains operational. Have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible.
Drive cautiously and think well ahead, 
otherwise unstable driving conditions 
could result.<
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off 
smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary 
to use the parking brake for this.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the 
brake.
2.Release the brake and drive off without 
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in 
place for approx. 2 seconds after the 
brake is released. Depending on vehicle load, 
the car may roll backwards a little during this 
time span. Drive off without delay after releas-
ing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off assistant 
will no longer hold the car in place after approx. 
2 seconds and the car will start to roll back-
wards.< The indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp is lit:
DTC has been activated.
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in red, together with the yel-
low indicator lamps for ABS and DSC:
The driving stability control systems 
have failed.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps.
The DSC warning lamp lights up 
together with the yellow warning lamp 
for the brake system:
DSC, including DTC and DBC, are 
malfunctioning.
Canadian models display these warn-
ing lamps. 

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.< 

Wheels and tires
90
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been 
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and 
recommended. Consult your BMW center for 
more information. Attach snow chains in pairs 
and only to the rear wheels. 
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when 
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed 
of 30 mph/50 km/h when using snow chains.
You are not permitted to mount snow chains to 
tires of the following sizes:
>255/40 R 17
>255/35 R 18
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if 
snow chains are mounted
*, as this may 
cause the instrument to issue an incorrect read-
ing.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it 
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to 
page52.< 

Everything from A to Z
120 Equipment scope, refer to the 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US 
models, Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to DSC 
Dynamic Stability 
Control51
Event Data Recorders97
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system74
Exterior mirrors34
– adjusting34
– automatic dimming 
feature34
– automatic heating34
– folding in and out34
External audio device68
Eyeglasses compartment69
Eyes, tow-starting and towing 
away105
F
False alarm
– refer to Avoiding 
unintentional alarms24
– refer to Switching off an 
alarm24
Fasten safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts33
Filter
– refer to Microfilter64
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter67
Fine wood, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
First aid, refer to First-aid 
kit104
First-aid kit104
Flat tire
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– refer to Changing a 
wheel101
– refer to Tire condition87
– Run-Flat Tires88
– Tire Pressure Monitor54Flat Tire Monitor FTM53
– flat tire warning53
– indicator/warning lamp53
– initializing the system53
– snow chains90
– system limits53
Floods, refer to Driving 
through water75
Floor covers, carpets, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Floor mats, refer to the Caring 
for your vehicle brochure
Fog lamps60
– indicator lamp13
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely75
For your own safety5
Front airbags56
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor53
Fuel
– average consumption50
– capacity, refer to 
Capacities114
– display48
– quality83
– refer to Average fuel 
consumption50
– refer to Fuel 
specifications83
– tank capacity83
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge48
Fuel filler door, refer to Gas 
cap82
Fuel level
– refer to Fuel tank capacity83
Fuel tank capacity, refer to 
Capacities114
Fully automatic convertible 
top
27
Fuses102
G
Gas cap82
Gasoline, refer to Fuel 
specifications83Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel 
gauge48
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic42
Gear lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Glove compartment68
Gross weight, refer to 
Weights113
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs99
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake41
Hands-free microphone71
Hardtop, refer to the separate 
Owner's Manual
Hardtop preparation77
Hazard warning flashers14
Headlamp control, 
automatic59
Headlamp flasher44
– indicator lamp12
Headlamps
– bulb replacement99
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– cleaning45
– cleaning system, washer 
fluid46
– cover99
– glass, care, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
– washer reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir46
– washer reservoir volume, 
refer to Capacities114 

Everything from A to Z
124 RSC Runflat System 
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires88
Rubber parts, refer to the 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Runflat System Component 
RSC, refer to Run-Flat 
Tires88
Run-Flat Tires88
– changing a tire87,89
– changing a wheel101
– flat tire53,55
– Flat Tire Monitor53
– tire inflation pressure84
– Tire Pressure Monitor54
– winter tires89
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-
Flat Tires88
S
Safe seating position30
– with airbags30
– with head restraints30
– with safety belts30
Safety belts33
– care, refer to the Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
– damage34
– indicator/warning lamp33
– reminder33
– safe seating position30
Safety knobs, doors, refer to 
Locking the doors from 
inside21
Safety systems
– airbags56
– Antilock Brake System 
ABS51
– driving stability control 
systems51
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat 
Tires88
Screw thread, tow fitting106
Seat Belt Reminder, refer to 
'Fasten safety belts' 
reminder33
Seat heating33Seat memory32
Seats30
– adjusting mechanically31
– adjusting the sports seat31
– heating33
– memory, refer to Seat 
memory32
– power adjustment31
– safe seating position30
– saving positions, refer to 
Seat memory32
Securing, locking the vehicle
– from inside21
– from outside19
Selector lever42
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic42
– lock, refer to Range 
selection, shiftlock42
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic42
Service, refer to Roadside 
Assistance103
Service, refer to Service and 
Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models, 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian 
models96
Service and warranty6
Service interval display49,96
Sheet ice, refer to Outside 
temperature warning48
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic42
– manual transmission42
Shiftlock, refer to Range 
selection42
Shift paddles on the steering 
wheel43
Side airbags56
Side marker lamps, front
– bulb replacement100
Side marker lamps, rear101
Side turn signal indicators, 
bulb replacement100Side windows, refer to 
Windows24
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Slipstream deflector, refer to 
Wind deflector70
Smokers' package, refer to 
Ashtray69
Snow chains90
Socket, On-Board Diagnosis 
OBD96
Socket, refer to Connecting 
electrical appliances71
SOS, refer to Emergency 
call103
Spare
– fuses102
– key18
– wheel, refer to Run-Flat 
Tires89
Spare fuses, refer to 
Fuses102
Special oils, refer to Approved 
engine oils94
Special wash program, refer to 
the Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Specified engine oils, refer to 
Approved engine oils94
Speed
– Run-Flat Tires53,55
– winter tires89
Speedometer12
Sport program
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic43
– Dynamic Driving Control44
Sports seat31
Spray nozzles, refer to 
Cleaning windshield46
Stability control, refer to 
Driving stability control 
systems51
Starting, refer to Starting the 
engine40
Starting difficulties
– jump-starting104
– temperature41
Starting with a flat battery, 
refer to Jump-starting104