Controls
87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated.
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions
are no longer executed.
328i, 335i: in the same way as with a differential
interlock, even if DSC is deactivated, brake
actions are still performed on the rear axle to
enhance drive output if the drive wheels experi-
ence a significant loss of traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads,
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button; the indicator lamps for DTC in
the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive*
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system.
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes
driving power variably to the front and rear axles
depending on the driving situation and road
conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control*
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that controls
your speed on steep downhill gradients and
makes it even easier to control your BMW's
handling under these conditions. The vehicle
Controls
89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
after approx. 2 seconds and the car will start to
roll backwards.<
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects pressure loss in a
tire by comparing the rotating speeds of the
individual tires while moving.
In the event of pressure loss, the rolling circum-
ference changes and, thus, the rotating speed
of the affected wheel. This change is detected
and is reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
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.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip
in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>Snow chains are attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the system while snow chains
are attached.
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.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Turn the controller
until "FTM" is selected and press the con-
troller.
6.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
7.Select "Reset" and press the controller.
8.Select "Yes" and press the controller.
9.Start to drive.
Initialization is completed while the car is on
the move, without any feedback.
Wheels and tires
220
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for use in cold
winter driving conditions. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall
of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
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.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page87.<
Everything from A - Z
258 Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts48
Fastest route for
navigation141
Fast forward
– CD changer173
– CD player173
"Fast route" in navigation141
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control104
Fine wood, refer to Caring for
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch236
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock56
Flashlight, refer to LED hand
lamp110
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires219
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM90
Flat Tire Monitor FTM89
– indicating a flat tire90
– indicator/warning lamp90
– initializing the system89
– malfunction90
– snow chains89,220
– system limits89
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition218
Floor mats, carpets, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir62
"FM", waveband156,160
FM, waveband160
Fog lamps98
– indicator lamp13,98
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash49
Folding rear seat backrest114
Folding up the floor panel116
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely122Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps99
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to
xDrive87
Frequency, selecting
manually161
Front airbags94
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89
Fuel207
– average consumption73
– gauge72
– high-quality brands207
– quality207
– specifications207
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities246
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control72
Fuel filler door206
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction206
Fuses234
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control106
Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption73
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel207
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge72
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic58
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– manual transmission58Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– manual transmission58
General driving notes121
Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical
malfunction40
– convenient operation30,31
– initializing40
– opening, closing39
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment109
– LED hand lamp110
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system128
Grills100
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights245
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs229
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake57
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand
lamp110
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control87
"HD radio"163
HD radio, refer to High
Definition Radio163
Head airbags94
Headlamp control,
automatic96
Headlamp cover229
Headlamp flasher60
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle brochure
– replacing bulbs229