
Technology for driving comfort and safety
88
Technology for driving comfort and safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight 
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual 
indicator
 warn you of the presence of an object 
behind your vehicle. To measure the distance, 
there are four ultrasonic sensors in either 
bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not 
sound until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm 
from the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m 
from the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the 
system warning being issued too late.<
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched 
on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-
ond when you engage reverse gear or move the 
automatic transmission selector lever to 
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 165 ft/50 m of driving or above 
approx. 20 mph/approx. 30 km/h, the system 
switches off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated 
correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases, 
the intervals between the tones become 
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds>if you remain in front of an object that has 
been detected by only one of the corner 
sensors
>if you are driving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the 
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean 
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that 
they will continue to operate effectively. When 
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the 
sensors for extended periods of time and only 
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
PDC with visual warning
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. The contours 
of distant objects are shown on the Control Dis-
play even before the acoustic signal sounds. 
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
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  

Technology for driving comfort and safety
96 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. 
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 at which the 
TPMS low tire pressure telltale illuminates.
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 
continuously lit. This sequence will continue 
upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as 
the malfunction exists. When the malfunction 
indicator is illuminated, the system may not be 
able to detect or signal low tire pressure 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.
Active steering*
The concept
Active steering varies the turning angle of the 
front wheels in relation to steering wheel move-
ments. It also varies the steering force required 
to turn the wheels depending on the speed at 
which you are driving.
When you are driving in the low road-speed 
range, e.g. in a town or when parking, the steer-
ing angle increases, i.e. the steering becomes very direct, and less effort is required to turn the 
wheels. In the higher speed range, on the other 
hand, the steering angle is reduced more and 
more. This improves the handling capability of 
your BMW over the entire speed range.
In critical situations, the system can make tar-
geted corrections to the steering angle pro-
vided by the driver and thus stabilize the vehicle 
before the driver intervenes. This stabilizing 
intervention is simultaneously deactivated 
when DSC is switched off, refer to page90.
Malfunction
The warning lamps come on. Active 
steering is no longer operational. At 
low speeds, greater steering wheel 
movements are required, whereas at 
higher speeds the vehicle reacts more sensi-
tively to steering wheel movements. The stabil-
ity-enhancing feature may also be deactivated. 
Drive cautiously and think well ahead. Have the 
system checked.
Brake Force Display
On the left: normal braking
On the right: sharp braking 

Lamps
102 of the road surface. Depending on the steering 
angle and other parameters, the light from the 
headlamp follows the course of the road.
In tight curves at speeds up to 40 mph/70 km/h, 
e.g. on mountainous roads or when turning, an 
additional, corner-illuminating lamp is switched 
on that lights up the inside area of the curve.
Activating Adaptive Head Light
With the ignition switched on, turn the light 
switch to position 3, refer to page100. 
The corner-illuminating lamp is switched on 
automatically, depending on the steering wheel 
angle or turn signal indicator.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive 
Head Light directs light towards the front pas-
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill. 
When you are reversing, only the corner-illumi-
nating lamps are active and switched on on 
both sides.
Malfunction
The LED next to the symbol for automatic head-
lamp control flashes. Adaptive Head Light is 
malfunctioning or has failed. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
High beams/roadside parking 
lamps
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Roadside parking lamps
*
Roadside parking lamps, left or right*
There is an additional option of switching on the 
lamps on the side of the car facing the road 
when parked.
Switching on
After parking the vehicle, press the lever up or 
down beyond the pressure point for a longer 
period, arrow 3.
The roadside parking lamps drain the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Switching off
Press the lever in the opposite direction to the 
pressure point, arrow 3.
Fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must 
be switched on for the fog lamps to 
operate. The green indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up whenever the 
fog lamps are on.
The fog lamps are switched off while you acti-
vate the headlamp flasher or switch on the high 
beams.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.< 

What to do if …
156
What to do if …
What to do if …
>a navigation DVD is inserted, but an instruc-
tion to insert the DVD appears on the Con-
trol Display?
The navigation DVD may not be the correct 
DVD for the navigation system. This infor-
mation is indicated on the DVD label.
>you request the current position of your 
vehicle, but do not receive a precise dis-
play?
The system is unable to receive enough 
GPS signals at your current position due to 
obstructions, your current position is not 
yet available on your navigation DVD, or the 
system is in the process of calculating your 
current position. As a rule, reception is 
guaranteed when you are in the open.
>the destination guidance does not accept a 
destination?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. Choose a 
destination as close as possible to the orig-
inal one.
>the destination guidance does not accept 
an address without the street name?
On the navigation DVD, no downtown area 
can be determined for the city or town 
entered. Enter any street, or a destination 
such as the railway station in the selected 
town, and then start the destination guid-
ance.
>you want to enter a destination for the des-
tination guidance, but it is not possible to 
select the letters for your desired entry?
The data of the destination is not stored on 
the navigation DVD that is loaded. In this 
case, the system will not offer you any let-
ters to choose from. Choose a destination 
as close as possible to the original one.
>the system stops furnishing directions on 
which way to turn as you approach intersec-
tions?
You are driving in an area that has not yet 
been completely recorded on the naviga-tion DVD. Instead of an arrow indicating a 
turn, you will see an arrow which indicates 
the general direction of your planned route. 
Or you have left the recommended route 
and the system requires a few seconds to 
calculate a new recommended route.
>the navigation system does not react to 
entries?
If the battery was disconnected, it takes 
about 10 minutes before the system is once 
again operational. 

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 165Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
To change the selection criterion:
1.Move the highlight marker to the second 
field from the top.
2.Choose a selection criterion and press the 
controller.
Sampling stations, Scan
The stations on the current waveband are auto-
matically sampled in succession.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
"Set" is selected.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
The stations are sampled.
Stop sampling:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Scan" and press the controller.
Station sampling is interrupted and the 
selected station stays on.
Buttons on the CD player
 To sample stations, press the but-
ton for the corresponding direction for an 
extended time.To stop scanning, press the button again.
Selecting the frequency manually
With "Manual" you can select stations that can 
be received in addition to those displayed.
1.Select "FM" or "AM" and press the control-
ler.
2.Move the highlight marker to the second 
field from the top.
3.Select "Manual" and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller to set a certain fre-
quency.
Updating stations with best reception
If on a longer journey you move out of the 
reception range of the stations originally 
received, you can update the list of stations 
received with the strongest signals in the AM 
waveband.
1.Select "AM" and press the controller.
2.Move the highlight marker to the second 
field from the top.
3.Select "Autostore" and press the controller.
"Set" is selected.
4.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed. 

Satellite radio
172 1Artist
2Track
Storing a channel
1.Select the desired channel.
2.Press the controller.
Other menu items are displayed.
3.Select "Store" and press the controller.
"Presets" is displayed.
4.Turn the controller to select a memory loca-
tion and press the controller.
The channel is stored. The channels of the last 
selection criterion are displayed again after a 
short time.
Changing channels with buttons on CD 
player
 Press the button for the corre-
sponding direction.
The system switches to the next enabled chan-
nel.
Notes
W hen mo re than 4  seconds  go by and no s igna l 
is received, a message appears on the Control 
Display.
Under some circumstances, e.g. depend-
ing on environmental or topographic con-
ditions, it may not be possible to receive any 
signal. The satellite radio cannot influence this.
A signal may not be available in tunnels or 
underground garages, next to high-rise build-
ings, in the vicinity of trees, mountains or other 
strong sources of radio interference.
Reception usually resumes as soon as the sig-
nal becomes available again.< 

Mobility
 233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
3.Push the wire bracket out of the anchor 
towards the right and fold it up.
4.Disconnect the plug, change the bulb and 
reconnect the plug.
5.Insert the bulb.
6.Fold the wire bracket down and engage it.
7.Reattach the cover.
Tail lamps
Coupe
>Turn signal:
PY21W bulb, 21 watts
>Brake lamp in the luggage compartment lid:
H21W bulb, 21 watts
>Other lamps:
W16W bulb, 16 watts
The tail lamps are divided in two parts. One part 
is in the luggage compartment lid, the other is in 
the fender.
1Turn signal
2Roadside parking lamp/tail lamp, LED
3Backup lamp
4Brake lamp, consisting of two individual 
bulbs
5Brake Force Display lamp6Roadside parking lamp/tail lamp, LED
If one of the bulbs 2, 5 or 6 malfunctions, please 
contact your BMW center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Convertible
>Turn signal:
PY21W bulb, 21 watts
>Brake lamp in the luggage compartment lid:
H21W bulb, 21 watts
The tail lamps are divided in two parts. One part 
is in the luggage compartment lid, the other is in 
the fender.
1Turn signal
2Roadside parking lamp/tail lamp, LED
3Backup lamp
4Brake lamp, consisting of two individual 
bulbs
5Brake Force Display lamp
6Roadside parking lamp/tail lamp, LED
If one of the bulbs 2 to 6 malfunctions, please 
contact your BMW center or a workshop that 
works according to BMW repair procedures 
with correspondingly trained personnel.
Fender-mounted lamps
Coupe
1.Left-hand side: use a screwdriver to pry off 
the cover in the cargo bay and remove the 
cover.
Right-hand side: remove the cover from the 
right-hand side panel of the cargo bay. 

Replacing components
234 2.Loosen the bulb holder at the clip, see 
arrow, and pull out.
3.Turn signal indicator: apply gentle pressure 
to the bulb while turning it to the left for 
removal and replacement.
Backup lamps and brake lamps: take out 
the bulbs and change them.
4.Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly 
clicks into place.
5.Reattach the cover in the cargo bay.
Convertible
1.Turn the screws on the corresponding side, 
see arrow, by 90° and remove the cover.
2.While applying light pressure, turn the bulb 
holder of the turn signal bulb to the left.
3.Remove and replace the bulb.4.Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly 
clicks into place.
5.Reattach the cover in the cargo bay.
License plate lamp and center brake 
lamp
These lamps use LED technology for operation. 
In the event of a malfunction, please contact 
your BMW center or a workshop that works 
according to BMW repair procedures with cor-
respondingly trained personnel.
Changing wheels
Your BMW is equipped with Run-Flat Tires as 
standard. This removes the need to change a 
wheel immediately in the event of a puncture.
For information on continuing to drive with a 
damaged tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire on 
page93.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires is a circle 
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to 
Run-Flat Tires, page222.
When mounting new tires or changing over 
from summer to winter tires and vice versa, 
mount Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. In the 
event of a flat, no spare wheel is available. Your 
BMW center will be glad to advise you. Refer 
also to New wheels and tires, page222.
The tools for changing wheels are avail-
able as optional accessories from your 
BMW center.<