
Technology for driving comfort and safety
90
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  

Things to remember when driving
124
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do 
not exceed an engine speed of 4500 rpm or a 
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their 
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in 
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the 
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of 
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized 
contact and wear patterns between brake pads 
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking 
certain measures, adjusting your driving style 
and having the vehicle serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you 
have finished using them
Remove unneeded additional mirrors, the roof 
rack and the rear luggage rack after use. 
Mounted parts affect the vehicle's aerodynam-
ics and increase fuel consumption.
Close the windows and glass roof
An open glass roof or window causes higher air 
resistance and thus increases fuel consump-
tion.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check the tire inflation pressure at least twice a 
month and before embarking on a long journey, 
and correct it if necessary.
Low tire inflation pressure causes higher rolling 
resistance and thus increases fuel consumption 
and tire wear.
Set off immediately
Do not let the engine warm up while the car is 
still standing, but set off immediately at moder-
ate engine speed. This is the fastest way for the 
cold engine to reach its operating temperature. 

Everything from A - Z
254 Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely126
Brake system124
– BMW Maintenance 
System229
– breaking in124
– disc brakes126
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance236
Breaking in the clutch124
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential124
Break-in period124
Brightness of the Control 
Display86
"Brightness" on the Control 
Display86
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs231
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button59
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6
"Call"194,205
Call
– accepting192
– displaying accepted194
– ending193
– missed194
– starting193
Calling
– from phone book193
– from Top 8 list194
– redialing194
Can holders, refer to Cup 
holders115
Capacities247
Capacity of the cargo bay247
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery235
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochureCar-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"76
Care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Cargo, securing128
Cargo bay
– capacity247
– convenient access37
– folding up the floor 
panel119
– lamp, refer to Interior 
lamps103
– opening from inside33
– opening from outside33
Cargo loading
– securing cargo128
– stowing cargo127
– vehicle127
Caring for artificial leather, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for leather, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for plastic, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the carpet, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Car jack
– jacking points235
Car key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control28
Car phone186
– installation location, refer to 
Center armrest114
– refer to Mobile phone186
– refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio164Car wash126
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– with convenient access37
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system125
"Categories" for satellite 
radio171
CBS Condition Based 
Service229
"CD"160,173
CD changer173
– compressed audio files173
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse177
– installation location177
– playing a track175
– random order176
– repeating a track176
– selecting a CD173
– selecting a track174
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
CD player173
– compressed audio files173
– controls160
– fast forward/reverse177
– playing a track175
– random order176
– repeating a track176
– selecting a track174
– switching on/off160
– tone control161
– volume161
Center armrest114
Center brake lamp
– replacing bulb234
Center console, refer to 
Around the center 
console14
"Central locking"30
Central locking
– from inside32
– from outside29
Central locking system29
– convenient access36
– hotel function34