
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  

Technology for driving comfort and safety
92 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. 

Mobility
 223Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
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. 
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 
page90.< 

Everything from A - Z
258 Fast forward
– CD changer177
– CD player177
"Fast route" in navigation145
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control108
Fine wood, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
First aid pouch237
Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock59
Flashlight, refer to LED hand 
lamp114
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires222
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM93
Flat Tire Monitor FTM92
– indicating a flat tire93
– indicator/warning lamp93
– initializing the system92
– malfunction93
– snow chains92,223
– system limits92
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition221
Floor mats, carpets, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Fluid reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir65
"FM", waveband160,164
FM, waveband164
Fog lamps102
– indicator lamp13,102
Folding in the mirrors, before 
driving into a car wash52
Folding up the floor panel119
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely126
Footwell lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps103
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive90Frequency, selecting 
manually165
Front airbags97
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor92
Fuel211
– average consumption76
– gauge75
– high-quality brands211
– quality211
– specifications211
– tank contents, refer to 
Capacities247
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
Fuel filler door210
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction210
Fuses235
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control110
Gasoline
– refer to Average 
consumption76
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel211
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge75
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic61
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic62
– manual transmission61
General driving notes125Glass roof, electric39
– closing after electrical 
malfunction40
– convenient operation30,32
– initializing40
– opening, closing39
– operation with convenient 
access37
– pinch protection system40
– power failure40
– raising39
– remote control30
Glove compartment113
– LED hand lamp114
GPS navigation, refer to 
Navigation system132
Grills104
Gross vehicle weight, refer to 
Weights247
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking 
brake60
Hand lamp, refer to LED hand 
lamp114
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HDC Hill Descent Control90
"HD radio"167
HD radio, refer to High 
Definition Radio167
Head airbags97
Headlamp control, 
automatic100
Headlamp flasher63
– indicator lamp11,13
Headlamps
– care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Head restraints47
– front, removing48
– rear, removing48
– sitting safely45
Heated
– mirrors53
– rear window107
– seats49