
Controls
 85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indication of malfunction urgency
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
stored Check Control messages are also dis-
played with the following symbols:
No malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems.
Malfunctions are present in the moni-
tored systems. Depending on the mal-
function, supplementary information is 
shown on the Control Display.
The symbols also indicate the status of the ser-
vice requirements display, refer to page81.
Displays after completion of trip
Malfunction reports generated during the trip 
are shown consecutively when you switch off 
the ignition.
Before the display disappears, you can display 
the messages once again. Press the CHECK 
button for approx. 2 seconds. If several mes-
sages are present, you can continue to press 
the CHECK button to view them in succession.
The display goes out
>after a short time
>when you press the CHECK button again 
for approx. 2 seconds
Speed limit
You can enter a speed and a Check Control 
message indicates when you have reached this 
speed. This enables you, for example, to 
receive warnings if you exceed a speed limit in 
an urban area.You are only warned of reaching this speed a 
second time if your vehicle speed falls below it 
again by at least 3 mph/5 km/h.
Displaying, setting or changing limit
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller.
4.Select "Limit" and press the controller.
5.Select the speed value and press the con-
troller.
6.Turn the controller to set the limit.
7.Press the controller to apply the setting.
The limit is activated.
Applying your current speed as limit
Select "Select current speed" and press the 
controller. The system adopts your current 
speed as the limit.
Activating/deactivating limit
Select "On" and press the controller.
 The limit is activated.
Stopwatch
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Open the start menu.
2.Open "Navigation".
Without navigation system
*:
Open "Car Data".
3.Select "Car Data" and press the controller. 

Everything under control
86 4.Select "Stopwatch" and press the control-
ler.
Starting, stopping or resetting
>Select "Start" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch starts at the displayed time.
>Select "Reset" and press the controller. 
The stopwatch is reset and it restarts if it 
was running beforehand.
>Select "Stop" and press the controller. 
This stops the timer.
Taking an intermediate time reading
Select "Interim time" and press the controller. 
The interim time appears below the ongoing 
primary stopwatch count.
All of the other functions remain available 
even while the stopwatch is running. The 
stopwatch continues operation in the back-
ground.<
Settings on Control Display
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button once or twice until 
the start menu appears.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
Setting time
1.Turn the controller until "Time / Date" is 
selected and press the controller.
2.Move the controller once to the front if nec-
essary to change to the first field from the 
top. 

Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
3.Turn the controller until "Time" is selected 
and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Set time" is 
selected and press the controller.
Making settings
1.Turn the controller to set the hours and 
press the controller.
2.Turn the controller to set the minutes and 
press the controller.
The changed time is stored.
Switching on hour signal*
You will hear three tones just before the top of 
each hour.
Select "Hour memo" and press the controller.
 The hour signal is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting 12h/24h format
1.Select "Time format" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select the desired format and press the 
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Setting date
1.Select "Date" and press the controller.
2.Select "Set date" and press the controller. 
The first setting of the date display is 
selected.
3.Turn the controller to make the adjustment.
4.Press the controller to apply the setting. 
The next setting is selected.
5.Make the remaining adjustments. After the 
last adjustment, the date is stored.
Setting date format
1.Select "Date format" and press the control-
ler.
2.Select the desired format and press the 
controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Brightness of Control Display
The brightness is automatically adapted to the 
ambient lighting conditions. However, you can 
change the basic setting.
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 "Display settings" and press the 
controller. 

Everything under control
88 5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Brightness" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.If necessary, move the controller to the right 
to select "Display".
7.Turn the controller until the desired setting 
is selected.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Units of measure
You can change the units of measure for con-
sumption, distances, temperature and pres-
sure.
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 "Language / Units" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Units" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select the menu item to be set and press 
the controller.7.Select the desired unit of measure and 
press the controller.
The settings are stored for the remote key cur-
rently in use.
Language on Control Display
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 "Language / Units" and press the 
controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "Languages" is selected and 
press the controller.
6.Select "Text language" and press the con-
troller. You can change the language of the 
text displays.
7.Select and activate the desired language by 
pressing the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use. 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
The PDC assists you when you are parking. 
Acoustic signals and an optical display
* alert 
you to the approach of an object from behind 
your vehicle. To measure the distance, there 
are four ultrasonic sensors in each bumper. 
The range of these sensors is approx. 7 ft/2 m. 
However, an acoustic warning first sounds for 
the sensors at the front and at the two rear cor-
ners at approx. 24 in/60 cm, and for the center 
rear sensors at approx. 5 ft/1.50 m.
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 the physical circumstances would mean 
that the system warning was too late.<
Automatic activation
The system starts to operate approx. one sec-
ond after you shift into reverse or move the 
selector lever into position R with the engine 
running or the ignition switched on.
Wait this short time before driving off.
Manual activation
Press the button, the LED lights up.
Manual deactivation
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
Automatic deactivation
After driving approx. 165 ft/50 m or at over 
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system is 
switched off and the LED goes out. You can 
reactivate the system manually as needed.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, the position is corre-
spondingly indicated by an interval tone. Thus, 
an object detected to the left rear of the vehicle 
will be indicated by a signal tone from the left 
rear speaker, etc. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the intervals 
between the tones become shorter. If the dis-
tance to the nearest object falls to below 
roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a continuous tone 
sounds.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>if you remain in front of an object that was 
only detected by one of the corner sensors
>if you drive parallel to a wall
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a message 
appears on the Control Display. PDC is mal-
functioning. Have the system checked.
To prevent this problem, keep the sensors 
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure 
that they will continue to operate effectively. Do 
not spray the sensors with high-pressure clean-
ing jets for long periods and maintain a distance 
of at least 4 in/10 cm to them.
PDC with visual warning*
You can also have the system show distances 
to objects on the Control Display. Objects that 
are farther away are already shown there before 
a signal tone sounds. The setting is stored for 
the remote control currently in use.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
90 1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Vehicle / Tires" is 
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "PDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, or thin and wedge-shaped objects etc. Low objects already displayed, e. g. curbs, can 
also disappear from the detection area of the 
sensors again before or after a continuous tone 
already sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. 
ledges, cannot be detected. For this reason, 
drive with care; otherwise, there is a danger of 
personal injury or property damage.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the 
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely refer to page136.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking 
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
produces maximum braking force boosting and 
thus helps to achieve the shortest possible 
braking distance during full braking maneuvers. 
This system exploits all of the benefits provided 
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking. 

Controls
 91Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Adaptive brake assistant*
In conjunction with the active cruise control 
with the stop-and-go function, the adaptive 
brake assistant ensures that the brake 
responds even more quickly during braking 
with the brake assistant.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. The system 
also identifies unstable driving conditions, such 
as a loss of traction at the rear of the vehicle or 
sliding of the vehicle in its front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions in the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not restrict the additional 
safety margin with a risky driving style, as other-
wise there is a risk of an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC indicator lamp in 
the instrument cluster lights up, but not longer 
than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC are deactivated together. 
Stabilizing and drive output promoting actions 
are no longer executed. In addition, the stability 
promoting intervention of the active steering
* 
is deactivated, refer to page98.
A message appears on the Control Display. 
Please note any supplementary information 
that appears there.To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button; the indicator lamp in the 
instrument cluster goes out.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces. 
The indicator lamp lights up: 
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 on snowy inclines, in slush, or 
on unplowed, snow-covered road surfaces
>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 briefly; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster lights up. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: 
DTC is activated. 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
xDrive*
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your 
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC 
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system 
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to 
the front and rear axle depending on the driving 
situation and prevailing road conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control*
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep 
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on 
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to 
maintain even better control of your BMW 
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at 
approximately twice walking speed without 
active intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds 
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving 
down steep hills with a speed below approx. 
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed 
automatically down to approximately twice nor-
mal walking speed, approx. 7 mph/12 km/h, and 
then keeps this speed constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary 
this automatically controlled speed within a 
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range by using the lever of the cruise control
*.
Activating HDC
You can activate HDC:
>with the programmable buttons on the 
steering wheel, refer to page54
>using iDrive
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.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "HDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select "HDC on" and press the controller.
HDC is shown in the instrument cluster.
If the vehicle applies the brakes, a message is 
displayed on the Control Display for approx. 
20 seconds.
Deactivating HDC
When you use the programmable buttons on 
the steering wheel or via iDrive, the HDC display 
goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds 
greater than approximately 37 mph/60 km/h.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and reverse gear.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position.