2008 BMW 535I traction control

At a glance
13Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Indicator and warning lamps
The concept
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
different combinations and colors.
Some lamps are tested for proper function by
briefly lighting up during starting of the engine
or when the ignition is switched on.
Explanatory text messages
Text messages at the bottom edge of the
Control Display explain the meaning of the
displayed indicator and warning lamps.
Additional information, e.g. on the cause of a
malfunction and on the corresponding need to
take action can be displayed via the Check Con-
trol, refer to page83.In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
Indicator lamps without text messages
The following indicator lamps signal particular
functions:
High beams/headlamp flasher110
Fog lamps
*112
Handbrake applied63
Handbrake applied for Canadian
models
Lamp flashes:
DSC or DTC controls the drive and
braking forces for maintaining vehicle
stability92
DTC Dynamic Traction Control93
Engine malfunction with deteriorating
emissions levels236

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for hands-free mode for
telephone
*
and for voice command system*23
2Reading lamps113
3SOS: initiating
an emergency request247
4Interior lamps112
5Glass sunroof
*, electric41
Panorama glass sunroof43
6Passenger airbag status lamp101
7Control Display16
Displays for menu navigation
8Hazard warning flashers
9Central locking system32
10Automatic climate control114
11Changing
>radio station168
>track168
12Ejecting
>navigation DVD
*142
>audio CD168
13Programmable memory/direct selection
buttons2114Drive for navigation DVDs
*142
15Drive for audio CDs168
16Switching Entertainment sound output
on/off and adjusting volume168
18Controller16
Turn, press or move horizontally in four
directions
19Opening start menu on Control Display17 Temperature setting,
left/right115
Automatic air distribution and
volume115
Cooling function117
AUC Automatic recirculated-air
control117
Recirculated-air mode117
Maximum cooling117
Air volume116
Defrosting windows and removing
condensation116
Rear window defroster114
17
Heated seats*51
Active seat ventilation
*52
Adjusting active backrest
width
*47
Active seat
*52
PDC Park Distance Control
*90
DTC Dynamic Traction Control92
Opening luggage compartment lid/
tailgate
*33,35

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
92
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 page99.
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.

Controls
93Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
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Mobility
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 on 528xi, 535xi
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 on 528xi,
535xi
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 double
walking speed, approx. 7 mph/12 km/h, and
then maintains this speed at a 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 is automatically braked, 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 in the follow-
ing situations:
>Above approx. 37 mph/60 km/h
>After switching off the ignition
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and reverse gear.

Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
191Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Random play sequence
You can play back the tracks of the selected list
in random order, e.g. all tracks of an artist.
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
End random playback:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Fast forward/reverse
Buttons next to CD player:
Press and hold the button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Notes
Do not subject the audio device to
extreme environmental conditions, e.g.
extremely high temperatures, refer to the oper-
ating instructions of the audio device. Other-
wise, the audio device can be damaged and the
resulting distraction can reduce road safety
while driving.<
Depending on the configuration of the audio
files, e.g. bit rates greater than 256 Kbit/s,
proper playback cannot always be ensured.
Connecting instructions
>The USB/audio interface supplies the con-
nected audio device with power, provided
the audio device supports this function. It is
therefore unnecessary to connect the audio
device to a socket in the vehicle during
operation.
>Do not force the plug into the USB interface.
>Do not connect any devices, e.g. fans or
lamps, to the USB/audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the audio interface to recharge
external devices.

Wheels and tires
226
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT ... 3307 indicates that the
tire was manufactured in week 33 of 2007.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement, as measured under con-
trolled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either sep-
arately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.<
RSC – run-flat tires
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side
of the tire, refer to page227.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Indicates specially reinforced tires.

Reference 269
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Destination for navigation
– destination list150
– entering via voice147
– entry144
– selecting from address
book152
– selecting using
information149
– storing151
Destination guidance156
– bypassing route
sections160
– canceling voice
instructions55
– changing specified
route154
– displaying route157
– distance and arrival156
– interrupting156
– starting156
– terminating/continuing156
– voice instructions159
– volume of voice
instructions160
Destination list for
navigation150
Destinations recently driven
to150
"Details" in audio
mode184,190
"Dial" for mobile phone201
"Dial number"201
"Diamond button"55
Diamond button54
Digital clock78
Digital radio, refer to High
Definition Radio176
Dimensions255
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals67
Direction instructions, refer to
Voice instructions159
Directory, refer to Phone
book202
Directory for navigation, refer
to Address book151
Direct selection buttons21
Displacement, refer to Engine
data254"Display"88
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display elements, refer to
Instrument cluster12
Displaying vehicle data215
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting112
"Display off"21
Displays
– on Control Display, refer to
iDrive16
– refer to Instrument
cluster12
"Display settings"88,103
Displays on the windshield,
refer to Head-Up
Display102
Disposal
– battery of remote control
with comfort access40
– coolant233
– vehicle battery245
Distance, refer to
Computer80
Distance control, refer to
Active cruise control70
"Distance to dest."80
Distance to destination, refer
to Computer80
Distance warning, refer to
PDC Park Distance
Control90
Divided rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading
system127
Door entry lighting112
Door key, refer to Keys/
remote control28
Door lock32
Door locking, confirmation
signals31
"Door locks"30
Doors
– manual operation32
– remote control30
DOT Quality Grades226
Draft-free ventilation118Drinks holder, refer to Cup
holders125
"Driver's door only"30
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams108
Driving route, refer to
Displaying route157
Driving stability control
systems91
Driving through water136
Driving tips, refer to General
driving notes134
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function117
Drying the air, refer to Cooling
function117
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
– indicator lamp13,92
– malfunction94
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control92
– activating92
– indicator lamp13,93
DVD for navigation
142
Dynamic Drive94
Dynamic Driving Control66
"Dynamic route" for
navigation154
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC92
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC92
E
Easy entry/exit54
– backrest width47
Eject button, refer to Buttons
in area of CD player168
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– driver's door32
– fuel filler door218
– glass sunroof, electric42
– luggage compartment lid34
– panorama glass sunroof44
– tailgate35

Reference 281
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Tilting down passenger-side
exterior mirror53
"Time"87
"Time format"87
Timer, refer to Preselecting
activation times119
"Timer 1" for parked-car
ventilation119
"Timer 2" for parked-car
ventilation119
Tire inflation pressures220
Tire pressure loss96,97
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM97
Tire Quality Grading226
Tire replacement, new wheels
and tires227
Tires
– age226
– air loss96,98
– breaking-in134
– changing227
– condition227
– damage227
– flat tire, refer to Changing
wheels242
– inflation pressure220
– new wheels and tires227
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor95
– pressure monitoring, refer to
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
– replacing242
– retreaded tires228
– run-flat tires227
– size225
– tread227
– wear indicators227
– wheel/tire combination227
– winter tires228
Tire trouble
– changing wheels242
– compact wheel244
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information160"Tone"169
Tone dialing method204
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting169
– middle setting171
Tone on locking/unlocking31
Tools, refer to Onboard
toolkit237
"Top 8" for mobile phone202
Torque
– lug bolts, refer to After
mounting
244
– refer to Engine data254
Touch tone dialing, refer to
Tone dialing method204
Tow bar250
Tow fitting249
Towing249
– methods250
– tow fittings249
– with automatic and sport
automatic transmission250
– with manual
transmission250
"Town / City" for destination
entry145
Tow rope251
Tow-starting249
"TPM"97
TPM Tire Pressure
Monitor97
– resetting system97
– system limits97
– warning lamp98
Tracks
– random sequence185
– sampling on CD184
– selecting with CD183
Track width, refer to
Dimensions255
Traction-assist feature, refer
to DSC Dynamic Stability
Control92
Traction control, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control92Traffic information for
navigation160
– depiction in route map162
– displaying161
– during destination
guidance163
– symbols162
"Traffic Info settings"161
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
information160
– refer to Bypassing route
sections160
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic63
– manually unlocking and
locking transmission lock65
– manual transmission63
– sport automatic
transmission66
– starting assistant94
– towing250
Transporting children
safely56
Transport securing device,
refer to Securing cargo138
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread
227
Treble, refer to Tone
control169
"Treble", tone control170
"Trip computer"81
Trip computer80
Trip-distance counter
– refer to Trip computer80
– refer to Trip meter78
"Triple turn signal"67
Trip meter78
– also refer to Trip
computer80
Trunk, refer to Cargo bay
Trunk lid, refer to Tailgate35
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions255