
Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
88 as fishtailing or sliding of the vehicle's front 
wheels. In these cases, DSC helps the vehicle 
safely stay on course within the physical limits 
by reducing the engine output and by applying 
the brakes in the individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Do not squander your added margin of 
safety by driving dangerously; otherwise you 
run the risk of causing an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "DTC" and press the controller for at 
least 3 seconds.
The LED for "DTC" and the DSC indicator lamp 
on the Info Display light up. DTC Dynamic Trac-
tion Control and DSC Dynamic Stability Control 
are deactivated together. Interventions promot-
ing stability and forward momentum will no 
longer be carried out.
To promote enhanced operating stability, reac-
tivate DSC again as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Select "DTC" and press the controller. 
The LED on the Control Display and the DSC 
indicator lamp on the Info Display go out.
For control purposes
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC is controlling the drive forces and 
brake forces. The indicator lamp comes on: 
DSC is deactivated.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
DTC is a version of DSC that is optimized for 
forward momentum in special road conditions. 
The system ensures maximum forward 
momentum, but with limited driving stability. 
Therefore, drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC 
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving on snow-covered uphill 
grades, in slushy snow or on uncleared, 
snow-covered roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or when 
starting off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "DTC" and press the controller.
The LED for "DTC" and the DTC indicator lamp 
on the Info Display light up.
For control purposes
The indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC is controlling the drive forces and 
brake forces.
The indicator lamp comes on: 
DTC is activated. 

Things to remember when driving
122
Things to remember when driving
Breaking-in
Moving parts need time to adjust to one 
another. To ensure that your vehicle continues 
to furnish optimized economy of operation 
throughout an extended service life, we request 
that you devote careful attention to the follow-
ing information.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive with changing engine and vehicle speeds, 
but do not exceed:
4500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode during these 
initial miles.
After 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be 
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 reservedly 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.
Following component replacements
Follow the break-in sequence again if compo-
nents addressed above must be replaced again 
during subsequent driving.
General driving notes
Closing luggage compartment lid
Operate the vehicle only when the lug-
gage compartment lid is completely 
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could pene-
trate into the passenger compartment.<
If special circumstances should make it abso-
lutely necessary to operate the vehicle with the 
luggage compartment lid open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Adjust the automatic climate control's 
blower to supply a high rate of airflow, refer 
to page106.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high temper-
atures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed 
adjacent to it, and never apply undercoating to 
them. When driving, standing at idle, and park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact 
between the hot exhaust system and any highly 
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, accompa-
nied by the risk of serious property damage and 
personal injury.<
Mobile communications devices in 
vehicle
BMW does not recommend using mobile 
communications devices, e.g. mobile 
phones, inside the vehicle without a direct con-
nection to an outside antenna. Otherwise, the 
vehicle electronics and mobile communications 
device can interfere with each other. In addition, 
there is no assurance that the radiation which 
results during transmission will be discharged 
from the vehicle interior.< 

Driving tips
 123Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge 
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This phenomenon is referred to as hydro-
planing, and is characterized by a partial or 
complete loss of contact between tires and 
road surface, ultimately undermining your abil-
ity to steer and brake the vehicle.<
Driving through water
Only drive through water with a maximum 
depth of 1 ft/30 cm and then, at no more 
than walking speed. Otherwise, you run the risk 
of damaging the vehicle's engine, electrical sys-
tems, and transmission.<
Safe braking
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as standard 
equipment. In situations that require it, it is best 
to apply the brakes fully. Since the vehicle 
maintains steering responsiveness, you can 
nevertheless avoid possible obstacles with a 
minimum of steering effort.
Pulsation at the brake pedal combines with 
sounds from the hydraulic circuits to indicate to 
the driver that ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When driving in wet conditions and in heavy 
rain, it is a good idea to apply light pressure to 
the brake pedal every few miles. Monitor traffic 
conditions to ensure that this maneuver does 
not endanger other road users. The heat gener-
ated helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then be available 
when you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and reduced effi-
ciency of the brake system, drive long or 
steep downhill grades in the gear that requires 
the least amount of braking. Otherwise, even 
light but consistent pedal pressure can lead to 
high temperatures, brake wear, and possibly 
even failure of the brake system.
transmission's manual mode, downshifting as 
far as first gear on extremely steep stretches, 
refer to page63. This strategy helps you avoid 
placing excessive loads on the brake system.
Do not drive in idle or with the engine 
switched off; otherwise, there will be no 
engine braking action or power-assist for the 
brakes and steering. 
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other 
objects to protrude into the area of movement 
of the pedals and impair their operation.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the 
brake pads. This occurs because the minimal 
pressure that must be exerted by the pads dur-
ing brake applications to clean the rotors is not 
reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the 
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When vehicle is parked
Condensation forms in the automatic climate 
control during operation, and then exits under 
the vehicle. Traces of condensed water under 
the vehicle are therefore normal.
Before driving into a car wash
1.Fold in the exterior mirrors, refer to page50; 
otherwise, they could be damaged due to 
the width of the vehicle. 
To permit the vehicle to roll, follow the 
instructions on page58.
2.Release the parking brake, especially when 
you have activated Automatic Hold. Refer to 
page59. 

Mobility
 211Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Maintenance
BMW Maintenance System
The BMW Maintenance System serves to 
retain the operating and road safety of your 
BMW. The service schedule also includes oper-
ations related to the vehicle's comfort and con-
venience features, such as replacement of the 
filters for the inside air. The aim is to optimize 
maintenance procedures with a view to reduc-
ing the cost of running the vehicle.
Should the day come when you decide to sell 
your BMW, you will find that a complete dealer 
service history is an asset of inestimable value.
CBS Condition Based Service
Sensors and special algorithms take the differ-
ent driving conditions of your BMW into 
account. As a result, Condition Based Service 
determines the current and future maintenance 
requirements. By letting you define a service 
and maintenance regimen that reflects your 
own individual requirements, the system forms 
the basis for trouble-free driving.
On the Control Display, you can have the 
remaining times and distances for selected 
maintenance procedures and any legally man-
dated deadlines displayed, refer to page78:
>Engine oil
>Brakes, separate for front and rear
>Microfilter
>Brake fluid
>Spark plugs>Vehicle check
>Legally prescribed inspections depending 
on national regulations
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement information in the remote control 
while you are driving. After accessing the data 
stored in the vehicle key, your BMW Service 
Advisor can suggest precisely the right array of 
service procedures for your own individual vehi-
cle. This is why it is important when you take 
your vehicle in for service to give the BMW Ser-
vice Advisor the last remote control you used 
for driving.
Storage periods with the battery discon-
nected are not taken into account by the 
CBS maintenance system. If this occurs, have a 
BMW center update the time-dependent main-
tenance procedures, such as checking brake 
fluid and if necessary engine oil and the micro/
activated charcoal filter.<
Service and Warranty Information 
Booklet for US models and 
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet 
for Canadian models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty 
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models 
for additional information on service require-
ments.
BMW recommends that you have service 
and repair operations performed at your 
BMW center.
Take the time to ensure that these service pro-
cedures are confirmed by entries in your vehi-
cle's Service and Warranty Information Booklet 
for US models and Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet for Canadian models. These entries 
verify that your vehicle has received the speci-
fied regular maintenance.< 

Everything from A to Z
234 BMW homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System211
BMW Night Vision97
– activating/deactivating98
– cleaning camera99
– making settings98
Boot, refer to Luggage 
compartment119
Bottle holder, refer to Cup 
holders115
Brake assistant87
Brake force display94
Brake lamp, adaptive, refer to 
Brake force display94
Brake lamps
– brake force display94
– replacing bulbs214
Brake rotors, refer to 
Corrosion on brake 
rotors123
Brakes123
– ABS87
– brake force display94
– breaking-in122
– parking brake58
Brake system
– BMW Maintenance 
System211
– breaking-in122
– refer to Braking safely123
Breakdown service, refer to 
Roadside 
Assistance190,219
Breaking-in122
Breaking-in differential, refer 
to Engine and 
differential122
"Brightness"
– BMW Night Vision99
– DVD changer172
– on Control Display85
Bulbs, replacing213
"button", programmable 
buttons52
Buttons
– next to the controller16
– on steering wheel11
C
"Calculate", refer to 
Bypassing route 
sections147
Calculating distance to 
destination77
California Proposition 65 
Warning6
"CALL"192
Call
– accepting184
– automatically accepting, 
refer to Hands-free 
system179
– rejecting184
– touch tone dialing180
– while away, refer to Dialing 
numbers stored in a list186
Call back list, refer to Dialing a 
number from phone book or 
from numbers stored in a 
list185
Calling
– from phone book185
– from Top 8 list186
– redialing185
– with retracting telephone 
keypad179
Can holder, refer to Cup 
holders115
Capacities229
– luggage compartment228
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery217
Car care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car-care products, refer to 
Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
"Car Data"79,81
Care, refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
Caring for the upholstery, refer 
to Caring for your vehicle 
brochure
Caring for the vehicle finish, 
refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochureCar key, refer to Remote 
control/key30
Carpet care, refer to Caring for 
your vehicle brochure
Car radio, refer to Radio156
Car wash123
– also refer to Caring for your 
vehicle brochure
– with Comfort Access39
Catalytic converter, refer to 
Hot exhaust system122
"Categories", radio161
CBC Cornering Brake 
Control87
CBS Condition Based 
Service211
"CD", CD player163
"CDC", CD changer166
CD changer165
– compressed audio files166
– controls152
– fast forward, reverse
167
– installation location165
– random sequence167
– sampling167
– selecting a CD166
– selecting track166
– starting165
– tone control153
– volume153
CD player163
– controls152
– fast forward, reverse164
– random sequence164
– sampling163
– selecting tracks163
– starting163
– tone control153
– volume153
Center armrest
– front113
– rear114
Center console, refer to 
Comfort features14
Central locking system31
– Comfort Access38
– from the inside34
"CHANGE", navigation138