
Driving
72 If the display ACC --- mph/ACC --- km/h 
appears briefly in the speedometer, then 
conditions required for operation may not cur-
rently be fulfilled. Retrieving Check Control 
messages, refer to page81.<
Warning lamps
The display flashes and a chime 
sounds. 
The system asks you to intervene 
by braking or with an evasive 
maneuver. The active cruise control cannot 
automatically restore the distance to the vehicle 
driving ahead. 
The display does not relieve you of the respon-
sibility for adapting desired speed and driving 
style to traffic conditions.
Automatic intervention by ABS or 
DSC. The active cruise control 
intervenes by braking until you 
actively intervene.
Radar sensor
Heavy rain and also dirt, snow, or ice can limit 
the detection of vehicles ahead. If needed, 
clean the radar sensor under the front bumper. 
When doing so, be particularly careful in remov-
ing layers of snow and ice.
If the sensor is not aligned properly, the active 
cruise control cannot be activated.
Things to know about active cruise control
As with conventional cruise control sys-
tems, active cruise control in no way 
diminishes or substitutes for the driver's own 
personal responsibility, alertness, and aware-
ness in adjusting speed, braking, or otherwise 
controlling the vehicle. The driver should 
decide when to use the system on the basis of 
road, traffic, visibility, and weather conditions. 
Active cruise control is intended for use on 
highway-type roadways where traffic is moving 
relatively smoothly. Do not use this system in 
city driving; heavy traffic such as during rush 
hour; on curvy, winding roads, slippery roads or 
roads with sharp curves such as highway off-ramps; during inclement weather such as snow, 
strong rain or fog; or when entering inter-
changes, service/parking areas or toll booths. 
It is also important to regulate your vehicle's 
speed and distance setting within applicable 
legal limits. Always be ready to take action or 
apply the brakes if necessary, especially when 
the system is actively following a vehicle in front 
of you.<
Always remember that the range and abil-
ity of the system do have physical limita-
tions. It will not apply the brakes or decelerate 
your vehicle when there is a slow-moving vehi-
cle, stopped vehicle or stationary object ahead  

Controls
 73Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
of you, for example when approaching a traffic 
light or a parked vehicle. Also, the system does 
not react to oncoming traffic, pedestrians or 
other types of potential traffic such as a rider on 
horseback. It is also possible that the system 
may not detect smaller moving objects such as 
motorcycles or bicycles. Be especially alert 
when encountering any of these situations as 
the system will neither automatically brake, nor 
provide a warning to you. Also, be aware that 
every decrease in the distance setting allows 
your vehicle to come closer to a vehicle in front 
of you and requires a heightened amount of 
alertness.<
When your vehicle is actively following a vehicle 
in front of you, if the vehicle ahead speeds up or 
the lane ahead becomes clear, then your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have 
selected. Be aware that changing to a clear, 
unobstructed lane may also result in accelera-
tion of your vehicle.
Be certain to deactivate the system when 
you pull into an exit lane for a highway off-
ramp.<
Also, vehicles traveling in a staggered manner 
on a highway may cause a delay in the system's 
reaction to a vehicle in front of you or may cause 
the system to react to a vehicle actually in the 
lane next to you. Always be ready to take action 
or apply the brakes if necessary.
Active cruise control can only decelerate the 
vehicle to approx. 20 mph/30 km/h. If the sys-
tem reduces vehicle speed below 20 mph/
30 km/h or if DSC/ABS is engaged while driving, 
the system will automatically deactivate.
Remember, the system cannot stop your 
vehicle. In addition, the system is deacti-
vated whenever the driver applies the vehicle 
brakes, shifts the transmission from drive/D to 
neutral/N, or deactivates DSC. After any deacti-
vation, the system will no longer automatically 
activate the vehicle brakes, which means the 
driver must intervene and resume manual brak-
ing. You should then reactivate the system only 
when you are fully aware of the prior speed and 
distance settings.
driver must constantly monitor traffic and inter-
vene if necessary.
When you switch off the engine or ignition, 
active cruise control is fully switched off, too, 
and any settings you have selected are can-
celed.
Swerving vehicles
When a vehicle moves from an adjacent lane 
into your lane, active cruise control will not 
detect this vehicle until it is fully in your lane 
ahead of your vehicle.
Behavior in curves
Because of the limited range of the system, it is 
possible that in curves or on the peaks and val-
leys of hilly roads, a vehicle ahead may be rec-
ognized late, or not at all. Therefore, it is up to 
the driver to select a speed that is prudent in 
view of the curves and terrain of the roadway. 

Driving
74 In approaching a curve, it is possible that active 
cruise control might react briefly to a vehicle in 
the adjacent lane. In addition, the system can 
sense if your vehicle is in a curve and may not 
accelerate. If your vehicle decelerates in either 
case, you can choose to overcome the deceler-
ation by briefly pressing the accelerator pedal.
Driver interventions
Anytime the driver presses down on the 
accelerator pedal, any automatic braking 
action by the system is interrupted until the 
pedal is fully released. After doing this, release 
the accelerator and the system again controls 
your cruising speed and distance setting. While 
driving with the system activated, resting your 
foot on the accelerator pedal will cause the sys-
tem not to brake even if necessary. Be certain 
that floormats or other objects on the vehicle 
floor do not interfere with movement of the 
accelerator pedal.<
While active cruise control is capable of 
braking your vehicle automatically when 
you approach a slower vehicle ahead, it is 
important to be aware that the ability of the sys-
tem to apply the brakes is also limited, e. g. 
when you reduce your desired speed sharply. 
The system cannot stop your vehicle. It uses 
only a portion of braking system capacity and 
does not utilize the full capacity of the vehicle 
braking system. Therefore, the system cannot 
decrease your speed for large differences in 
speed between your vehicle and the vehicle 
ahead. Examples: when you approach a vehicle 
traveling at a much lower speed than your own 
speed such as approaching a toll booth or when 
a much slower vehicle cuts in front of you at 
close range.< 

Controls
 79Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
deadline, refer to Automatic service notification 
on page190.
Additional information
You can view additional information on service 
and maintenance procedures on the Control 
Display.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".
3.Select   and press the controller.
The display shows a list of selected service and 
maintenance procedures, as well as legally-
mandated inspections.
Symbols
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or a legally-man-
dated inspection is approaching. Please 
arrange for a service appointment at the earliest 
available opportunity.
The service deadline has already passed.
You can view more detailed information about 
every entry:
Select the entry and press the controller.To exit the menu: 
 The arrow is selected. Press the controller.
Condition Based Service does not con-
tinue counting down to the next service 
during periods when the vehicle is stored with 
the battery disconnected or the battery switch 
in the OFF position. 
It is therefore important, independent of the dis-
play, to change the brake fluid at least every 
2years. 
The same is true for other time-dependent 
maintenance procedures.<
Deadlines for scheduled legally 
mandated inspections, displaying and 
entering
Make sure the date and time are always set cor-
rectly, refer to page84; otherwise, CBS Condi-
tion Based Service cannot function correctly.
iDrive, for principle details, refer to page16.
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Car Data".
3.Select   and press the controller.
4.Select "State inspection" and press the 
controller. 

Controls
 87Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1.Press the   button to open the start 
menu.
2.Move the controller toward "Settings".
3.Select "Vehicle" and press the controller.
4.Select "PDC pic." and press the controller. 
This activates the PDC display.
The display appears as soon as PDC is acti-
vated.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use.
To exit the menu: 
Select the   arrow and press the controller.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any objects always remains with the 
driver. Even when sensors are involved, there is 
a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system's detection of objects is 
also subject to the physical limits that apply to 
all forms of ultrasonic measurement, such as 
those encountered with tow bars and trailer 
couplings, as well as thin or wedge-shaped 
objects. Low objects already indicated, such as 
curb edges, may enter the blind spot of the sen-
sors before or after a continuous audible signal is given. Higher, protruding objects, such as 
wall ledges, may not be detectable. 
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle 
may also prevent you from hearing the PDC's 
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 the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during hard braking. This increases active 
driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. For information on safe braking, refer to 
page123.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
This system provides further enhancements to 
vehicle stability and steering response when 
braking while cornering or when braking during 
a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
automatically produces the maximum braking 
force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-
est possible braking distance during full brak-
ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-
vided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels 
when starting off and accelerating. The system 
also detects unstable driving conditions such  

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. 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
94
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be 
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the 
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle 
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a 
different size than the size indicated on the 
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, 
you should determine the proper tire inflation 
pressure for those tires. As an added safety fea-
ture, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire 
pressure monitoring system TPMS that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure indicator lamp when 
one or more of your tires are significantly 
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire 
pressure indicator lamp comes on, you should 
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, 
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving 
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the 
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. 
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and 
tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's han-
dling and stopping ability. Please note that the 
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver's responsibility to 
maintain correct tire pressure, even if underin-
flation has not reached the level to trigger illumi-
nation of the TPMS low tire pressure indicator 
lamp.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure indicator lamp. When 
the system detects a malfunction, the indicator 
lamp will flash for approximately one minute and 
then remain continuously lit. This sequence will 
continue upon subsequent vehicle startups as 
long as the malfunction exists. When the mal-
function indicator is illuminated, the system 
may not be able to detect or signal low tire pres-
sure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may 
occur for a variety of reasons, including the 
installation of replacement or alternate tires or 
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS 
from functioning properly. Always check the 
TPMS malfunction indicator lamp after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle 
to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to func-
tion properly.Brake force display
Left: normal braking.
Right: heavy braking. 

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.<