Driving
60 engage the parking brake the moment the vehi-
cle comes to a stop.<
Parking
The parking brake engages automatically when
you stop the vehicle and switch off the engine.
The indicator lamp changes from green to
red.
You can also release the parking brake
manually after the engine is switched off,
as long as the remote control is in the ignition
lock, refer to page59. You can use this function,
for example, in a car wash.
Automatic Hold is deactivated.<
When leaving the vehicle, release the
remote control from the detent in the igni-
tion lock; this precaution prevents children from
disengaging the parking brake etc.<
For your safety
Automatic Hold is automatically deactivated
when:
>the engine is switched off
>the system detects that the driver's seat is
not occupied while the engine is running
>the hood is opened while the engine is run-
ning
>the luggage compartment is opened while
the engine is running and the transmission
is in reverse
>and when the parking brake is used to brake
the vehicle to a stop during driving
The indicator lamp changes from green to
red, and the indication AUTO P on the Info Dis-
play disappears.
Before starting off again, briefly press the but-
ton to disengage the parking brake manually,
refer to page59, or reactivate Automatic Hold,
refer to page59.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running, always move the automatic
transmission's selector lever to position P and
make sure that the parking brake is engaged.
The vehicle could start to roll if you fail to take
these precautions.
tendency for the wheels to spin in response to
slippery road surfaces.
Pay attention to the messages on the Info Dis-
play. For additional information, refer to Check
Control on page80.<
Releasing parking brake manually
In the event of an electrical power loss or elec-
trical malfunction, you can release the parking
brake manually.
Before manually releasing the parking
brake and each time you park the vehicle
without engaging the parking brake, make sure
that the automatic transmission is in position P,
refer to page62. Be sure to pay attention to the
information on the Info Display.
If circumstances should force you to park on a
steeply inclined road surface, it is essential to
take additional precautions against inadvertent
rolling, e.g. by using the chock, refer to
page216. Otherwise, there is the danger of the
vehicle rolling, depending on the incline.<
If it becomes necessary to also unlock the
transmission lock of the automatic transmis-
sion, follow this sequence:
1.If necessary, start by releasing the parking
brake manually.
2.Then release the automatic transmission's
transmission lock manually, refer to
page64.
Jump starting and tow starting information,
refer to section starting on page220.
Controls
61Reference
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What you will need
1Screwdriver handle
2Unlocking tool
310 mm open-end wrench
You will find the required tools in the onboard
tool kit mounted on the inside of the luggage
compartment lid, refer to page213.
Insert the release tool into the screwdriver han-
dle as shown in the illustration.
Releasing
1.Remove the floor mat and the cover above
the spare tire.
2.With the attached screwdriver handle,
insert the release tool into the opening,
arrow1.
3.Fit the open-end wrench onto the hexago-
nal section of the release tool.
Insert the release tool counter to the spring
force until the stop is reached, press and
rotate in the arrow direction2 until it notice-
ably engages and meets a perceptible
resistance.
4.Without releasing, continue to turn counter
to the mechanical resistance of the drive
unit in the arrow direction 2 until you can feel a significant increase in the force of the
resistance.
To prevent possible damage to the
rear brakes, always make sure that
the parking brake is completely released
before driving the vehicle.<
5.Return the tools to their places.
6.Return the spare tire cover and the floor mat
to their original locations.
Have a malfunction corrected only by a
BMW center or a repair shop that works in
accordance with BMW guidelines and uses
appropriately trained personnel. Only techni-
cians can return the parking brake to normal
operational status after it has been released
manually in response to a malfunction.<
Following manual release, the actual sta-
tus of the parking brake may deviate from
that displayed by the indicator lamp.<
Reinitializing after a power supply
interruption
The parking brake can only be used again
if it was manually released due to an inter-
ruption in the supply of electrical power. Other-
wise, the function of the parking brake is not
guaranteed and there is a danger of the vehicle
rolling despite the parking brake being
engaged.<
Once the electrical power supply has been
restored, you can again use the parking brake:
With the ignition on and the vehicle
stationary, briefly press the button
three times at intervals of approx.
5 seconds. This executes the fol-
lowing initialization sequence:
>Initializing the disengaged setting.
>Engaging: the system registers the new
status and the brake setting is initialized.
The indicator lamp on Info Display lights
up green.
>Releasing: the parking brake is ready for
operation.
The indicator lamp on the Info Display
goes out.
Driving
68
Maintaining speed, storing, and
decelerating
Pull the lever, arrow2:
Functions in the same way as1, except that the
vehicle speed is decreased.
Interrupting the cruise control
Briefly press the lever up or down, arrow3.
In addition, cruise control is interrupted auto-
matically:
>when you apply pressure to the brake pedal
>when you shift the automatic transmission
into position N
>when the DSC control is operative
Resuming stored speed
Briefly press the button4:
The vehicle accelerates back to and maintains
the stored speed.
Displays in speedometer
5Pointer for stored speed
> Cruise control activated
> Cruise control deactivated
6Mark for stored desired speed in the multi-
level function
Storing desired speeds
With vehicle stationary
1.Switch on the ignition.
2.Press, arrow1, or pull, arrow2, the lever
past the resistance point:
Now you can move the pointer5 with the lever until you have reached your desired
speed:
>Press or pull the lever to the resistance
point again: the pointer slowly moves.
>Press or pull the lever past the resis-
tance point again: the pointer jumps to
the next multiple of 5 mph or 10 km/h
and then further, as long as the lever is
held.
3.Press the button4 for approx. 3 seconds.
The stored desired speed is indicated by a
mark 6.
If six desired speeds have already been stored,
please delete at least one of them before adding
another.
While driving
1.Press, arrow1, or pull, arrow2, the lever
past the resistance point.
2.Press the button4 for approx. 3 seconds.
The current speed is applied as the desired
speed and displayed with6.
If all of the marks 6 flash twice, this indicates
that six desired speeds have already been
stored. You must then delete at least one of
them before adding another.
Deleting desired speeds
1.Select corresponding desired speed6,
refer to section below.
2.Press button4 for approx. 3 seconds.
Activating multilevel preset mode
Press, arrow1, or pull, arrow2, the lever past
the resistance point.
The current driving speed is maintained, stored
and displayed by the pointer5.
Selecting desired speed
Press, arrow1, or pull, arrow2, the lever past
the resistance point:
The next desired speed is selected.
Controls
69Reference
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Mobility
Deactivating system
>Press the lever up or down, arrow3 for
approx. 3 seconds
>or switch off the ignition.
The stored speed5 is deleted, however the
stored marks6 are retained.
Active cruise control*
The concept
With active cruise control you can select a
desired speed which is not only automatically
maintained when driving on open roadways, but
also varied to maintain a selected distance set-
ting as slower traffic is encountered.
Active cruise control represents a technological
advance over the familiar cruise control and is a
welcome relief from the constant adjustment of
speed that can accompany driving in traffic on
highways or other high-speed thoroughfares.
Especially on longer trips, the system can
reduce fatigue and tension, while increasing
your enjoyment of driving. Please use it safely
and responsibly.
In addition to maintaining a steady cruising
speed, if you encounter slower vehicles ahead,
active cruise control will, within the scope of
given possibilities, adjust your vehicle's speed
automatically, permitting you to flow with the
traffic without having to frequently intervene.
If, for example, while cruising at the selected
speed, you begin to approach a slower vehicle
ahead of you in the same lane, the system will
reduce your vehicle's speed to the same as that
of the vehicle ahead to maintain your selected
following distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle ahead. You can vary the distance,
which is additionally speed-dependent. Based
on your selected distance setting, the system
automatically decreases the throttle setting and
lightly applies the brakes if necessary. The vehi-
cle brake lamps will automatically illuminate to
signal a following driver to take action. In addi-
tion, it may be necessary for the vehicle to
downshift to maintain the distance setting
selected. If the vehicle ahead speeds up or when the lane ahead becomes clear, your vehi-
cle will accelerate to the speed you have
selected by increasing the throttle setting and
shifting gears as needed. This setting is also
maintained on steep stretches, but the vehicle
speed can fall below this on uphill grades if the
engine output is insufficient to maintain speed.
Active cruise control is not and must not
be used as a collision avoidance/warning
system.<
Since this active cruise control system is
a new technology and operates differ-
ently from conventional cruise control systems
to which you may be accustomed, you are
strongly urged to read all of the pages relating
to this system before use. Pay special attention
to the information contained in the Things to
know about active cruise control section begin-
ning on page72.<
Brake pedal feel
>When the system brakes and you also
depress the brake pedal, a somewhat differ-
ent braking feeling results.
>Any noises produced during automatic
braking are normal.
Applications
As with conventional cruise control systems,
active cruise control in no way diminishes or
substitutes for the driver's own personal
responsibility, alertness, and awareness in
adjusting speed, braking, or otherwise control-
ling 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 interchanges, service/
parking areas or toll booths. It is also important
to regulate your vehicle's speed and distance
setting within applicable legal limits. Adapt the
Driving
70 desired speed to traffic conditions, control both
your driving speed and safe following distance,
and remain ready to brake at all times. 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. Oth-
erwise driving situations can arise that consti-
tute an accident hazard.
The minimum desired speed is 20 mph or
30 km/h, the maximum is 110 mph or 180 km/h.
One lever for all functions
1Store and increase desired speed
2Store and decrease desired speed
3Deactivate system, refer to page71
4Resume stored desired speed and dis-
tance, refer to page71
5Select distance to vehicle driving ahead,
refer to page70
Storing current speed
Briefly press, arrow1, or briefly pull, arrow2,
lever.
The current driving speed is stored and briefly
displayed on the speedometer, refer to arrow.
Increasing desired speed
Press or tap the lever to the resistance point or
beyond, arrow1, until the desired speed is dis-
played.
The speed then displayed is stored and
reached on clear roads.
>Each time the lever is briefly pressed to the
resistance point, the desired speed
increases by approx. 1 mph or 1 km/h.
>Each time the lever is briefly pressed past
the resistance point, the desired speed
increases to the next multiple of 5 mph or
10 km/h.
Decreasing desired speed
Pull the lever, arrow 2, until the desired speed is
displayed.
These functions are operated in the same man-
ner as increasing your desired speed.
Selecting distance
>Up:
To increase distance
>Down:
To decrease distance
The selected distance is displayed in the
speedometer.
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
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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.
Controls
81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
You can view additional information about most
Check Control messages, e.g. regarding the
cause of a malfunction and action required,
refer to Viewing additional information on
page81.
In urgent cases, this information will be shown
as soon as the corresponding lamp comes on.
An acoustic signal sounds at the same time.
To exit the menu:
The arrow is selected. Press the controller.
Hiding Check Control messages
Press the button on the turn signal lever.
Some Check Control messages are displayed
until the related malfunction is rectified: they
cannot be hidden. If several malfunctions occur
simultaneously, then the Check Control mes-
sages are displayed in sequence.
Other Check Control messages are hidden after
roughly 20 seconds, but remain stored in mem-
ory.
Viewing stored Check Control
messages
Using CHECK button
1.Press the button longer:
The first stored message is displayed.
2.Briefly press the button:
A new message appears each time you
press the button.
Viewing additional information
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 "CHECK" and press the controller.
The stored status reports appear on the
display.