2009 BMW 3 SERIES steering

Controls
101Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Digital compass*
1Adjustment button
2 Display
The display shows you the main or secondary
compass direction in which you are driving.
Operating principle
You can call up various functions by pressing
the adjustment button wi th a pointed object such as a pen or similar item. The following
adjustment options are displayed one after the
other, depending on how long you keep the
adjustment button pressed:
>
Press briefly: switch display on/off
> 3 to 6 seconds: set the compass zone
> 6 to 9 seconds: calibrate the compass
> 9 to 12 seconds: set left-hand/right-hand
steering
> 12 to 15 seconds: set the language
Setting compass zones
Set the compass zone co rresponding to your
vehicle's geographic loca tion so that the com-
pass can function correctly; refer to the world
map with compass zones.
To set the compass zone , press the adjustment
button for approx. 3-4 seconds. The number of
the compass zone set is shown in the display.
To change the zone setting, briefly press the
adjustment button repeatedly until the display
shows the number of the compass zone corre-
sponding to your current location. The compass is operational again after approx.
10 seconds.
Calibrating the digital compass
The digital compass must
be calibrated in the
following situations:
> An incorrect compass direction is shown.
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Practical interior accessories
102
>
The compass direction shown does not
change although the direction of travel
does.
> Not all compass directions are shown.
Procedure
1.Make sure that no large metal objects or
overhead power lines are in the vicinity of
your vehicle and that you have enough
space to drive in a circle.
2. Set the currently valid compass zone.
3. Press the adjustment button for approx.
6-7 seconds to call up C. Then drive in at
least one full circle at a speed of no more
than 4mph or 7km/h.
If calibration is successful, the display
changes from C to a compass direction.
Setting right-hand/left-hand steering
Your digital compass is factory-set to right-
hand or left-hand steering, in accordance with
your vehicle.
Setting the language
You can set the langua ge of the display:
Press the adjustment button for approx.
12-13 seconds. Briefly press the adjustment
button again to switch between English, "E",
and German, "O".
The setting is automatically saved after approx.
10 seconds.
Roller sun blinds*
Rear window blind
Tap the button in the cent er console to raise or
lower the roller sun blind.
Roller sun blinds for rear side windows
Pull loop of roller sun blind and hook onto
bracket.
Do not open the window when the roller
sun blind has been pulled up, otherwise
there is a risk of damage at high speeds that
may result in pe rsonal injury.<
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle.
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent while the vehicle is being driven,
close the glove compartment immediately after
use. <
Closing
Fold cover up.
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Controls
103Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Locking
To lock the glove compartment, use the inte-
grated key of the remote control, refer to
page26.
USB interface for data transmission
Port for importing and exporting data on USB
devices, e.g. music collections, refer to
page 160.
Observe the following when connecting:
> Do not use force when plugging the con-
nector into the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect devices such as fans or
lamps to the USB audio interface.
> Do not connect USB hard disks.
> Do not use the USB interface to recharge
external devices.
Center armrest
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats
contains either a compar tment or the cover for
the snap-in adapter
*, depending on the equip-
ment version. For more information about this
mobile phone base plate, refer to page 177.
Opening
Press the button, see arrow.
Settings*
Slide the center armrest into the desired posi-
tion on the driver's side.
Connection for external audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks
over the car's loudspeaker system:
> AUX-IN port, refer to page 161
> USB-audio interface
*, refer to page 162
Storage compartments inside
the vehicle
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find compartments be side the steering col-
umn
*, in the front doors and in the center con-
sole
*.
There are nets
* on the front-seat backrests.
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in
the rear passenger compartment.
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Things to remember when driving
116
of smoke may emerge from the exhaust, even
for a short period after
the engine is switched
off.
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 situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brak e be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tire s, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 208.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. <
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a
lengthy period using the clutch; use the
parking brake instead. Ot herwise greater clutch
wear will result. <
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page 83.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors. Full
braking efficiency will th
en be available when
you need it.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page 56.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine
braking action will not be present or there will be
no power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals, otherwise peda l function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driv en only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to re spond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
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Driving tips
119Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Only attach the cargo straps using the lashing
eyes shown in the illustration. Do not secure
cargo with the anchors for tether straps, refer to
page 50, otherwise these could be damaged. <
Roof-mounted luggage rack*
A special rack system is available as an option
for your BMW. Comply with the directions given
in the installation instructions.
Mounting points
The mounting points are located in the roof/
along the roof rails
*.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect on
vehicle handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle weight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find the applicab le data under Weights
on page 241.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and
should not be too large in area. Heavy items
should always be placed at the bottom. Be sure
that adequate clearance is maintained for rais-
ing the glass roof, and that objects do not
project into the opening path of the luggage
compartment lid/tailgate.
Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration and
braking maneuvers. Ta ke corners gently.
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Navigation
Driving tips
129Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Entertainment
Mobility
addition, pressing the controller makes further
functions available:>Select the symbol: start destination
guidance.
> "Exit interactive map"
> "View in northern direction"
> "Display destination"
The map section around the destination
is displayed.
> "Display current location"
The map section around your current
location is displayed.
> "Find points of interest", refer to
page 126.
Entering a destination by
voice commands*
You can enter a desired destination via the
voice activation system. During the destination
input, you can switch between voice entry and
entry via iDrive at any ti me. To do so, reactivate
the voice activation system if necessary.
You can have the possible commands
read aloud via {Voice commands }.<
Entering an address
1. Press the button on the steering wheel.
3. Wait for the system to prompt you for a par-
ticular part of the address. 5.
Say the name of the destination state/prov-
ince in the language of the voice activation
system.
Entering a town/city
The destination town/cit y can be spelled or
entered as a complete word
*.
The methods of entry depend on the nav-
igation data in use and the country and
language settings. <
Spelling the destination
To enter a destination, spell it in the way it is
commonly spelled in th e destination country.
Pronounce the letters smoothly and at normal
volume, avoiding excessive emphases and
pauses.
The system can suggest up to 20 destinations
that meet your entries. Up to 7 entries at a time
appear on the Control Display.
The town/city can also be selected from the list
via iDrive: turn the controller until the destina-
tion is selected and press the controller.
Entering the destination as a complete
word
The names of towns/cities and streets located
in the region in which th e language of the voice
activation system is spoken can be entered as
an entire word.
Example: to enter a destination in a state/prov-
ince as a complete word , the system language
must be English.
2.
{Enter address }
4. Say the particular part of the address,
e.g. {State }
1.To spell the name of a town/city:
Say at least the first three letters of the
town/city. The more letters you say, the
more accurately th e system will recog-
nize the town/city.
The system suggests a location.
2. Select a location:
>Select a highlighted town/city: {Yes }
> Select another town/city: {No }
> Select an entry, e.g. {Entry ... }
> Re-enter the town/city: {New entry }
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On/off and tone
142
On/off and tone
The following audio and video sources share
the same control elements and adjustments:
>Radio
> CD player
> CD changer
*
>Video
> External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio and video sources can be controlled
using the:
>Buttons near the CD player
> iDrive
> Buttons on the steeri ng wheel, refer to
page 11
> Programmable memory keys, refer to
page 20
> Voice activation system
Buttons near the CD player
1Sound output for entertainment on/off, vol-
ume
>Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on the unit, the last set
radio station or track is played.
> Turn: adjust volume.
2 Eject the CD
3 CD/DVD drive
4FM/AM: change the radio station wave-
band 5MODE
: change the audio and video
sources
6 Station scan/track search
> Change radio station.
> Select track for CD player and CD
changer.
Switching on/off
In order to switch the entertainment sound out-
put on and off:
Press button 1 next to the CD player.
This symbol on the Control Display indi-
cates that sound output is switched off.
If equipped with a single drive, the sound output
is available for approx. 20 minutes after the igni-
tion is switched off.
For sound output, switch the unit back on.
Adjusting volume
Turn button 1 next to the CD player until the
desired volume is obtained.
You can also adjust the volume with buttons on
the steering wheel, refer to page 11.
With the ignition at ra dio readiness or beyond,
the setting is stored fo r the remote control cur-
rently in use.
Tone control
You can alter various tone settings, e.g. treble
and bass or the speed-dependent volume
increase.
The tone settings are applied to all audio
sources.
With the ignition at ra dio readiness or beyond,
the settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
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Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
145Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
Radio
Your radio provides reception of the FM and AM
wavebands.
Selecting a station
Press the button if the sound output is switched
off.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1. "Radio"
2. "FM" or "AM"
3. Call up the desired station.
Changing stations
Turn the controller. or
Press the button for the corresponding
direction.
or
Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to page11.
Selecting the frequency manually
In "Manual", you can set stations that can be
received in addition to those already being dis-
played.
1."FM" or "AM"
2. "Manual"
3. Call up the frequency.
To store the station: press the controller.
Storing a station
Via iDrive
1. "FM" or "AM"
2. Select the desired station.
3. Press the controller again.
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