2009 BMW 3 SERIES power steering

Technology for driving comfort and safety
82
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 sp ecial circumstances:
> When driving uphill on snow-covered roads,
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered
roads
> 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; the indicator lamps for DTC in
the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC controls the drive forces and
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive*
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system.
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes
driving power variably to the front and rear axles
depending on the driving situation and road
conditions.
Hill Descent Control HDC*
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that controls
your speed on steep downhill gradients and
makes it even easier to control your BMW's
handling under these conditions. The vehicle
then moves slightly faster than double walking
speed without the driver needing to intervene.
HDC can be activated as long as you are driving
under approx. 20 mph or 35 km/h. When driving
downhill at a speed of under approx. 20 mph or
35 km/h, the vehicle's speed is automatically
reduced to slightly more than double walking
speed and maintained.
Increasing or decreasing speed
By accelerating or brak ing you can change this
speed within a range from approx. 3 to 15 mph,
approx. 5 to 25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same
range using the cruise control
* lever on the
steering column.
1 To increase speed
2 To decrease speed
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
When the vehicle is being braked automatically,
the LED flashes.
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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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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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Mobility
233Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the BMW.
Sedan: it is stored in the onboard tool kit under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side of the
cargo bay, refer to page 222.
Sports Wagon: it is stored in the onboard tool kit
underneath the cover on the left-hand side of
the cargo bay, refer to page 222.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fi tting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Release the cover panel in the bumper:
Press on the upper part of the cover panel.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page53, otherwise the low-beam headlamps, tail lamps, turn
signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will require increased effort. Active
steering is not active an d it will be necessary to
turn the steering wheel further.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever positions, refer to
page56.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph
or 70 km/h and a towing distance of
90 miles/150 km, otherwise the automatic
transmission may be damaged. <
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts, otherwise dam-
age may result. <
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicl e, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle,
please observe the following:
> Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate la teral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage. <
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
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Reference 251
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AUX-IN
– port103
AUX-IN port 161
Average fuel consumption 69
– setting the units 71
Average speed 69
Avoid highways in navigation 133
Avoiding unintentional alarms 34
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 241
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 43
Backrests, refer to Seat adjustment 42
Backrest width adjustment 43
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats 44
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 227
Backup lamps, refer to Tail
lamps 226
Band-aids, refer to First-aid pouch 231
Bar, refer to Towing methods 233
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 177
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment 103
Bass, tone setting 142
Battery 228
– charging 229
– disposal 35,229
– jump starting 231
– remote control 26
– temporary power failure 229
Battery for mobile phone 177
Battery renewal
– remote control 35
– remote control for vehicle 35
Being towed 233
Belts, refer to Safety belts 46Belt tensioner,
refer to Safety
belts 46
Beverage holders, refer to Cup holders 104
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate 95
Bluetooth, activating/ deactivating 170
Bluetooth, refer to separate Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo 220
BMW Assist, activating 182
BMW Advanced Diesel 192
BMW Assist 181
BMW center 186
BMW Homepage 4
BMW Maintenance System 216
BMW Search 182
BMW webpage 4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders 104
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic Brake Control DBC 81
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 71
Brake force display 87
Br

ake lamps
– brake force display 87
– replacing bulb 227
Brake pads 114
– breaking in 114
Brake rotors 116
– brakes 114
– breaking in 114
Brakes
– ABS 81
– BMW Maintenance System 216
– brake force display 87
– breaking in 114
– parking brake 54
– service requirements 71
Brakes, refer to Braking safely 116 Brake system
114
– BMW Maintenance
System 216
– breaking in 114
– disc brakes 116
Breakdown services, refer to Roadside Assistance 230
Breaking in the clutch 114
Breaking in the differential, refer to Engine and
differential 114
Break-in period 114
Brightness of Control
Display 78
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 223
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/stop button 53
Buttons on the steering
wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 6
Call
– accepting 171
– ending 172
– rejecting 172
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 172
Can holders, refer to Cup holders 104
Capacities 242
Capacity of the cargo bay 241
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 228
Car care, refer to Care 218
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Everything from A - Z
256
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulbs224
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake 54
Hands-free system 14
Hazard warning flashers 14
HDC Hill Descent Control 82
HD radio, refer to High Definition Radio 146
Head airbags 88
Headlamp control,
automatic 90
Headlamp cover 224
Headlamp flasher 57
– indicator lamp 11,13
Headlamps
– replacing bulbs 224
Head restraints 43
– rear, removing 44
– sitting safely 41
Heated
– mirrors 47
– rear window 97
– seats 45
Heating
– mirrors 47
– rear window 97
– residual heat 96
– seats 45
– steering wheel 48
Heating and ventilation, refer to Climate 94
Heating while at a standstill, refer to Using residual
heat 96
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing cargo 118
Height, refer to
Dimensions 239
Height adjustment
– seats 42
– steering wheel 48
High beams 92
– headlamp flasher 92
– indicator lamp 13
– replacing bulbs 224
High Definition Radio 146High-pressure
washer 218,219
High water, refer to Driving through water 116
Highways, refer to Route
criteria 133
Hill Descent Control HDC 82
Hills 116
Holders for cups 104
Homepage BMW 4
Hood 211
Hooks for shopping bags 108
Ho

rn 10, 11
Hotel function, refer to Locking or unlocking
separately 32
Hot exhaust system 115
Hydraulic brake assist, refer to Dynamic Brake Control
DBC 81
Hydroplaning 116
I
IBOC, refer to High Definition
Radio 146
Ice warning, refer to Outside temperature
warning 67
ID3 tag, refer to Information about the track 151
Identification marks
– Run-Flat Tires 209
– tire coding 207
iDrive 16
– adjusting brightness 78
– changing language 78
– changing settings 78
– changing units of measure and display format 71
– controls 16
– menu guidance 17
– operating principle 16
– overview 16
– setting the date and time 74
– start menu 17
– status information 19
iDrive operating principle 16Ignition
53
– switched off 53
– switched on 53
Ignition key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key 26
Ignition key position 1, refer to Radio readiness 53
Ignition key position 2, refer to Ignition on 53
Ignition lock 53
Imprint 2
Indicator and warning
lamps 13
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 86
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire inflation pressure 195
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM 84
Initializing
– after power failure 229
– compass, refer to Calibrating 101
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM 83
– glass roof 37
– panorama glass roof 39
– radio, refer to Station, storing 145
– refer to Setting the time and
date 74
Installation location
– CD changer 154
– navigation DVD drive 122
– telephone 103
Instructions for navigation
system, refer to Voice
instr
uctions 134
Instrument cluster 12
Instrument lighting 92
Instrument panel, refer to Cockpit 10
Integrated key 26
Integrated universal remote control 99
Interior lamps 93
– remote control 28
Interior motion sensor 33
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Reference 259
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Opening and closing
– convenient access34
– from inside 30
– from outside 27
– using the door lock 29
– via the remote control 27
Options, selecting for navigation 133
Orientation menu, refer to Start menu 17
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation 97
Output, refer to Engine
data 238
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control 96
Outside-temperature display 67
– changing units of
measure 71
– in computer 71
Outside temperature
warning 67
Overheated engine, refer to Coolant temperature 68
Overriding selector lever lock 57
Overview
– radio control 142
P
Paintwork care 219
Panorama glass roof 38
– closing after electrical malfunction 39
– comfort position 39
– convenient operation 28
– initializing 39
– opening, closing 38
– pinch protection system 39
– power failure 39
– raising 38
– remote control 28
Park assistant, refer to Park Distance Control 80
Park Distance Control PDC 80Parked car ventilation
97
– preselecting switch-on
times 98
– switching on and off directly 98
Parking
– vehicle 54
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC 80
Parking brake 54
– indicator lamp 54
Parking lamps 90
– replacing bulbs 223,225
Parking lamps/low beams 90
Particulate filter, refer to Diesel particulate filter 115
Partition net 107
Passenger-side mirror tilt function 47
Pathway lighting 91
Personal Profile 26
Phone book 171
Phone numbers
– dialing 172
Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric 37
– panorama glass roof 39
– windows 36
Placing a call, refer to telephone owner's manual
Polish 220
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 97
Position, refer to Current position, displaying 139
Postal code, entering for navigation 124
Power failure 229
Power windows 36
– safety switch 36
Power windows, refer to
Windows 36
Preheating, refer to Vehicles

with diesel engine 54
Pressure, tires 195
Pressure monitoring, tires 83
– Flat Tire Monitor 83Pressure monitoring of tires,
refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor TPM 84
Programmable buttons on the steering wheel 11
Protection function, refer to Pinch protection system
– glass roof, electric 37
– panorama glass roof 39
– windows 36
Providing medical assistance,
refer to First add pouch 231
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor 83
R
Radio
– controls142
– High Definition Radio 146
– satellite radio 148
– selecting a waveband 145
– storing stations 145
– switching on/off 142
– tone control 142
– volume 142
– Weather Band, refer to Weather information 148
Radio position, refer to Radio readiness 53
Radio readiness 53
– switched off 53
– switched on 53
Radio-remote key, refer to
Remote control with
integrated key 26
Rain sensor 58
Rapeseed-oil methyl ester RME 191
Reading lamps 93
Rear lamps, refer to Tail lamps 226
Rear seat backrest,
folding 107
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