2009 BMW 3 SERIES snow chains

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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Controls
83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds
greater than approx. 35 mph/60 km/h.
Using HDC
In cars with manual transmission:
Use HDC in lower gears and in reverse gear.
With automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in any drive position.
Displays in the instrument cluster*
1 Display for target speed
2 HDC display
Malfunction
The HDC display disappears during HDC oper-
ation, or does not appear:
HDC is temporarily unav ailable due to exces-
sive brake temperature, or DSC has failed.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off
smoothly on uphill gradient s. It is not necessary
to use the parking brake for this.
1. Hold the car in place by depressing the
brake.
2. Release the brake and drive off without
delay.
The drive-off assistant holds the car in
place for approx. 2 seconds after the
brake is released. Drive off without delay after
releasing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off
assistant will no longer hold the car in place after approx. 2 seconds an
d the car will start to
roll backwards. <
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects pressure loss in a
tire by comparing the rotating speeds of the
individual tires while moving.
In the event of pressure loss, the rolling circum-
ference changes and, thus, the rotating speed
of the affected wheel. This change is detected
and is reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The system must be reinitialized each
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed. <
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage
caused by external factors, nor can it identify
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of
time. <
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
> System has not been initialized
> Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
> Performance-oriented style of driving: slip
in the drive wheels, hi gh lateral acceleration
> Snow chains are attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the syst em while snow chains
are attached. <
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Wheels and tires
210
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for winter roads
or at temperatures below +45°F/+7°C.
Although all-season M+ S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents. <
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter ti res, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires agains t all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall
of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as th is could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels betwee n the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link sn ow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page 81. <
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Reference 255
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Environmentally friendly driving, refer to Energy
Control 68
Equalizer, tone setting 143
Error messages, refer to
Check Control 75
Event data recorders 217
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 115
Expanding the cargo bay 107
Exterior mirrors 47
– adjusting 47
– automatic dimming
feature 48
– automatic heating 47
– folding in and out 47
External audio device 103
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away 233
– for tying down loads 118
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 75
Failure of an electrical consumer 229
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional alarm 34
– switching off an alarm 33
Fastening safety belts, refer to Safety belts 46
Fastest route for navigation 133
Fast forward
– CD changer 152
– CD player 152
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 97
First aid pouch 231
Fixture for remote control, refer to Ignition lock 53
Flash when locking/ unlocking 28 Flat tire
– Run-Flat Tires
209
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 84
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 83
– indicating a flat tire 84
– indicator/warning lamp 84
– initializing the system 83
– malfunction 84
– snow chains 83,210
– system limits 83
Flat tires, refer to Tire condition 208
Fluid reservoir, refer to Washer fluid reservoir 59
FM, waveband 145
Fog lamps 92
– indicator lamp 13,92
Folding rear seat backrest 107
Folding up the floor panel 109
Footbrake, refer to Braking safely 116
Footwell lamps, refer to Interior lamps 93
For your own safety 5
Four-wheel drive, refer to xDrive 82
Free memory capacity, music
collection 159
Front airbags 88
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 83
Fuel 191
– additives 192
– average consumption 69
– gauge 68
– high-qu
ality brands 191
– quality 191
– specifications 191
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities 242
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel gauge 68
Fuel display, refer to Fuel gauge 68
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to
Energy Control 68 Fuel filler door
190
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction 190
Fuses 229
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control 99
Gasoline
– refer to Average consumption 69
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel 191
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge 68
Gear indicator, automatic transmission with
Steptronic 55
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic 56
– manual transmission 55
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with Steptronic 56
– manual transmission 55
General driving notes 115
Glass roof, electric 37
– closing after electrical
malfunction 37
– convenient operation 28,29
– initializing 37
– opening, closing 37
– pinch protection system 37
– power failure 37
– raising 37
– remote control 28
Glove compartment 102
GPS navigation, refer to Navigation system 122
Grills 94
Gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 241
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