
Controls
 83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
can drown out the PDC signal. Therefore, 
always drive cautiously, otherwise there is a risk 
of personal injury or property damage.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help 
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in 
adverse driving conditions.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. Active safety is thus 
increased.
The ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Braking safely, refer to page118.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
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 for the 
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing 
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable 
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the 
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting 
at an angle past the front wheels. In these 
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe 
course within physical limits by reducing engine 
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional 
s a f e t y  m a r g i n  a g a i n  b y  t a k i n g  r i s k s ,  a s  t h i s  c o u l d  
result in an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster 
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated. 
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions 
are no longer executed.
328i, 335i: in the same way as with a differential 
interlock, even if DSC is deactivated, brake 
actions are still performed on the rear axle to 
enhance drive output if the drive wheels experi-
ence a significant loss of traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again 
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in 
the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DSC controls the drive forces and 
brake forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DSC is deactivated.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions, 
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with  

Things to remember when driving
116
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to 
each other. Please follow the instructions below 
in order to achieve the optimal service life and 
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do 
not exceed an engine speed of 4500 rpm or a 
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kick-down mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually 
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 cautiously 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. Drive cautiously during this break-in 
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal 
level only after a distance driven of approx. 
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period, 
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be 
observed if any of the components mentioned 
above have to be renewed in the course of the 
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends 
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking 
certain measures, adjusting your driving style 
and having the vehicle serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you 
have finished using them
Remove unneeded additional mirrors, the roof 
rack and the rear luggage rack after use. 
Mounted parts affect the vehicle's aerodynam-
ics and increase fuel consumption.
Close the windows and glass roof
An open glass roof or window causes higher air 
resistance and thus increases fuel consump-
tion.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check the tire inflation pressure at least twice a 
month and before embarking on a long journey, 
and correct it if necessary.
Low tire inflation pressure causes higher rolling 
resistance and thus increases fuel consumption 
and tire wear.
Set off immediately
Do not let the engine warm up while the car is 
still standing, but set off immediately at moder-
ate engine speed. This is the fastest way for the 
cold engine to reach its operating temperature. 

Reference 243
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
AUTO program for automatic 
climate control98
AUX-IN
– port106
AUX-IN port163
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units72
Average speed71
Avoid highways in 
navigation135
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights235
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats45
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb220,221
Backup lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps220
Bag holder110
Band-aids, refer to First-aid 
pouch225
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods227
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter179
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment106
Bass, tone setting144
Battery222
– charging222
– disposal35,222
– jump starting225
– remote control26
– temporary power failure222
Battery for mobile phone179Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed227
Belt hand-over49
– pinch protection system49
Belts, refer to Safety belts48
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts48
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cup holders107
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds105
Blower, refer to Air flow 
rate99
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating172
Bluetooth, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo215
BMW Assist, activating184
BMW Assist183
BMW center188
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System211
BMW Search184
BMW webpage
4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC83
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements73
Brake force display89
Brake lamps
– brake force display89
– replacing bulb220,221
Brake pads116
– breaking in116
Brake rotors118
– brakes116
– breaking in116Brakes
– ABS83
– BMW Maintenance 
System211
– brake force display89
– breaking in116
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely118
Brake system116
– BMW Maintenance 
System211
– breaking in116
– disc brakes118
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance224
Breaking in the clutch116
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential116
Break-in period116
Brightness of Control 
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs218
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65 
warning6
Call
– accepting173
– ending174
– rejecting174
Calling, refer to Phone 
numbers, dialing174
Can holders, refer to Cup 
holders107
Capacities235
Capacity of the cargo bay235
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery222
Car care, refer to Care213