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5.Insert a screwdriver from the onboard tool 
kit, refer to page243, into the opening, 
arrow1.
6.Pull the screwdriver toward the rear until it is 
heard to engage, arrow2, and leave it 
inserted in the opening. The transmission 
lock is released.
Locking
1.Pull out the screwdriver upward. 
The transmission lock is locked again.
2.Reinstall the cover and the trim piece.
Information on jump starting and towing from 
page254.
Sport automatic 
transmission*
You can also shift manually with two shift pad-
dles on the steering wheel.
You can also choose between two driving pro-
grams: Normal or Sport, refer to Dynamic Driv-
ing Control.
Shift paddles on steering wheel
The shift paddles allow you to shift gears 
quickly, as both hands can remain on the steer-
ing wheel.
>When you use the shift paddles on the 
steering wheel to shift gears in automatic 
mode, the gearshift system switches into 
the manual mode.
>If you do not shift with the shift paddles and 
do not accelerate for a certain time, the sys-
tem switches into the automatic mode 
again when the selector lever is in D.
>To shift up: pull one of the shift paddles.
>To shift down: press one of the shift pad-
dles.
Dynamic Driving Control
The Dynamic Driving Control makes it possible 
for your BMW to react in an even more perfor-
mance-oriented manner at the push of a button:
>The speed range of the engine is optimally 
utilized.
>Gearshifts are faster.
>The engine responds more spontaneously 
to accelerator pedal movements.
>The steering will operate in an even sportier 
mode.
>In the automatic mode, the 6th gear is not 
engaged. 

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Wiper system
1Switching on wipers
2Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3Activating/deactivating rain sensor
4Cleaning windshield, headlamps and 
BMW Night Vision camera
*
5Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Switching on wipers
Pull the lever upward, arrow1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once. 
The system reverts to operation in the intermit-
tent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press twice or press beyond the resistance 
point. 
The system reverts to normal speed when the 
vehicle is stationary.
Rain sensor
The wiper operation is controlled automatically 
as a function of the rain intensity. The rain sen-
sor is located on the windshield, directly in front 
of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating rain sensor
Press the button, arrow3. The LED in the but-
ton lights up.
Adjusting rain sensor sensitivity level
Turn the knurled wheel5.
Deactivating rain sensor
Press the button again, arrow3. The LED goes 
out.
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing 
through an automatic car wash. Failure to 
do so could result in damage caused by undes-
ired wiper operation.<
Cleaning windshield, headlamps* and 
BMW Night Vision camera*
Pull the lever, arrow4.
The system sprays washer fluid against the 
windshield and activates the wipers for a brief 
period.
With the vehicle lighting switched on, the head-
lamps and the BMW Night Vision camera are 
also cleaned simultaneously at suitable inter-
vals.
Do not use the washing mechanisms if 
there is any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield. If you do so, your 
vision could be obscured. To avoid freezing, 
use a washer fluid antifreeze, refer to Washer 
fluid. Do not use washing mechanisms when 
the washer fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise 
you will damage the washer pump.< 

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1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Turn the controller until "Vehicle / Tires" is 
selected and press the controller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "PDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select  "PDC display on" and press the con-
troller.
 The PDC screen is activated.
The display appears on the Control Display as 
soon as PDC is activated.
System limits
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any obstructions always remains 
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can 
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with tow bars and trailer cou-
plings, or thin and wedge-shaped objects etc. Low objects already displayed, e. g. curbs, can 
also disappear from the detection area of the 
sensors again before or after a continuous tone 
already sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. 
ledges, cannot be detected. For this reason, 
drive with care; otherwise, there is a danger of 
personal injury or property damage.
Loud sources of sound, inside and outside the 
vehicle, could drown out the PDC signal tone.<
Driving stability control 
systems
Your BMW is equipped with an extended array 
of systems designed to enhance and maintain 
vehicle stability under extreme conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
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 page136.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking during curves or when braking 
during a lane change, driving stability and steer-
ing response are improved further.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system 
produces maximum braking force boosting and 
thus helps to achieve the shortest possible 
braking distance during full braking maneuvers. 
This system exploits all of the benefits provided 
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal 
for the duration of the full braking. 

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The indicator lamp lights up: 
DTC is activated. 
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator lamp 
in the instrument cluster goes out.
xDrive*
xDrive is the 4-wheel drive system of your 
BMW. The combined effects of xDrive and DSC 
further optimize the traction and dynamic driv-
ing characteristics. The 4-wheel drive system 
xDrive variably distributes the drive torque to 
the front and rear axle depending on the driving 
situation and prevailing road conditions.
HDC Hill Descent Control*
The concept
HDC is a system for driving downhill in steep 
terrain. This system reduces vehicle speed on 
steep downhill gradients, thus allowing you to 
maintain even better control of your BMW 
under these conditions. The vehicle moves at 
approximately twice walking speed without 
active intervention from the driver.
HDC is available for activation at vehicle speeds 
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving 
down steep hills with a speed below approx. 
22 mph/35 km/h, the vehicle reduces speed 
automatically down to approximately twice nor-
mal walking speed, approx. 7 mph/12 km/h, and 
then keeps this speed constant.
You can use the accelerator or brakes to vary 
this automatically controlled speed within a 
range extending from approx. 3 mph/5 km/h to 
15 mph/25 km/h.
You can specify a target speed within the same 
range by using the lever of the cruise control
*.
Activating HDC
You can activate HDC:
>with the programmable buttons on the 
steering wheel, refer to page56
>using iDriveiDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller.
5.Change to upper field if necessary. Turn the 
controller until "HDC" is selected and press 
the controller.
6.Select "HDC on" and press the controller.
HDC is shown in the instrument cluster.
If the vehicle applies the brakes, a message is 
displayed on the Control Display for approx. 
20 seconds.
Deactivating HDC
When you use the programmable buttons on 
the steering wheel or via iDrive, the HDC display 
goes out.
HDC is automatically deactivated at speeds 
greater than approximately 37 mph/60 km/h.
Using HDC
Manual transmission:
Use HDC in low gears and reverse gear.
Automatic transmission:
You can use HDC in every drive position. 

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Sports Wagon: self-leveling 
suspension
Malfunction
The warning lamp for self-leveling sus-
pension lights up yellow and a message 
is shown on the Control Display. A mal-
function has occurred in the self-leveling sus-
pension. Stop and check the vehicle. If it is con-
siderably lower at the rear than at the front, and 
possibly also on one side – rear left compared to 
rear right –, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel. Drive with appropriate caution in the 
meantime. The vehicle has reduced ground 
clearance and driving comfort may be notice-
ably reduced. Even if the position of the vehicle 
is normal, go to the nearest BMW center or a 
workshop that works according to BMW repair 
procedures with correspondingly trained per-
sonnel.
FTM Flat Tire Monitor*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects a pressure loss in 
one tire by comparing the speeds of the individ-
ual wheels during driving.
In the event of a pressure loss, there is a change 
in the rolling circumference and therefore the 
rotation speed of the corresponding wheel. The 
system detects this change and reports it as a 
flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to ensure that a flat tire is reported cor-
rectly, the system must be initialized while the 
tires have the correct inflation pressure.
The initialization must be repeated after 
each time the tire inflation pressure is cor-
rected and after every tire or wheel change.<
System limits
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot indicate sudden 
severe tire damage caused by outside factors 
and does not detect a natural, even pressure 
drop in all four tires.
In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Sporty driving style: slip in the drive wheels, 
high lateral acceleration
>Driving with snow chains
*
When you are driving with the compact wheel* 
the Flat Tire Monitor is unable to function.
Initializing system
The initialization finishes during driving, 
which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. The system is initialized 
after this activation phase. When driving with 
snow chains
*or a compact tire*, the system is 
not initialized.<
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Press the controller to open the   menu.
3.Turn the controller until "Settings" is 
selected and press the controller.
4.Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-
troller. 

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stery in the center of the steering wheel, on the 
instrument panel, the doors and the roof pillars 
along with the sides of the headliner. Do not 
attempt to remove or dismantle the steering 
wheel. Do not touch the individual components 
immediately after the system has been trig-
gered, because there is a danger of burns. 
In the event of malfunctions, deactivation, or 
triggering of the airbag restraint system, have 
the testing, repair, removal, and disposal of air-
bag generators executed only by a BMW center 
or a workshop that works according to BMW 
repair procedures with correspondingly trained 
personnel and has the required explosives 
licenses. Otherwise unprofessional attempts to 
service the system could lead to failure in an 
emergency or undesired airbag triggering, 
either of which could result in personal injury.<
Warnings and information on the airbags is also 
provided on the sun visors.
Automatic deactivation of front 
passenger airbags
The occupation of the seat is detected by eval-
uating the impression on the occupied seat sur-
face of the front passenger seat. The front and 
side airbags on the front passenger side are 
activated or deactivated accordingly by the sys-
tem.
The current status of the front passenger 
airbag, i.e. deactivated or activated, is 
indicated by the indicator lamp over the interior 
rearview mirror, refer to Operating state of front 
passenger airbags in the following.<
Before transporting a child on the front 
passenger seat, observe the safety infor-
mation and handling instructions under Trans-
porting children safely refer to page58.
The front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side can be deactivated for teenagers and 
adults in certain sitting positions; then the indi-
cator lamp for the front passenger airbags lights 
up. In these cases, change the sitting position 
so that the front passenger airbags are acti-
vated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the 
desired status cannot be produced by changing 
the sitting position, transport the correspond-
ing person on the rear seat. Do not fit seat cov-ers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or other 
items onto the front passenger seat unless they 
are specifically recommended by BMW. Do not 
lay objects under the seat which could press 
against the seat from below. Otherwise a cor-
rect evaluation of the occupied seat surface 
cannot be ensured.<
Operating state of front passenger 
airbags
Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the 
arrangement of the switches and indicator 
lamps may differ somewhat.
The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-
bags indicates the operating status of the front 
and side airbags on the front passenger side 
depending on the seat occupation. The indica-
tor lamp shows whether the front passenger 
airbags are activated or deactivated.
>The indicator lamp lights up when a child in 
a child restraint system intended for the 
purpose is properly detected on the seat.
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are not activated.
Most child's seats are detected by the 
system. Especially the child's seats 
required by the NHTSA at the time the vehicle is 
manufactured. After installing a child's seat, 
make sure that the indicator lamp for the front 
passenger airbags lights up. This indicates that 
the child's seat has been detected and the front 
passenger airbags are not activated.<
>The indicator lamp does not light up if, for 
example, the system detects a person of 
sufficient size seated correctly on the seat. 
The front and side airbags on the front pas-
senger side are activated. 

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stating that the system is not active until this 
speed is reached.
A warning will be canceled:
>after approx. 3 seconds
>if you return to your lane
>if you brake heavily
>if you signal
System limits
The leaving lane warning cannot serve as 
a substitute for your personal judgment in 
determining the course of the road. 
If the system issues a warning, do not move the 
steering wheel with unnecessary severity, as 
otherwise you could loose control of the vehi-
cle.<
The function of the system may be limited in the 
following example situations:
>in heavy fog, rain or snowfall
>with worn-away, poorly visible limit lines, or 
lines that run together or apart or are 
unclear, e.g. in road construction areas
>when limit lines are covered by snow, ice, 
dirt or a great deal of water
>in tight curves or on narrow roads
>when limit lines are not white
>when limit lines are covered by objects
>when driving up close behind a vehicle driv-
ing ahead
>with bright counter light
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or 
covered with stickers, vignettes etc. in the 
area of the inside rearview mirror 

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and low beams, reacting to oncoming traffic, 
vehicles ahead of you, and sufficiently lit areas, 
e.g. in built-up zones.
Manually switching between high 
beams and low beams
If you wish or the situation requires, you can 
intervene at any time.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the high beams, but you wish to use the low 
beams, just switch on the low beams with 
the turn signal lever. This deactivates the 
high-beam assistant. 
In order to reactivate the system, briefly 
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam 
direction.
>If the high-beam assistant has switched on 
the low beams, but you wish to use the high 
beams, simply switch on the high beams as 
usual. This deactivates the system and it is 
up to you to switch back to low beams.
In order to reactivate the system, briefly 
press the turn signal lever in the high-beam 
direction.
>When the low beams are on, use the head-
lamp flasher as usual.
System limits
The high-beam assistant is designed to 
maximize the amount of time that high 
beams can be safely used and to quickly switch 
back to low beams when traffic approaches. 
The system cannot completely replace driver 
intervention when unusual conditions are 
encountered. For this reason, switch to low 
beams when circumstances so dictate. Failure 
to do so can pose a safety risk.<
Below are a few examples of situations in which 
the system may not react or may only function 
to a limited degree, requiring personal interven-
tion:
>in extremely unfavorable weather condi-
tions such as fog or heavy precipitation
>in sensing road users with poor inherent 
illumination such as pedestrians, cyclists, 
equestrians, horse-drawn vehicles, railroad or shipping traffic close to the road, and at 
deer crossings
>in tight curves, on steep crests or dips, with 
cross-traffic, or with partially hidden 
oncoming traffic on divided highways
>in poorly illuminated areas and in the pres-
ence of highly reflective signs
>in the low speed range
>when the windshield is fogged up, dirty or 
covered with stickers, decals etc. in the area 
of the inside rearview mirror
>when the sensor is dirty. Clean the sensor 
on the front side of the inside rearview mir-
ror with a cloth slightly moistened with glass 
cleaner
Moreover, no system can operate without limi-
tations. High-beam assistant operation is sub-
ject to conditions that may reduce the system's 
ability to recognize the difference between 
actual vehicle head lamps or tail lamps and, for 
example, highly reflective signs, markers, and 
streetlights. To be on the safe side, the system 
may periodically interpret these situations as 
conditions that require low beams. Below are 
some of the situations in which premature 
switching to low beams can occur:
>approaching large and/or highly reflective 
signs
>approaching certain lights, such as drive-
way lighting and porch lights
>approaching certain traffic signals
>approaching large reflective markers
In these situations, the system may interpret 
the above conditions as a vehicle ahead requir-
ing a switch to low beams. When the conditions 
return to normal, the system will reactivate the 
high beams.
The high-beam assistant cannot replace the 
driver's responsibility for complying with state 
laws on high-beam switching or for adapting to 
visibility and traffic conditions.
Switching off via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.