Controls
77Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Park Distance Control PDC*
The concept
The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight
parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual
indicator
warn you of the presence of an object
in front of
* or behind your ve hicle. To measure
the distance, there are four ultrasonic sensors
in either bumper.
These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/
2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not
sound until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm
from the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m
from the center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached
slowly, as is usually th e case when parking.
Avoid approaching an obje ct a t h i g h s p e e d , o t h -
erwise physical circumstances may lead to the
system warning being issued too late. <
Switching on automatically
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-
ond when you engage reverse gear or move the
automatic transmission selector lever to
position R. Wait this short period before driving.
Switching off automatically
After approx. 165 ft/50 m of driving or above
approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h, the system
switches off and the LED goes out.
Signal tones
When nearing an object, its position is indicated
correspondingly by an in terval tone. As the dis-
tance between vehicle and object decreases,
the intervals between the tones become
shorter. If the distance to the nearest object
falls to below roughly 1 f t/30 cm, then a contin-
uous tone sounds.
An interval tone is interrupted after approx.
3seconds >
if you remain in front of an object that has
been detected by only one of the corner
sensors
> if you are driving parallel to a wall.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-
tioning. A message appears on the
Control Display. Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean
and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that
they will continue to operate effectively. When
using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the
sensors for extended periods of time and only
from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.
PDC with visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are displayed on the Control Dis-
play before a signal to ne sounds. The display
appears on the Control Display as soon as PDC
is activated.
System limitations
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 limit s that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or af ter a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive
cautiously, otherwise there is a risk of personal
injury or property damage.
Technology for driving comfort and safety
80
The DSC indicator lamp in
the instrument clus-
ter lights up.
Deactivating TRACTION
Press the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC indicator
lamp go out.
For better control
TRACTION is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with a tight suspension and lim-
ited driving stabilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles seve ral of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+
Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT+ appears in the instrument
cluster and the DSC indicator lamp lights up.
For better control
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension
for greater driving agility with maximum driving
stabilization.
Activating SPORT
Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT+ appears in the instrument
cluster.
NORMAL
For a balanced tuning with maximum driving
stabilization.
Activating NORMAL
Press the button repeatedly until the
program display disappears in the
instrument cluster.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The selected program is displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
Drive-off assistant
The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off
smoothly on uphill gradients. The parking brake
is not required.
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. Because the drive-off
assistant will not hold the car in place after
approx. 2 seconds, the car would otherwise
start to roll backwards. <
Things to remember when driving
112
The risk of hydroplaning
increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tire s, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 194.
Driving through water
Drive though calm water only if it is not
deeper than 1 ft/25 cm and at this height
no faster than walking speed, up to 6 mph/
10 km/h. 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 80.
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 54.
7-gear sport automatic transmission with
dual clutch: Never drive with the trans-
mission 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.
Manual transmission: Never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
engine braking action will not be present or
there will be no power a ssistance 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.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms wh ile the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
BMW Assist
180
Vehicle equipped with BMW Assist or
TeleService
1."BMW Assist"
2. "Roadside Assistance"
3. "Start service"
TeleService Diagnosis*
TeleService Diagnosis enables the wireless
transmission of detailed vehicle data that are
important for vehicle diagnosis. TeleService
Diagnosis can be started after a prompt by
Roadside Assistance and termination of the
voice connection.
TeleService Help*
TeleService Help enable s an in-depth diagno-
sis of the vehicle by Roadside Assistance via
wireless transmission. TeleService Help can be
started after a prompt by Roadside Assistance
and termination of the voice connection.
Starting TeleService Help
1. Park the vehicle in a safe place.
2. Set the parking brake.
3. The engine is running.
4. "TeleService Help"
After completion of TeleService Help, a voice
connection is establishe d to Roadside Assis-
tance.
Activating BMW Assist*
If the services included in a valid BMW Assist
subscription are not disp layed, they may need
to be activated. 1.
Make sure that the vehicle can determine its
current position. Recept ion is usually best
when you have an unobstructed view to
the sky.
2. Switch on the ignition.
3. "Activate BMW Assist"
Activation may take seve ral minutes. If another
menu is opened, activation continues running in
the background.
BMW Search
BMW Search is an Internet portal that makes
available a number of se rvices for use in the
vehicle, e.g. information on restaurants on your
route, your own address book or an e-mail
account.
BMW Search is always displayed across the full
screen.
Requirements
> Subscription to the optional
Convenience Plan.
> The vehicle is locate d within wireless net-
work coverage.
> The date setting on th e Control Display is
current.
Starting BMW Search
1. "BMW Assist"
2. "BMW Search"
3. Select "OK", if necessary.
The BMW Search start page is displayed.
Giving and receiving assistance
214
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore,
check the expiration dates of the contents reg-
ularly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
The first aid pouch is loca ted in the lateral stor-
age compartment behind the seats.
Warning triangle*
The warning triangle is lo cated in a holder in the
luggage compartment lid. Press the tabs to take
it out.
Jump starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your BMW's
engine can be starte d by connecting two
jumper cables to another vehicle's battery. You
can also use the same method to help start
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables with
fully-insulated clamp handles.
Do not touch any elec trically live parts
when the engine is runn ing, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-ing sequence, both to pr
event damage to one or
both vehicles, and to guard against possible
personal injuries.<
Preparation
1. Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and
approximately the same capacitance in Ah.
This information can be found on the
battery.
2. Switch off the engine of the assisting
vehicle.
3. Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the tw o vehicles, otherwise
there is a danger of shorting. <
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could
cause injury occur. <
Your BMW has a jump-starting connection in
the engine compartment which acts as the bat-
tery's positive terminal, refer also to the Engine
compartment overview on page 198. The cap is
marked with +.
1. Pull the cap of the BMW jump-starting con-
nection up to remove.
2. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or a starting-aid terminal of the vehi-
cle providing assistance.
3. Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a star ting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
Giving and receiving assistance
216
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page50, otherwise the low-beam
headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable.
If the electrical system fails, do not tow-start or
tow the vehicle. The electrical steering wheel
lock cannot be released and the vehicle cannot
be steered. Jump-starting, refer to page 214.
Power steering assistance is not available when
the engine is not running. Thus, braking and
steering will requir e increased effort.<
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector leve r positions, refer to
page 54.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 31 mph
or 50 km/h and a towing distance of
31 miles/50 km, otherwise the automatic trans-
mission may be damaged. <
7-gear sport automatic transmission
with dual clutch
Ensure that transmission lock P is not
engaged as the rear wheels will otherwise
be blocked.
When using the car wash function, refer to
page 205, note that the parking lock P is
engaged automatically after approx. 30 min-
utes, blocking the rear wheels.
If an electrical malfunction occurs or if towing
takes longer than approx. 20 minutes, manually
release the parking lock, refer to page 58.<
Do not exceed a towing speed of 31 mph
or 50 km/h and a towing distance of
31 miles/50 km, otherwise the 7-gear sport
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 vehicle, 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 othe r 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.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other pa rts of the vehicle could
result in damage. <
With a tow truck
Manual and automatic transmission:
Reference 231
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Automatic Service Request 184
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 53
– interlock 53,54
– overriding selector lever lock 55
– shiftlock, refer to Changing
selector lever position 54
– sport program 54
– towing 215
– tow-starting 215
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 96
AUX-IN
– port 102
AUX-IN port 158
Average fuel consumption 66
– setting the units 68
Average speed 66
Avoiding unintentional alarms 34
Axle loads, refer to Weights 222
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 43
Backrests, refer to Seat adjustment 42
Backrest width adjustment 43
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 210
Backup lamps, refer to Tail lamps 210
Band-aids, refer to First-aid
pouch 214
Bar, refer to Towing methods 216
Base plate for telephone or mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 174
– refer to Snap-in adapter in the center armrest storage
compartment 102
Bass, tone setting 138Battery
212
– charging 212
– disposal 36,212
– jump starting 214
– remote control 28
– temporary power failure 212
Battery for mobile phone 175
Battery renewal
– remote control 36
– remote control for vehicle 36
Being towed 216
Belts, refer to Safety belts 44
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts 44
Beverage holders, refer to Cup holders 103
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 93,96
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 166
Bluetooth, refer to separate Owner's Manual
BMW
– car shampoo 207
BMW Assist, activating 180
BMW Assist 178
BMW center 184
BMW Homepage 4
BMW Maintenance System 202
BMW Search 180
BMW webpage 4
Bottle holders, refer to Cup holders 103
Brake
– parking brake 52
Brake assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC 78
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 69
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb 210
Br
ake pads 110
– breaking in 110
Brake rotors 112
– brakes 110
– breaking in 110 Brakes
– ABS
78
– BMW Maintenance System 202
– breaking in 110
– service requirements 69
Brakes, refer to Braking safely 112
Brake system 110
– BMW Maintenance System 202
– breaking in 110
– disc brakes 112
Breakdown services, refer to Roadside Assistance 213
Breaking in the clutch 110
Breaking in the differential, refer to Engine and
differential 110
Break-in period 110
Brightness of Control Display 76
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 208
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/stop button 50
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 6
Call
– accepting 167
– ending 168
– rejecting 168
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing 168
Can holders, refer to Cup holders 103
Capacities 222
Capacity of the cargo bay 222
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 212
Car care, refer to Care 204
Everything from A to Z
234
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC 77
Door key, refer to Remote control with integrated
key 28
Door lock 31
Doors, emergency
operation 32
DOT Quality Grades 193
Draft-free ventilation 94,97
Drinks holders, refer to Cup holders 103
Drive mode 57
Drive-off assistance, refer to Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 78
Drive-off assistant 80
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 88
Driving notes 110
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant 80
Driving position, engaging, refer to Transmission
positions 56
Driving stability control systems 78,79
Driving through water 112
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes 110
DSC Dynamic Stability Control 78
Dual clutch transmission 55
– kick-down 57
DVD
– country codes 148
– settings 149
– video playback 148
DVD changer
– malfunctions 151
DVD menu 149
DVD video 148
Dynamic Brake Control DBC 78
Dynamic Driving Control 79
E
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player 138
Electrical malfunction
– door lock 32
– driver's door 32
– fuel filler door 188
– M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic 58
Electric seat adjustment 42
Electric steering wheel lock
– with convenient access 35
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV 78
Electronic oil level check 198
Electronic Stability Program ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 78
Emergency actuation, automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock 55
Emergency operation
– fuel filler door, manual
release 188
Emergency operation, refer to Manual operation
– door lock 32
Emergency release
– luggage compartment lid
from inside 33
Emergency Request 213
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 213
Energy, saving
– saving fuel 110
Engine
– breaking in 110
– data 220
– overheated, refer to Coolant temperature 65
– speed 220
– starting 51
– starting, convenient access 35
– switching off 52
Engine compartment 198Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant 200
Engine oil
– adding 200
– BMW Maintenance
System 202
– capacity 222
– checking level 198
– intervals between changes, refer to Service
requirements 69
Engine output, refer to Engine data 220
Engine speed, refer to Engine data 220
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine 51
Entering the address 119
Entry lamps, refer to Interior
lamps 90
Entry map for destination 124
Equalizer, tone setting 139
Error messages, refer to Check C
ontrol73
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 111
Exterior mirrors 45
– adjusting 45
– automatic dimming feature 46
– automatic heating 46
– folding in and out 45
External audio device 102
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing away 215
– for tying down loads 114
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 73
Failure of an electrical
consumer 212
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm 34
– switching off an alarm 34