
Things to remember when driving
118
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 4,500 rpm or a 
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the 
transmission's kickdown 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. 

Things to remember when driving
120 The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page209.
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. Otherwise, greater 
clutch wear will result.<
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page84.
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 pressure 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 to ensure 
that full braking efficiency will then 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 braking is required. Even 
light but consistent brake 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 page58.
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, pedal function could be 
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally, 
during extended periods when the vehicle is not 
used at all, and in operating conditions where 
brake applications are less frequent, there is an 
increased tendency for corrosion to form on 
rotors, while contaminants 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 respond with a pulsating 
effect that even extended application will fail to 
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water 
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their 
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage  

Reference 249
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Average fuel consumption71
– setting the units72
Average speed71
Avoid highways in 
navigation136
Avoiding unintentional 
alarms33
Axle loads, refer to 
Weights241
B
Backrest contour, refer to 
Lumbar support44
Backrests, refer to Seat 
adjustment43
Backrest width adjustment44
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats46
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb225,226,227
Bag holder111
Band-aids, refer to First aid 
pouch230
Bar, refer to Towing 
methods233
Base plate for telephone or 
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter186
– refer to Snap-in adapter in 
the center armrest storage 
compartment107
Bass, tone setting146
Battery228
– charging228
– disposal35,228
– jump-starting231
– remote control26
– replacing228
– temporary power failure228
Battery for mobile phone187
Battery renewal
– remote control35
– remote control for vehicle35
Being towed233
Belt hand-over49
– pinch protection system49
Belts, refer to Safety belts48Belt tensioner, refer to Safety 
belts48
Beverage holders, refer to 
Cupholders108
Blinds, refer to Roller sun 
blinds106
Blower, refer to Air 
volume100
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating178
BMW
– car shampoo221
BMW Assist190
BMW Assist, 
activating192,194
BMW Homepage4
BMW Maintenance 
System217
BMW Search192
BMW webpage4
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders
108
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic 
Brake Control DBC82
Brake fluid, refer to Service 
requirements73
Brake Force Display89
Brake lamps
– Brake Force Display89
– replacing bulb225,226,227
Brake pads118
– breaking in118
Brake rotors120
– brakes118
– breaking in118
Brakes
– ABS82
– BMW Maintenance 
System217
– Brake Force Display89
– breaking in118
– parking brake56
– service requirements73
Brakes, refer to Braking 
safely120Brake system118
– BMW Maintenance 
System217
– breaking in118
– disc brakes120
Breakdown services, refer to 
Roadside Assistance230
Breaking in the clutch118
Breaking in the differential, 
refer to Engine and 
differential118
Break-in period118
Brightness of the Control 
Display80
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps 
and bulbs223
Button for starting the engine, 
refer to Start/stop button55
Buttons on the steering 
wheel11C
California Proposition 65 
warning5
Call
– accepting179
– ending180
– rejecting180
Calling, refer to Phone 
numbers, dialing180
Can holders, refer to 
Cupholders108
Capacities241
Capacity of the cargo area241
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery228
Car care, refer to Care219