
Opening and closing
26 onds. However, the interior motion sensor 
is not activated.
>The indicator lamp goes out after unlocking: 
no manipulation or attempted intrusions 
have been detected in the period since the 
system was armed.
>The indicator lamp flashes for 10 seconds 
after the vehicle is unlocked: an attempted 
entry has been detected in the period since 
the system was armed.
Following triggering of an alarm, the indicator 
lamp will flash continuously.
Tilt alarm sensor
The tilt of the vehicle is monitored. The alarm 
system reacts, e.g. in case of an attempted 
wheel theft or towing.
Interior motion sensor
In order for the interior motion sensor to func-
tion properly, the windows and panorama glass 
sunroof must be completely closed.
Avoiding unintentional alarms
The tilt alarm sensor and interior motion sensor 
may be switched off at the same time. This pre-
vents unintentional alarms, e.g. in the following 
situations:
>In duplex garages
>When being transported on car-carrying 
trains, aboard ship, or on a trailer
>When animals are to remain in the vehicle
Switching off tilt alarm sensor and 
interior motion sensor
Press the   button on the remote con-
trol again as soon as the vehicle is locked.
The indicator lamp lights up briefly and then 
flashes continuously. The tilt alarm sensor and 
the interior motion sensor are switched off until 
the next time the vehicle is unlocked and subse-
quently locked again.If you wish, you can have the tilt alarm 
sensor and interior motion sensor perma-
nently deactivated. You can have this setting 
made at your BMW Sports Activity Vehicle 
Center.< 

Technology for comfort, convenience and safety
50
Technology for comfort, convenience and 
safety
PDC Park Distance Control*
The concept
PDC provides extra safety and convenience 
during parking maneuvers. Audible signals indi-
cate that you are approaching an object in front 
of or behind your vehicle. To measure the dis-
tance, there are four ultrasonic sensors in each 
bumper. 
An acoustic signal begins to sound when the 
front sensors and the rear corner sensors are 
within approx. 2 ft/60 cm of an obstacle and 
when the rear middle sensors are within approx. 
5 ft/1.50 m of an obstacle.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate 
objects when they are approached 
slowly, as is usually the case when parking. 
Avoid approaching objects too fast; otherwise, 
the system may give warning of physical obsta-
cles too late.<
If you are driving with a trailer, the rear sensors 
cannot take any meaningful measurements. 
Consequently, they do not switch on.
Automatic mode
In ignition key position 2, the system is auto-
matically activated after approx. 1 second each 
time you shift into reverse or move the selector-
lever into position R. Wait for one second to 
pass before moving.
You can have a signal tone programmed 
into the system to verify that the PDC is 
active.<
Activating manual mode
In ignition key position 2, press the button; the 
LED lights up.
Deactivating manual mode
Press the button again, the LED goes out.
The system is automatically deactivated once 
the vehicle travels approx. 160 ft/50 m or 
exceeds a speed of roughly 20 mph/30 km/h; 
the LED goes out. You can reactivate the sys-
tem manually as needed.
Signal tones
An intermittent tone from a rear speaker signals 
the distance to an object behind the vehicle as 
you approach it.
An intermittent tone from a speaker beneath 
the instrument cluster signals the distance to an 
object in front of the vehicle as you approach it.
As the distance between vehicle and object 
decreases, the intervals between the tones 
become shorter. The signal tone becomes con-
tinuous once the distance to the nearest object 
falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm.
An intermittent tone is interrupted after approx. 
3seconds:
>If you remain in front of an object that is only 
detected by one of the corner sensors
>If you are moving parallel to a wall 

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 51
Malfunction
The LED in the button flashes and a short con-
tinuous tone sounds. PDC is malfunctioning. 
Switch off PDC. Have the system checked.
To prevent 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 high-pressure washers, do not 
spray sensors for long periods and keep the 
sprayer at least 4 in/10 cm away from the sen-
sors.
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 involved, 
there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be 
detected. The system is also subject to the 
physical limits that apply to all forms of ultra-
sonic measurement, such as those encoun-
tered with tow bars and trailer couplings, or thin 
and wedge-shaped objects. Low objects 
already displayed, e.g. curb edges, can come 
into the blind spot of the sensors before or after 
a continuous tone sounds. The system may fail 
to detect higher obstacles such as projections 
from walls.
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 even under unfavorable driving 
conditions.
ABS Antilock Brake System
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during 
braking. Safe steering response is maintained 
even during full braking. This results in an 
increase in the active safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the 
engine. Safe braking, refer to page84.
Electronic brake-force distribution
The system controls the brake pressure in the 
rear wheels to ensure a stable braking behavior.
Brake assistant
When the brake pedal is depressed quickly, this 
system automatically generates a maximum 
braking force distribution and thus helps keep 
the braking distance to a minimum during full 
braking. This system exploits all of the benefits 
provided by ABS.
As long as you want full braking to continue, do 
not reduce pressure on the brake.
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels when 
starting off and accelerating. The system also 
detects unstable driving conditions, such as a 
fishtailing of the vehicle's rear end or the sliding 
of the vehicle on its front wheels. In these cir-
cumstances, DSC helps keep the vehicle on a 
safe path, within physical limits, by reducing 
engine output and by applying the brakes in 
individual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains the responsibility of the 
driver. Do not squander the additional margin of 
safety by driving dangerously; otherwise, you 
run the risk of causing an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Maintain pressure on the button until the DSC 
indicator lamp lights up, but do not press for 
longer than approx. 10 seconds. DTC Dynamic 
Traction Control and DSC are deactivated  

Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Mobility
 53
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED lights up.
The LED flashes when the brakes are applied 
automatically.
Deactivating HDC
Press the button again; the LED goes out.
HDC is deactivated immediately above approx. 
35 mph/60 km/h and after approx. 10 seconds 
when the ignition is switched off.
Using HDC
Manual transmission: 
Use HDC in low gears and in reverse.
Automatic transmission: 
You can use HDC in every drive position.
Malfunction
If the LED in the button goes out in the HDC 
mode or fails to light up when the button is 
pressed: 
HDC is temporarily not available, because the 
brake temperature is too high.
Malfunction in vehicle stability control 
systems
The warning lamp lights up yellow. 
The brake assistant is malfunctioning. 
Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models.
If one of the malfunctions described 
below occurs, drive with restraint and 
caution and avoid full braking; otherwise, acci-dents can occur. When driving on poor road 
surfaces, avoid full throttle or kickdown position 
of the accelerator pedal as these could cause 
damage to the drive system.<
The warning lamp for the brake system 
lights up in red, together with the warn-
ing lamps for ABS and DSC/xDrive. In 
addition, a warning signal sounds. 
The driving stability control systems 
have failed. It is then possible to exert 
driving force only via the rear axle. 
If the brake system warning lamp lights 
up in yellow in the described combination, then 
the EBV Electronic brake-force distribution is 
still available. Have the system checked as soon 
as possible.
Display of the previously described mal-
function on Canadian models. 
The warning lamp lights up continu-
ously and a warning signal sounds:
Both DSC and DTC or the xDrive all-
wheel drive system have failed. 
The stabilizing interventions of DSC or the all-
wheel drive system xDrive are no longer avail-
able. It is then possible to exert driving force 
only via the rear axle. Have the system checked 
as soon as possible.
Acceleration assistant
The acceleration assistant allows you to conve-
niently start off on inclines. You do not have to 
use the handbrake.
1.Hold the vehicle with the brake pedal.
2.Step off the brake and immediately start off 
with no trouble.
The acceleration assistant holds the vehi-
cle for approx. 2 seconds after the brake 
is released. Depending on the load or when 
towing a trailer, it is also possible for the vehicle 
to roll backward slightly during this interval.  

Things to remember when driving
86 safely exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of 
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permitted load is the total of the weight of 
occupants and cargo/luggage. The greater the 
weight of occupants, the less cargo/luggage 
can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>To protect passengers, use the partition 
net, refer to page78.
>Load heavy cargo as far forward and as low 
as possible, placing it directly behind the 
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>Do not stack cargo higher than the upper 
edge of the backrests.
>Items that could bump against the rear win-
dow while driving must be adequately cov-
ered.>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure the safety belt on 
each side in the buckle on the opposite 
side.
Securing cargo
>Use the luggage net* o r  d r a w  s t r a p s  t o  h o l d  
down small and lightweight luggage and 
cargo, refer to page78.
>For larger and heavier pieces, heavy-duty 
cargo straps
* are available from your BMW 
Sports Activity Vehicle Center. These 
heavy-duty cargo straps are secured to 
lashing eyes mounted in the cargo area, 
refer to page78.
Read the information provided with the 
heavy-duty cargo straps.
Always position and secure cargo as 
described above. If you do not, it can 
endanger the passengers during braking or 
evasive maneuvers. 
Never exceed either the approved gross vehicle 
weight or either of the approved axle weights, 
refer to page128, as excessive loads can pose 
a safety hazard and may also put you in violation 
of road safety laws.
You should never transport unsecured heavy or 
hard objects in the passenger compartment, as 
they could be thrown around and pose a safety 
hazard to the vehicle's occupants during abrupt 
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Use only the lashing eyes, refer to page78, to 
fasten the heavy-duty cargo straps. Do not use 
the upper attachment points for top tether, refer 
to page36, to secure cargo; this can damage 
them.<