Technology for driving comfort and safety
78 Loud sound sources outside or inside the car
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 page114.
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vidual wheels.The laws of physics cannot be repealed,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/activating the DSC OFF
program
The program can be deactivated via Dynamic
Driving Control, refer to DSC OFF.
For better control
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con-
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
DTC Dynamic Traction Control
The concept
The DTC system and the TRACTION program
are a variant of the DSC in which forward
momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward
momentum on special road conditions, e.g.,
unplowed snowy roads, but driving stability is
limited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri-
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>When driving in slush or on uncleared,
snow-covered roads.
>When rocking the vehicle or driving off in
deep snow or on loose surfaces.
>When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
The system and program can be deactivated/
activated via Dynamic Driving Control.
Controls
81Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
assistant will not hold the car in place after
approx. 2 seconds, the car would otherwise
start to roll backwards.<
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects pressure loss in a
tire by comparing the rotating speeds of the
individual tires while moving.
In the event of pressure loss, the rolling circum-
ference changes and, thus, the rotating speed
of the affected wheel. This change is detected
and is reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.
The system must be reinitialized each
time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn
the driver of sudden, severe tire damage
caused by external factors, nor can it identify
the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably
occur in all four tires over a lengthy period
of time.<
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip
in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>Snow chains are attached
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the system while snow chains
are attached.<1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"
3."Reset"
4.Start the engine - do not drive away.
5.Start the initialization using "Reset".
6.Start to drive.
The initialization is completed during the trip.
The initialization is completed during driving,
which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow
and red. A message appears on the
Control Display. In addition, an
acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat
tire or substantial loss of tire pressure.
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
If the car is not equipped with run-flat
tires, refer to page199, the standard
equipment by design, do not continue driv-
ing. Otherwise, a severe accident could
result if you continue driving.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor
might not have been initialized. The system
must then be initialized.<
Wheels and tires
200
Recommended tire brands
Certain makes of tire are recommended by
BMW for each tire size. They are marked with a
clearly visible BMW designation on the sidewall
of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for winter roads
or at temperatures below +457/+76.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels. Do not exceed the maximum
tire inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall
of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information.
Snow chains must be mounted in pairs and on
the rear wheels only. Observe the manufac-
turer's instructions when mounting snow
chains. Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph or
50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer
to page78.<
Reference 241
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system113
Exterior mirrors45
– adjusting45
– automatic dimming
feature46
– automatic heating46
– folding in and out45
External audio device104
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away220
– for tying down loads116
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control73
Failure of an electrical
consumer216
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional
alarm34
– switching off an alarm34
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts44
Fastest route for
navigation130
Fast forward
– CD changer153
– CD player153
Fault
– parking brake53
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control98
– refer to Microfilter for air
conditioner95
First aid pouch219
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock50
Flash when locking/
unlocking31
Flat tire
– run-flat tires199
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM82Flat Tire Monitor FTM81
– indicating a flat tire81
– indicator/warning lamp81
– initializing the system81
– snow chains81,200
– system limits81
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition198
Fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer fluid reservoir61
FM, waveband143
Folding in the mirrors, before
driving into a car wash45
Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely114
Footwell lamps, refer to
Interior lamps92
Forward gear, engaging, refer
to Transmission
positions56
For your own safety5
Free memory capacity, music
collection161
Front airbags85
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor81
Fuel193
– average consumption66
– gauge65
– high-quality brands193
– quality193
– specifications
193
– tank contents, refer to
Capacities228
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge65
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge65
Fuel filler flap192
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction192
Fuses216
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control100Gasoline
– refer to Average
consumption66
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel193
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge65
Gas station
recommendations131
Gear display, refer to Displays
in the instrument cluster56
Gear indicator, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic53
Gears, changing57
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic54
– manual transmission53
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic54
– manual transmission53
General driving notes113
Glove compartment103
GPS navigation, refer to
Navigation system120
Grills, refer to Air vents93
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights228
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake52
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
HD Radio144
Head airbags85
Headlamp control,
automatic88
Headlamp flasher59
– indicator lamp11,13
Heated
– mirrors46
– rear window95,98
– seats43