2011 BMW 3 SERIES steering

Display in the instrument cluster
The READY display in the tach‐
ometer signals that the Auto
Start/Stop function is ready to
start the engine automatically.
Note
The engine is not switched off automatically in
the following situations:
▷External temperature below approx. +37 ℉/
+3 ℃.
▷The external temperature is high and auto‐
matic climate control is running.
▷The passenger compartment has not yet
been heated or cooled to the required level.
▷The engine is not yet at operating tempera‐
ture.
▷The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐
ing wheel is being turned.
▷After driving in reverse.
▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.
▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.
▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.
▷The parking assistant is activated.
▷Stop-and-go traffic.
▷The transmission selector lever is in position
N or S/M.
Starting the engine
The engine starts automatically under the fol‐
lowing conditions:
▷Manual transmission:
The clutch pedal is pressed.
▷Automatic transmission:
By releasing the brake pedal.
After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.
Safety mode
After the engine switches off automatically, it
will not start again automatically if any one of the
following conditions are met.
▷The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the
driver's door is open.
▷The hood was unlocked.
Some indicator lamps light up for varying
lengths of time.
The engine can only be started via the Start/
Stop button.
Note
Even if driving away was not intended, the de‐
activated engine starts up automatically in the
following situations:
▷Excessive warming of the passenger com‐
partment when the cooling function is
switched on.
▷The steering wheel is turned.
▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from D to N, R, or M/S.
▷Automatic transmission: the transmission
position is changed from P to N, D, R, or M/
S.
▷The vehicle begins rolling.
▷Fogging of the windows when the automatic
climate control is switched on.
▷The vehicle battery charge is very low.
▷Excessive cooling of the passenger com‐
partment when the heating is switched on.
▷Low brake vacuum pressure; this can occur,
for example, if the brake pedal is depressed
a number of times in succession.
Preventing an automatic engine stop
with automatic transmission
The concept
To make it possible to drive away very quickly,
such as at an intersection, the automatic engine
stop can be actively prevented.
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ControlsDriving
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Washer/wiper system
Switching the wipers on/off and brief
wipe
Do not switch on the wipers if frozen
Do not switch on the wipers if they are fro‐
zen onto the windshield; otherwise, the wiper
blades and the windshield wiper motor may be
damaged.◀
Switching on
Press the wiper levers up.
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
▷Normal wiping speed: press up once.
The wipers switch to intermittent operation
when the vehicle is stationary.
▷Fast wiping speed: press up twice or press
once beyond the resistance point.
The wipers switch to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Switching off and brief wipe
Press the wiper levers down.
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
▷Brief wipe: press down once.
▷To switch off normal wipe: press down once.
▷To switch off fast wipe: press down twice.
Intermittent operation or rain sensor
The concept
The rain sensor automatically controls the time
between wipes depending on the intensity of
the rainfall. The sensor is located on the wind‐
shield, directly behind the interior rearview mir‐
ror.
Activating/deactivating
Press the button on the wiper lever.
The LED in the steering column stalk lights up.
Deactivate the rain sensor in car washes
Deactivate the rain sensor when passing
through an automatic car wash; otherwise, dam‐
age could be caused by undesired wiper activa‐
tion.◀
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The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Manual mode M/S: prevent automatic
upshifting
Once maximum engine speed is attained, M/S
manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
For vehicles with Sport automatic transmis‐
sions, automatic shift operations are not per‐
formed if one of the following conditions is met:
▷DSC deactivated.
▷TRACTION activated.
▷SPORT+ activated.
In addition, the kickdown is deactivated.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Shift paddles for Sport automatic
transmission
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the trans‐
mission temporarily switches to manual mode.
If the shift paddles are not used and the vehicle
is not accelerated for a certain time, the system
switches back into automatic mode if the selec‐
tor lever is in transmission position D.
▷Shift up: pull right shift paddle.
▷Shift down: pull left shift paddle.
The vehicle only shifts up or down at appropriate
engine and road speeds, e.g., it does not shift
down if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
Displays in the instrument cluster
The transmission position is dis‐
played, e.g.: P.
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Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning and light up temporarily when the
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
Overview: indicator/warning lamps
Symbol Function or system
Turn signal
Front fog lamps
Rear fog lamp
High beams
High-beam Assistant
Parking lamps, headlamp control
Active Cruise Control
Vehicle detection, Active Cruise
Control
Collision warning
Adjustable speed limit
Cruise control
Lane departure warning
Symbol Function or system
DSC Dynamic Stability Control
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is de‐
activated or DTC Dynamic Traction
Control is activated
Tire Pressure Monitor
Flat Tire Monitor
Safety belts
Airbag system
Steering system
Emissions
Parking brake
Brake system
In Canadian models
Parking brake
Brake system
Antilock Brake System ABS
Antilock Brake System ABS in Cana‐
dian models
At least one Check Control message
is displayed or is stored (symbol in
display)
Text messages
Text messages in combination with a symbol in
the instrument cluster explain a Check Control
message and the meaning of the indicator and
warning lamps.
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ControlsDisplays
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System limits
Personal judgment
The system cannot serve as a substitute
for the driver's personal judgment of the traffic
situation.
The system assists the driver and does not re‐
place the human eye.◀
The system may not be fully functional and may
provide incorrect information in the following
situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.
▷When signs are concealed by objects.
▷When driving very close to the vehicle in
front of you.
▷When driving toward bright lights.
▷When the windshield behind the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered by a sticker, etc.
▷In the event of incorrect detection by the
camera.
▷If the speed limits stored in the navigation
system are incorrect.
▷In areas not covered by the navigation sys‐
tem.
▷When roads differ from the navigation, e.g.
due to changes in the road network.
▷When passing buses or trucks with a speed
sticker.
▷If the traffic signs are non-conforming.
▷During the calibration process of the camera
immediately after vehicle shipment.
Camera
The camera is located near the base of the mir‐
ror.
Keep windshield clean and clear in the area in
front of the interior rear view mirror.
Selection lists in the
instrument cluster
The concept
The following can be displayed or operated us‐
ing the buttons and the thumbwheel on the
steering wheel and the display in the instrument
cluster:
▷Current audio source.
▷Programs of the Driving Experience Switch.
▷Redial on telephone.
▷Activation of the voice activation system.
Display
Instrument cluster
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ControlsDisplays
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Instrument cluster with enhanced
features
Activating a list and creating the
setting
On the right side of the steering wheel, turn the
thumbwheel to activate the corresponding list.
Using the thumbwheel, select the desired set‐
ting and confirm it by pressing the thumbwheel.
Computer
Indication in the info display
The information from the on‐
board computer is shown in the
info display in the instrument
cluster.
Calling up information on the info
display
Press the onboard computer button on the turn
signal lever.
Information is displayed on the info display of the
instrument cluster.
Information at a glance
Repeatedly pressing the button on the turn sig‐
nal lever calls up the following information on the
info display:
▷Range.
▷Average fuel consumption.
▷Average speed.
▷Date.
▷Speed limit detection.
▷Time of arrival
When destination guidance is activated in
the navigation system.
▷Distance to destination
When destination guidance is activated in
the navigation system.
▷Arrow view of navigation system
When destination guidance is activated in
the navigation system.
When the arrow view in the Head-up Display
is inactive.
▷ECO PRO bonus range.
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DisplaysControls
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Adaptive light control
The concept
Adaptive light control is a variable headlamp
control system that enables dynamic illumina‐
tion of the road surface.
Depending on the steering angle and other pa‐
rameters, the light from the headlamp follows
the course of the road.
In tight curves, e.g., on mountainous roads or
when turning, one of the two front fog lamps is
switched on as a turning lamp. As a result the
inside of the curve is better lighted.
Activating
Switch position with the ignition switched
on.
The turning lamps are automatically switched
on depending on the steering angle or the use
of turn signals.
To avoid blinding oncoming traffic, the Adaptive
Light Control directs light towards the front pas‐
senger side when the vehicle is at a standstill.
When driving in reverse, only the turning lamp is
active.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
Adaptive light control is malfunctioning or has
failed. Have the system checked as soon as pos‐
sible.
High-beam Assistant
The concept
When the low beams are switched on, this sys‐
tem automatically switches the high beams on
and off or suppresses the light in the areas that
blind oncoming traffic. The procedure is con‐
trolled by a sensor on the front of the interior
rearview mirror. The assistant ensures that the
high beams are switched on whenever the traffic
situation allows. The driver can intervene at any
time and switch the high beams on and off as
usual.
Activating
The High-beam Assistant can be activated
when the low beams are switched on.
1.Turn the light switch to or .
2.Press the button on the turn signal lever, ar‐
row.
The indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
When the low beams are on, the lights
are automatically brightened or dimmed.
The system responds to light from oncoming
traffic and traffic driving ahead of you, and to ad‐
equate illumination, e.g., in towns and cities.
The blue indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster lights up when the system
switches on the high beams. Depending
on the version of the system in the vehicle, the
high beams may not switch off for oncoming ve‐
hicles, but may only be dimmed in the areas that
blind oncoming traffic. In this case, the blue in‐
dicator light will stay on.
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ControlsLamps
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Protective action
Airbags are not triggered in every impact situa‐
tion, e.g., in less severe accidents or rear-end
collisions.
Information on how to ensure the optimal
protective effect of the airbags
▷Keep at a distance from the airbags.
▷Always grasp the steering wheel on the
steering wheel rim, holding your hands at
the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to keep
the danger of injury to your hands or arms as
low as possible if the airbag is triggered.
▷There should be no people, animals, or ob‐
jects between an airbag and a person.
▷Do not use the cover of the front airbag on
the front passenger side as a storage area.
▷Keep the dashboard and window on the
front passenger side clear, i.e., do not cover
with adhesive labels or coverings, and do not
attach holders such as for navigation instru‐
ments and mobile phones.
▷Make sure that the front passenger is sitting
correctly, i.e., keeps his or her feet and legs
in the footwell; otherwise, leg injuries can
occur if the front airbag is triggered.
▷Do not place slip covers, seat cushions or
other objects on the front passenger seat
that are not approved specifically for seats
with integrated side airbags.
▷Do not hang pieces of clothing, such as jack‐
ets, over the backrests.
▷Make sure that occupants keep their heads
away from the side airbag and do not rest
against the head airbag; otherwise, injuries
can occur if the airbags are triggered.
▷Do not remove the airbag restraint system.
▷Do not remove the steering wheel.
▷Do not apply adhesive materials to the air‐
bag cover panels, cover them or modify
them in any way.
▷Never modify either the individual compo‐
nents or the wiring in the airbag system. This
also applies to steering wheel covers, the
dashboard, the seats, the roof pillars and the
sides of the headliner.◀
Even when all instructions are followed closely,
injury from contact with the airbags cannot be
ruled out in certain situations.
The ignition and inflation noise may lead to
short-term and, in most cases, temporary hear‐
ing impairment in sensitive individuals.
In the case of a malfunction, deactivation
and after triggering of the airbags
Do not touch the individual components imme‐
diately after the system has been triggered; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of burns.
Only have the airbags checked, repaired or dis‐
mantled and the airbag generator scrapped by
your service center or a workshop that has the
necessary authorization for handling explosives.
Non-professional attempts to service the sys‐
tem could lead to failure in an emergency or un‐
desired triggering of the airbag, either of which
could result in injury.◀
Warnings and information on the airbags are
also found on the sun visors.
Functional readiness of the airbag
system
When the ignition is switch on, the warn‐
ing lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up briefly and thereby indicates the op‐
erational readiness of the entire airbag system
and the belt tensioner.
Airbag system malfunctioning
▷Warning lamp does not come on when the
ignition is turned on.
▷The warning lamp lights up continuously.
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