2011 BMW 3 SERIES warning

Driving stability control systems
Vehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equipment
is also described that is not available in a vehicle,
e. g., because of the selected optional equip‐
ment or country variant. This also applies for
safety-related functions and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak‐
ing.
The vehicle remains steerable even during full
brake applications, thus increasing active
safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Brake assistant
When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system
automatically produces the maximum braking
force boost. It thus helps to achieve the shortest
possible braking distance during full braking.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the full braking.
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Subject
to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the vehicle
on a steady course by reducing engine speed
and by applying brakes at individual wheels.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Indicator/warning lamps
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is re‐
duced during acceleration and when driving in
bends.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC
Press and hold the button, but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC
Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Seite 104
ControlsDriving stability control systems
104Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Indicator/warning lamps
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is de‐
activated.
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control
The concept
The DTC system is a version of the DSC in which
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward momen‐
tum 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 un‐
der 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
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction on loose ground.
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
Activating DTC
Press the button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Dynamic Damping Control
The concept
This system reduces undesirable vehicle mo‐
tion when using a dynamic driving style or trav‐
eling on uneven road surfaces.
The system enhances driving dynamics and
comfort as required for the road surface and
driving style.
Programs
The system offers two different programs.
The programs can be selected via Dynamic Driv‐
ing Control, refer to page 106.
SPORT
Consistently sporty control of the shock absorb‐
ers for greater driving agility.
SPORT+
Consistently sporty control of the shock absorb‐
ers for greater driving agility when driving with
limited driving stabilization.
COMFORT
Balanced control of the vehicle.
Variable sport steering
The variable sport steering increases the steer‐
ing angle of the front wheels at large steering
wheel angles, e.g., in tight curves or when park‐
ing. Steering becomes more direct.
It also varies the force required to turn the
wheels in accordance with the vehicle speed.
Seite 105
Driving stability control systemsControls
105Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

This results in a sporty steering response. In ad‐
dition, it becomes easier to steer during parking
and maneuvering.
Driving Experience Switch
The concept
The Driving Experience Switch can be used to
adjust the certain characteristics of the vehicle.
Various programs can be selected for this pur‐
pose. The Driving Experience Switch and the
DSC OFF buttons can each be used to activate
a program.
Operating the programs
Press the button Program
DSC OFF
TRACTION
SPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system automatically switches to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Damping Control.
▷The vehicle has a flat tire.
▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DSC OFF
When DSC OFF, refer to page 104, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
TRACTION
When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has max‐
imum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control, refer to page 105, is ac‐
tivated. Driving stability is limited during
acceleration and when driving in bends.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized chassis and sus‐
pension with limited driving stabilization.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+
Press the button repeatedly until SPORT+ ap‐
pears in the instrument cluster and the DSC OFF
indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic program change
When activating cruise control, the program au‐
tomatically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lamps
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up.
SPORT
Sporty driving with optimized chassis and sus‐
pension with maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications. The configuration is stored for
the remote control currently in use.
Activating SPORT
Press button repeatedly until SPORT is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
Configuring SPORT
When the display is activated on the Control
Display, refer to page 107, the sport program
can be set to individual specifications.
▷Activate the sport program.
▷"Configure SPORT mode"
▷Configure the program.
Seite 106
ControlsDriving stability control systems
106Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

▷The marking does not light up: the system is
switched off.
Brief status display
Selected desired speed.
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the system
requirements for operation are currently not
met.
Distance to vehicle ahead of you
The selected distance to the vehicle driving
ahead of you is shown.
Distance display
Distance 1
Distance 2
Distance 3
Distance 4
This value is set after the system is
switched on.
The system has been interrupted or
distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator is being
pressed; a vehicle was not detected.
Distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator is being
pressed; a vehicle was detected.
Rolling bars: the detected vehicle has driven
away.
Indicator/warning lamps
Personal responsibility
The indicator and warning lamps do not
relieve the driver of the responsibility to adapt
his or her desired driving speed and style to the
traffic conditions.◀
Depending on how the vehicle is equip‐
ped, the indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster indicates whether the system is
switched on.
The vehicle symbol lights up in orange:
A vehicle has been detected ahead of
you.
The vehicle symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for op‐
erating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively assume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator.
The vehicle symbol flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene by brak‐
ing or making an evasive maneuver.
System limits
Speed range
Best results are achieved when using the sys‐
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The desired speed can be selected between
20 mph/30 km/h to 110 mph/180 km/h.
The system can also be activated when station‐
ary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every situa‐
tion when using the system.
Seite 112
ControlsDriving comfort
112Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles driving ahead of you
for instance might not be detected.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity, you should be alert at all times so that you
can intervene actively, if necessary; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate when a sta‐
tionary obstacle is located in the same lane, e.g.,
a vehicle at a red traffic light or at the end of traffic
congestion.
The system also does not respond to:
▷Pedestrians or similarly slow road users.
▷Red traffic lights.
▷Stationary objects.
▷Cross traffic.
▷Approaching traffic.
No warnings
A warning may not be issued when ap‐
proaching a stationary or very slow-moving ob‐
stacle. You must react yourself; otherwise, there
is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as your
vehicle.
Swerving vehicles
If a vehicle driving ahead of you suddenly
swerves into your lane, the system may not be
able to automatically restore the selected dis‐
tance. This also applies to major speed differ‐
ences to vehicles driving ahead of you, e.g.,
when rapidly approaching a truck. When a vehi‐
cle driving ahead of you is reliably detected, the
system requests that the driver intervene by
braking and carrying out evasive maneuvers, if
necessary. You must react yourself; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Unexpected lane change
If a vehicle ahead of you unexpectedly moves
into another lane from behind a stopped vehicle,
you yourself must react, as the system does not
react to stopped vehicles.
Seite 113
Driving comfortControls
113Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

▷this device must accept any interference re‐
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Note
To reduce electromagnetic effects, please use
properly.
The standard SAR value is 2.0 W/kg; the tested
value of this product is 0.751 W/kg.
NCC declaration:
1.Companies or persons without authoriza‐
tion should not change the frequency, in‐
crease the power, or change the character‐
istics or functions of the original design of
low-power radio frequency devices with
type approval.
2.Low-power radio frequency devices should
not impair legal communication or flight
safety. If this type of impairment is detected,
the device should be switched off immedi‐
ately. In this case, please contact the man‐
ufacturer and only use the product after the
problem has been corrected.
3.The "legal communication" specified above
refers to communication in accordance with
telecommunication regulations. Low-power
devices should withstand interference from
legal communication and ISM devices.
Collision warning
The concept
If the vehicle does not include Active Cruise
Control with Stop & Go, the collision warning is
controlled via the camera in the base of the in‐
terior rearview mirror.
The system issues a two-phase warning of a
danger of collision at speeds above approx.
10 mph/15 km/h. The time of these warnings
may vary depending on the current driving sit‐
uation.
In the process, vehicles in a similar direction of
movement are observed if they are located
within the detection range of the system.
When the vehicle is intentionally brought into
contact with a vehicle, the collision warning is
delayed to avoid false warnings.
Warning stages
Prewarning
This warning is issued, for example, when there
is the impending danger of a collision or the dis‐
tance to the vehicle ahead is too small.
Acute warning
Warning of the imminent danger of a collision
when the vehicle approaches another vehicle at
a relatively high differential speed.
Switching the warning function on/off
Press the button
▷On: the LED lights up.
Seite 115
Driving comfortControls
115Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

▷Off: the LED goes out.
The state is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Configuring the warning time
After the warning function is switched on, the
warning time can be set via the iDrive. For a late
warning time, prewarning is deactivated.
These settings have no effect on the time of the
warning from the Active Cruise Control that
prompts the driver to intervene or brake.
Display in the instrument cluster
The collision warning can be issued in the in‐
strument cluster, in the Head-up Display, and
acoustically.
Warning stages
Symbol Measure
The vehicle lights up red: prewarn‐
ing.
Increase distance.
The vehicle flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds: acute warn‐
ing.
You are requested to intervene by
braking or making an evasive maneu‐
ver.
Adapting your speed and driving style
The display does not relieve the driver of
the responsibility to adapt his or her driving
speed and style to the traffic conditions.◀
System limits
Be alert
Due to system limitations, warnings may
be not be issued at all, or may be issued late or
improperly. Therefore, always be alert and ready
to intervene; otherwise, there is the danger of an
accident occurring.◀
Detection range
The detection capacity of the camera and the
collision warning has limitations.
This may result in the warning not being issued
or being issued late.
For example, the following situations may not be
detected:
▷Slow moving vehicles when you approach
them at high speed.
▷Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of you
or sharply decelerating vehicles.
▷Vehicles with an unusual rear appearance.
▷Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷In heavy fog, rain, sprayed water or snowfall.
▷In tight curves.
▷If the camera view field or the front wind‐
shield are dirty or covered.
▷When driving toward bright lights.
▷In the case of vehicles with insufficiently visi‐
ble tail lamps.
▷In the case of partially covered vehicles.
▷Up to 10 seconds after the start of the en‐
gine, via the Start/Stop knob.
▷During the calibration process of the camera
immediately after vehicle shipment.
Prewarning sensitivity
Depending on the set prewarning time, this may
result in increased false warnings.
Seite 116
ControlsDriving comfort
116Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490

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.
Collision warning with
braking function
The concept
If the vehicle is equipped with Active Cruise
Control with Stop & Go, the collision warning is
controlled via the cruise control radar sensor.
The system issues a two-phase warning of a
danger of collision at speeds above approx.
10 mph/15 km/h. The time of these warnings
may vary depending on the current driving sit‐
uation.
The collision warning is available even if cruise
control has been deactivated.
It responds to stationary or moving objects that
are within the detection range of the radar sys‐
tem.
When the vehicle is intentionally brought into
contact with a vehicle, the collision warning is
delayed to avoid false warnings.
Warning stages
Prewarning
This warning is issued, for example, when there
is the impending danger of a collision or the dis‐
tance to the vehicle ahead is too small.
Acute warning with braking function
Warning of the imminent danger of a collision
when the vehicle approaches another object at
a relatively high differential speed.
The acute warning prompts the driver to inter‐
vene and, if there is the danger of a collision, is
accompanied by a braking intervention.
The braking intervention is executed with lim‐
ited braking force and for a brief period only. The
intervention cannot bring the vehicle to a com‐
plete standstill.
The braking intervention is executed only if DSC
Dynamic Stability Control is switched on.
Adapting your speed and driving style
The acute warning does not relieve the
driver of the responsibility to adapt his or her
driving speed and style to the traffic condi‐
tions.◀
The braking intervention can be interrupted by
pressing on the accelerator or by actively mov‐
ing the steering wheel.
When towing or tow-starting the vehicle, switch
off the collision warning with braking function to
prevent undesired interventions.
The braking function is deactivated if the DSC
Dynamic Stability Control or DTC Dynamic
Traction Control is deactivated.
Seite 117
Driving comfortControls
117Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 608 633 - 11 09 490