2011 BMW 3 SERIES low beam

Cockpit
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.
All around the steering wheel
1Roller sunblinds  43
2Rear window safety switch  42
3Power windows  41
4Exterior mirror operation  52
5Driver assistance systems
Active Blind Spot Detec‐
tion  101
Collision warning  115
Lane departure warning  99
6Lamps
Front fog lamps  89
Parking lamps  86
Low beams  86
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At a glanceCockpit
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Driving
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.
Start/Stop button
The concept
Pressing the Start/Stop button
switches the ignition on or off and
starts the engine.
Automatic transmission: the en‐
gine starts if the brake is de‐
pressed when the Start/Stop button is pressed.
Manual transmission: the engine starts if the
clutch is depressed when the Start/Stop button
is pressed.
Ignition on
Automatic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the brake pedal at
the same time.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button, and do not press on the clutch pedal at
the same time.
All vehicle systems are ready for operation.
Most of the indicator and warning lamps in the
instrument cluster light up for varying lengths of
time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
The ignition switches off automatically:
▷When the vehicle is locked, if the low beams
are switched on.
▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
▷If the engine is switched off and the ignition
is switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio ready state when the
door is opened if the lights are switched off
or the daytime running lights are switched
on.
If the engine is switched off and the ignition
is switched on, the system automatically
switches to the radio ready state when the
door is opened if the lights are switched off.
Ignition off
Automatic transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the brake
pedal at the same time.
Manual-shift transmission: press the Start/Stop
button again, and do not press on the clutch
pedal at the same time.
All indicator lamps in the instrument cluster go
out.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary
electronic systems/power consumers.
Transmission position P with the ignition
off
When the ignition is switched off, position P is
engaged automatically. When in an automatic
car wash, for example, ensure that the ignition is
not switched off accidentally.◀
Ignition automatically cuts off while the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is stopped:
▷During locking, also with the low beams ac‐
tivated.
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▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started. This function is only available when
the low beams are switched off.
▷When opening and closing the driver door, if
the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the
low beams are switched off.
▷While the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, if
the driver's door is open and the low beams
are switched off.
When the ignition is switched off, by opening or
closing the driver's door or unbuckling the driv‐
er's seat belt, the radio ready state remains ac‐
tive.
Radio ready state
Activate radio ready state:
▷When the ignition is switched off: press ON/
OFF button on the radio.
▷When the engine is running: press START/
STOP button.
Some electronic systems/power consumers re‐
main ready for operation.
Radio ready state switches off automatically:
▷After approx. 8 minutes.
▷When the vehicle is locked using the central
locking system.
▷Shortly before the battery is discharged
completely, so that the engine can still be
started.
Starting the engine
General information
Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an
odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas.◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running; doing so poses a risk of dan‐
ger.
Before leaving the vehicle with the engine run‐
ning, set the parking brake and place the trans‐
mission in position P or neutral to prevent the
vehicle from moving.◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter.◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving at mod‐
erate engine speeds.
Manual transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2.Press on the clutch and shift to neutral.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Automatic-Transmission
Starting the engine
1.Depress the brake pedal.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
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Lamps
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.
At a glance
1Rear fog lamps
2Front fog lamps
3Automatic headlamp control / Adaptive
Light Control / high-beam Assistant / wel‐
come lamps / daytime running lights
4Lamps off / daytime running lights
5Parking lamps / daytime running lights
6Low beams / welcome lamps / High-beam
Assistant
7Headlamp range control
8Instrument lighting
Parking lamps/low beams,
headlamp control
General information
Switch position: 0,
If the driver door is opened with the ignition
switched off, the exterior lighting is automati‐
cally switched off at these switch settings:
Parking lamps
Switch position : the vehicle lamps light
up on all sides, e.g., for parking.
Do not use the parking lamps for extended pe‐
riods; otherwise, the battery may become dis‐
charged and it would then be impossible to start
the engine.
When parking, it is preferable to switch on the
one-sided roadside parking lamps, refer to
page 87.
Low beams
Switch position with the ignition switched
on: the low beams light up.
Welcome lamps
When parking the vehicle, leave the switch in
position or : the parking and interior
lamps light up briefly when the vehicle is un‐
locked.
Activating/deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Welcome light"
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
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Headlamp courtesy delay feature
The low beams stay lit for a short while if the
headlamp flasher is switched on after the igni‐
tion is switched off.
Setting the duration
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Pathway light.: s"
4.Set the duration.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Automatic headlamp control
Switch position : the low beams are switched
on and off automatically, e.g., in tunnels, in twi‐
light or if there is precipitation. The indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up.
A blue sky with the sun low on the horizon can
cause the lights to be switched on.
The low beams always stay on when the fog
lamps are switched on.
Personal responsibility
The automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for your personal judgment
in determining when the lamps should be
switched on in response to ambient lighting
conditions.
For example, the sensors are unable to detect
fog or hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you
should always switch on the lamps manually un‐
der these conditions.◀
Daytime running lights
With the ignition switched on, the daytime run‐
ning lights light up in position 0, or .
After the ignition is switched off, the parking
lamps light up in position .
Activating/deactivating
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Daytime running lamps"
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Roadside parking lamps
The vehicle can be illuminated on one side.
Switching on
With the ignition switched off, press the lever
either up or down past the resistance point for
approx. 2 seconds.
Switching off
Briefly press the lever to the resistance point in
the opposite direction.
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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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Switching the high beams on and off
manually
▷High beams on, arrow 1.
▷High beams off/headlamp flasher, arrow 2.
The High-beam Assistant can be switched off
when manually adjusting the light. To reactivate
the High-beam Assistant, press the button on
the turn signal lever.
System limits
Personal responsibility
The high-beam assistant cannot serve as
a substitute for the driver's personal judgment
of when to use the high beams. Therefore, man‐
ually switch off the high beams in situations
where this is required to avoid a safety risk.◀
The system is not fully functional in situations
such as the following, and driver intervention
may be necessary:
▷In very unfavorable weather conditions,
such as fog or heavy precipitation.
▷In detecting poorly-lit road users, such as
pedestrians, cyclists, horseback riders and
wagons; when driving close to train or ship
traffic; and at animal crossings.
▷In tight curves, on hilltops or in depressions,
in cross traffic or half-obscured oncoming
traffic on freeways.
▷In poorly-lit towns and cities and in the pres‐
ence of highly reflective signs.
▷At low speeds.
▷When the windshield in front of the interior
rearview mirror is fogged over, dirty or cov‐
ered with stickers, etc.
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.
Fog lamps
Front fog lamps
The parking lamps or low beams must be
switched on.
Press the button. The green indicator
lamp lights up.
If the automatic headlamp control, refer to
page 87, is activated, the low beams will come
on automatically when you switch on the front
fog lamps.
Instrument lighting
Adjusting
The parking lamps or low beams
must be switched on to adjust the
brightness.
Adjust the brightness using the
thumbwheel.
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▷Certain sitting positions.
▷Objects on the cover of the Head-up Dis‐
play.
▷Sunglasses with certain polarization filters.
▷Wet roads.
▷Unfavorable light conditions.
If the image is distorted, check the basic set‐
tings.
Switching on/off
1."Settings"
2."Head-up display"
3."Head-up display"
Switch the Head-up Display ON/OFF as re‐
quired.
Display
1Lane departure warning
2Active Cruise Control
3Desired speed
4Navigation system
5Speed
The collision warning, Night Vision pedestrian
warning, or Check Control messages are dis‐
played briefly if needed.
Selecting displays in the Head-up
Display
1."Settings"
2."Head-up display"
3."Displayed information"
4.Select the desired displays in the Head-up
Display.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Setting the brightness
The brightness is automatically adjusted to the
ambient light.
The basic setting can be adjusted manually.
1."Settings"
2."Head-up display"
3."Brightness"
4.Turn the controller.
The brightness is adjusted.
When the low beams are switched on, the
brightness of the Head-up Display can be addi‐
tionally influenced using the instrument lighting,
refer to page 89.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Adjusting the height
1."Settings"
2."Head-up display"
3."Height"
4.Turn the controller.
The height is adjusted.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Setting the rotation
1."Settings"
2."Head-up display"
3."Rotation"
4.Turn the controller.
Rotation is set.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
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