2011 BMW 323I traction control

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Microphone for voice activation system*
and for telephone* in hands-free mode
2SOS: initiating an Emergency Request
call
*246
3Reading lamps101
4Glass roof/panorama glass roof
*37
5Interior lamps101
6Passenger airbag status lamp
*95
7Control Display16
8Hazard warning flashers
9Dynamic Traction Control DTC86
10Central locking system30
11Automatic climate control
12CD/DVD drive
*161
13Changing the audio and entertainment
sources14Selecting AM or FM waveband
15Changing
>Radio station153
>Track162
17Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
18Buttons on the controller16
Selecting menus directly
19Programmable memory keys20
20Switching entertainment audio sources on/
off and adjusting volume150
21Ejecting a CD/DVD
*161 Air distribution to the
windshield103
Air distribution to the upper body
area103
Air distribution to the footwell103
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate103
Cooling function104
Automatic recirculated-air control
AUC and recirculated-air
mode104
Maximum cooling103
ALL program104
Air volume104
Defrosting windows104
Rear window defroster104
Heated seats
*46
16
Park Distance Control PDC*84
Sedan:
Roller sun blind
*110
Hill Descent Control HDC
*86

Controls
67Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Deactivating cruise control
Press the lever upward or downward, arrow3.
The displays on the speedometer disappear.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When you brake the vehicle
>When the speed is reduced to below
20 mph or 30 km/h due to a traffic situation
>When you switch gears very slowly or shift
to neutral in cars with manual transmission
>When you select the automatic transmis-
sion's neutral position N
>When you activate the Dynamic Traction
Control DTC
>When you deactivate the Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
>When DSC or ABS is intervening
>When the system does not recognize any
objects for a longer period of time, e.g. on
infrequently traveled roads without a shoul-
der or guard rails, or if the radar sensor is
covered with dirt, refer to page68
>When you apply the parking brake
When the system is deactivated, you
must brake the vehicle yourself and/or
maneuver as necessary; otherwise, there is a
risk of accidents.<
Warning lamp
The warning lamp comes on when
active cruise control has been auto-
matically deactivated, for example
due to a driving speed below 20 mph or 30 km/
h or a DSC intervention. A message appears on
the Control Display.
Resuming stored desired speed and
distance
Briefly press the button, arrow 4.
The stored speed and distance are regained
and maintained.
In the following instances, the stored speed is
deleted and can no longer be resumed:
>When driving stability control systems are
intervening
>In cars with manual transmission: when you
shift gears very slowly or shift to neutral
>In cars with automatic transmission: when
you engage selector lever position N
>When the ignition is switched off
Displays in the instrument cluster
1Stored desired speed
2Shows yellow: vehicle detected ahead
Flashes in red: system cannot maintain dis-
tance; driver must brake the vehicle
Flashes in yellow: driving stability control
systems are intervening; cruise control is
deactivated
3Selected distance to vehicle ahead
The indicator lights up as soon as the sys-
tem is activated.
4Selected desired speed is temporarily dis-
played
If --- mph or --- km/h temporarily appears
in the instrument cluster display, it is pos-
sible that the system prerequisites for operation
are currently not met. Calling up Check Control
messages, refer to page81.<

Controls
85Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for
estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any obstructions always remains
with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-
vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can
no longer be detected. The system is also sub-
ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those
encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,
t h i n o r w e d g e - s h a p e d o b j e c t s , e t c . L o w o b j e c t s
that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,
can disappear again from the detection area of
the sensors before or after a continuous tone
sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,
cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive
cautiously; otherwise, there is a risk of personal
injury or property damage.
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 page124.
Electronic brake-force distribution
EBV
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.<

Technology for driving comfort and safety
86
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamps for DSC in the instrument cluster
light up. Dynamic Traction Control DTC and
DSC have been simultaneously deactivated.
Stabilizing and drive-output promoting actions
are no longer executed.
In the same way as with a differential interlock
*,
even if DSC is deactivated, brake actions are
still performed to enhance drive output if the
drive wheels experience a significant loss of
traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC is regulating the drive and brak-
ing forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DSC is deactivated.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:>When driving uphill on snow-covered roads,
in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered
roads
>When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-
ing off in deep snow or on loose ground
>When driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button; the indicator lamps for DTC
in the instrument cluster come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DTC is regulating the drive and
braking forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DTC has been activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the DTC indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
xDrive*
xDrive is your BMW's four-wheel-drive system.
The combined efforts of xDrive and DSC help to
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system distributes
driving power variably to the front and rear axles
depending on the driving situation and road
conditions.

Mobility
221Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 1010 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2010.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter, in
front of the R on ZR tires225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and
tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1010

Everything from A to Z
270 Displacement, refer to Engine
data254
Display, refer to iDrive
controls16
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting101
Displays
– on the Control Display16
Displays, refer to Instrument
cluster12
Displays and controls10
Disposal
– coolant230
– remote control battery36
– vehicle battery244
Distance remaining to service,
refer to Service
requirements76
Distance warning, refer to
Park Distance Control
PDC84
Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key26
Door lock29
Doors, emergency
operation30
DOT Quality Grades221
Draft-free ventilation105
Drinks holders, refer to
Cupholders112
Drive-off assistance, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC85
Drive-off assistant87
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams97
Driving notes122
Driving off on hills, refer to
Drive-off assistant87
Driving stability control
systems85
Driving through water124
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes122
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function104
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control85DTC Dynamic Traction
Control86
– indicator/warning lamp86
DVD
– country codes163
– settings164
– video playback163
DVD menu164
DVD player, refer to CD
player161
DVD video163
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC85
Dynamic destination
guidance141
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC85
– indicator/warning lamp86
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC
– indicator/warning lamp86
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution85
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player150
Electrical malfunction
– door lock30
– driver's door30
– fuel filler flap202
– glass roof38
– panorama glass roof40
– trunk lid32
Electric seat adjustment43
Electric steering wheel lock
– with Comfort Access35
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV85
Electronic oil level check227
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC85
Emergency actuation,
automatic transmission,
refer to Overriding selector
lever lock60Emergency operation
– fuel filler flap, manual
release202
Emergency operation, refer to
Closing manually
– glass roof38
– panorama glass roof40
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock30
Emergency release
– trunk lid from inside32
Emergency Request246
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance246
Energy, saving
– saving fuel122
Energy-conscious driving,
refer to Energy Control72
Energy Control72
Engine
– breaking in122
– data254
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature72
– speed254
– starting56
– starting, Comfort Access34
– switching off56
Engine compartment226
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant230
Engine oil
– adding229
– alternative oil types229
– BMW Maintenance
System231
– capacity258
– checking level227
– dipstick
227
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements76
Engine output, refer to Engine
data254
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data254
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine56

Reference 279
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Temperature
– automatic climate
control103
– changing unit of measure76
– coolant, refer to Coolant
temperature72
Temperature display
– outside temperature71
– outside temperature
warning71
– setting the units76
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control62
Tensioning straps, refer to
Securing cargo126
The individual vehicle5
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp243
Through-loading system114
Through-loading system,
refer to Expanding the cargo
area115
Tilt alarm sensor34
Tilt function, passenger side
mirror49
Timer, refer to Preselecting
switch-on times106
Tire inflation pressure208
– loss89,90
Tire pressure monitoring,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor88
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM89
– resetting the system90
– system limitations89
– warning lamp91
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor89
Tire Quality Grading221Tires
– age221,223
– air loss91
– breaking in122
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels244
– condition222
– damage222
– inflation pressure208
– labels221
– minimum tread depth222
– new wheels and tires223
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor88
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM89
– puncture89
– replacing223
– size221
– storage
224
– tread depth222
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth222
– wheel/tire combination, refer
to Correct wheels and
tires223
– winter tires224
TMC station, refer to Traffic
bulletins144
Tone
– control150
– middle setting152
Tools, refer to Onboard
vehicle tool kit237
Top 50 of music
collection170
Torque, refer to Engine
data254
Tow bar249
Tow fitting249
– screw thread249
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away249
Towing248
– car with automatic
transmission248
– methods249
Towing and tow-starting248Town/city, for navigation131
Tow rope250
Tow-starting248,250
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor89
Track
– selecting on CD162
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC85
Traffic bulletins
– categories145
Traffic bulletins, filtering145
Traffic bulletins for
navigation144
– display in map view145
– during destination
guidance146
Traffic jam
– displaying traffic
bulletins144
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic57
– manual transmission57
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic60
Transmission interlock
– refer to Changing selector
lever position58
– refer to P Park58
Transporting children
safely51
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo126
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread222
Trip, deleting139
Trip, storing139
Trip computer, refer to
Displays on the Control
Display74
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer71
Triple turn signal activation60
Trip odometer71
Trips, changing139
Trunk, refer to Cargo area115