
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. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
88
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The system does not measure the actual infla-
tion pressure in the tires.
The system detects a tire pressure loss due to 
speed comparisons among the individual 
wheels as you drive.
In the event of pressure loss, the rolling circum-
ference changes and, thus, the rotating speed 
of the affected wheel. The system detects this 
and reports it as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
The system has to have been initialized at the 
correct inflation pressure; otherwise, a reliable 
reporting of a flat tire is not assured.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed, 
reinitialize the system.
System limitations
It is impossible to provide advance warn-
ing of sudden, severe tire damage caused 
by outside influences.<
The system will not detect a natural, uniform 
pressure loss in all four tires. Therefore you 
should check the inflation pressure regularly.
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
>Driving with snow chains
*
Status display
The current status of the Flat Tire Monitor can 
be displayed on the Control Display, e.g. 
whether or not the FTM is active.
1."Vehicle Info"
2."Vehicle status"3."Flat Tire Monitor"
The status is displayed.
Initialization
In the initialization, the set inflation pressures 
are adopted as reference values for the detec-
tion of a flat tire. The initialization is begun by 
confirmation of the inflation pressures.
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 driving.
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.< 

Controls
 89Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
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.
What to do in case of a flat tire
Run-flat tires
With a damaged tire, is possible to continue 
driving at speeds of up to 50 mph/80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is 
not equipped with run-flat tires, refer to 
page223; continued driving could result in a 
severe accident.<
When continuing to drive with a damaged tire:
1.Avoid sudden braking and steering maneu-
vers.
2.Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
3.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.<
Possible travel distance with complete tire 
pressure loss:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
Approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo area full, or 4 persons 
without luggage: 
Approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 or more persons, cargo area full: 
Approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
When there is a tire pressure loss, the handling 
characteristics change, e.g. there will be 
reduced directional stability during braking, 
braking distances will be longer, and self-steer-
ing response will change.
Reduce your speed and bring the vehicle to a 
stop; otherwise, tire components may become 
detached, which could result in an accident. 
Do not continue driving; instead, contact your 
BMW center.<
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*
The concept
Check the inflation pressure in the four installed 
tires. The system notifies you if there is a signif-
icant loss of pressure in one or more tires.
Functional requirement
The system has to have been reset at the cor-
rect inflation pressure; otherwise, a reliable 
reporting of a flat tire is not assured.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics to 
assure a trouble-free function of the system.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
System limitations
It is impossible to provide advance warn-
ing of sudden, severe tire damage caused 
by outside influences.<
The system does not function correctly if it has 
not been reset. For example, a flat tire may be 
indicated even though the tire inflation pres-
sures are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat 
tire:
>when a wheel without TPM electronics is 
installed.
>when other systems or devices that use the 
same radio frequency interfere with TPM. 

Telephone
180
Telephone
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full preparation 
package mobile phone. After pairing a suitable 
mobile phone with the vehicle once, you can 
operate the mobile phone via the iDrive, the 
buttons on the steering wheel or using voice 
commands
*.
Once a mobile phone has been paired with your 
vehicle, it is automatically recognized as soon 
as it is inside the vehicle while the engine is run-
ning or the ignition is switched on. You can 
store the pairing data for up to four mobile 
phones simultaneously. If several mobile 
phones are detected at the same time, the 
mobile phone last paired can be operated via 
the vehicle.
Using the telephone inside 
the vehicle
Using the snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a holder for 
mobile phones, allows you to charge the mobile 
phone's battery and connect the mobile phone 
to your vehicle's outside antenna. This ensures 
better network reception and consistent repro-
duction quality. Please contact your 
BMW center to find out for which mobile 
phones there are snap-in adapters available.
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in 
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your mobile 
phone's separate operating instructions for a 
detailed description of safety precautions and 
information, we request that you direct your 
particular attention to the following:
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the 
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving; 
use the hands-free system instead. If you do 
not observe this precaution, your being dis-
tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and 
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Please ask your BMW center which mobile 
phones with Bluetooth interface are supported 
by the mobile phone preparation package and 
which mobile phones are compatible with the 
snap-in adapter. By virtue of their particular 
software versions, these mobile phones sup-
port the functions described in this Owner's 
Manual. Malfunctions may occur with other 
mobile phones.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone using:
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to 
page10
>iDrive, refer to page16
>Voice commands
*, refer to page189
>Programmable memory keys, refer to 
page20
Avoid operating a mobile phone recognized 
by the vehicle via the mobile phone's keypad; 
otherwise, malfunctions may result.
* 

Reference 271
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
Entering special destinations 
by name136
Entering the postal code for 
navigation132
Entry lamps, refer to Interior 
lamps101
Entry map for destination136
Environmentally friendly 
driving, refer to Energy 
Control72
Equalizer, tone setting151
Error messages, refer to 
Check Control80
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC85
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system123
Expanding the cargo area115
Extended connectivity of the 
music player in the mobile 
phone174
Exterior mirrors48
– adjusting48
– automatic dimming 
feature49
– automatic heating48
– folding in and out48
External audio device111
External devices
– random sequence176
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away249
– for tying down loads126
F
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control80
Failure of an electrical 
consumer245
False alarm
– avoiding unintentional 
alarm34
– switching off an alarm34
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts47Fastest route for 
navigation140
Fast forward
– CD changer163
– CD player163
Filter
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control105
First aid pouch247
Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock55
Flash when locking/
unlocking28
Flat tire
– run-flat tires223
– Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM89
Flat Tire Monitor FTM88
– indicating a flat tire89
– indicator/warning lamp89
– initializing the system88
– snow chains88,224
– system limits88
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition222
Fluid reservoir, refer to 
Washer fluid reservoir62
FM, waveband153
Fog lamps100
– indicator lamp13,100
Folding rear seat backrest115
Folding up the floor panel117
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely124
Footwell lamps, refer to 
Interior lamps101
For your own safety5
Four-wheel drive, refer to 
xDrive86
Free memory capacity, music 
collection171
Front airbags94
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor88Fuel203
– additives204
– average consumption73
– gauge72
– high-quality brands
203
– quality203
– specifications203
– tank contents, refer to 
Capacities258
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Fuel consumption indicator
– average fuel 
consumption73
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Fuel-efficient driving, refer to 
Energy Control72
Fuel filler flap202
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction202
Fuses245
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control107
Gasoline
– refer to Average 
consumption73
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel203
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge72
Gas station 
recommendations142
Gear indicator, automatic 
transmission with 
Steptronic58
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
Gearshifts
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic58
– manual transmission57
General driving notes123