2012 BMW 550I XDRIVE GRAN TURISMO traction control

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 lampsSymbolFunction or systemTurn signalParking brakeParking brake in Canadian modelsAutomatic HoldFront fog lampsHigh beamsHigh-beam AssistantParking lamps, headlamp controlActive Cruise ControlVehicle detection, Active Cruise
ControlCruise controlLane departure warningSymbolFunction or systemDSC Dynamic Stability ControlDSC Dynamic Stability Control or
DTC Dynamic Traction ControlTire Pressure Monitor
Flat Tire MonitorSafety beltsAirbag systemSteering systemEmissionsEmissions in Canadian modelsBrake systemBrake system in Canadian modelsAntilock Brake System ABSAntilock Brake System ABS in Cana‐
dian modelsAt least one Check Control message
is displayed or is stored
Text messages
Text messages in combination with a symbol in
the instrument cluster explain a Check Control
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Driving stability control systemsVehicle 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.
Adaptive brake assistant
In combination with the Active Cruise Control,
this system ensures that the brakes respond
even more rapidly when braking in critical situa‐
tions. Refer also to Collision warning, refer to
page 120.Drive-off assistant
This system supports driving away on gradients.
The parking brake is not required.1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away with‐
out delay.
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer
is being used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driving
without delay, since the drive-off assistant will
not hold the vehicle in place for more than ap‐
prox. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin rolling
back.◀
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.◀
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Indicator/warning lampsThe 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.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the rear
axle steering.
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 lights up in the instru‐
ment cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC indicator lamp
go out.
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
lights up.
Deactivating DTC Press the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC indicator lamp
go out.
Indicator/warning lamps
When DTC is activated, TRACTION is displayed
in the tachometer.
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The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of your ve‐
hicle. Concerted action by the xDrive and DSC
further optimize traction and driving dynamics.
The xDrive all-wheel-drive system variably dis‐
tributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles as demanded by the driving situation and
road surface.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep down‐
hill gradients. Without the brakes being applied,
the vehicle moves at slightly more than twice
walking speed.
Hill Descent Control can be activated at speeds
below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When driving
downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed to ap‐
prox. twice walking speed and then keeps its
speed constant.
As long as there is active braking, the system is
on standby. The system does not brake the ve‐
hicle during this time.
Use HDC in low gears or in transmission position
D or R only.
Increasing or decreasing vehicle speed
Specify desired speed in the range from approx.
4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h using
the rocker switch of the cruise control on the
steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be changed
by lightly accelerating.▷Press up the rocker switch to the point of
resistance: the speed increases gradually.▷Press up the rocker switch past the point of
resistance: the speed increases while the
rocker switch is pressed.▷Press down the rocker switch to the point of
resistance: the speed decreases gradually.▷Press down the rocker switch past the point
of resistance: when driving forward, the
speed decreases to approx. 6 mph/10 km/h;
when reversing, the speed decreases to ap‐
prox. 4 mph/6 km/h.
Activating HDC
Press the button; the LED above the but‐
ton lights up.
Deactivating HDC Press the button again and the LED goes
out. HDC is automatically deactivated
above approx. 37 mph/60 km/h.
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Operating the programsPress the buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
COMFORT+
For Dynamic Damper Control, the lower button
is labeled with COMFORT.
Automatic program change
The system automatically switches to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of Integral Active Steering.▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.
DSC OFF
Driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the rear
axle steering.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC OFF Press and hold the button, but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for the DSC lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed in
the tachometer.
The DSC system is switched off.
Deactivating DSC OFF Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC indicator lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lamps
When DSC OFF is activated, DSC OFF is dis‐
played in the tachometer.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC OFF
is activated.
TRACTION
Maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on. Driv‐
ing stability is limited during acceleration and
when driving in bends.
Activating TRACTION Press the button.
TRACTION is displayed in the tachom‐
eter.
The DSC indicator lamp in the instrument clus‐
ter lights up.
Deactivating TRACTION Press the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC indicator lamp
go out.
Indicator/warning lamps
When TRACTION is activated, TRACTION is
displayed in the tachometer.
The indicator lamp lights up: TRACTION
is activated.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized chassis and sus‐
pension with limited driving stabilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.Seite 111Driving stability control systemsControls111
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Activating SPORT+Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT+ appears in the tachometer
and the DSC indicator lamp lights up in the in‐
strument cluster.
Indicator/warning lamps
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension for
greater driving agility with maximum driving sta‐
bilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
The configuration is stored for the remote con‐
trol currently in use.
Activating SPORT Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT appears in the tachometer.
Configuring SPORT
If the display on the Control Display, refer to
page 113,is activated, the sport program can be
set to individual specifications.
After the sport program is activated, select
"Configure SPORT mode" on the displayed
panel and configure the program.
Optionally, the sport program can be configured
before it is activated:1."Settings"2."SPORT mode"3.Configure the program.
This configuration is retrieved when the sport
program is activated.
COMFORT
For a balanced tuning with maximum driving sta‐
bilization.
Activating COMFORT Press the button repeatedly until the
program display in the tachometer
goes out.
In certain situations, the system automatically
changes to the NORMAL program, automatic
program change, refer to page 111.
COMFORT+
Comfort-oriented tuning of the shock absorbers
for optimal traveling comfort with maximum
driving stabilization.
Activating COMFORT+ Press the button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT+ appears in the tachometer.
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▷If active: press twice.▷If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
and distance are deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button.
If interrupting the system while stationary, press
on the brake pedal at the same time.
The system is automatically interrupted if:
▷The brakes are applied.▷The clutch pedal is depressed.▷Transmission position D is disengaged.▷DTC Dynamic Traction Control is activated
or DSC is deactivated.▷DSC is actively controlling stability.▷The safety belt and the driver's door are
opened when the vehicle is standing.▷The system has not detected objects for an
extended period, e.g., on a road with very lit‐
tle traffic without road edge line markings.▷Radar sensor is soiled.
Maintaining/storing the speed
Press the button.
When the system is switched on, the
current speed is maintained and stored as the
desired speed.
It is displayed in the speedometer and briefly
displayed in the instrument cluster.
When cruise control is maintained or stored,
DSC Dynamic Stability Control is switched on, if
necessary.
Changing, maintaining, and storing the
speed
The rocker switch can be pressed while the sys‐
tem is interrupted to maintain and store the cur‐
rent speed. DSC Dynamic Stability Control is
switched on, if necessary.
Adapting the desired speed
Adapt the desired speed to the road con‐
ditions and be ready to brake at all times; other‐
wise, there is the danger of an accident occur‐
ring.◀
Speed differences
Great speed differences with vehicles
driving ahead of you, e.g., when rapidly ap‐
proaching a truck or when another vehicle
swerves into your own lane, cannot be compen‐
sated for by the system.◀
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the
vehicle reaches the stored speed if the road is
clear.
▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed to the
point of resistance, the desired speed in‐
creases or decreases by approx. 1 mph/
1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed past
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by a maximum of
5 mph/10 km/h. Max. adjustable speed:
110 mph/180 km/h.
Hold the rocker switch in position to repeat the
action.
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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 with
braking function
The concept
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, refer to page 106, 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.
Switching the warning function on/off
Press the button
▷On: the LED lights up.Seite 120ControlsDriving comfort120
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