2012 BMW 7 SERIES steering

Switching on/off
Press the button.
▷ On: the LED lights up.
▷ Off: the LED goes out.
The system can issue warnings at speeds above
approx. 30 mph/50 km/h.
The state is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Display Information stage
The dimmed lamp in the mirror housing indi‐
cates when there are vehicles in the blind spot
or approaching from behind.
Warning
If the turn signal is set while a vehicle is in the
critical zone, the steering wheel vibrates briefly
and the lamp in the mirror housing flashes
brightly.
The warning stops when the turn signal is
switched
off, or the other vehicle leaves the crit‐
ical zone. System limits
Personal responsibility
The system cannot serve as a substitute
for the driver's personal judgment of the traffic
situation.
In

the event of a warning, do not jerk the steering
wheel, as you may lose control over the vehi‐
cle.◀
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷ When a vehicle is approaching at a speed
much faster than your own.
▷ In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.
▷ In tight curves or on narrow lanes.
Malfunctions
Steering wheel vibration
Frequent

activation of the steering wheel vibra‐
tion causes the system to overheat.
This causes Active Blind Spot Detection to be‐
come deactivated.
Let the system cool and reactivate it by pressing
the button.
Radar sensors The radar sensors are located under the rear
bumper.
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷
Dirty or icy bumper.
▷ Stickers on the bumper.
A Check Control message is displayed when the
system is not fully functional. Seite 96
96 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Safety

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
The

system can be deactivated/activated via the
TRACTION and SPORT+ programs of the Dy‐
namic Driving Control, refer to page 102.
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 requiring brake applica‐
tion, the vehicle moves at slightly more than
twice walking speed. You can activate the Hill Descent Control at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
driving downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approx. twice walking speed and then keeps
its speed constant.
While you are actively braking, the system is on
standby.

The system does not brake the vehicle
during this time.
Increasing or decreasing vehicle speed
You can specify your 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. You can change
the vehicle speed by pressing on the accelerator
lightly. ▷
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.
Seite 99
99Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

NORMAL
Balanced tuning between the COMFORT and
SPORT programs.
COMFORT
Comfort-oriented
tuning of the shock absorbers
for optimal traveling comfort.
Integral Active Steering*
The concept
Integral Active Steering is a combination of Ac‐
tive Steering and rear axle steering.
Active Steering varies the steering angle of the
wheels in relation to the steering wheel move‐
ment as a function of the speed.
At speeds up to approx. 37 mph/60 km/h, e.g.,
in curves, the steering angle is increased, i.e.,
steering becomes more direct.
The rear axle steering acts to increase maneu‐
verability by turning the rear wheels slightly in a
direction opposite to the front wheels.
At higher speeds, the steering angle is increas‐
ingly reduced.
The rear wheels are turned to the same angle as
the front wheels.
In critical situations, Integral Active Steering can
specifically steer the front and rear wheels to
stabilize the vehicle before the driver intervenes,
e.g., when braking where road conditions differ
on the left and right sides of the vehicle.
Initializing
In rare cases, it may become necessary to initi‐
alize the Integral Active Steering.
The warning lamp lights up. A Check
Control message is displayed.
1. With the engine running, turn the steering
wheel

all the way to the left and right several
times in a uniform manner until the warning
lamp disappears.
2. Have the system checked if the warning
lamp

does not go out after moving the steer‐ ing wheel approx. 6 times or if the steering
wheel is at an angle.
Using snow chains
Ensure
that the rear axle steering is deactivated
when using snow chains, refer to page 252.
Programs
The system offers two different programs.
The programs can be selected via Dynamic Driv‐
ing Control, refer to page 102.
SPORT
Consistently sporty tuning of the Integral Active
Steering for greater driving agility.
NORMAL
Balanced tuning of the Integral Active Steering
for optimal traveling comfort.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, the steering wheel
must be turned further, while the vehicle re‐
sponds more sensitively to steering wheel
movements in the higher speed range.
The stability-enhancing intervention may be de‐
activated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Have the system checked.
Self-leveling suspension*
The concept
The self-leveling suspension keeps the vehicle
height and ground clearance constant. The
height of the vehicle at the rear axle is main‐
tained at a predefined level under all load con‐
ditions.
The system ensures consistent comfort by
keeping spring travel constant in all driving sit‐
uations.
Seite 101
101Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed. A mal‐
function has occurred in the self-leveling sus‐
pension. Vehicle handling may be altered and
driving
comfort may be noticeably reduced. Visit
your nearest service center.
Dynamic Driving Control*
The concept
Dynamic Driving Control can be used to adjust
the driving dynamics of the vehicle. Several pro‐
grams are available for this purpose; they can be
activated using the two Dynamic Driving Control
buttons.
Operating the programs Press the button Program
DSC OFF
TRACTION
SPORT+
SPORT
NORMAL
COMFORT*
For Dynamic Damper Control*, the lower button
is labeled with COMFORT.
Automatic program change
The

system automatically switches to NORMAL
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. Seite 102
102 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Driving stability control systems

Driving comfort
Active Cruise Control with
Stop & Go function, ACC*
The concept
This system can be used to select a desired
speed that the vehicle will maintain automati‐
cally on clear roads.
To
the extent possible, the system automatically
adjusts the speed to a slower vehicle ahead of
you.
The distance that the vehicle maintains to the
vehicle ahead of you can be varied.
For safety reasons, it depends on the speed.
To maintain a certain distance, the system au‐
tomatically decelerates, applies the brakes
lightly, or accelerates again if the vehicle ahead
begins moving faster.
If the vehicle ahead of you brakes to a halt, the
system is able to detect this within the given
system limits. If the vehicle ahead of your drives
away again from a halt, your vehicle is able to
accelerate if operated accordingly.
Even if some time passes before the vehicle
drives away again, the BMW can still be accel‐
erated automatically and simply.
As soon as the road is clear, it accelerates to the
desired speed.
The speed is also maintained on downhill gra‐
dients, but may not be maintained on uphill
slopes if engine power is insufficient. Buttons at a glance 1
System on/off, interrupt
2 Resume speed
3 Store speed*
4 Reduce distance
5 Store, maintain/change speed
6 Increase distance
Switching on/off and interrupting
cruise control
Switching on Press

the button on the steering wheel.
The indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
light up and the marking in the speedometer is
set to the current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switching off Deactivated or interrupted system
If the system is deactivated or interrupted,
actively intervene by braking and, if necessary,
with evasive maneuvers; otherwise, there is the
danger of an accident occurring.◀
If switching off the system while stationary,
press on the brake pedal at the same time.
Press the button.
▷ If active: press twice.
▷ If interrupted: press once. Seite 105
105Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Press the button
▷ On: the LED lights up.
▷ Off: the LED goes out.
The state is stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Configuring the prewarning
After the warning function is switched on, the
following can be set via the iDrive:
▷ The prewarning can be switched on/off.
▷ The time of the prewarning can be set.
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
The collision warning can be issued in the in‐
strument cluster, in the Head-up Display*, and
acoustically.
Instrument cluster The vehicle lights up in red: prewarning
The vehicle flashes red and an acoustic
signal sounds: acute warning
You
are requested to intervene by brak‐
ing or making an evasive maneuver.
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 radar sensor 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 objects when you approach
them at high speed.
▷ Vehicles that suddenly swerve in front of
your vehicle.
▷ Two-wheeled vehicles ahead of you.
▷ Pedestrians.
Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:
▷ In heavy fog, rain or snowfall.
▷ In tight curves.
▷ If the radar sensor is dirty or covered.
Prewarning sensitivity
If the prewarning setting is too sensitive, there
may be an excess of false warnings.
Cruise control
The concept
The

system is functional at speeds beginning at
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
It maintains the speed that was set using the
control elements on the steering wheel.
The system brakes on downhill gradients if en‐
gine braking action is insufficient.
Unfavorable conditions
Do not use the system if unfavorable con‐
ditions make it impossible to drive at a constant
speed, for instance:
▷ On curvy roads.
▷ In heavy traffic.
▷ On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or on
a loose road surface. Seite 111
111Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490

Reference Mobility Communication Entertainment Navigation Driving tips
Controls At a glance

Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.◀
Controls
Buttons at a glance
1
System on/off, interrupt
2 Resume speed
3 Store speed*
4 Store, maintain/change speed
Switching on Press the button on the steering wheel.
The marking in the speedometer is set to the
current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switching off Deactivated or interrupted system
If the system is deactivated or interrupted,
actively intervene by braking and, if necessary,
with evasive maneuvers; otherwise, there is the
danger of an accident occurring.◀
Press the button.
▷ If active: press twice.
▷ If interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored desired speed
is deleted.
Interrupting When active, press the button. 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.
▷ HDC is activated.
Maintaining/storing the current 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, Displays in
the speedometer, refer to page 113.
When cruise control is maintained or stored,
DSC

Dynamic Stability Control is switched on, if
necessary.
Change, maintain speed
The rocker switch can be pressed while inter‐
rupted to maintain and store the current speed.
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.◀ Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set. Seite 112
112 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Driving comfort

Backup camera*
The concept
The
backup camera provides assistance in park‐
ing and maneuvering backwards. The area be‐
hind the vehicle is shown on the Control Display.
System limits
Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident
could result from road users or objects located
outside the picture area of the backup camera.◀
Detection of objects
High, protruding objects such as ledges
may not be detected by the backup camera.◀
Switching on automatically
Select transmission position R with the engine
running.
The backup camera image is displayed if the
system was switched on via the iDrive.
Switching off automatically
The system switches off and the LED goes out:
▷ After approx. 33 ft/10 m when driving for‐
ward.
▷ Above approx. 9 mph/15 km/h when driving
forward.
Switch on the system again if necessary.
Switching on/off manually Press the button. ▷
On: the LED lights up.
▷ Off: the LED goes out.
The PDC is shown on the Control Display.
Switch
on the backup camera via the iDrive, refer
to page 117.
Assistance functions
Functional requirement
▷ The backup camera is switched on.
▷ The trunk lid is fully closed.
Pathway lines ▷
Can be shown in the backup camera image
when in transmission position R.
▷ Help you to estimate the space required
when parking and maneuvering on level
roads.
▷ Are dependent on the current steering angle
and are continuously adjusted to the steer‐
ing wheel movements.
Show the parking aid lines, refer to page 117.
Turning circle lines ▷
Can be shown in the backup camera image.
Seite 116
116 Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 606 497 - 03 11 490
Driving comfort