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Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all pr oduction, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. As a result, some equip-
ment described may not be available in a partic-
ular vehicle, for example due to the options or
national-market version selected. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follo w the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a
road speed of 100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do no t achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clut ch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewe d in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
Saving fuel
The fuel consumption of your vehicle depends
on several factors. You can lower fuel consump-
tion and the environmental impact by taking
certain measures, adjusting your driving style
and having the vehicl e serviced regularly.
Remove any unneeded cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove any mounted parts after you
have finished using them
Remove unneeded additional mirrors, the roof
rack and the rear luggage rack after use.
Mounted parts affect th e vehicle's aerodynam-
ics and increase fuel consumption.
Close the windows and glass roof
An open glass roof or window causes higher air
resistance and thus increases fuel consump-
tion.
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Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sect ions of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply un dercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact
between the hot exhaust system and any highly
flammable materials such as hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could le ad to a fire, with the
risk of serious personal injuries and property
damage. Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes.
Otherwise, there is a risk of burns. <
Mobile phones in the vehicle
It is not advisable to use wireless devices
such as mobile phones inside the vehicle
without a direct connection to an external aerial.
Otherwise, it is not poss ible to exclude the pos-
sibility of a reciprocal interference occurring
between the vehicle electronics and the wire-
less device. Otherwise, there is no assurance
that the radiation genera ted by the radio trans-
mission will be conveyed out of the passenger
compartment. <
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form betw een tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning,
means that the tire can completely lose contact
with the road surface, so that neither the car can
be steered nor the brak e be properly applied.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declin-
ing tread depth on the tires, refer also to Mini-
mum tread depth on page 256.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. <
Use the parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle for a
lengthy period using the clutch; use the
parking brake instead. Otherwise, greater
clutch wear will result. <
For more information about the drive-off assis-
tant, refer to page 100.
Braking safely
Your BMW is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature. Applying the brakes fully is the most
effective way of braking in situations in which
this is necessary. Since the vehicle maintains
steering responsiveness, you can still avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of steering
effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal, combined with
sounds from the hydraulic circuits, indicate that
ABS is in its active mode.
Objects in the movement range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhi bit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an exist-
ing one or onto other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the floo r mats are securely fas-
tened again after they ha ve been removed, e.g.
for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain,
briefly exert gentle pre ssure on the brake pedal
every few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to
ensure that this maneuver does not endanger
other road users. The heat generated in this
process helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure
that full braking efficiency will then be available
when you need it.
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Things to remember when driving
Driving tips
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least br aking is required. Even
light but consistent brak e pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy he lps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Down-
shifting in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, refer to page 65.
Sport automatic transm ission with double
clutch: never drive with the transmission
in neutral or with the en gine switched off; other-
wise, there will be no en gine braking action and
no power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Manual transmission: never drive with the
clutch held down, with the transmission in neu-
tral or with the engine switched off; otherwise,
there will be no engine braking action and no
power assistance to the brakes and steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driv en only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are le ss frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms wh ile the automatic cli-
mate control is in operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed water
under the vehicle are therefore normal.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overlo ading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. In some situations,
this can result in sudden loss of tire pressure. <
Make sure that no liquids are spilled or
leak from their containers in the cargo
area, as this could result in damage to the vehi-
cle. <
Determining loading limit
1. Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and unstable driving conditions
may result. <
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
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Everything from A to Z
Reference
AUX-IN
– port
127
Available services 232
Average fuel consumption 84
– setting the units 87
Average speed 84
Avoid highways in navigation 159
Avoiding unintentional alarms 38
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 287
B
Backrest contour, refer to
Lumbar support 49
Backrests, refer to Seat adjustment 48
Backrest width adjustment 49
Back seats
– refer to Rear seats 51
Bag holder 131
Band-aids, refer to First aid pouch 277
Bar, refer to Towing methods 280
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 216
– refer to Snap-in adapter in
the center armrest storage
compartment 126
Battery 274
– charging 274
– disposal 40,275
– jump-starting 278
– remote control 30
– replacing 274
– temporary power failure 274
Battery renewal
– remote control 40
– remote control for vehicle 40
Being towed 279
Belt hand-over 54
– pinch protection system 54
Belts, refer to Safety belts 53Belt tensioner,
refer to Safety
belts 53
Beverage holders, refer to Cupholders 128
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning 82
Blinds, refer to Roller sunblinds 126
Blower, refer to Air volume 118
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 205
BMW
– car shampoo 269
BMW Assist 228
– updating 232
BMW Homepage 4
BMW Info 222
BMW Maintenance
System 264
BMW Online 230
BMW webpage 4
Bottle holders, refer to Cupholders 128
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic
Brake Control DBC 97
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 87
Brake Force Display 106
Bra
ke lamps
– Brake Force Display 106
Brake pads 138
– breaking in 138
Brake pedal, refer to Braking
safely 140
Brake rotors 141
– brakes 138
– breaking in 138
Brakes
– ABS 97
– BMW Maintenance System 264
– Brake Force Display 106
– breaking in 138
– parking brake 63
– service requirements 87Brakes, refer to Braking
safely 140
Brake system 138
– BMW Maintenance System 264
– breaking in 138
– disc brakes 141
Breakdown services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 277
Breaking in the clutch 138
Breaking in the differential,
refer to Engine and
differential 138
Break-in period 138
Brightness of the Control Display 94
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 270
Button for starting the engine,
refer to Start/Stop button 61
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
Calendar 223
– displaying appointment 223
– selecting calendar day 223
California Proposition 65 warning 6
Call
– accepting 209
– ending 210
– muting the microphone 211
– rejecting 209
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 210
Calling, refer to Telephone owner's manual
Calls
– with multiple parties 210
Can holders, refer to Cupholders 128
Capacities 289
Capacity of the cargo area 287
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 274
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 609 333 - \251 08/11 BMW AG