
89
Technology for driving comfort and safety
Controls
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 limit s that apply to all forms 
of ultrasonic measurement, such as those 
encountered with traile r towbars and hitches, 
thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects 
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. Loud sound sources out-
side or inside the car can drown out the PDC 
signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously; oth-
erwise, there is a risk of personal injury or prop-
erty 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 page 126.
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 exploi ts all of the benefits 
provided by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressu re 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 aw ay 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 brakin g actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, 
even with DSC. An appropriate driving 
style always remains th e responsibility of the 
driver. Therefore, do no t 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. <
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds until the 
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up and DSC 
OFF is displayed in the instrument cluster. 
Dynamic Traction Cont rol DTC and DSC have 
been simultaneously de activated. Stabilizing 
and drive-output promoting actions are no 
longer executed.
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243
Replacing components
Mobility
Replacing components
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. For this reason, descrip-
tions will be given of some equipment that may 
not be available in a vehi
cle, for example due to 
the special options or  national-market version 
selected. This also app lies to safety related 
functions and systems.
Onboard vehicle tool kit
The onboard vehicle tool kit is stored below the 
floor mat in the trunk.
Wiper blades
1. Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2. Press together the locking spring, arrows 1, 
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow 2.
3. Take the wiper blade out of the catch mech-
anism, pulling the blade toward the front.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the hood. <
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu-
tion to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, 
be handled carefully.  BMW recommends hav-
ing your BMW center perform any work that you 
do not feel competent to perform yourself or 
that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce  its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or some thing similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base. <
Replacement bulb sets are available at your 
BMW center.
Only change bulbs while they are cool to 
the touch; otherwise, you could suffer 
burns. <
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short-circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer. <
To replace lamps not described here, 
please contact your BMW center. <
Light-emitting diodes LED
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many 
of the controls and displays in your vehicle. 
These light-emitting diodes, which operate 
using a concept similar to that applied in con-
ventional lasers, are officially designated as 
Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the co vers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours; otherwise, this could cause 
irritation of the retina. <
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253
Giving and receiving assistance
Mobility
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it a
ll the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow  fitting. Otherwise, the 
tow fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Rectangular cover panel in bumper:
Press the arrow on the cover.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page61; otherwise, the low-beam 
headlamps, tail lamps, turn  signal indicators and 
windshield wipers may be  unavailable. There is 
no power assist while the engine is off. Thus, 
braking and steering will require increased 
effort. Active steering is  not active and it will be 
necessary to tu rn the steering wheel further. <
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Selector lever in position N.
Changing selector lever position, refer to 
page 64.
Do not exceed a towing speed of 45 mph/
70 km/h and a towing distance of 
90 miles/150 km; otherwise, the automatic 
transmission may be damaged. <
Sport automatic transmission with 
double clutch
Make sure that the parking lock P is not 
engaged; otherwise, the rear wheels are 
immobilized. 
When using the car wash  function, refer to 
page 240, make sure that after approx. 
30 minutes, the parking lock P is automatically 
engaged and thus immobilizes the rear wheels.
In the event of an electrical malfunction or if the 
vehicle must be towed for more than approx. 
20 minutes, unlock the  parking lock manually, 
refer to page 69.<
When towing, do not exceed a maximum 
speed of 30 mph or 50 km/h and a maxi-
mum distance traveled of 30 miles/50 km; oth-
erwise, the transmission may be damaged. <
Towing methods
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or 
body and chassis parts; otherwise, 
damage may result. <
With a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle;  otherwise, it may 
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used sh ould be on the same 
side on both vehicles. Should it prove impossi-
ble to avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, 
please observe the following:
> Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will ge nerate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
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254
MobilityGiving and receiving assistance
Attach the tow bar to  the tow fittings only, 
as attaching it to othe r parts of the vehicle 
could result in damage.<
With a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make 
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated 
stresses on vehicle components when 
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps. 
Attach the tow rope to  the tow fittings only, as 
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could 
result in damage. <
With a tow truck
Manual transmission and automatic 
transmission:
Sport automatic transmission with double 
clutch:
Have the BMW transported with a tow truck 
with a so-called lift bar, or on a flatbed.
Do not tow the vehicle wi th just the rear axle 
raised as this may cause the steering to turn.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump start the engine, refer to 
page 251. Vehicles with a catalytic converter 
should only be tow-started when the engine is 
cold, vehicles with an automatic transmission or 
Sport automatic transmission with double 
clutch cannot be tow-started at all.
1. Switch on the hazard warning flashers, 
comply with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, refer to page 61.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch 
completely depresse d and then slowly 
release the clutch. Afte r the engine starts, 
immediately depress the clutch completely 
again.
5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the 
tow bar or rope and switch off the hazard 
warning flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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269
Everything from A to Z
Reference
Average speed
77
Avoid highways in 
navigation 143
Avoiding unintentional  alarms 40
Axle loads, refer to  Weights 259
B
Backrests, refer to Seats 50
Backrest width adjustment 51
Back seats, refer to Rear seats
– adjusting head restraints 52
Backup lamp, replacing  bulb 247
Bag for skis, refer to Ski  bag 118
Band-aids, refer to First aid 
pouch 251
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,  towing away 253
Base plate for telephone or  mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 199
Bass, tone control 155
Battery 248
– charging 248
– disposal 42,249
– jump starting 251
– replacing 248
– temporary power failure 248
Battery renewal
– remote control for vehicle 41
Being towed 253
Belts, refer to Safety belts 54
Belt tensioner,  refer to Safety 
belts 54
Beverage holders, refer to  Cupholders 116
Blower, refer to Air  volume 108 Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 189
Bluetooth audio 180
– disconnecting an audio  connection 183
– pairing device 181
– playback 182
– unpairing device 183
– what to do if … 183
BMW Assist 212
– updating 216
BMW Info 206
BMW Maintenance  System 237
BMW Online 214
Bottle holders, refer to 
Cupholders 116
Brake Assist, refer to Dynamic  Brake Control 89
Brake fluid
– service requirements 80
Brake Force Display 96
Brake lamps
– brake force display 96
– replacing bulb 247
Brake pads, breaking in 124
Brake pedal, refer to Braking  safely 126
Bra k
e rotors 127
– brakes 124
– breaking in 124
Brakes
– ABS 89
– BMW Maintenance 
System 237
– braking safely 126
– breaking in 124
– parking brake 63
– service requirements 80Brake system
124
– BMW Maintenance 
System 237
– breaking in 124
– disc brakes 127
Breakdown services, refer to  Roadside Assistance 251
Breaking in the clutch 124
Break-in period 124
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps  and bulbs 243
Button for starting the  engine 61
Buttons on the steering 
wheel 13
C
Calendar 207
– displaying appointment 207
– selecting calendar day 207
California Proposition 65 
warning 6
Call
– accepting 193
– ending 193
– muting the microphone 195
– rejecting 193
Calling, refer to Phone  numbers, dialing 194
Calls
– with multiple parties 194
Can holders, refer to  Cupholders 116
Capacities 259
Capacity of the trunk 259
Car battery, refer to Vehicle 
battery 248
Car care, refer to Care 239
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280
ReferenceEverything from A to Z
Switching the air conditioning 
on and off 109
Switching the entertainment  audio output on/off 154
Switch-on times of parked car 
ventilation, preselecting 110
Symbols 4
– status information 23
T
Tachometer76
Tailgate, refer to Trunk lid 37
Tail lamp, refer to Tail 
lamps 246
– replacing bulb 247
Tail lamps 246
– replacing bulb 247
Tank contents, refer to 
Capacities 259
Tasks 207
Technical data 258
– dimensions 258
Technical modifications 5
Telephone 188
– hands-free system 197
– phone book 195
– received calls 196
– redialing 196
– voice commands 197
Telephone, installation 
location, refer to Center 
armrest 115
TeleService 213
Teleservice Diagnosis 214
Temperature display
– outside temperature 75
– outside temperature  warning 75
– setting the units 80
Tempomat, refer to Cruise  control 73
Text message 205
Thigh support 50
Third brake lamp, refer to  Center brake lamp 247Three-point safety belt
54
Through-loading system 117
Tilt alarm sensor 39
Tilt function, passenger side  mirror 56
Timer, refer to Preselecting  switch-on times 110
Tire inflation pressure 223
– loss 92,93
Tire pressure monitoring,  refer to Flat Tire Monitor 91
Tire Pressure Monitor  TPM 92
– resetting the system 93
– system limitations 93
– warning lamp 94
Tire puncture, refer to Flat Tire  Monitor 92
Tire Quality Grading 228
Tires
– age 228,230
– air loss 94
– bre a
king in 124
– changing, refer to Changing  wheels 248
– condition 229
– damage 229
– inflation pressure 223
– labels 228
– minimum tread depth 229
– new tires 230
– pressure monitoring, refer to  Flat Tire Monitor 91
– pressure monitoring, refer to 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM 92
– puncture 92
– retreaded 230
– run-flat tires 231
– size 228
– wear indicators, refer to  Minimum tread depth 229
– winter tires 231
TMC station, refer to Traffic  bulletins 147 Tone
– control
155
– middle setting 156
Tools, refer to Onboard  vehicle tool kit 243
Top 50 in music  collection 175
Tow bar 253
Tow fitting 252
Tow fittings for tow-starting  and towing away 252
Towing 252
– car with automatic  transmission 252
– methods 253
– with 7-gear Sport automatic 
transmission with double 
clutch 253
Towing and tow-starting 252
Town/city, for navigation 134
Tow rope 254
Tow-starting 252
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure  Monitor 92
Track
– selecting on CD 166
Traction control, refer to  Dynamic Stability Control 
DSC 89
Traffic bulletins
– categories 149
Traffic bulletins, filtering 149
Traffic bulletins for  navigation 147
– during destination  guidance 149
Traffic bulletins in navigation
– screen display in the map  view 148
Traf fic co
ngestion
– displaying traffic  bulletins 147
– refer to Route, bypassing 
segments 144
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