2013 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN Driver

Driving stability control systemsVehicle equipmentAll standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equip‐
ment is also described that is not available in a
vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
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. This then reduces braking dis‐ tance to a minimum 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.
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. Sub‐ject to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the
vehicle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the 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The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even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.◀
Indicator/warning lamps The 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
reduced during acceleration and when driving
in bends.
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 OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
The DSC system is switched off.
Activating DSC Press the button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.Seite 116ControlsDriving stability control systems116
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

COMFORT/ECO PROBalanced control of the vehicle.
Variable sport steering The variable sport steering increases the
steering angle of the front wheels at large
steering wheel angles, e.g., in tight curves or
when parking. Steering becomes more direct.
It also varies the force required to turn the
wheels in accordance with the vehicle speed.
This results in a sporty steering response. In
addition, it becomes easier to steer during
parking and maneuvering.
Driving Dynamics Control The conceptThe Driving Dynamics Control can be used to
adjust the certain characteristics of the vehicle.
Various programs can be selected for this pur‐
pose. The Driving Dynamics Control and the
DSC OFF buttons can each be used to activate
a program.
Operating the programsPress the buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system automatically switches to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Damping Control.▷The vehicle has a flat tire.▷When activating cruise control in TRAC‐
TION or DSC OFF mode.
DSC OFF
When DSC OFF, refer to page 116, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in bends.
TRACTION When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has
maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control, refer to page 117, is
activated. Driving stability is limited during ac‐
celeration and when driving in bends.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized chassis and
adapted engine control with limited driving sta‐
bilization.
Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.
The driver handles several of the stabilization
tasks.
Activating SPORT+ Press the button repeatedly until
SPORT+ appears in the instrument
cluster and the DSC OFF indicator lamp lights
up.
Automatic program change When activating cruise control, the program
automatically switches to SPORT mode.
Indicator/warning lamps
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT Consistently sporty tuning of the suspension
and engine control for greater driving agility
with maximum driving stabilization.
Seite 118ControlsDriving stability control systems118
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Driving comfortVehicle equipment
All standard, country-specific and optional
equipment that is offered in the model series is
described in this chapter. Therefore, equip‐
ment is also described that is not available in a
vehicle, e. g., because of the selected optional
equipment or country variant. This also applies
for safety-related functions and systems.
Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, ACC
The conceptThis 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 automati‐
cally 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 reduces the speed, applies the
brakes lightly, or accelerates again if the vehi‐
cle 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
ahead of you drives away again, your own vehi‐
cle can still be accelerated 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.
General information
Depending on the set driving program, the
characteristics of the cruise control can
change in certain areas.
Hints Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not release
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process, especially for lane tracking,
adaptation of speed, distance and driving style
to the traffic conditions.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Monitor the driving process, the surrounding
area and what is occurring in traffic continu‐
ously and attentively and actively intervene as
required, e.g., by braking, steering or making an evasive maneuver.◀
Unfavorable weather conditions
In the event of unfavorable weather and
light conditions, e. g. if there is rain, snowfall,
slush, fog or glare, this may result in poorer
recognition of vehicles and lane limits as well
as short-term interruptions for vehicles that are
already detected. Drive attentively, and react to
the current traffic events. Intervene actively
when necessary, e.g., by braking, steering or
making an evasive maneuver, otherwise, there
is danger of an accident.◀Seite 121Driving comfortControls121
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

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 in the
following situations:▷When the brakes are applied.▷When transmission position D is disen‐
gaged.▷When DTC Dynamic Traction Control is
activated or DSC is deactivated.▷When DSC is actively controlling stability.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.▷If the safety belt and the driver's door are
opened when the vehicle is standing still.▷If the system has not detected objects for
an extended period, e.g., on a road with
very little traffic without road edge line
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, for example, by dirt or heavy fog.
Maintaining/storing the speed
Press the button.
Or:
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐
terrupted.
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 instrument cluster, refer to page 125.
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
system is interrupted to maintain and store the
current 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; oth‐
erwise, there is the danger of an accident oc‐
curring.◀
Speed differences
Large differences in speed relative to ve‐
hicles ahead of the vehicle cannot be compen‐
sated by the system for example in the follow‐
ing situations:
▷When catching up rapidly with a truck.▷When another vehicle suddenly swerves
into the wrong lane.◀Seite 123Driving comfortControls123
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

2.Release the brake pedal.3.Press on the accelerator briefly, or press
the RES rocker switch when the vehicle
ahead of you drives away.
Displays in the instrument cluster
Desired speed
▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up or‐
ange: the system has been
interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.
Brief status display
Selected desired speed.
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the sys‐
tem requirements for operation are currently
not met.
Distance to vehicle ahead of you
The selected distance to the vehicle driving
ahead of you is shown.
Distance displayDistance 1Distance 2Distance 3Distance 4
This value is set after the system is
switched on.Distance displayThe system has been interrupted or
distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator pedal is being
pressed; a vehicle was not detected.Distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator pedal is being
pressed; a vehicle was detected.Rolling bars: the detected vehicle has driven
away.
Indicator/warning lamps
Personal responsibility
The indicator and warning lamps do not
relieve the driver of the responsibility to adapt
his or her desired driving speed and style to
the traffic conditions.◀
The vehicle symbol lights up orange:
A vehicle has been detected ahead of
you.
The vehicle symbol flashes orange:
The conditions are not adequate for
operating the system.
The system was deactivated but applies the
brakes until you actively resume control by
pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle symbol flashes red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene by
braking or making an evasive maneuver.
System limits
Speed range Best results are achieved when using the sys‐
tem on well-developed roads and highways.
The system is functional at speeds beginning
at approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
Seite 125Driving comfortControls125
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

The maximum speed that can be set depends
on the vehicle.
The system can also be activated when sta‐
tionary.
Comply with the legal speed limit in every sit‐
uation when using the system.
Detection range
The detection capacity of the system and the
automatic braking capacity are limited.
Two-wheeled vehicles driving ahead of you
for instance might not be detected.
Limited detection capacity
Because of the limits to the detection ca‐
pacity of the camera and the sensor, you
should be alert at all times so that you can in‐
tervene actively, if necessary; otherwise, there
is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Deceleration
The system does not decelerate when a sta‐
tionary obstacle is located in the same lane,
e.g., a vehicle at a red traffic light or at the end
of traffic congestion.
The system also does not respond to:
▷Pedestrians or similar slow-moving road
users.▷Red traffic lights.▷Stationary objects.▷Cross traffic.▷Oncoming traffic.No warnings
A warning may not be issued when ap‐
proaching a stationary or very slow-moving ob‐
stacle. You must react yourself; otherwise,
there is the danger of an accident occurring.◀
Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as
your vehicle.
Swerving vehicles
If a vehicle driving ahead of you suddenly
swerves into your lane, the system may not be
able to automatically restore the selected dis‐
tance. This also applies to major speed differ‐
ences to vehicles driving ahead of you, e.g.,
when rapidly approaching a truck. When a ve‐
hicle driving ahead of you is reliably detected,
the system requests that the driver intervene
by braking and carrying out evasive maneu‐
vers, if necessary. You must react yourself;
otherwise, there is the danger of an accident
occurring.◀
Seite 126ControlsDriving comfort126
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

Displays in the instrument cluster
Indicator lamp Depending on how the vehicle is equip‐
ped, the indicator lamp in the instru‐
ment cluster indicates whether the sys‐
tem is switched on.
Desired speed▷The marking lights up green:
the system is active.▷The marking lights up or‐
ange: the system has been
interrupted.▷The marking does not light up: the system
is switched off.
Brief status display
Selected desired speed.
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check
Control messages, it is possible that the sys‐
tem requirements for operation are currently
not met.
PDC Park Distance Control
The concept PDC supports you when parking. Objects that
you are approaching slowly in front of or be‐
hind your vehicle are indicated with:
▷Signal tones.▷Visual display.
General information
Measurements are made by ultrasound sen‐
sors in the bumpers.
The range, depending on the environment, is
approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷By the front middle sensors and the two
corner sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.
To ensure full operability:
▷Do not cover sensors, e.g., by stickers, bi‐
cycle racks and the like.▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Hints
Personal responsibility
Even an active system does not relieve
the driver from personal responsibility for the
driving process.
Because of technical system limits, the system
cannot independently react appropriately in all
traffic situations.
Continuously and attentively monitor the driv‐
ing process, the area surrounding the vehicle
and the traffic situation, and actively intervene
when required, otherwise, there is a risk of an
accident.◀
Avoid driving quickly with PDC
Avoid approaching an object quickly.
Avoid driving away quickly while PDC is not yet
active.
For technical reasons, the system may other‐
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀
Seite 130ControlsDriving comfort130
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13

2.Press the controller.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
System limits
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
The detection of objects can reach the physi‐
cal limits of ultrasonic measurement, e.g., in
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷If there is an external disturbance of the ul‐
trasound, e.g. from passing vehicles or
loud machines.▷When sensors are soiled, iced over or dam‐
aged.▷Under certain weather conditions, e.g.,
high relative humidity, rain, snowfall or
strong wind.▷With tow bars and trailer hitches of other
vehicles.▷With thin or wedge-shaped objects.▷With moving objects.▷With elevated, protruding objects such as
ledges or cargo.▷With objects with corners and sharp edges.▷With objects with a fine surface structure,
such as fences.▷For objects with porous surfaces.
Low objects already displayed, e.g., curbs, can
move into the blind area of the sensors before
or after a continuous tone sounds.
False warnings
PDC may issue a warning under the following conditions even though there is no obstacle
within the detection range:
▷In heavy rain.▷When sensors are very dirty or covered in
ice.▷When sensors are covered in snow.▷On rough road surfaces.▷On uneven surfaces, such as speed
bumps.▷In large buildings with right angles and
smooth walls, e.g., in underground ga‐
rages.▷In heavy exhaust.▷Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,
sweeping machines, high pressure steam
cleaners or neon lights.
The malfunction is signaled by a continu‐
ous tone alternating between the front and
rear speakers. As soon as the malfunction
due to other ultrasound sources is no lon‐
ger present, the system is again fully func‐
tional.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
The range of the sensors is shown as a shaded
area on the Control Display.
PDC has failed. Have the system checked.
To ensure full operability:
▷Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.▷When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the sensors for long periods and
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.
Surround View
The concept Surround View comprises various camera as‐
sistance systems that help the driver when
parking, maneuvering, and at complex exits
and intersections.
▷Rearview camera, refer to page 133▷Side View, refer to page 135.▷Top View, refer to page 136.Seite 132ControlsDriving comfort132
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 926 810 - X/13