2014 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN warning

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The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even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.
Steering and, depending on the equipment,
the chassis are adjusted for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press the button.Seite 114ControlsDriving stability control systems114
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DSC OFF and the DSC OFF 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
deactivated.
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 mo‐
mentum on special road conditions, e.g., unp‐
lowed snowy roads, but driving stability is lim‐
ited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri‐
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under 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 instrument clus‐
ter and the indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights
up.
Deactivating DTC Press the button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
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.
Dynamic Damping Control
The concept This system reduces undesirable vehicle mo‐tion when using a dynamic driving style or trav‐
eling on uneven road surfaces.
The system enhances driving dynamics and
comfort as required for the road surface and
driving style.
Programs The system offers several different programs.
The programs can be selected via the Driving
Dynamics Control, refer to page 116.
SPORT Consistently sporty control of the shock ab‐
sorbers for greater driving agility.Seite 115Driving stability control systemsControls115
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SPORT+Consistently sporty control of the shock ab‐
sorbers for greater driving agility when driving
with limited driving stabilization.
COMFORT/ECO PRO
Balanced 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 concept The 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 PROAutomatic program change
The system automatically switches to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:▷Failure of DSC Dynamic Stability 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 114, 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 115, 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.
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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.The system has been interrupted or
distance control is deactivated be‐
cause the accelerator pedal is being
pressed; a vehicle was not detected.Distance displayDistance 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.
The maximum speed that can be set depends
on the vehicle.
The system can also be activated when sta‐
tionary.
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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, you should be alert at all times so that
you can intervene 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.◀
Unexpected lane change
If a vehicle ahead of you unexpectedly moves
into another lane from behind a stopped vehi‐
cle, you yourself must react, as the system
does not react to stopped vehicles.
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▷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 support when parking. Slowly approach‐
ing an object behind or, with the appropriate
PDC equipment, also in front of your vehicle is
signaled by:
▷Signal tones.▷Visual display.
General information
Measurements are made by ultrasound sen‐
sors in the bumpers.
The range, depending on the obstacle and en‐
vironmental conditions, is approx. 6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given:
▷By the front sensors and the two rear cor‐
ner 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.◀
At a glance
With front PDC: button in vehicle
PDC Park Distance Control
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage selector lever
position R.
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Automatic deactivation during forward
travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if necessary.
With front PDC: switching on/off
manually
Press the button.▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Display
Signal tones When approaching an object, an intermittent
tone is sounded that indicates the position of
the object. For example, if an object is de‐
tected to the left rear of the vehicle, a signal
tone sounds from the left rear speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object be‐
comes, the shorter the intervals.
If the distance to a detected object is less than
approx. 10 in/25 cm, a continuous tone is
sounded.
With front PDC: if objects are located both in
front of and behind the vehicle, an alternating
continuous signal is sounded.
The signal tone is switched off:
▷When the vehicle moves away from an ob‐
ject by more than approx. 4 in/10 cm.▷When selector lever position P is engaged
on vehicles with automatic transmission.
Volume
The volume of the PDC signal tone can be ad‐
justed similar to the tone and volume settings
of the radio.
The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object can
be shown on the Control Display. Objects that
are farther away are displayed on the Control
Display before a signal tone sounds.
A display appears as soon as Park Distance
Control (PDC) is activated.
The range of the sensors is represented in the
colors red, green and yellow.
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐
played, the switch can be made to PDC:
"Rear view camera"
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 dirty, iced over, dam‐
aged or out of position.▷Under certain weather conditions, such as
high relative humidity, rain, snowfall ex‐
treme heat 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.Seite 129Driving comfortControls129
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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.▷Do not adhere any stickers to the sensors.▷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 130▷Side View, refer to page 133.▷Top View, refer to page 134.
Rearview camera
The concept The rearview camera provides assistance in
parking and maneuvering backwards. The area
behind the vehicle is shown on the Control
Display.
Hints Check the traffic situation as well
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci‐
dent could result from road users or objects lo‐
cated outside the picture area of the backup
camera.◀
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Rearview camera
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