2014 BMW ACTIVE HYBRID 3 traction control

Driving stability control systemsVehicle features and optionsThis chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and
systems.
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking.
The vehicle contains its steering power 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 greatest possible
braking force boost. It reduces the braking dis‐
tance to a minimum during emergency stop.
This system utilizes all of the benefits provided
by ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of the emergency stop.
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control
The concept DSC prevents traction loss in the power
wheels when driving off and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Withinthe physical limits DSC helps to keep the vehi‐
cle on a steady course by reducing engine
speed and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
Note 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The laws of physics cannot be repealed, not
even with DSC.
Therefore, do not reduce the additional safety
margin by driving in a risky manner.◀
Do not deactivate DSC when driving with
roof load
Do not deactivate Dynamic Stability Control
DSC when driving with roof load, e.g. roof-
mounted luggage rack.
Otherwise, driving safety is not given in driv‐
ing-critical situation due to the elevated center
of gravity.◀
At a glance
Button in the vehicle
DSC OFF button
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Indicator/warning lightsThe indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive and braking 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 curves.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC Press and hold this button but not lon‐
ger than approx. 10 seconds, until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the in‐
strument cluster and displays DSC OFF.
The DSC system is switched off.
The steering and, depending on the equip‐
ment, suspension are tuned for sporty driving.
Activating DSC Press button.
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator
lamp go out.
Indicator/warning lights
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 where
forward momentum is optimized.The system ensures maximum headway on
special road conditions or loose road surfaces,
e.g., unplowed snowy roads, but with some‐
what limited driving stability.
Activating the Dynamic Traction Control DTC
provides maximum traction. Driving stability is
limited during acceleration and when driving in
curves.
Therefore drive with appropriate 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 freeing vehicle from deep snow or
driving off from loose grounds.▷When driving with snow chains.
Deactivating/activating DTC Dynamic
Traction Control
Activating DTC Press button.
TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster and the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up.
Deactivating DTC Press button again.
TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐
tor lamp go out.
Dynamic Damping Control The conceptThis 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 fitting road surface and driving style.
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ProgramsThe system offers several different programs.
Select the programs via the Driving Dynamics
Control, refer to page 126.
SPORT Consistently sporty control of the shock ab‐
sorbers for greater driving agility.
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 conceptThe Driving Dynamics Control helps to fine-
tune the vehicle's settings and features. Vari‐
ous programs can be selected for this purpose.
The Driving Dynamics Control and the DSC
OFF buttons can each be used to activate a
program.At a glance
Button in the vehicle
Operating the programs
Press buttonProgramDSC OFF
TRACTIONSPORT+
SPORT
COMFORT
ECO PRO
Automatic program change
The system may automatically reel to COM‐
FORT in the following situations:
▷Failure of Dynamic Damping Control.▷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 125, is active,
driving stability is limited during acceleration
and when driving in curves.
TRACTION When TRACTION is active, the vehicle has
maximum traction on loose road surfaces. DTC
Dynamic Traction Control, refer to page 125, is
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activated. Driving stability is limited during ac‐
celeration and when driving in curves.
SPORT+
Sporty driving with optimized suspension 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 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 lights
SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.
The DSC OFF indicator lamp lights up:
Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
SPORT Depending on the equipment, consistently
sporty tuning of the suspension, steering, and
engine control for greater driving agility with
maximum driving stabilization.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications. The configuration is stored for
the profile currently in use.
Activating SPORT Press button repeatedly until SPORT
is displayed in the instrument cluster.Configuring SPORT
When the display is activated on the Control
Display, refer to page 128, the SPORT driving
mode can be set to individual specifications.▷Activating SPORT.▷"Configure SPORT"▷Configuring the SPORT driving mode.
SPORT can also be configured before it is acti‐
vated:
1."Settings"2."Driving mode"3."Configure SPORT"4.Configure driving mode.
This configuration is retrieved when the
SPORT driving mode is activated.
COMFORT For a balanced tuning with maximum driving
stabilization.
Activating COMFORT Press button repeatedly until COM‐
FORT is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
In certain situations, the system automatically
changes to the NORMAL program, automatic
program change, refer to page 126.
ECO PRO ECO PRO, refer to page 179, provides consis‐
tent tuning to minimize fuel consumption for
maximum range with maximum driving stabili‐
zation.
Comfort functions and the engine controller
are adjusted.
The program can be configured to individual
specifications.
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InterruptingWhen 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 drive mode D is removed.▷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 while 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 curb or shoulder
markings.▷If the detection range of the radar is dis‐
rupted, e.g., by dirt or heavy fog.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Hints Adjusting the desired speedModify desired speed to road conditions
and be ready to brake at all times; otherwise,
there is the risk of an accident.◀
Differences in speed
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 fast approaching a slowly moving
vehicle.▷When another vehicle suddenly swerves
into the wrong lane.◀Maintaining/storing the speed
Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker reel while the system is inter‐
rupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed in the speedometer and
briefly in the instrument cluster. Displays in the
instrument cluster, refer to page 132.
When cruise control is maintained or stored,
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be turned
on if needed.
Changing the speed
Press the rocker reel up or down repeatedly
until the desired speed is set.
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the vehicle reaches the stored speed when the
road is clear.
▷Each time the rocker reel is pressed to the
point of resistance, the desired speed in‐
creases or decreases by approx.
1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker reel is pressed past
the point of resistance, the desired speed
increases or decreases by a maximum of
5 mph/10 km/h.
Hold the rocker reel in position to repeat the
action.
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At a glance
Buttons on the steering wheelPress buttonFunctionSystem on/off, interruptStore speedResume speedRocker reel: change, hold,
store speed
Controls
Switching on Press button on the steering wheel.
The marking in the speedometer is set to the
current speed.
Cruise control can be used.
Switch off Deactivated or interrupted system
With deactivated or interrupted system
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀
Press 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 for a few
seconds or released while a gear is not en‐
gaged.▷The gear engaged is too high for the cur‐
rent speed.▷Selector lever position D is disengaged.▷DTC Dynamic Traction Control is activated
or DSC is deactivated.▷DSC is actively controlling stability.▷When SPORT+ is activated with Driving
Dynamics Control.
Maintaining, storing, and changing the
speed
Hints Adjusting the desired speed
Modify desired speed to road conditions
and be ready to brake at all times; otherwise,
there is the risk of an accident.◀
Maintaining/storing the speed Press button.
Or:
Press the rocker reel while the system is inter‐
rupted.
When the system is switched on, the current
speed is maintained and stored as the desired
speed.
This is displayed, refer to page 137, in the
speedometer and briefly in the instrument
cluster.
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Y: speed rating, before the R on ZR tiresSpeed letter
Q = up to 100 mph, 160 km/h
R = up to 106 mph, 170 km/h
S = up to 112 mph, 180 km/h
T = up to 118 mph, 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph, 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph, 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph, 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph, 300 km/h
Tire Identification NumberDOT code: DOT xxxx xxx 4314
xxxx: manufacturer code for the tire brand
xxx: tire size and tire design
4314: tire age
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Tire age DOT … 4314: the tire was manufactured in the
43th week of 2014.
Recommendation
Regardless of wear and tear, replace tires at
least every 6 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example: Treadwear 200; Traction AA;
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades Treadwear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B CAll passenger car tires must conform to Fed‐
eral Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-half, 1 g,
times as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart signifi‐
cantly from the norm due to variations in driv‐
ing habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the ma‐
terial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Band
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Information about the approved snow chains
are available from the service center.
Use
Use only in pairs on the rear wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:▷225/55 R 16.▷225/50 R 17.▷225/45 R 18.
Follow the snow chain manufacturer's instruc‐
tions.
Make sure that the snow chains are always
sufficiently tight. Retighten as needed accord‐
ing to the chain manufacturer's instructions.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
Do not initialize the Tire Pressure Monitor after
mounting snow chains, as doing so may result
in incorrect readings.
When driving with snow chains, briefly activate
Dynamic Traction Control if needed.
Maximum speed with snow chains Do not exceed a speed of 30 mph/50 km/hwhen using snow chains.
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