2015 BMW 3 SERIES ACTIVE HYBRID automatic transmission

▷The transmission selector lever is in posi‐
tion M/S.▷High-voltage battery is heavily discharged
or vehicle electrical system is heavily bur‐
dened.▷High stress of the automatic climate con‐
trol in the heating or cooling phase.▷The engine compartment lid is unlocked.▷The vehicle is being optimized for the cur‐
rent driving style, for instance during the
break-in period or after a service appoint‐
ment.▷The hybrid system is malfunctioning.
Safety mode
An automatically stopped combustion engine
does not start independently when:
▷The driver's door is open and neither the
brake nor accelerator pedal are depressed.▷Unlocked hood.
The indicator lights come on. The combustion
engine can only be started via the Start/Stop
button.
Switching off the vehicle during an automatic engine stop
During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle
can be switched off permanently, e. g., when
leaving it.
1.Press the Start/Stop button.▷The ignition is switched off.▷The radio-ready state is activated.▷The Auto Start/Stop function is deacti‐
vated.▷Transmission position P is engaged
automatically.2.Set the parking brake.
Malfunction
The Auto Start/Stop function no longer
switches of the combustion engine automati‐
cally in the event of a malfunction. A message is displayed. It is possible to continue driving.
Have the system checked.
Electric driving: eDRIVE
Requirements Electric driving is possible:▷The high-voltage battery is sufficiently
charged.▷Transmission position D or R is set.▷The drive system is at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The accelerator pedal is only slightly de‐
pressed.▷The driver's door is closed.
Possible up to speed of approx. 35 mph, ap‐
prox. 60 km/h.
In ECO PRO mode, a speed up to approx.
45 mph, approx. 75 km/h is possible.
Possible cruising range
Depending on the charge of the high-voltage
battery, the vehicle can be driven using electric
power constantly for up to 2-2.5 miles/3-4 km.
CoastingThe combustion engine is automatically stop‐
ped and disengaged from the drivetrain. This
driving condition of rolling is referred to as
coasting.
Requirements Coasting is possible:
▷The high-voltage battery is sufficiently
charged.▷Transmission position D or R is set.▷The drive system is at operating tempera‐
ture.▷The driver's door is closed.Seite 71DrivingControls71
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▷In COMFORT mode: when rolling at
speeds exceeding 35 mph, approx.
60 km/h or when braking at speeds above
50 mph, approx. 80 km/h.▷In ECO PRO: mode, when coasting, with‐
out operating the brake, at speeds below
100 mph, approx. 160 km/h.
After the coasting, the combustion or electric
motor restarts depending on the operating
state.
Driving with combustion
engine: DRIVE
The combustion engine provides the primary
performance to move the vehicle. If necessary,
the high-voltage battery is charged at the
same time.
Automatic start while driving The combustion engine is automatically
started under the following conditions while
driving:
▷By pressing the accelerator pedal beyond
the resistance point at the full throttle posi‐
tion, kickdown.▷Transmission position M/S is set.▷The speed for electric driving is exceeded
while accelerating.▷The high-voltage battery has an insuffi‐
cient charge.▷High-voltage battery is completely
charged, e.g., when driving downhill.▷During intense accelerations or on inclines.▷System-related requirement for hybrid
components.▷Adapting to the course of the road when
destination guidance is activated.Automatic parking while driving
When reducing speed, the combustion engine
is switched off when the conditions for electric
driving, refer to page 71, are met.
Assistance for the
combustion engine
The combustion engine provides the primary
performance to move the vehicle.
The electric motor provides assistance as
needed with additional propulsive power.
ASSIST
During normal vehicle operation, the electric
motor assists the combustion engine, depend‐
ing on the situation.
eBOOST
Accelerating quickly, such as when passing,
requires the maximum available power from
the electric motor. To do this, apply extra force
to the accelerator pedal.
Energy recovery: CHARGEThe hybrid system makes it possible to con‐
vert kinetic energy into electrical power when
braking and coasting. This recovered energy
charges the high-voltage battery. If necessary,
this stored electrical energy is output to the
electric motor.
The following conditions must be met to re‐
cover kinetic energy:▷The vehicle is moving.▷Transmission position D, M/S is set.▷The high-voltage battery is not fully
charged.
Energy recovery displays in the instrument
cluster, refer to page 83.
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Folding wipers back down
Before switching the ignition on, fold the
wipers back down to the windshield; other‐
wise, the wipers may become damaged when
they are activated.◀1.Switch on the ignition.2.Push wiper lever down. Wipers move to
their resting position and are ready again
for operation.
Washer fluid
Hints Antifreeze for washer fluid
Antifreeze is flammable and can cause
injury if it is used incorrectly.
Therefore, keep it away from possible sources of ignition.
Only keep it in the closed original container and inaccessible to children.
Follow the notes and instructions on the con‐
tainer.
United States: The washer fluid mixture ratio is
regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual
states; do not exceed the allowable washer
fluid dilution ratios limits that apply. Follow the
usage instructions on the washer fluid con‐
tainer. Use BMW’s Windshield Washer Con‐
centrate or the equivalent.◀
Adding washer fluid
Only add washer fluid when the engine is
cool, and then close the cover completely to
avoid contact between the washer fluid and
hot engine parts.
Otherwise, there is a danger of fire and a risk to
personal safety if the fluid is spilled.◀
Washer fluid reservoir
All washer nozzles are supplied from one res‐
ervoir.
Fill with a mixture of windshield washer con‐
centrate and tap water and – if required – with a
washer antifreeze, according to the manufac‐
turer's recommendations.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to find the
right mixture.
Do not add windshield washer concentrate and
antifreeze undiluted and do not fill with pure
water; this could damage the wiper system.
Do not mix window washer concentrates of dif‐
ferent manufacturers because they can clog
the windshield washer nozzles.
Recommended minimum fill quantity:
0.2 US gal/1 liter.
Steptronic transmission
Selector lever positions
D Drive
Selector lever position for normal vehicle oper‐
ation. All gears for forward travel are activated
automatically.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral: The vehicle may roll. Use in automatic car
washes, e.g.
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Sport program and manual mode
Activating the sport program
Press the selector lever to the left out of selec‐
tor lever position D.
The sport program of the transmission is acti‐
vated.
eDRIVE electric driving and the Auto Start
Stop function are deactivated. Coasting to a
standstill and braking phases will be used
more often to recover energy. The high-volt‐
age battery will be charged more quickly.
Activating the M/S manual mode
1.Press the selector lever to the left out of
selector lever position D.2.Push the selector lever forward or pull it
backward.
Manual mode becomes active and the gear is
changed.
The engaged gear is displayed in the instru‐
ment cluster, e.g., M1.
Once maximum engine speed is attained, M/S
manual mode is automatically upshifted as
needed.
Switching to manual mode
▷To shift down: press the selector lever for‐
ward.▷To shift up: pull the selector lever rear‐
wards.Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the currently se‐
lected gear.
Steptronic Sport transmission:
prevent automatic upshifting in M/S
manual mode
The Steptronic Sport transmission does not
automatically upshift in M/S manual mode
once the maximum speed is reached, if one of
the following conditions is met:▷DSC deactivated.▷TRACTION activated.▷SPORT+ activated.
In addition, the kickdown is deactivated.
With the respective transmission version, the
lowest possible gear can be selected by simul‐
taneously operating the kickdown and the left
shift paddle. However, this effect is not pro‐
duced via the shift paddles when switching
briefly from D to manual mode.
Ending the sport program/manual
mode
Push the selector lever to the right.
D is displayed in the instrument cluster.
Shift paddles
The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow
you to shift gears quickly while keeping both
hands on the steering wheel.
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▷Shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.▷Shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.▷With the respective transmission version,
the lowest possible gear can be selected
by pulling and holding the left shift paddle.
Gears will only be shifted at appropriate engine
and road speeds, for example downshifting is
not possible if the engine speed is too high.
The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐
strument cluster, followed by the current gear.
If the shift paddles on the steering wheel are
used to shift gears in automatic mode, the
transmission temporarily switches to manual
mode.
If the selector lever is still in selector lever po‐
sition D with the respective transmission ver‐
sion, it is possible to switch back into the auto‐
matic mode:
▷Pull and hold right shift paddle.
Or▷In addition to the briefly pulled right shift
paddle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.
In the manual mode, after conservative driving
for a certain amount of time or if there has
been no acceleration or shifting of the shift
paddles within a certain amount of time, the
transmission switches back to automatic
mode.
Displays in the instrument cluster The selector lever position is dis‐
played, e.g.: P.
Electronic unlocking of the
transmission lock
General information
Electronically unlock the transmission lock to
maneuver vehicle from the danger area.
Unlocking is possible, if the started can spin
the engine.
Engaging selector lever position N1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button. The starter
must audibly start.3.Press and hold the selector lever into posi‐
tion N.
A corresponding Check Control message
is displayed.4.Press the selector lever again into posi‐
tion N within approx. 6 seconds.
Position N is displayed in the instrument
cluster.5.Release brake, as soon as the starter
stops.6.Maneuver the vehicle from the danger area
and secure it against moving on its own.
Steptronic Sport transmission:
Launch Control
The concept Launch Control enables optimum accelerationon surfaces with good traction.
Hints Component wear
Do not use Launch Control too often;
otherwise, this may result in premature wear of
components due to the high stress placed on
the vehicle.◀
Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,
refer to page 172, period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
An experienced driver may be able to achieve
better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.
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Required maintenance procedures and le‐
gally mandated inspections are displayed.4.Select an entry to call up detailed informa‐
tion.
Symbols
Sym‐
bolsDescriptionNo service is currently required.The deadline for scheduled mainte‐
nance or a legally mandated inspec‐
tion is approaching.The service deadline has already
passed.
Entering appointment dates
Enter the dates for the required inspections.
Make sure that the vehicle's date and time are
set correctly.
On the Control Display:
1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Service required"4."§ Vehicle inspection"5."Date:"6.Adjust the settings.7.Confirm.
The entered date is stored.
Automatic Service Request
Data regarding the service status or legally
mandated vehicle inspections are automati‐
cally transmitted to your service center before
a service due date.
You can check when your service center was
notified.
On the Control Display:1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3.Open "Options".4."Last Service Request"
Gear shift indicator
The conceptThe system recommends the most fuel effi‐
cient gear for the current driving situation.
Depending on the vehicle's features and coun‐
try version of the vehicle, the gear shift indica‐
tor is active in the manual mode of the Step‐
tronic transmission and with manual
transmission.
Suggestions to shift gear up or down are dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
Steptronic transmission: displays
ExampleDescriptionFuel efficient gear is set.Shift into fuel efficient gear.
Speed limit detection
The concept
Speed limit detection
Speed limit detection uses a symbol in the
shape of a traffic sign to display the currently
detected speed limit. The camera in the area of
the interior rearview mirror detects traffic signs
at the edge of the road as well as variable over‐
head sign posts. Traffic signs with extra sym‐
bols for wet road conditions, etc. are also de‐
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▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.
To ensure full functionality:
▷Do not cover sensors, e.g., with stickers,
bicycle racks.▷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 while
driving.
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot
independently react to all traffic situations.
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and
react when needed - risk of accident.◀
Avoid driving fast with PDC
Avoid approaching an object too fast.
Avoid driving off fast while PDC is not yet ac‐
tive.
For technical reasons, the system may other‐
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀
Overview
With front PDC: button in vehicle
PDC Park Distance Control
Switching on/off
Switching on automatically With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐
tion P R.
Automatic deactivation during forward travel
The system switches off when a certain driving
distance or speed is exceeded.
Switch the system back on if needed.
With front PDC: switching on/off
manually
Press button.▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
Display
Signal tones When approaching an object, an intermittent
sound indicates the position of the object. E. g.
if an object is detected to the left rear of the
vehicle, a signal tone sounds from the left rear
speaker.
The shorter the distance to the object, 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 selector
lever position P is engaged on vehicles with
Steptronic transmission.
Volume The volume of the PDC signal tone can be ad‐
justed similar to the sound and volume set‐
tings of the radio.
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Low energy recovery:
During coasting to a halt without stepping on
the brake.
Average energy recovery:
During a slight deceleration by gently pressing
the brake pedal.
Maximum energy recovery:
During firmer pressing on the brake pedal.
Foresighted driving and decelerating helps
with optimizing energy recovery.
Brake according to traffic and circum‐
stances
Brake in accordance with the traffic conditions,
or there is the risk of accident.◀
Optimum energy recovery
As soon as the display shows the maximum
energy recovery, only press the brake pedal
harder if required by the situation.
Exemplary traffic situations for fuel
efficiency
In many driving situations, the hybrid system
allows for a particularly efficient energy man‐
agement.▷Stop-and-go traffic:
The combustion engine is switched on or
over automatically by the hybrid system.▷Driving with constant speed:
With the ASSIST acceleration support, the
electric motor relieves the combustion en‐
gine periodically by being switched on au‐
tomatically.
Discharge of the high-voltage battery
In normal operation, a sufficient charging of the
high-voltage battery is ensured by energy re‐
covery.
Longer idle periods can reduce the charge
state of the high-voltage battery.
Do not allow the vehicle to sit idle for ex‐
tended periods with a low charging state
Before storing the vehicle for an extended pe‐
riod, check the battery charge indicator to en‐
sure that the high-voltage battery is fully
charged. If necessary, charge the high-voltage
battery by driving the vehicle. Check the
charge level regularly, and if needed recharge
the high-voltage battery by driving the vehicle.
Don't allow battery charge status to drop too
low - it will damage the battery.◀
Charging by driving
In order to charge the high-voltage battery
most effectively when driving, activated the
transmission's Sport program DS, refer to
page 78.
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