2016 BMW 7 SERIES snow

WARNING
When driving with roof load, e.g. with
roof-mounted luggage rack, driving safety may
not be ensured in driving-critical situations due
to the elevated center of gravity. There is risk
of accidents or risk of property damage. Do not
deactivate Dynamic Stability Control DSC
when driving with roof load.◀
Overview
Button in the vehicle
DSC OFF
Indicator/warning lights The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐
trols the drive and braking forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has
failed.
Deactivating/activating DSC
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is
reduced during acceleration and when driving
in curves.
Stabilizing interventions by the Integral Active
Steering system are only performed by the
rear axle steering.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC
again as soon as possible.
Deactivating DSC
Hold the button down until the DSC
OFF indicator lamp is displayed in the
instrument cluster and DSC OFF is displayed.
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.Seite 164ControlsDriving stability control systems164
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▷When freeing vehicle from deep snow or
driving off from loose grounds.▷When driving with snow chains.
Overview
Button in the vehicle
DSC OFF
Indicator/warning lights
If DTC is activated, TRACTION is displayed in
the instrument cluster.
The indicator lamp lights up: DTC Dy‐
namic Traction Control is activated.
Activating/deactivating DTC
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.
xDrive
xDrive is the all-wheel-drive system of the 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.
HDC Hill Descent Control
The concept
HDC is a downhill driving assistant that auto‐
matically controls vehicle speed on steep
downhill gradients. Without applying the
brakes, the vehicle moves at slightly more than
walking speed.
Hill Descent Control can be activated at
speeds below approx. 22 mph/35 km/h. When
driving downhill, the vehicle reduces its speed
to approx. walking speed and then keeps its
speed constant.
As long as there is active braking, the system
is on standby. The system does not brake the
vehicle during this time.
Only use HDC in low gears or in selector lever
position D or R.
Increasing or decreasing vehicle
speed
Specify desired speed in the range from ap‐
prox. 4 mph/6 km/h to approx. 15 mph/25 km/h
using the rocker switch of the cruise control on
the steering wheel. Vehicle speed can be
changed by lightly accelerating.Seite 165Driving stability control systemsControls165
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With strong steering movements and low
speeds, e.g. when parking, the wheel angle is
magnified, that is, the steering is more direct.
The rear axle steering acts to increase maneu‐
verability by turning the rear wheels slightly in
a direction opposite to the front wheels.
At higher speeds, the rear wheels are turned in
the same direction as the front wheels.
In critical driving situations, the Integral Active
Steering can stabilize the vehicle through pur‐
poseful steering of the rear wheels before the
driver intervenes, e.g. in case of oversteering.
General information The system offers several different tunings.
These are assigned to the different driving
modes of the Driving Dynamics Control, refer
to page 110.
TuningDrive modeIntegral Active SteeringCOMFORT/E
CO PROcomfortable, for optimal
travel comfortSPORTdynamic, for greater agility
Using snow chains
Information When snow chains are in use, refer to
page 264, rear wheel steering is deactivated.
Malfunction
In the event of a malfunction, the steering
wheel must be turned further, while the vehicle
responds more sensitively to steering wheel
movements in the higher speed range.
The stability-enhancing intervention may be
deactivated.
Proceed cautiously and drive defensively.
Have the system checked.
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Weather
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 recogni‐
tion of vehicles as well as short-term interrup‐
tions for vehicles that are already detected. Drive attentively, and react to the current trafficsituation. If necessary, intervene actively, e.g.
by braking, steering or evading.
Radar sensor
For US owners only
The transmitter and receiver units comply with
part 15 of the FCC/Federal Communication
Commission regulations. Operation is gov‐
erned by the following:
FCC ID:▷OAYARS3-A
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
▷This device may not cause harmful inter‐
ference, and▷this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or changes to
these devices could void the user's authority to
operate this equipment.
Malfunction
The system cannot be activated if the radar sensor is not aligned correctly. This may be
caused by damage incurred during parking,
e.g.
A Check Control message is displayed if the
system fails.
The function for detecting and responding
when approaching stationary vehicles may be limited in the following situations:
▷During calibration of the camera immedi‐
ately after vehicle delivery.▷If the camera is malfunctioning or dirty. A
Check Control message is displayed.
Cruise control
The concept The system maintains a preset speed via the
buttons on the steering wheel. The system
brakes on downhill gradients if engine braking
is insufficient.
General information
Depending on the driving settings, the features
of the cruise control can change in certain
areas.
The desired speed is also maintained downhill,
but may not be maintained on uphill grades if
engine power is insufficient.
Due to the driving style that minimizes fuel
consumption in ECO PRO drive mode, the ve‐
hicle may drop below the set desired speed in
some situations, e.g. on uphill grades.
Information WARNING
The use of the system can lead to an in‐
creased risk of accidents in the following situa‐
tions:
▷On winding roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
There is risk of accidents or risk of property
damage. Only use the system if driving at con‐
stant speed is possible.◀
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Displays in the instrument clusterSymbolDescriptionSteering wheel symbol gray:
the system is on standby.Steering wheel symbol green:
system activated.Steering wheel symbol and
lane marking green: the system
assists the driver in keeping
the vehicle within the lane.Steering wheel symbol green,
lane marking gray: no lane
marking detected. The vehicle
follows the vehicle in front.Steering wheel symbol yellow:
hold steering wheel. The sys‐
tem is still active.Steering wheel symbol red and
a signal tone sounds: system
interrupted. It does not manip‐
ulate steering.
Displays in the Head-up Display
All system information can also be displayed in
the Head-up Display.
System limits
When driving with gloves or with protective
covers, contact with the steering wheel cannot
be detected by the sensors. In this case sys‐
tem cannot be used.
When driving within narrow lanes, the system
cannot be activated or meaningfully used.
Do not use the system, e.g.:
▷In construction zones.▷In rescue lanes.▷Within city limits.
Weather
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 recogni‐
tion of vehicles as well as short-term interrup‐
tions for vehicles that are already detected. Drive attentively, and react to the current trafficsituation. If necessary, intervene actively, e.g.
by braking, steering or evading.
PDC Park Distance Control The conceptPDC is a support when parking. Objects that
you are approaching slowly in front of or be‐
hind the vehicle are indicated with:
▷Signal tones.▷Visual display.
With parking assistant: obstacles on the side of
the vehicle that are detected by the sensors of
the parking assistant, can also be reported by
the PDC. Side protection, refer to page 183.
General information
Ultrasound sensors in the bumpers and possi‐
bly sideways on the vehicle measure the dis‐
tances from objects.
The maneuvering range, depending on the ob‐
stacle and environmental conditions, is approx.
6 ft/2 m.
An acoustic warning is first given with the fol‐
lowing circumstances:
▷By the front center sensors at ap‐
prox. 74 in/70 cm.▷By the rear middle sensors at approx.
5 ft/1.50 m.▷By the corner sensors at ap‐
prox. 24 in/60 cm.Seite 180ControlsDriver assistance systems180
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▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷With external interference of the ultra‐
sound, 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 couplings 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.
Cargo that extends beyond the perimeter of
the vehicle is not taken into account by the
system.
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
with 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 automatic car washes.▷Through heavy pollution.▷Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,
sweeping machines, high pressure steam
cleaners or neon lights.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
White symbol is displayed, and the
range of the sensors is dimmed on the
Control Display.
PDC has failed. Have the system checked.
Without Surround View:
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.
Information WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. There is risk of an accident.
Adjust the driving style to the traffic condi‐
tions. Watch traffic and vehicle surroundings
closely and actively interfere in the respective
situations.◀
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▷The parking procedure is ac‐
tive. Steering control has
been taken over by system.▷Parking space search is always active
whenever the vehicle is moving forward
slow and straight, even if the system is de‐
activated. When the system is deactivated,
the displays on the Control Display are
shown in gray.
Parking using the parking assistant
1. Press the button or shift into reverse
to switch on the parking assistant. Activate
parking assistant if necessary.
The parking assistant is activated.
2.Drive by the row of parked vehicles at a
speed of up to approx. 22 mph/35 km/h
and at a distance of maximum 5 ft/1.5 m.
The status of the parking space search and
possible parking spaces are displayed on
the Control Display.3.Follow the instructions on the Control Dis‐
play.
Hold down the parking assistant button for
the duration of the parking procedure. At
the end of the parking procedure, the P se‐
lector lever position is set.
The end of the parking procedure is indi‐
cated on the Control Display.4.Adjust the parking position yourself if
needed.
Interrupting manually
The parking assistant can be interrupted at any
time:
▷ "Parking Assistant" Select the symbol
on the Control Display.▷Release button during the parking
procedure.Interrupting automatically
The system is interrupted automatically in the
following situations:▷If the driver grasps the steering wheel or if
he takes over steering.▷Possible on snow-covered or slippery road
surfaces.▷When there are obstacles that are hard to
overcome, such as curbs.▷When there are obstacles that suddenly
arise.▷If the Park Distance Control PDC displays
clearances that are too small.▷If a maximum number of parking attempts
or the time taken for parking is exceeded.▷When switching to another function on the
Control Display.▷When the button is released.▷If the tailgate is open.▷If doors are open.▷When setting the parking brake.▷During acceleration.▷When the brake pedal remains pressed for
an extended period while the vehicle is sta‐
tionary.▷When unfastening the driver's safety belt.
A Check Control message is displayed.
Resume An interrupted parking procedure can be con‐
tinued if needed.
Follow the instructions on the Control Display.
System limits
No parking assistance
The parking assistant does not offer assis‐
tance in the following situations:
▷In tight curves.Seite 196ControlsDriver assistance systems196
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Functional limitations
The system may not be fully functional in the
following situations:▷On bumpy road surfaces such as gravel
roads.▷On slippery ground.▷On steep uphill or downhill grades.▷With accumulations of leaves/snow in the
parking space.▷With a mounted emergency wheel.▷In case of changes to an already-measured
parking space.
Limits of ultrasonic measurement
Ultrasonic measuring might not function under
the following circumstances:
▷For small children and animals.▷For persons with certain clothing, e.g.
coats.▷With external interference of the ultra‐
sound, 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 couplings 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.
Cargo that extends beyond the perimeter of
the vehicle is not taken into account by the
system.
It can happen that parking spaces are detected
that are not suitable or suitable parking spaces
are not detected.
Malfunction
A Check Control message is displayed.
The parking assistant failed. Have the system
checked.
Cross traffic warning The concept
Two radar sensors in the rear bumper monitor
the area behind the vehicle.
At blind driveways or when driving out of diag‐
onal parking spaces, approaching cross traffic
is earlier detected by the system than possible
from the driver's seat.
The system indicates approaching traffic.
The lamp in the exterior mirror lights up, a sig‐
nal tone may sound, and the respective indica‐
tor is called up on the Control Display.
With the respective equipment variant, the
traffic area in front of the vehicle is monitored
as well. Two additional radar sensors are lo‐
cated in the front bumpers.
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