2016 BMW 7 SERIES Braking

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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Changing the speed
Press the rocker switch 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 switch is pressed to
the resistance point, the desired speed in‐
creases or decreases by 1 mph/1 km/h.▷Each time the rocker switch is pressed
past the point of resistance, the desired
speed increases or decreases by a maxi‐
mum of 5 mph/10 km/h.
Hold the rocker switch in position to repeat the
action.
Distance WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility. Due to the system lim‐
its, braking can be late. There is risk of acci‐
dents or risk of property damage. Be aware to
the traffic situation at all times. Adjust the dis‐
tance to the traffic and weather conditions and
maintain the prescribed safety distance, possi‐
bly by braking.◀
Without steering and lane guidance
assistant: reducing distance
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 172.
Without steering and lane guidance
assistant: increasing distance
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Instrument cluster will display selected dis‐
tance, refer to page 172.
With steering and lane guidance
assistant: adjusting distance
Press button repeatedly until the de‐
sired distance is set.
Continuing cruise control
General information Press button with the system inter‐
rupted.
The stored speed is reached and maintained.
In the following cases, the stored speed value
is deleted and cannot be called up again:▷When the system is switched off.▷When drive readiness is switched off.
While standing
The system brought the vehicle to a complete
standstill:
▷Green marking in the speedometer:
Your vehicle accelerates automatically as
soon as the vehicle in the range of the ra‐
dar sensor moves off.▷Speedometer markings turn orange/white
after a short time: no automatic driving off.
By pressing the button, the time in
which there is automatic driving off is
extended.
Vehicle symbol in the distance indicator is
moving away: detected vehicle drove off.
The system was paused or your vehicle was
brought to a halt actively through stepping on
the brake pedal and it is standing behind an‐
other vehicle:
1. Press button to call up a stored
desired speed.2.Release the brake pedal.3.When the vehicle in front drives off:▷briefly press the gas pedal.Seite 171Driver assistance systemsControls171
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Indicator/warning lightsSymbolDescriptionGreen symbols:
A vehicle has been detected
ahead of you. The system
maintains the set distance to
the vehicle in front.Vehicle symbol flashes:
The conditions are not ade‐
quate for the system to work.
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 and dis‐
tance bars flash red and an
acoustic signal sounds:
You are requested to intervene
by braking or make an evasive
maneuver.
Displays in the Head-up Display
With Active Cruise control, some system infor‐
mation can also be displayed in the Head-up
Display.
The symbol is displayed on the Head-
up Display if the set desired speed is
reached.
Distance information The symbol is displayed when the dis‐
tance from the vehicle traveling ahead
is too short.
The distance information is active under the
following circumstances:
▷Active Cruise Control switched off.▷Display in the Head-up Display selected,
refer to page 126.▷Distance too short.▷Speed greater than approx.
40 mph/70 km/h.
System limits
Speed range The system is best used on well-constructedroads.
The minimum speed that can be set is
20 mph/30 km/h.
The maximum speed that can be set is
115 mph/180 km/h.
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 for instance might not
be detected.
Deceleration
The system also does not decelerate in the fol‐
lowing situations:
▷For pedestrians or similar slow-moving
road users.▷For red traffic lights.▷For cross traffic.▷For oncoming traffic.Seite 173Driver assistance systemsControls173
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Swerving vehicles
A vehicle driving in front of you is not detected
until it is completely within the same lane as
your vehicle.
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 needed.
WARNING
The system does not relieve from the
personal responsibility to correctly assess the
traffic situation. Based on the limits of the sys‐
tem, it cannot independently react to all traffic
situations. There is risk of an accident. Adjust
the driving style to the traffic conditions. Watch
traffic closely and actively interfere in the re‐
spective situations.◀
Cornering
If the desired speed is too high for a curve, the
speed is reduced slightly, although curves can‐
not be anticipated in advance. Therefore, drive
into a curve at an appropriate speed.
In tight curves the system offers only restricted
detection where a vehicle ahead of you might
be detected late or not at all.
When you approach a curve the system may
briefly report vehicles in the next lane due to
the bend of the curve. If the system deceler‐
ates you may compensate it by briefly acceler‐
ating.
After releasing the gas pedal the system is re‐
activated and controls speed independently.
Driving away In some situations, the vehicle cannot drive off
automatically; for example:
▷On steep inclines.▷From behind bumps in the road.
In these cases, step on the accelerator pedal.
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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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Switching on/off manuallyPress button.▷On: the LED lights up.▷Off: the LED goes out.
The rearview camera image is displayed when
the reverse gear is engaged by pressing the
button.
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.
If there are objects in front of and behind the
vehicle at the same time, with a distance
smaller than approx. 10 in/25 cm, an alternat‐
ing constant tone will sound.
The interval tone and constant tone are
switched off if the selector lever position P is
engaged.
The interval tone is switched off after a short
time when the vehicle is stationary.
Volume
The ratio of the PDC signal tone volume to the
entertainment volume can be adjusted.
About iDrive:
1."My Vehicle"2."System settings"3."Tone"4."Volume settings"5."PDC"6.Set the desired value.
The setting is stored for the drive profile cur‐
rently used.
Visual warning
The approach of the vehicle to an object is
shown on the Control Display. Objects that are
farther away are already displayed on the Con‐
trol Display before a signal sounds.
The display appears as soon as PDC is acti‐
vated.
The range of the sensors is represented in the
colors green, yellow and red.
Pathway lines are faded in for better estimation
of the required space.
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐
played, the switch can be made to PDC or to a
different view with obstacle markings as
needed:
"Rear view camera"
Cross traffic warning, refer to page 197: de‐
pending on the equipment, it is warned in the
PDC display against vehicles approaching in
the front or rear from the side.
With parking assistant: emergency
braking function, Active PDC
The concept The emergency braking function of PDC ini‐
tiates an emergency braking in case of acute
risk of collision. Due to system limits, a colli‐
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