Get CONTROLS -> Driving Guide for BMW 7 Series 4 Door Sixth Generation (2015-2021)

Driving

CONTROLS

Driving

Vehicle features and

options

Auto Start/Stop function

Concept

This chapter describes all standard, country-spe‐

cific and optional features offered with the series.

It also describes features and functions that are

not necessarily available in your vehicle, e.g., due

to the selected options or country versions. This

also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐

tems. When using these functions and systems,

the applicable laws and regulations must be ob‐

served.

The Auto Start/Stop function helps save fuel.

The system switches off the engine during a

stop, for instance in traffic congestion or at traffic

lights. Drive-ready state remains switched on.

The engine starts automatically for driving off.

General information

After each engine start using the Start/Stop but‐

ton, the Auto Start/Stop function is ready. The

function is activated from speeds of approx.

3 mph/5 km/h.

Start/Stop button

Depending on the selected driving mode, refer to

page 135, the system is automatically activated

or deactivated.

Concept

Pressing the Start/Stop button

switches drive-ready state on or

off, refer to page 43.

Engine stop

Drive-ready state is switched on

when you depress the brake

Functional requirements

pedal while pressing the Start/Stop button.

Steptronic transmission

Pressing the Start/Stop button again switches

drive-ready state back off and standby state, re‐

fer to page 43, is switched back on.

The engine is switched off automatically during a

stop under the following conditions:

▷ The selector lever is in selector lever position

D.

▷ The brake pedal remains pressed while the

vehicle is stationary or the vehicle is held by

Automatic Hold.

Driving away

1. Switch on drive-ready state.

2. Apply drive mode.

3. Release the parking brake.

4. Drive away.

▷ The driver's safety belt is buckled or the driv‐

er's door is closed.

Manual engine stop

If the engine was not switched off automatically

when the vehicle stopped, the engine can be

switched off manually:

▷ Press the brake pedal forcefully again from

the current pedal position.

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Driving

CONTROLS

▷ Engage selector lever position P.

▷ The car's interior has not yet been heated or

cooled to the required level.

If all functional preconditions are fulfilled, the en‐

gine switches off.

▷ Where there is a risk of window condensation

when the automatic climate control is

switched on.

Air conditioner when the engine is

switched off

The air flow from the air conditioner is reduced

when the engine is switched off.

▷ Engine or other parts not at operating tem‐

perature.

▷ Engine cooling is required.

▷ The wheels are at a sharp angle or the steer‐

ing wheel is being turned.

Displays in the instrument cluster

▷ Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.

▷ At higher elevations.

General information

The display in the tachometer in‐

dicates that the Auto Start/Stop

function is ready for an Automatic

engine start.

▷ The hood is unlocked.

▷ The parking assistant is activated.

▷ Stop-and-go traffic.

▷ Selector lever position in N or R.

▷ After driving in reverse.

The display indicates that the

conditions for an automatic en‐

gine stop have not been met.

▷ Use of fuel with high ethanol content.

Starting the engine

Functional requirements

Steptronic transmission

Total time with switched-off engine

ECO PRO, refer to page 318,

driving mode: depending on the

vehicle equipment, the total time

that the engine has been

The engine starts automatically under the follow‐

ing preconditions:

▷ By releasing the brake pedal.

switched off using the Auto Start/

Stop function is displayed on an automatic en‐

gine stop.

▷ When Automatic Hold is activated: press the

accelerator pedal.

The total time is automatically reset every time

the vehicle is refueled.

Driving off

After the engine starts, accelerate as usual.

Functional limitations

The engine is not switched off automatically in

the following situations:

Safety mode

After the engine switches off automatically, it will

not start again automatically if any one of the fol‐

lowing conditions are met:

▷ In case of a steep downhill grade.

▷ Brake not engaged strongly enough.

▷ The driver's safety belt is unbuckled and the

driver's door is open.

▷ The external temperature is high and auto‐

matic climate control is running.

▷ The hood was unlocked.

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Some indicator lights light up for a varied length

of time.

The function may be restricted if the navigation

data is invalid, outdated or not available, for ex‐

ample.

The engine can only be started via the Start/Stop

button.

Activating/deactivating the

system manually

System limits

Even if driving off was not intended, the deacti‐

vated engine starts up automatically in the fol‐

lowing situations:

Concept

The engine is not automatically switched off.

▷ Excessive warming of the car's interior when

the air conditioning is switched on.

The engine is started during an automatic engine

stop.

▷ Excessive cooling of the car's interior when

the heating is switched on.

Using the button

▷ Where there is a risk of window condensation

when the automatic climate control is

switched on.

▷ The steering wheel is turned.

▷ Change from selector lever position D to N or

R.

▷ Change from selector lever position P to N,

D, or R.

▷ Vehicle battery is heavily discharged.

▷ Start of an oil level measurement.

Press the button.

Intelligent Auto Start/Stop

function

Via selector lever position or Driving

Dynamics Control

Depending on the vehicle equipment and coun‐

try-specific version, the vehicle features a variety

of sensors for assessing the traffic situation. The

Intelligent Auto Start/Stop function uses this in‐

formation to adapt to various traffic situations in a

proactive manner.

The Auto Start/Stop function is also deactivated

in selector lever position M/S or in SPORT driv‐

ing mode of the Driving Dynamics Control.

Display

▷ LED comes on: auto Start/Stop function is

deactivated.

For instance, this applies to the following situa‐

tions:

▷ LED goes out: auto Start/Stop function is ac‐

tivated.

▷ If a situation is detected in which the stopping

time is expected to be very short, the engine

is not switched off automatically. A message

appears on the Control Display, depending

on the situation.

▷ If a situation is detected in which the vehicle

needs to drive off immediately, the engine is

started automatically.

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Driving

CONTROLS

▷ Engine characteristics.

▷ Steptronic transmission.

▷ Adaptive chassis.

Switching off the vehicle during an

automatic engine stop

General information

▷ Air suspension.

During an automatic engine stop, the vehicle can

be switched off permanently, for instance when

leaving it.

▷ Active roll stabilization.

▷ Integral Active Steering.

▷ Display in the instrument cluster.

▷ Cruise control.

Steptronic transmission

1. Press the Start/Stop button.

▷ Drive-ready state is switched off.

▷ Standby state is switched on.

▷ Backrest width for comfort seats.

Overview

▷ Selector lever position P is engaged auto‐

matically.

2. Set the parking brake.

Automatic deactivation

General information

In certain situations, the Auto Start/Stop function

is deactivated automatically for safety reasons,

for instance if no driver is detected.

Displays in the instrument

cluster

Malfunction

The selected driving mode is dis‐

played in the instrument cluster.

The Auto Start/Stop function no longer switches

off the engine automatically. A Check Control

message is displayed. It is possible to continue

driving. Have the system checked by a dealer's

service center or another qualified service center

or repair shop.

Driving modes

Buttons in the vehicle

Driving Dynamics Control

Concept

Button

Driving

mode

Configuration

The Driving Dynamics Control influences the

driving dynamics properties of the vehicle.

The vehicle can be adjusted depending on the

situation using various driving modes.

SPORT

INDIVIDUAL

SPORT

PLUS

General information

COMFORT COMFORT

The following systems are affected, for instance:

135

Driving

CONTROLS

Switching on

Press the button repeatedly until

SPORT is displayed in the instrument

Button

Driving

mode

Configuration

COMFORT COMFORT

PLUS

cluster.

ECO PRO

ADAPTIVE

INDIVIDUAL

SPORT INDIVIDUAL

Concept

When drive-ready state is switched on, the

COMFORT driving mode is selected automati‐

cally.

Individual settings can be adjusted in the SPORT

INDIVIDUAL driving mode.

Configuration

Driving modes in detail

COMFORT

Via iDrive:

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

Concept

3. "Driving mode"

4. "SPORT INDIVIDUAL"

5. Select the desired setting.

Balanced tuning between dynamic and efficient

driving.

The setting is stored for the driver profile cur‐

rently used.

Switching on

Press the button repeatedly until COM‐

FORT is displayed in the instrument

cluster.

Reset SPORT INDIVIDUAL to the standard set‐

tings:

"Reset to SPORT STANDARD".

SPORT PLUS

Concept

COMFORT PLUS

Concept

Particularly comfortable tuning for optimum trav‐

eling comfort.

Dynamic tuning for maximum agility with an ad‐

justed drive.

Switching on

Press the button repeatedly until COM‐

FORT PLUS is displayed in the instru‐

ment cluster.

Press the button repeatedly until

SPORT PLUS is displayed in the instru‐

ment cluster.

SPORT

ECO PRO

Concept

Dynamic tuning for higher agility with an opti‐

mized chassis and suspension.

Efficient driving setting.

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Driving

CONTROLS

Switching on

Press the button repeatedly until ECO

PRO is displayed in the instrument clus‐

INDIVIDUAL configuration

General information

ter.

The individual configuration of the driving mode

is stored for the active driver profile. The last set

configuration is activated directly when the driv‐

ing mode is called up again.

ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL

Concept

Activating configuration of the

driving mode

Press the button for the desired driving mode

several times.

Individual settings can be adjusted in the ECO

PRO INDIVIDUAL driving mode.

Configuration

Via iDrive:

Parking brake

1. "CAR"

2. "Settings"

Concept

The parking brake is used to prevent the vehicle

from rolling when it is parked.

3. "Driving mode"

4. "ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL"

5. Select the desired setting.

The setting is stored for the driver profile cur‐

rently used.

Safety information

Reset ECO PRO INDIVIDUAL to the standard

settings:

Warning

An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and

possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident.

Before exiting, secure the vehicle against roll‐

ing.

"Reset to ECO PRO STANDARD".

ADAPTIVE

In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured

against rolling away, follow the following:

Concept

Comfort-oriented driving mode, whose tuning is

automatically modified to the driving situation

and driving style.

▷ Set the parking brake.

▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,

turn the front wheels in the direction of the

curb.

If the navigation system is active, upcoming road

sections are considered.

▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,

also secure the vehicle, for instance with a

wheel chock.

Switching on

Press the button. ADAPTIVE is dis‐

played in the instrument cluster.

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Driving

CONTROLS

Warning

While driving

General information

Unattended children or animals in the vehicle

can cause the vehicle to move and endanger

themselves and traffic, for instance due to the

following actions:

To use as emergency brake while driving.

Pull the switch and hold it. The vehicle brakes

hard while the switch is being pulled.

▷ Pressing the Start/Stop button.

▷ Releasing the parking brake.

The indicator light in the instrument clus‐

ter illuminates red, a signal sounds, and

the brake lights illuminate.

▷ Opening and closing the doors or win‐

dows.

A Check Control message is displayed.

▷ Engaging selector lever position N.

▷ Using vehicle equipment.

The parking brake is engaged when the vehicle

is stationary.

There is a risk of accidents or injuries. Do not

leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐

hicle. Take the remote control with you when

exiting and lock the vehicle.

With Emergency Stop Assistant

Pull the switch for the parking brake briefly to ac‐

tivate the emergency stop function, refer to

page 207.

Overview

Releasing

Releasing manually

1. Switch on drive-ready state.

2.

Press the switch while stepping on the

brake pedal or selector lever position P is set.

The LED and indicator light go out.

The parking brake is released.

Parking brake

Automatic release

The parking brake is released automatically

when you drive away.

Setting

The LED and indicator light go out.

Automatic Hold

Concept

With a stationary vehicle

Pull the switch.

The LED lights up.

This system assists the driver by automatically

setting and releasing the brake, such as when

moving in stop-and-go traffic.

The indicator light in the instrument clus‐

ter illuminates red. The parking brake is

set.

The vehicle is automatically held in place when it

is stationary.

138

Driving

CONTROLS

On uphill grades the system prevents the vehicle

from rolling backward when driving off.

▷ Opening and closing the doors or win‐

dows.

▷ Engaging selector lever position N.

▷ Using vehicle equipment.

General information

Under the following conditions, the parking brake

is automatically engaged:

There is a risk of accidents or injuries. Do not

leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐

hicle. Take the remote control with you when

exiting and lock the vehicle.

▷ Drive-ready state is switched off.

▷ The driver's door is opened while the vehicle

is stationary.

▷ The moving vehicle is brought to a standstill

using the parking brake.

NOTICE

If the vehicle is stationary, Automatic Hold en‐

gages the parking brake and prevents the vehi‐

cle from rolling in a vehicle wash. There is a risk

of damage to property. Deactivate Automatic

Hold prior to entering the vehicle wash.

Display

The indicator light changes from green

to red.

Safety information

Overview

Warning

An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and

possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident.

Before exiting, secure the vehicle against roll‐

ing.

In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured

against rolling away, follow the following:

▷ Set the parking brake.

▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,

turn the front wheels in the direction of the

curb.

Automatic Hold

▷ On uphill grades or on a downhill slope,

also secure the vehicle, for instance with a

wheel chock.

Establishing function readiness of

Automatic Hold

1. Switch on drive-ready state.

2.

Press the button.

The LED lights up.

Warning

Unattended children or animals in the vehicle

can cause the vehicle to move and endanger

themselves and traffic, for instance due to the

following actions:

The indicator light lights up green.

Automatic Hold is functional.

After every new vehicle start, the last se‐

▷ Pressing the Start/Stop button.

▷ Releasing the parking brake.

lected setting is active.

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Driving

CONTROLS

Automatic Hold holding the vehicle

Malfunction

Function readiness is established and the driv‐

er's door is closed.

In the event of a failure or malfunction of the

parking brake:

After stepping on the brake pedal, for instance

when stopping at a traffic light, the vehicle is au‐

tomatically secured against rolling.

Secure the vehicle against rolling away, for in‐

stance with a wheel chock, after existing the ve‐

hicle.

The indicator light lights up green.

After a power failure

To reestablish parking brake functionality after a

power failure:

Driving off

Step on the accelerator pedal to drive off.

1. Switch on standby state.

The brake is released automatically and the indi‐

cator light is no longer illuminated.

2.

Pull the switch while stepping on the

brake pedal or selector lever position P is set

and then push.

Activating the parking brake

automatically

The parking brake is automatically set if drive-

ready state is switched off while the vehicle is

being held by Automatic Hold or if the vehicle is

exited.

This process may take a few seconds. Some

mechanical sounds associated with this process

are normal.

The indicator light is no longer illumi‐

nated as soon as the parking brake is

ready for operation again.

The indicator light changes from green

to red.

Turn signal

The parking brake is not set automatically, if the

drive-ready state is switched off, while the vehi‐

cle is coasting to a halt. Automatic Hold is deacti‐

vated.

Turn signal in exterior mirror

When driving and during operation of the turn

signals or hazard warning system, do not fold in

the exterior mirrors, so that the signal lights on

the exterior mirror are easy to see.

Switching function readiness off

Press the button.

The LED goes out.

The indicator light goes out.

Automatic Hold is switched off.

If the vehicle is being held by Automatic Hold,

press additionally on the brake pedal, when

switching off.

140

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CONTROLS

Using turn signals

▷ High beams on, arrow 1.

The high beams light up when the low beams

are switched on.

Press the lever past the resistance point.

▷ High beams off/headlight flasher, arrow 2.

Triple turn signal activation

Lightly tap the lever up or down.

The triple turn signal duration can be adjusted.

Via iDrive:

Wiper system

General information

1. "CAR"

Do not use the wipers if the windshield is dry, as

this may damage the wiper blades or cause them

to become worn more quickly.

2. "Settings"

3. "Exterior lighting"

4. "One-touch turn signal"

5. Select the desired setting.

Safety information

The setting is stored for the driver profile cur‐

rently used.

Warning

If the wipers start moving in the folded away

state, body parts can be jammed or damage

may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is a risk

of injury or risk of damage to property. Make

sure that the vehicle is switched off when the

wipers are in the folded away state and the wip‐

ers are folded in when switching on.

Signaling briefly

Press the lever to the resistance point and hold it

there for as long as you want the turn signal to

flash.

High beams,

headlight flasher

NOTICE

Push the lever forward or pull it backward.

If the wipers are frozen to the windshield, the

wiper blades can be torn off and the wiper mo‐

tor can overheat when switching on. There is a

risk of damage to property. Defrost the wind‐

shield prior to switching the wipers on.

141

Driving

CONTROLS

Switching on

Rain sensor

Concept

The rain sensor automatically controls the time

between wipes depending on the intensity of the

rainfall.

General information

The sensor is located on the windshield, directly

in front of the interior mirror.

Press the lever up until the desired position is

reached.

Safety information

▷ Resting position of the wipers, position 0.

▷ Rain sensor, position 1.

NOTICE

If the rain sensor is activated, the wipers can

accidentally start moving in vehicle washes.

There is a risk of damage to property. Deacti‐

vate the rain sensor in vehicle washes.

▷ Normal wiper speed, position 2.

▷ Fast wiper speed, position 3.

When travel is interrupted with the wiper system

switched on: when travel continues, the wipers

resume at their previous speed.

Activating

Switching off and brief wipe

Press the lever up once from its standard posi‐

tion, arrow 1.

Press the lever down.

▷ Switching off: press the lever down until it

reaches its standard position.

Wiping is started.

The LED in the wiper lever is illuminated.

▷ Brief wipe: press the lever down from the

standard position.

In frosty conditions, wiper operation may not

start.

The lever automatically returns to its initial

position when released.

Deactivating

Press the lever back into the standard position.

142

Driving

CONTROLS

Adjusting the rain sensor sensitivity

Cleaning the windshield

Turn the thumbwheel to adjust the sensitivity of

the rain sensor.

Pull the lever.

The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐

shield and activates the wipers briefly.

Upward: high rain sensor sensitivity.

Downward: low rain sensor sensitivity.

Windshield washer nozzles

The windshield washer nozzles are automatically

heated while standby state is switched on.

Windshield washer system

Safety information

Fold-away position of the wipers

Concept

The fold-away position enables the wipers to be

folded away from the windshield.

Warning

The washer fluid can freeze onto the window at

low temperatures and obstruct the view. There

is a risk of accident. Only use the washer sys‐

tems, if the washer fluid cannot freeze. Use

washer fluid with antifreeze, if needed.

General information

Important, for instance when changing the wiper

blades or for folding away under frosty condi‐

tions.

NOTICE

When the washer fluid reservoir is empty, the

wash pump cannot work as intended. There is

a risk of damage to property. Do not use the

washer system when the washer fluid reservoir

is empty.

Safety information

Warning

If the wipers start moving in the folded away

state, body parts can be jammed or damage

may occur to parts of the vehicle. There is a risk

of injury or risk of damage to property. Make

sure that the vehicle is switched off when the

wipers are in the folded away state and the wip‐

ers are folded in when switching on.

143

Driving

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NOTICE

Steptronic transmission

If the wipers are frozen to the windshield, the

wiper blades can be torn off and the wiper mo‐

tor can overheat when switching on. There is a

risk of damage to property. Defrost the wind‐

shield prior to switching the wipers on.

Concept

The Steptronic transmission combines the func‐

tions of an automatic transmission with the pos‐

sibility of manual shifting, if needed.

Safety information

Folding away the wipers

1. Switch on standby state.

Warning

2. Press and hold the wiper lever down, until the

wipers stop in a close to vertical position.

An unsecured vehicle can begin to move and

possibly roll away. There is a risk of accident.

Before exiting, secure the vehicle against roll‐

ing, for instance with the parking brake.

Selector lever positions

Drive mode D

Selector lever position for normal vehicle opera‐

tion. All gears for forward travel are activated au‐

tomatically.

3. Fold the wipers all the way away from the

windshield.

R is reverse

Engage selector lever position R only when the

vehicle is stationary.

Neutral N

The vehicle may be pushed or roll without power,

for instance in vehicle washes, refer to

page 145, in selector lever position N.

Parking position P

Folding down the wipers

After the wipers are folded back down, the wiper

system must be reactivated.

Selector lever position, for instance for parking

the vehicle. The transmission blocks the drive

wheels in selector lever position P.

Engage selector lever position P only when the

vehicle is stationary.

1. Fold the wipers back down onto the wind‐

shield.

2. Switch on standby state and press and hold

the wiper lever down again.

P is engaged automatically

Selector lever position P is engaged automati‐

cally in situations such as the following:

3. Wipers return to their resting position and are

ready again for operation.

144

Driving

CONTROLS

▷ After the drive-ready state is switched off and

selector lever position R, D or M/S is en‐

gaged.

2. Press and hold the button to release the se‐

lector lever lock.

▷ After the standby state has been switched off

when selector lever position N is engaged.

▷ If the driver's safety belt is unbuckled, the

driver's door is opened, and the brake pedal

is not pressed while the vehicle is stationary

and selector lever position D, M/S or R is en‐

gaged.

Engaging selector lever

positions

3. Push the selector lever in the desired direc‐

tion, past a resistance point, if needed. The

selector lever automatically returns to the

center position when released.

General information

To prevent the vehicle from creeping after you

select a drive mode, maintain pressure on the

brake pedal until you are ready to start.

Functional requirements

Only when the drive-ready state is switched on

and the brake pedal is depressed is it possible to

change from selector lever position P to another

selector lever position.

The selection lever position P cannot be

changed until all technical requirements are met.

Engaging selector lever position P

Engaging selector lever position D,

N, R

A selector lever lock prevents the following faulty

operation:

▷ Unintentional shifting into selector lever posi‐

tion R.

▷ Unintentional shifting from selector lever po‐

sition P into another selector lever position.

Press button P.

1. Fasten driver's safety belt.

Rolling or pushing the vehicle

General information

In some situations, the vehicle is to roll without

its own power for a short distance, for instance in

a vehicle wash, or be pushed.

145

Driving

CONTROLS

style. The transmission, for instance shifts up

later and the shifting times are shorter.

Engaging selector lever position N

1. Switch on drive-ready state while pressing on

the brake pedal.

Activating the Sport program

2. If necessary, release the parking brake.

3. If necessary, switch off Automatic Hold, refer

to page 138.

4. Depress the brake pedal.

5. Touch the selector lever lock and engage se‐

lector lever position N.

6. Switch off drive-ready state.

In this way, standby state remains switched

on, and a Check Control message is dis‐

played.

Press the selector lever to the left from selector

lever position D.

The vehicle can roll.

The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument

cluster, for instance S1.

NOTICE

The sport program of the transmission is acti‐

vated.

Selector lever position P is automatically en‐

gaged when standby state is switched off.

There is a risk of damage to property. Do not

switch standby state off in vehicle washes.

Ending the Sport program

Push the selector lever to the right.

D is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Irrespective of standby state, the selector lever

position P is automatically engaged after approx.

35 minutes.

Manual mode M/S

If there is a malfunction, you may not be able to

change the selector lever position.

Concept

Electronically unlock the transmission lock, if

needed, refer to page 148.

Manual gear-shifting is possible in manual mode.

Activating manual mode

1. Press the selector lever to the left from selec‐

tor lever position D, arrow 1.

Kickdown

Kickdown is used to achieve maximum driving

performance.

Step on the accelerator pedal beyond the resist‐

ance point at the full throttle position.

Sport program M/S

Concept

The shifting points and shifting times in the

Sport program are designed for a sportier driving

146

Driving

CONTROLS

2. Push the selector lever forward or pull it

backward, arrows 2.

General information

Shifting

Manual mode becomes active and the gear is

changed.

The vehicle only shifts at suitable engine and

road speeds.

The engaged gear is displayed in the instrument

cluster, for instance M1.

Short-term manual mode

Shifting

In selector lever position D, actuating a shift pad‐

dle switches into manual mode temporarily.

▷ To shift down: press the selector lever for‐

ward.

After conservative driving in manual mode with‐

out acceleration or shifting via the shift paddles

for a certain amount of time, the transmission

switches back to automatic mode.

▷ To shift up: pull the selector lever rearwards.

The transmission continues shifting automati‐

cally in certain situations, for instance when

speed limits are reached.

It is possible to switch into automatic mode as

follows:

▷ Pull and hold right shift paddle.

Steptronic Sport transmission:

prevent automatic upshifting in M/S

manual mode

▷ In addition to the briefly pulled right shift pad‐

dle, briefly pull the left shift paddle.

If driving mode SPORT, refer to page 136, is se‐

lected, the Steptronic Sport transmission does

not automatically upshift in M/S manual mode

once the maximum speed is reached.

Continuous manual mode

In selector lever position S, actuating a shift pad‐

dle switches into manual mode permanently.

Depending on the BMW M drive configuration,

this function is active independently of the driv‐

ing mode.

Steptronic Sport transmission

With the appropriate transmission version, the

lowest possible gear can be selected by simulta‐

neously activating kickdown and operating the

left shift paddles. This is not possible in short-

term manual mode.

In addition, there is no downshifting for kick‐

down.

Ending the manual mode

Push the selector lever to the right.

D is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Shifting

Shift paddles

Concept

The shift paddles on the steering wheel allow

you to shift gears quickly while keeping both

hands on the steering wheel.

▷ To shift up: briefly pull right shift paddle.

▷ To shift down: briefly pull left shift paddle.

147

Driving

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▷ The lowest possible gear can be selected by

pulling and holding the left shift paddle.

A Check Control message is displayed.

The selected gear is briefly displayed in the in‐

strument cluster, followed by the current gear.

Displays in the instrument

cluster

The selector lever position is dis‐

played, for example P.

4. Release Start/Stop button and selector lever.

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.

Electronic unlocking of the

transmission lock

For additional information, see the chapter on

tow-starting and towing, refer to page 377.

General information

Electronically unlock the transmission lock to

maneuver vehicle from a danger area.

Launch Control

Concept

Launch Control enables optimum acceleration

on surfaces with good traction under dry sur‐

rounding conditions.

Unlocking is possible, if the starter can spin the

engine.

Before unlocking the transmission lock, set the

parking brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling

away.

General information

The use of Launch Control causes premature

component wear since this function represents a

very heavy load for the vehicle.

Engaging selector lever position N

1. Press and hold down brake pedal.

2. Press the Start/Stop button. The starter must

audibly start. Hold the Start/Stop button

pressed.

Do not use Launch Control during the break-in,

refer to page 312, period.

Do not steer the steering wheel when driving off

with Launch Control.

3. With your free hand, press the button on the

selector lever, arrow 1, and press the selector

lever into selector lever position N and hold,

arrow N, until selector lever position N is dis‐

played in the instrument cluster.

Functional requirements

Launch Control is available when the engine is at

operating temperature. The engine is at operat‐

ing temperature after an uninterrupted trip of at

least 6 miles/10 km.

Start with launch control

1. Switch on drive-ready state.

2.

Press the button.

148

Driving

CONTROLS

TRACTION is displayed in the instrument

cluster and the indicator light for DSC OFF

lights up.

3. Engage selector lever position S.

4. With the left foot, forcefully press down on

the brake.

5. Press and hold down the accelerator pedal

beyond the resistance point at the full throttle

position, kickdown.

A flag symbol is displayed in the instrument

cluster.

6. The starting engine speed adjusts. Within

3 seconds, release the brake.

Repeated use during a trip

After Launch Control has been used, the trans‐

mission must cool down for approx. 5 minutes

before Launch Control can be used again.

Launch Control adjusts to the surrounding con‐

ditions, when used again.

After using Launch Control

To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC Dy‐

namic Stability Control again as soon as possible.

System limits

An experienced driver may be able to achieve

better acceleration values in DSC OFF mode.

149

CONTROLS -> Driving for Your BMW 7 Series 4 Door Sixth Generation (2015-2021)

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