Get Controls -> Technology for driving comfort and safety Guide for BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

Technology for driving comfort and safety

>

if you stop in front of an object that has been

detected by only one of the corner sensors

Park Distance Control PDC*

The concept

if you are driving parallel to a wall.

The PDC assists you with maneuvering in tight

parking spaces. Acoustic signals and a visual

indicator warn you of the presence of an object

behind your vehicle. To measure the distance,

there are four ultrasonic sensors in the

bumpers.

Malfunction

The indicator lamp in the instrument

cluster comes on. PDC is malfunc-

tioning. A message appears on the

Control Display. Have the system checked.

These sensors have a range of approx. 6.5 ft/

2 m. However, an acoustic warning does not

sound until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm

from the corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m

from the center sensors.

To avoid this problem, keep the sensors clean

and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that

they will continue to operate effectively. When

using a high-pressure cleaner, do not spray the

sensors for extended periods of time and only

from a distance of at least 4 in/10 cm.

PDC is a parking aid that can indicate

objects when they are approached

PDC with visual warning

slowly, as is usually the case when parking.

Avoid approaching an object at high speed, oth-

erwise physical circumstances may lead to the

system warning being issued too late.<

You can also have the system show distances

to objects on the Control Display. The contours

of distant objects are shown on the Control Dis-

play even before the acoustic signal sounds.

The setting is stored for the remote control cur-

rently in use.

Switching on automatically

With the engine running or the ignition switched

on, the system is activated after approx. 1 sec-

ond when you engage reverse gear. Wait this

short period before driving.

iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.

1. Press the

button.

This opens the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.

Switching off automatically

After approx. 165 ft/50 m of driving or over

approx. 20 mph/30 km/h, the system switches

off and the LED goes out.

Signal tones

When nearing an object, its position is indicated

correspondingly by an interval tone. As the dis-

tance between vehicle and object decreases,

the intervals between the tones become

shorter. If the distance to the nearest object

falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then a contin-

uous tone sounds.

4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-

troller.

An interval tone is interrupted after approx.

3 seconds

5. If necessary, move the highlight marker to

the uppermost field. Turn the controller

87

until "PDC" is selected and press the con-

troller.

Antilock Brake System ABS

ABS prevents locking of the wheels during

braking. Safe steering response is maintained

even during full braking. Active safety is thus

increased.

The ABS is operational every time you start the

engine. Braking safely, refer to page 125.

Electronic brake-force distribution

The system controls the brake pressure in the

rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.

6. Select "PDC display on" and press the con-

troller.

Brake assist

The PDC screen is activated.

When you apply the brakes rapidly, this system

automatically produces the maximum braking

force boost and thus helps to achieve the short-

est possible braking distance during full brak-

ing. This system exploits all of the benefits pro-

vided by ABS.

The display is shown on the Control Display as

soon as PDC is activated.

System limitations

Even with PDC, final responsibility for

estimating the distance between the

Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the

duration of the full braking application.

vehicle and any obstructions always remains

with the driver. Even when sensors are pro-

vided, there is a blind spot in which objects can

no longer be detected. The system is also sub-

ject to the physical limits that apply to all forms

of ultrasonic measurement, such as those

encountered with trailer towbars and hitches,

thin or wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low objects

that have already been displayed, e.g. curbs,

can disappear again from the detection area of

the sensors before or after a continuous tone

sounds. Higher, protruding objects, e.g. ledges,

cannot be detected. Therefore, always drive

cautiously, otherwise there is a risk of personal

injury or property damage. Loud sound sources

outside or inside the car can drown out the PDC

signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously, oth-

erwise there is a risk of personal injury or prop-

erty damage.<

Dynamic Stability Control DSC

DSC optimizes driving stability and traction. In

addition, the system recognizes unstable driv-

ing situations such as understeering and over-

steering, and helps keep the vehicle on a safe

course within physical limits by reducing engine

power and applying the brakes on individual

wheels.

The laws of physics cannot be repealed,

even with DSC. An appropriate driving

style always remains the responsibility of the

driver. Therefore, do not reduce the additional

safety margin again by taking risks, as this could

result in an accident.<

M Dynamic Mode MDM*

M Dynamic Mode is a mode of the Dynamic

Stability Control DSC that permits greater lon-

gitudinal and lateral acceleration when driving

on dry surfaces, yet with reduced driving stabil-

ity. Only at the absolute limit of stability does

the system intervene to stabilize the vehicle by

reducing engine power and applying the brakes

on the wheels. In such situations, additional

Driving stability control

systems

Your BMW has a number of systems that help

to maintain the vehicle's stability even in

adverse driving conditions.

88

corrective steering maneuvers may be neces-

sary.

Deactivating MDM

Press the

button on the steering wheel

M Dynamic Mode is switched off every time the

engine is restarted.

again; the MDM indicator lamp in the instru-

ment cluster goes out.

When the M Dynamic Mode is on, stabi-

lizing measures are performed to a limited

degree only. Take action yourself, otherwise

there is a risk of an accident.<

For better control

The indicator lamp goes out briefly after

the engine is started.

If the indicator lamp lights up:

M Dynamic Mode is activated.

To maintain vehicle stability, drive with

the DSC activated and the

M Dynamic Mode deactivated whenever possi-

ble.<

The indicator lamp lights up perma-

nently and the DSC indicator lamp

flashes. M Dynamic Mode is control-

ling the drive and braking forces.

Activating MDM

Press the button on the steering wheel, refer

to MDrive* on page 54. The MDM indicator

lamp in the instrument cluster lights up if you

previously selected the M Dynamic Mode MDM

in MDrive.

Deactivating DSC

When the ignition is on, you can set the

M Dynamic Mode via MDrive on the Control

Display.

iDrive, for operating principle refer to page 16.

1. Press the

button.

This opens the start menu.

Press the DSC OFF button for longer than

approx. 1 second; the indicator lamps for DSC

in the instrument cluster light up. Stabilizing

and drive-output promoting actions are no

longer executed.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Select "M settings" and press the control-

ler.

4. Select "MDrive" and press the controller.

5. Select "DSC" and press the controller.

You may find it useful to briefly deactivate DSC

under the following exceptional circumstances:

6. Select "M Dynamic Mode" and press the

controller.

>

When driving uphill on snow-covered roads,

in slush or on unplowed, snow-covered

roads

>

When rocking a stuck vehicle free or start-

ing off in deep snow or on loose ground

When driving with snow chains

To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again

as soon as possible.

Activating DSC

Press the DSC OFF button again; the indicator

lamps in the instrument cluster go out.

89

>

"Sport": both LEDs light up.

For better control

If the indicator lamp flashes:

DSC is regulating the drive and brak-

ing forces.

Each time the engine is started, the program set

for the remote control in use is active, refer to

Key-dependent settings on page 55.

If the indicator lamps are on:

DSC is deactivated.

You can also set and call up your preferred

program via MDrive, refer to page 54.

Drive-off assistant

The drive-off assistant enables you to drive off

smoothly on uphill gradients. It is not necessary

to use the parking brake for this.

Electronic Damper Control

EDC*

The concept

1. Hold the car in place by depressing the

brake.

Whenever there is a change in any significant

parameter such as road surface quality or in an

operating condition such as steering, braking,

etc., the damping automatically adjusts to the

new conditions in fractions of a second.

2. Release the brake and drive off without

delay.

The drive-off assistant holds the car in

place for approx. 2 seconds after the

brake is released. Drive off without delay after

releasing the brake. Otherwise, the drive-off

assistant will no longer hold the car in place

after approx. 2 seconds and the car will start to

roll backwards.<

You can select between three programs.

"Comfort" program

Select the "Comfort" program if you want com-

fort-oriented control of the shock absorbers.

"Normal" program

Flat Tire Monitor FTM*

The "Normal" program offers control that is bal-

anced between comfort and sportiness.

The concept

"Sport" program

The Flat Tire Monitor detects pressure loss in a

tire by comparing the rotating speeds of the

individual tires while moving.

Select the "Sport" program if you want consis-

tently sporty control of the shock absorbers.

In the event of pressure loss, the rolling circum-

ference changes and, thus, the rotating speed

of the affected wheel. This change is detected

and is reported as a flat tire.

Selecting a program

Functional requirement

In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat

tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-

rect tire inflation pressure.

The system must be reinitialized each

time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-

rected or a wheel or tire has been changed.<

Press the EDC button repeatedly:

>

"Comfort": LED off:

"Normal": one LED lights up.

90

System limitations

Via iDrive

The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn

For operating principle, refer to page 16.

the driver of sudden, severe tire damage

caused by external factors, nor can it identify

the gradual loss of pressure that will inevitably

occur in all four tires over a lengthy period of

time.<

1. Press the

button.

This opens the start menu.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

3. Turn the controller until "Settings" is

selected and press the controller.

In the following situations, the system could be

delayed or malfunction:

>

System has not been initialized

Driving on snowy or slippery road surface

Performance-oriented style of driving: slip

in the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration

>

Snow chains are attached

Initializing the system

The initialization is completed during driv-

ing, which can be interrupted at any time.

When driving resumes, the initialization is con-

tinued automatically.

Do not initialize the system while snow chains

are attached.<

4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-

troller.

5. If necessary, move the highlight marker to

the uppermost field. Turn the controller

until "FTM" is selected and press the con-

troller.

Using the button in the center console

1. Start the engine, but do not start driving.

2. Press the button for approx. 4 seconds until

the warning lamp in the instrument cluster

lights up yellow. Warning lamp, refer to Indi-

cation of a flat tire on page 92.

The message "Initializing FTM..." appears

on the Control Display for several seconds.

6. Start the engine, but do not start driving.

7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.

8. Select "Yes" and press the controller.

3. Start to drive.

Initialization is completed while the car is

moving, without any feedback.

91

9. Start to drive.

System limitations

Initialization is completed while the car is

moving, without any feedback.

TPM cannot warn you in advance of sud-

den severe tire damage caused by out-

side influences.<

Indication of a flat tire

The system does not work correctly if it has not

been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-

cated even though the tire inflation pressures

are correct.

The warning lamps come on in yellow

and red. A message appears on the

Control Display. In addition, an

acoustic signal sounds. There is a flat

tire or substantial loss of tire pressure.

The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat

tire if a wheel without TPM electronics has been

mounted, or if TPM is temporarily malfunction-

ing due to other systems or devices using the

same radio frequency.

1. Reduce your speed and carefully stop the

car. Avoid sudden braking and steering

maneuvers.

2. Identify the damaged tire. To do so, check

the tire pressure using the M Mobility Sys-

tem, refer to Producing the tire inflation

pressure on page 238.

Status indicator on the Control Display

The color of the wheels represents the status of

the tires and the system.

3. Repair the flat tire with the M Mobility Sys-

tem, refer to page 238.

TPM takes into account that tire pressures

change while the vehicle is being driven. The

tire pressures do not need to be corrected

unless the TPM instructs you to do so by means

of color indicators.

Malfunction

The warning lamps come on in yel-

low. A message appears on the Con-

trol Display. The Flat Tire Monitor has

a malfunction or has failed. Have the

system checked as soon as possible.

Green

The tire inflation pressure corresponds to the

established target value.

"TPM active" appears on the Control Display.

Tire Pressure Monitor TPM*

One wheel yellow

There is a flat tire or substantial loss of tire pres-

sure in the indicated tire. A message appears on

the Control Display.

The concept

TPM checks the inflation pressures of the four

mounted tires. The system notifies you if there

is a significant loss of pressure in one or more

tires.

All wheels yellow

There is a flat tire or substantial loss of tire pres-

sure in several tires. A message appears on the

Control Display.

Functional requirement

In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat

tire, the system must be reset while all tire infla-

tion pressures are correct.

Gray

The system cannot detect a puncture.

Always use wheels with TPM electronics. Oth-

erwise, the system may malfunction.

Possible reasons for this:

>

TPM is being reset

Each time a tire inflation pressure has

been corrected or a wheel or tire has been

changed, reset the system.<

Temporary malfunction caused by systems

or devices using the same radio frequency

>

Malfunction

92

3. Select "Settings" and press the controller.

Resetting the system

Each time a tire inflation pressure has

been corrected or a wheel or tire has been

changed, reset the system.<

Using the button in the center console

1. Start the engine, but do not start driving.

2. Press the button for approx. 4 seconds until

the warning lamp in the instrument cluster

lights up yellow. Warning lamp, refer to

Message for low tire inflation pressure on

page 94.

4. Select "Vehicle / Tires" and press the con-

troller.

The message "Resetting TPM..." appears

on the Control Display for several seconds.

5. If necessary, move the highlight marker to

the uppermost field. Turn the controller

until "TPM" is selected and press the con-

troller.

3. Start to drive.

After driving a few minutes, the set inflation

pressures in the tires are accepted as the

target values to be monitored. The system

reset is completed during your drive, and

can be interrupted at any time. When driving

resumes, the reset is continued automati-

cally. The indicator lamp goes out after the

system reset is completed.

6. Start the engine, but do not start driving.

7. Select "Reset" and press the controller.

8. Select "Yes" and press the controller.

Via iDrive

For operating principle, refer to page 16.

1. Press the

button.

The start menu is called up.

2. Press the controller to open the menu.

9. Start to drive.

The wheels are shown in gray and "Reset-

ting TPM..." is displayed.

After driving a few minutes, the set inflation

pressures in the tires are accepted as the target

values to be monitored. The system reset is

completed during your drive, and can be inter-

93

rupted at any time. When driving resumes, the

reset is continued automatically. On the Control

Display, the wheels are shown in green and

"Status: TPM active" is displayed again.

Message for unsuccessful system

reset

The warning lamp lights up yellow. A

message appears on the Control Dis-

play. The system is not reset after a

tire has been changed, for example.

If a flat tire is detected while the system is

resetting and determining the inflation

pressures, all wheels on the Control Display are

displayed in yellow. The message "Tire low!" is

shown.<

Check the tire inflation pressure and reset the

system, refer to page 93.

Declaration according to NHTSA/

FMVSS 138

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

Message for low tire inflation pressure

The warning lamps come on in yellow

and red. A message appears on the

Control Display. In addition, a signal

sounds. There is a flat tire or substan-

tial loss of tire pressure.

Each tire should be checked monthly when cold

and inflated to the inflation pressure recom-

mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the

vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. If

your vehicle has tires of a different size than the

size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire infla-

tion pressure label, you should determine the

proper tire inflation pressure for those tires. As

an added safety feature, your vehicle has been

equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-

tem, TPMS, that illuminates a low tire pressure

telltale when one or more of your tires are signif-

icantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the

low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should

stop and check your tires as soon as possible,

and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving

on a significantly underinflated tire causes the

tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.

Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and

tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s han-

dling and stopping ability. Please note that the

TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-

nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to

maintain correct tire pressure, even if underin-

flation has not reached the level at which the

TPMS low tire pressure telltale illuminates.

1. Reduce your speed and carefully stop the

car. Avoid sudden braking and steering

maneuvers.

2. If all four wheels are shown in yellow, iden-

tify the damaged wheel on the vehicle.

3. Repair the flat tire with the M Mobility Sys-

tem, refer to page 237.

Have the tire replaced by a BMW center or a

workshop that is informed in the handling of

TPM and that works according to BMW repair

procedures with correspondingly trained per-

sonnel.

Malfunction

The small warning lamp flashes in

yellow and then lights up continu-

ously; the larger warning lamp comes

on in yellow. On the Control Display,

the wheels are shown in gray and a message

appears. No punctures can be detected.

This type of message is shown in the following

situations:

The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined

with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-

tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash

for approximately one minute and then remain

continuously lit. This sequence will continue

upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as

the malfunction exists. When the malfunction

indicator is illuminated, the system may not be

able to detect or signal low tire pressure as

intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a

>

If there is a malfunction

Have the system checked.

If a wheel without TPM electronics has

been mounted

If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to

other systems or devices using the same

radio frequency.

94

variety of reasons, including the installation of

replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the

vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning

properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction

telltale after replacing one or more tires or

wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the

replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow

the TPMS to continue to function properly.

"Sport" program

Select the "Sport" program if you want consis-

tently sporty steering.

Selecting a program

You can set and call up your preferred pro-

gram via MDrive, refer to page 54.

Brake Force Display

Servotronic

The concept

"Servotronic" varies the steering force required

to turn the wheels depending on the speed at

which you are driving.

At low speeds, steering is assisted strongly, i.e.

less effort is required to turn the vehicle. Steer-

ing assistance lessens with increasing speed.

You can select between two programs*.

On the left: normal braking.

On the right: sharp braking.

"Normal" program

Select the "Normal" program if you want com-

fort-oriented steering, e.g. in city traffic or when

parking.

Airbags

The following airbags are located under the

marked covers:

Protective action

Observe the adjustment instructions on

page 45 to ensure the best possible per-

sonal protection.<

1

2

3

Front airbags

Coupe: head airbags

Side airbags in the seat backrests

The front airbags help protect the driver and

front passenger by responding to frontal

impacts in which safety belts alone cannot pro-

vide adequate restraint. When needed, the

95

head and side airbags help provide protection in

the event of side impact. The relevant side air-

bag supports the side upper body area. The

head air bag supports the head.

The indicator lamp above the interior

rearview mirror shows the current status

of the front passenger airbags, deactivated or

activated, refer to Status of front passenger air-

bags below.<

The airbags have been designed to not be trig-

gered in every collision situation, e.g. not in

minor accidents or rear-end collisions.

Before transporting a child on the front

passenger seat, read the safety precau-

tions and handling instructions under Trans-

porting children safely, refer to page 57.

The front and side airbags can also be deacti-

vated by adolescents and adults sitting in cer-

tain positions; the indicator lamp for the front

passenger airbags comes on. In such cases, the

passenger should change his or her sitting

position so that the front passenger airbags are

activated and the indicator lamp goes out. If the

desired airbag status cannot be achieved by

changing the sitting position, transport the rele-

vant passenger on a rear seat. Do not attach

seat covers, seat cushion padding, ball mats or

other items to the front passenger seat unless

they are specifically recommended by BMW.

Do not place any items under the seat which

could press against the seat from below. Other-

wise a correct analysis of the seat cushion is not

ensured.<

Do not apply adhesive materials to the

cover panels of the airbags, cover them or

modify them in any other way. Do not attach

seat covers, cushions or other objects not spe-

cifically approved for seats with integral side air-

bags to the front seats. Do not hang items of

clothing such as coats or jackets over the back-

rests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag

retention system from the vehicle. Do not mod-

ify the individual components of the system or

its wiring in any way. This includes the uphol-

stered covers on the steering wheel, instrument

panel, seats and roof posts, as well as the sides

of the roof lining. Do not attempt to remove or

dismantle the steering wheel.

Do not touch the individual components imme-

diately after the system has been triggered,

because there is a danger of burns.

In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or

triggering of the airbag restraint system, have

the testing, repair, removal and disposal of air-

bag generators executed only by a BMW center

or a workshop that works according to repair

procedures of BMW with correspondingly

trained personnel and that has the required

explosives licenses. Unprofessionalattempts to

work on the system could lead to failure in an

emergency or to undesired airbag activation,

either of which could result in personal injury.<

Status of front passenger airbags

Warning notices and information about the air-

bags can also be found on the sun visors.

The indicator lamp for the front passenger air-

bags shows the functional status of the front

passenger's front and side airbags in accor-

dance with whether and how the front passen-

ger seat is occupied. The indicator lamp shows

whether the front passenger airbags are acti-

vated or deactivated.

Automatic deactivation of the front

passenger airbags

An analysis of the impression in the front pas-

senger seat cushion determines whether and

how the seat is occupied. The front and side air-

bags for the front passenger are activated or

deactivated by the system accordingly.

>

The indicator lamp lights up when a child in

a specially designated child-restraint sys-

tem is detected, as intended, on the seat.

96

The front and side airbags for the front pas-

senger are not activated.

Convertible: rollover

protection system

The rollover protection system is activated

automatically in the event of an accident, a crit-

ical driving situation, an extreme tilt in the car's

longitudinal axis or upon loss of ground contact.

The protection bars behind the rear head

restraints deploy within fractions of a second.

Most child seats are detected by the

system, especially child seats

required by the NHTSA at the time of vehi-

cle production. After mounting a child seat,

ensure that the indicator lamp for the front

passenger airbag is lit. It indicates that the

child seat has been detected and that the

front passenger airbags are deactivated.<

As a supplementary system to the reinforced

windshield frame, the rollover protection sys-

tem ensures that the necessary headroom is

maintained for all vehicle occupants.

>

The indicator lamp does not come on as

long as a person of sufficient size and in a

correct sitting position is detected on the

seat.

The front and side airbags for the front pas-

senger are activated.

Always keep the area of movement of the

rollover protection system clear.

In minor accidents, you are protected by the

fastened safety belt and, depending on acci-

dent severity, by the safety belt tensioner and

multi-phase airbag retention system.<

The indicator lamp does not come on if the

seat is empty.

The front and side airbags for the front pas-

senger are not activated.

Resetting

If the rollover protection system was not

impacted after being automatically activated, it

can be reset by lowering the protection bars to

their original positions. This does not require

tools.

Operational readiness of airbag system

1. Push the locking lever to one side and hold

it there.

As of radio readiness, refer to page 59, the

warning lamp comes on briefly to indicate that

the entire airbag system and the belt tensioners

are operational.

Airbag system malfunction

>

Warning lamp does not light up at radio

readiness or beyond.

2. Push the protection bar halfway down from

above.

>

Warning lamp remains permanently on.

3. Release the locking lever.

In the event of a fault in the airbag system,

have it checked without delay, otherwise

there is the risk that the system will not function

as intended even if a sufficiently severe acci-

dent occurs.<

97

4. Push the protection bar down until it snaps

into place.

5. Repeat the procedure for the other protec-

tion bar.

Have the rollover protection system checked

after an unexpected activation.

Never move the retractable hardtop when

the rollover protection system is in the

activated position.

Do not make any modifications to the individual

components of the rollover protection system

or its cabling.

Work on the rollover protection system should

only be performed by a BMW center.

Incorrectly performed work on the system may

lead to system failure or incorrect operation.

To check the system and ensure flawless long-

term operation, always observe the service

intervals, refer to page 78.<

98

Controls -> Technology for driving comfort and safety for Your BMW M3 4 Door Fourth Generation (2007-2013)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals