Get Controls -> Driving stability control systems Guide for BMW X3 SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

Driving stability control systems

Controls

Driving stability control systems

DSC is also able to detect unstable driving

conditions such as loss of traction at the rear

or vehicle slip over the front wheels. DSC re‐

duces engine output and applies the brakes at

individual wheels, helping, within the limits im‐

posed by the laws of physics, to keep the vehi‐

cle safely on course.

Vehicle equipment

This chapter describes all standard, national

and special equipment provided in the model

series. Equipment not available in the vehicle is

therefore also described, for example the se‐

lected special equipment or national version.

This also applies to safety-relevant functions

and systems. Comply with the relevant na‐

tional regulations when using the correspond‐

ing functions and systems.

Note

Adapting driving style to the prevailing

conditions

It is therefore the driver’s responsibility to

adopt a suitable driving style in every situation.

Anti-lock Brake System,

ABS

ABS prevents the wheels from locking when

the brakes are applied.

Not even DSC can overcome the laws of phys‐

ics.

Do not limit the additional safety afforded by

this system by taking driving risks.◀

Steering control is retained even in the event

of full braking, enhancing active road safety.

Do not deactivate DSC when driving with

a roof load

ABS is ready to operate each time the engine

is started.

Do not deactivate the Dynamic Stability Con‐

trol DSC when driving with a roof load, for ex‐

ample roof rack.

Brake assist

Otherwise, safe driving may no longer be guar‐

anteed in critical situations due to the in‐

creased height of the centre of gravity.◀

When brake is pressed quickly, this system au‐

tomatically applies maximum braking power

assistance. With full braking, this keeps the

braking distance as short as possible. It also

makes full use of the advantages offered by

ABS.

Overview

Button in the vehicle

Maintain pressure on the brake during the en‐

tire brake application.

Dynamic Stability Control,

DSC

Principle

DSC prevents the driven wheels losing traction

when you pull away from rest or accelerate.

127

Controls

Driving stability control systems

DSC OFF button

Dynamic Traction Control,

DTC

Indicator and warning lights

Principle

If indicator light is flashing: DSC is reg‐

ulating the acceleration and braking

forces.

The DTC system is a variant of the DSC opti‐

mised for forward momentum.

In particular road conditions, for example roads

on which snow has not been cleared or uncon‐

solidated ground, system ensures maximum

forward momentum but limited driving stabil‐

ity.

If indicator light is illuminated: DSC has failed.

Deactivate DSC: DSC OFF

Driving stability during acceleration and cor‐

nering is restricted if DSC is deactivated.

Maximum traction is available when Dynamic

Traction Control DTC is activated. Driving sta‐

bility is limited on accelerating and cornering.

To support the driving stability, activate DSC

as soon as possible.

Therefore, drive with the appropriate caution.

Deactivating DSC

In the following exceptional situations it may

be best to activate DTC for a short time:

Press and hold down the button – but

for no longer than approximately

10 seconds – until the DSC OFF indicator light

in the instrument cluster is illuminated and

DSC OFF is displayed.

▷

When driving in slush or on uncleared,

snow-covered roads.

If the vehicle has to be rocked out of or

started in deep snow or on a loose surface.

The DSC system is switched off.

Driving with snow chains.

Steering and, depending on equipment, chas‐

sis are tuned for dynamic driving.

Deactivating/activating Dynamic

Traction Control, DTC

Activating DSC

Activating DTC

Press the button.

The DSC OFF and DSC OFF indicator

lights are not illuminated.

TRACTION is displayed in the instru‐

ment cluster and the DSC OFF indicator light

is illuminated.

Indicator and warning lights

DSC OFF is displayed in the instrument cluster

when DSC is deactivated.

Deactivating DTC

Press the button again.

If indicator light is illuminated: DSC is

deactivated.

TRACTION and the DSC OFF indica‐

tor light no longer illuminate.

Performance Control

Performance Control increases the agility of

the vehicle.

128

Driving stability control systems

Controls

To increase manoeuvrability, with a corre‐

spondingly sporty driving style, wheels are

braked individually. The resulting braking

power is simultaneously largely compensated

by an engine intervention.

proximately walking speed and holds this as

the constant speed.

While the brakes are pressed manually, the

system switches to standby. As a result, sys‐

tem braking does not take place.

Only use HDC in low gears or in selector lever

position D or R.

xDrive

Increasing or reducing speed

xDrive is the four-wheel drive system available

in your vehicle. The combination of xDrive and

DSC further optimises traction and driving dy‐

namics. The xDrive four-wheel drive system

distributes the acceleration forces variably to

the front and rear axles based on the driving

situation and the condition of the road.

Using the rocker switch for Cruise Control on

the steering wheel, set a speed of between ap‐

proximately 6 km/h, 4 mph to approxi‐

mately 25 km/h, 15 mph. The speed of the ve‐

hicle can be changed by slightly pressing on

the gas.

Display on the Control Display

Show xDrive view

1. "Vehicle information"

2. "xDrive status"

The following information is displayed:

▷

With Navigation system: compass display

to direction of travel

▷

Press the rocker switch upwards until the

resistance point is reached: the speed is

increased in increments.

▷

Longitudinal tilt given in degrees and per‐

cent.

▷

Transverse tilt given in degrees.

Press the paddle upwards beyond the re‐

sistance point: the speed continues to in‐

crease as long as the rocker switch is

pressed.

Graphic representation to the steering an‐

gle.

▷

Press the rocker switch downwards until

the resistance point is reached: the speed

is decreased in increments.

Hill Descent Control HDC

Principle

Press the rocker switch downwards until

the resistance point is reached: when driv‐

ing forwards, the speed is reduced to ap‐

proximately 10 km/h, 6 mph. When driving

backwards, it is reduced to approximately

6 km/h, 4 mph.

The Hill Descent Control function automati‐

cally regulates the speed when driving along

steep inclines. The vehicle moves at a speed

approximately more than walking speed, with‐

out the driver braking.

HDC can be activated under approximately

35 km/h, approximately 22 mph. When driving

downhill, the vehicle reduces the speed to ap‐

129

Controls

Driving stability control systems

Activating HDC

Programs

The system provides different programs.

The progams can be selected via the Drive ex‐

perience, see page 131.

SPORT

Resolute sports regulation of the shock ab‐

sorbers for greater agility when driving.

SPORT+

Press the button. The LED above the

button is illuminated.

Resolute sports regulation of the shock ab‐

sorbers for greater agility when driving, with re‐

stricted driving stability.

Deactivating HDC

COMFORT/ECO PRO

Balanced vehicle control.

Press the button again. The LED turns

off. HDC is automatically deactivated at

speeds above approximately 60 km/h, 37 mph.

Variable sports steering

Display in the instrument cluster

The variable sports steering amplifies the

steering angle of the front wheels when the

steering wheel is fully turned, for example in

tight bends or when parking. The steering be‐

comes more direct.

The speedometer shows the se‐

lected set speed.

▷

Green: the system brakes

the vehicle.

It also varies the force required when steering,

depending on the speed.

▷

Orange: system in standby.

This enables a sports-oriented steering re‐

sponse. In addition, steering is made easier

during parking and manoeuvring.

Malfunction

A message will appear on the instrument clus‐

ter. HDC is not available, for example due to a

high brake temperature.

Servotronic

Dynamic Damper Control

Principle

The Servotronic varies the steering force re‐

quired when steering, depending on the

speed. At low speeds the steering force is

heavily supported, in other words a slight force

is needed when steering With increasing

speed the support for the steering force is re‐

duced.

Principle

The system reduces unwanted vehicle move‐

ments when a dynamic driving style is used or

on uneven roads.

Depending on the condition of the road and

the driving style, this enhances driving dynam‐

ics and driving comfort.

130

Driving stability control systems

Controls

In addition, steering force is adapted according

to drive program, giving a sporty/direct or com‐

fortable steering response.

▷

Failure of the Dynamic Stability Control

DSC.

▷

In the event of a flat tyre.

When activating Cruise Control in TRAC‐

TION or DSC OFF mode.

Drive experience switch

DSC OFF

Principle

When you select DSC OFF, see page 128,

driving stability during acceleration and corner‐

ing is restricted.

With the drive experience switch, certain prop‐

erties of the vehicle can be adjusted. Various

programs can be selected for this. Using the

drive experience button and using the DSC

OFF button, one program can be activated in

each case.

TRACTION

With TRACTION you have maximum traction

on loose surfaces. Dynamic, see page 128,

Traction Control, DTC, is activated. Driving

stability is limited on accelerating and corner‐

ing.

Overview

Button in the vehicle

SPORT+

Sporty driving with optimised chassis and

adapted engine control with restricted driving

stability.

Dynamic Traction Control is switched on.

Driver assumes part of the task of stabilising

the vehicle.

Activating SPORT+

Operation of the programs

Press the button repeatedly until

SPORT+ is displayed in the instru‐

ment cluster and the DSC OFF indicator light

is illuminated.

Press the button

Program

DSC OFF

TRACTION

Automatic program change

When activating the Cruise Control, the

SPORT mode is automatically selected.

SPORT+

SPORT

COMFORT

ECO PRO

Indicator and warning lights

SPORT+ is displayed in the instrument cluster.

Automatic program change

In the following situations, there may be an au‐

tomatic switch to COMFORT:

If indicator light DSC OFF is illumina‐

ted: Dynamic Traction Control is acti‐

vated.

▷

Failure of the Dynamic Damper Control.

131

Controls

Driving stability control systems

SPORT

ECO PRO

Resolute Sports configuration of the chassis

and engine control for greater agility when

driving, with maximum driving stability.

ECO PRO, see page 192, provides consistent

fuel consumption-reducing adjustment for

maximum range at maximum driving stability.

The program can be configured individually.

The configuration is stored for the currently

used profile.

Comfort functions and the engine control are

adjusted.

The program can be configured individually.

Activating SPORT

Activating ECO PRO

Press button until SPORT is displayed

in the instrument cluster.

Press the button until ECO PRO is

displayed in the instrument cluster.

Configuring SPORT

Configuring ECO PRO

1. Activate ECO PRO.

If the display is activated on the Control Dis‐

play, see page 132, the SPORT drive mode

can be set individually.

2. "Configure ECO PRO"

Make the desired settings.

▷

Activating SPORT.

"Configure SPORT"

Displays

Configure SPORT drive mode.

Program selection

SPORT can also be configured before it is acti‐

vated:

On pushing the button, a list of

programs that can be selected is

displayed. Depending on equip‐

ment, the list in the instrument

cluster may differ from what is

displayed.

1. "Settings"

2. "SPORT mode"

3. Configure drive mode.

This configuration is called up when the

SPORT drive mode is activated.

Selected program

COMFORT

The selected program is shown

in the instrument cluster.

For a balanced configuration with maximum

driving stability.

Activating COMFORT

Press button until COMFORT is dis‐

played in the instrument cluster.

Display on the Control Display

Program changes can be displayed on the

Control Display.

In certain situations, there is an automatic

switch into the COMFORT program, automatic

program change, see page 131.

1. "Settings"

2. "Control display"

3. "Driving mode info"

132

Driving stability control systems

Controls

Drive-off assistant

The system provides support when driving off

on upward inclines. It is not necessary to use

the parking brake for this.

1. Hold the vehicle in place by pressing the

foot brake.

2. Release the foot brake and drive off with‐

out delay.

The vehicle is held for approximately 2 sec‐

onds after the foot brake has been released.

Depending on the vehicle's load or when tow‐

ing a trailer, the vehicle may roll backwards a

little.

Drive off immediately

After releasing the foot brake, move off

swiftly, as the drive-off assistant will no longer

hold the vehicle after approximately 2 seconds

and it will start to roll back.◀

133

Controls -> Driving stability control systems for Your BMW X3 SUV Second Generation (2011-2017)

Related Topics

Controls

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals