Controls -> Driving comfort for your BMW 3 Series 2013-2019

Controls  
Driving stability control systems  
Do not deactivate DSC when driving with  
roof load  
The DSC system is switched off.  
Do not deactivate Dynamic Stability Control  
DSC when driving with roof load, e.g. roof-  
mounted luggage rack.  
Activating DSC  
Press button.  
DSC OFF and the DSC OFF indicator  
lamp go out.  
Otherwise, driving safety is not given in driv‐  
ing-critical situation due to the elevated center  
of gravity.◀  
Indicator/warning lights  
Overview  
When DSC is deactivated, DSC OFF is dis‐  
played in the instrument cluster.  
Button in the vehicle  
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC is  
deactivated.  
M Dynamic Mode MDM  
M Dynamic Mode makes it possible to drive on  
a dry roadway with high longitudinal and trans‐  
verse acceleration but with limited driving sta‐  
bility.  
Only in the absolute limit area does the system  
intervene for stabilization by reducing the en‐  
gine power and by braking interventions on the  
wheels. In this driving condition, additional  
steering corrections may be necessary.  
DSC OFF button  
Indicator/warning lights  
Limited stabilizing interventions  
The indicator lamp flashes: DSC con‐  
trols the drive and braking forces.  
When M Dynamic Mode is activated, sta‐  
bilizing interventions are carried out only to a  
reduced extent. You must react yourself; oth‐  
erwise, there is the risk of an accident.◀  
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC has  
failed.  
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC  
again as soon as possible.  
Deactivating DSC: DSC OFF  
When DSC is deactivated, driving stability is  
reduced during acceleration and when driving  
in curves.  
Activating MDM  
Press button briefly.  
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC  
again as soon as possible.  
The MDM and DSC OFF indicator lights  
on the instrument cluster light up.  
Deactivating DSC  
Press and hold this button but not longer  
than approx. 10 seconds, until the indica‐  
tor lamp for DSC OFF lights up in the instru‐  
ment cluster and displays DSC OFF.  
Deactivating MDM  
Press button.  
116  
Driving stability control systems  
Controls  
The MDM and DSC OFF indicator lights go  
out.  
Active M differential  
The concept  
Via M Drive  
On the Control Display:  
The active M differential assures continuously  
variable locking of the rear axle differential de‐  
pending on the driving situation. This prevents  
individual rear wheels from spinning even  
when DSC is switched off and in M Dynamic  
Mode, so that optimum traction is always as‐  
sured in all driving situations.  
1. "Settings"  
2. "M Drive 1" or "M Drive 2"  
3.  
Select the symbol.  
4. "MDM"  
The driver is responsible adapting his or her  
driving behavior to the situation.  
To open M Drive with the selected settings,  
press the corresponding button on the steer‐  
ing wheel:  
Adaptive M chassis  
The concept  
This system reduces undesirable vehicle mo‐  
tion when using a dynamic driving style or trav‐  
eling on uneven road surfaces.  
A message appears in the instrument cluster.  
This message is confirmed by pressing the  
button again.  
The system enhances driving dynamics and  
comfort fitting road surface and driving style.  
Deactivating MDM  
Press the appropriate button 1 or button 2 on  
the steering wheel again.  
Programs  
Setting options for calibrating the shock ab‐  
sorbers:  
M Dynamic Mode and the settings selected  
under M Drive are deactivated.  
"Comfort": comfort-oriented.  
"Sport": balanced out.  
Indicator/warning lights  
"Sport Plus": consistently sporty.  
Indicator lights light up:  
M Dynamic Mode is activated.  
Selecting a channel  
Via M Drive  
1. "Settings"  
DSC indicator lamp also flashes:  
2. "M Drive 1" or "M Drive 2"  
M Dynamic Mode controls the drive  
forces and brake forces.  
3.  
Select the symbol.  
4. Select the desired channel.  
Indicator lights light up:  
When M Drive is active, setting is immedi‐  
ately applied.  
M Dynamic Mode or DSC has failed.  
To activate M Drive with the selected settings,  
press the corresponding button on the steer‐  
ing wheel:  
117  
Controls  
Driving stability control systems  
approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin to  
roll back.◀  
Servotronic  
Using the button  
The concept  
The Servotronic varies the steering force re‐  
quired to turn the wheels in accordance with  
the vehicle speed. At low speeds, the steering  
force is strongly supported, i. e. during steer‐  
ing, low force is required. As the speed in‐  
creases, the assistance of the steering force is  
reduced.  
Furthermore, the steering force adapts accord‐  
ing to the driving program, so that a direct,  
sporty feel and/or comfortable steering is con‐  
veyed.  
Press button repeatedly until the desired  
program is displayed in the instrument  
cluster.  
Programs  
Steering force setting options:  
Display in the instrument cluster  
Adaptive M chassis with selected pro‐  
gram for the active display of driving  
dynamics system statuses, refer to  
page 83.  
"Comfort": low.  
"Sport": medium.  
"Sport Plus": high.  
Selecting a channel  
Drive-off assistant  
Via M Drive  
This system supports driving off on inclines.  
The parking brake is not required.  
On the Control Display:  
1. "Settings"  
1. Hold the vehicle in place with the foot  
brake.  
2. "M Drive 1" or "M Drive 2"  
3.  
Select the symbol.  
2. Release the foot brake and drive off with‐  
out delay.  
4. Select the desired channel.  
When M Drive is active, setting is immedi‐  
ately applied.  
After the foot brake is released, the vehicle is  
held in place for approx. 2 seconds.  
To activate M Drive with the selected settings,  
press the corresponding button on the steer‐  
ing wheel:  
Depending on the vehicle load or when a trailer  
is used, the vehicle may roll back slightly.  
Driving off without delay  
After releasing the foot brake, start driv‐  
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant  
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than  
118  
Driving stability control systems  
Controls  
Using the button  
Press button repeatedly until the desired  
program is displayed in the instrument  
cluster.  
Display in the instrument cluster  
Servotronic with selected program with  
activated display of the System states  
of the driving dynamics, refer to  
page 83.  
119  
Controls  
Driving comfort  
Driving comfort  
Overview  
Vehicle features and options  
This chapter describes all standard, country-  
specific and optional features offered with the  
series. It also describes features that are not  
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to  
the selected options or country versions. This  
also applies to safety-related functions and  
systems. The respectively applicable country  
provisions must be observed when using the  
respective features and systems.  
Buttons on the steering wheel  
Press button Function  
System on/off, interrupt  
Store speed  
Resume speed  
rocker switch: change, hold,  
store speed  
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.  
Controls  
Switching on  
Press button on the steering wheel.  
General information  
The marking in the speedometer is set to the  
current speed.  
Depending on the driving settings, the features  
of the cruise control can change in certain  
areas.  
Cruise control can be used.  
Switch off  
Hints  
Deactivated or interrupted system  
Unfavorable conditions  
With deactivated or interrupted system  
use your brakes, steering and moves as usual  
to avoid the chance of an accident.◀  
Do not use the system if unfavorable  
conditions make it impossible to drive at a con‐  
stant speed, e.g.:  
On winding roads.  
In heavy traffic.  
Press button.  
If active: press twice.  
On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or  
on a loose road surface.  
If interrupted: press once.  
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehi‐  
cle and cause an accident.◀  
The displays go out. The stored desired speed  
is deleted.  
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Driving comfort  
Controls  
This is displayed, refer to page 121, in the  
speedometer and briefly in the instrument  
cluster.  
Interrupting  
When active, press the button.  
When cruise control is maintained or stored,  
DSC Dynamic Stability Control will be turned  
on if needed.  
The system is automatically interrupted if:  
The brakes are applied.  
The clutch pedal is depressed for a few  
seconds or released while a gear is not en‐  
gaged.  
Changing the speed  
Press the rocker switch up or down repeatedly  
until the desired speed is set.  
The gear engaged is too high for the cur‐  
rent speed.  
If active, the displayed speed is stored and the  
vehicle reaches the stored speed when the  
road is clear.  
MDM is activated or DSC is deactivated.  
DSC is actively controlling stability.  
Each time the rocker switch is pressed to  
the point of resistance, the desired speed  
increases or decreases by approx.  
1 mph/1 km/h.  
Maintaining, storing, and changing the  
speed  
Hints  
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.  
Adjusting the desired speed  
Modify desired speed to road conditions  
and be ready to brake at all times; otherwise,  
there is the risk of an accident.◀  
The maximum speed that can be set de‐  
pends on the vehicle.  
Pressing the rocker switch to the resist‐  
ance point and holding it accelerates or de‐  
celerates the vehicle without requiring  
pressure on the accelerator pedal.  
Maintaining/storing the speed  
Press button.  
Or:  
After the rocker switch is released, the ve‐  
hicle maintains its final speed. Pressing the  
switch beyond the resistance point causes  
the vehicle to accelerate more rapidly.  
Resuming the desired speed  
Press button.  
The stored speed is reached and maintained.  
Displays in the instrument cluster  
Indicator lamp  
Press the rocker switch while the system is in‐  
terrupted.  
When the system is switched on, the current  
speed is maintained and stored as the desired  
speed.  
Depending on how the vehicle is equip‐  
ped, the indicator lamp in the instru‐  
121  
Controls  
Driving comfort  
ment cluster indicates whether the system is  
switched on.  
An acoustic warning is first given:  
By the front sensors and the two rear cor‐  
ner sensors at approx. 24 in/60 cm.  
Desired speed  
By the rear middle sensors at approx.  
5 ft/1.50 m.  
The marking lights up green:  
the system is active.  
To ensure full functionality:  
Do not cover sensors, e.g., with stickers,  
bicycle racks.  
The marking lights up or‐  
ange: the system has been  
interrupted.  
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.  
The marking does not light up: the system  
is switched off.  
When using high-pressure washers, do not  
spray the sensors for long periods and  
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.  
Brief status display  
Hints  
Selected desired speed.  
Personal responsibility  
Even an active system does not relieve  
the driver from personal responsibility while  
driving.  
If --- appears briefly on the display for Check  
Control messages, it is possible that the sys‐  
tem requirements are currently not ready for  
operations.  
Technically the system has its limits, it cannot  
independently react to all traffic situations.  
Monitor your driving, be on the alert, observe  
the vehicle surroundings and other traffic and  
react when needed - risk of accident.◀  
Displays in the Head-up Display  
Some system information can also be dis‐  
played in the Head-up Display.  
Avoid driving fast with PDC  
Avoid approaching an object too fast.  
PDC Park Distance Control  
Avoid driving off fast while PDC is not yet ac‐  
tive.  
The concept  
For technical reasons, the system may other‐  
wise be too late in issuing a warning.◀  
PDC is a support when parking. When you  
slowly approach an object in the rear - or also  
in the front of the vehicle if the feature is availa‐  
ble - then the object is reported through:  
Signal tones.  
Visual display.  
General information  
Ultrasound sensors in the bumpers measure  
the distances from objects.  
The maneuvering range, depending on the ob‐  
stacle and environmental conditions, is approx.  
6 ft/2 m.  
122  
Driving comfort  
Controls  
The shorter the distance to the object, the  
shorter the intervals.  
Overview  
With front PDC: button in vehicle  
If the distance to a detected object is less than  
approx. 10 in/25 cm, a continuous tone is  
sounded.  
With front PDC: if objects are located both in  
front of and behind the vehicle, an alternating  
continuous signal is sounded.  
Volume  
The volume of the PDC signal tone can be ad‐  
justed similar to the sound and volume set‐  
tings of the radio.  
PDC Park Distance Control  
Settings are stored for the profile currently in  
use.  
Switching on/off  
Visual warning  
Switching on automatically  
With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐  
tion P R.  
The approach of the vehicle to an object can  
be shown on the Control Display. Objects that  
are farther away are already displayed on the  
Control Display before a signal sounds.  
Automatic deactivation during forward  
travel  
A display appears as soon as Park Distance  
Control (PDC) is activated.  
The system switches off when a certain driving  
distance or speed is exceeded.  
The range of the sensors is represented in the  
colors green, yellow and red.  
Switch the system back on if needed.  
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐  
played, the reel can be made to PDC:  
With front PDC: switching on/off  
manually  
"Rear view camera"  
Press button.  
System limits  
On: the LED lights up.  
Off: the LED goes out.  
Limits of ultrasonic measurement  
Ultrasonic measuring might not function under  
the following circumstances:  
Display  
For small children and animals.  
For persons with certain clothing, e.g.  
coats.  
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.  
With external interference of the ultra‐  
sound, e.g. from passing vehicles or loud  
machines.  
When sensors are dirty, iced over, dam‐  
aged or out of position.  
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Controls  
Driving comfort  
Under certain weather conditions such as  
high relative humidity, rain, snowfall, ex‐  
treme heat or strong wind.  
ger present, the system is again fully func‐  
tional.  
Malfunction  
A Check Control message is displayed.  
With tow bars and trailer couplings of other  
vehicles.  
With thin or wedge-shaped objects.  
With moving objects.  
The range of the sensors is shown as a shaded  
area on the Control Display.  
PDC has failed. Have the system checked.  
To ensure full functionality:  
With elevated, protruding objects such as  
ledges or cargo.  
With objects with corners and sharp edges.  
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice.  
With objects with a fine surface structure  
such as fences.  
dimmedDo not put any stickers on sen‐  
sors.  
For objects with porous surfaces.  
When using high-pressure washers, do not  
spray the sensors for long periods and  
maintain a distance of at least 12 in/30 cm.  
Low objects already displayed, e.g., curbs, can  
move into the blind area of the sensors before  
or after a continuous tone sounds.  
Surround View  
False warnings  
PDC may issue a warning under the following  
conditions even though there is no obstacle  
within the detection range:  
The concept  
Surround View comprises various camera as‐  
sistance systems that help the driver when  
parking, maneuvering, and at complex exits  
and intersections.  
In heavy rain.  
When sensors are very dirty or covered  
with ice.  
Rearview camera, refer to page 124  
Side View, refer to page 127.  
Top View, refer to page 128.  
When sensors are covered in snow.  
On rough road surfaces.  
On uneven surfaces, such as speed  
bumps.  
In large buildings with right angles and  
smooth walls, e.g., in underground ga‐  
rages.  
Rearview camera  
The concept  
In automatic car washes.  
Through heavy pollution.  
The rearview camera provides assistance in  
parking and maneuvering backwards. The area  
behind the vehicle is shown on the Control  
Display.  
Due to other ultrasound sources, e.g.,  
sweeping machines, high pressure steam  
cleaners or neon lights.  
The malfunction is signaled by a continu‐  
ous tone alternating between the front and  
rear speakers. As soon as the malfunction  
due to other ultrasound sources is no lon‐  
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Driving comfort  
Controls  
The rearview camera image is displayed if the  
system was switched on via the iDrive.  
Hints  
Check the traffic situation as well  
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐  
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci‐  
dent could result from road users or objects  
that are not lidtured by the camera.◀  
Automatic deactivation during forward  
travel  
The system switches off when a certain driving  
distance or speed is exceeded.  
Switch the system back on if needed.  
At a glance  
Switching on/off manually  
Button in the vehicle  
Press button.  
On: the LED lights up.  
Off: the LED goes out.  
The PDC is shown on the Control Display.  
Switching the view via iDrive  
With PDC activated or Top View switched on:  
"Rear view camera"  
Rearview camera  
The rearview camera image is displayed.  
Display on the Control Display  
Functional requirement  
Camera  
The rearview camera is switched on.  
The trunk lid is fully closed.  
Activating assistance functions  
More than one assistance function can be ac‐  
tive at the same time.  
Parking aid lines  
The camera lens is located in the handle of the  
tail gate. The image quality may be impaired by  
dirt.  
"Parking aid lines"  
Lanes and turning radius are indicated.  
Obstacle marking  
Clean the camera lens, refer to page 207.  
"Obstacle marking"  
Spatially-shaped markings are displayed.  
Switching on/off  
Switching on automatically  
With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐  
tion P R.  
125  
Controls  
Driving comfort  
Pathway lines  
Obstacle marking  
Obstacle markings can be faded into the image  
of the rearview camera.  
Pathway lines can be superimposed on the  
image of the rearview camera.  
Their colored margins match the markings of  
the PDC. This simplifies estimation of the dis‐  
tance to the object shown.  
They help you to estimate how much  
space is needed when parking and maneu‐  
vering on level pavement.  
They are dependent on the current steer‐  
ing angle and are continuously adjusted to  
the steering wheel movements.  
Parking using pathway and turning  
radius lines  
1. Position the vehicle so that the turning ra‐  
dius lines lead to within the limits of the  
parking space.  
Turning circle lines  
Turning circle lines can only be superim‐  
posed on the rearview camera image to‐  
gether with pathway lines.  
2. Turn the steering wheel to the point where  
the pathway line covers the corresponding  
turning radius line.  
They show the course of the smallest pos‐  
sible turning radius on a level road.  
Only one turning radius line is displayed af‐  
ter the steering wheel is turned past a cer‐  
tain angle.  
126  
Driving comfort  
Controls  
Display settings  
Hints  
The images from both cameras are shown si‐  
multaneously on the Control Display.  
Brightness  
With the rearview camera switched on:  
Check the traffic situation as well  
1.  
Select the symbol.  
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐  
hicle on blind driveways and intersections with  
your own eyes. Otherwise, an accident could  
result from road users or objects located out‐  
side the picture area of the Side View cam‐  
eras.◀  
2. Turn the controller until the desired setting  
is reached, and press the controller.  
Contrast  
With the rearview camera switched on:  
1.  
Select the symbol.  
At a glance  
2. Turn the controller until the desired setting  
is reached, and press the controller.  
Button in the vehicle  
System limits  
Detection of objects  
Very low obstacles as well as high, protruding  
objects such as ledges may not be detected by  
the system.  
Assistance functions also take into account  
data of the PDC.  
Follow instructions in the PDC chapter, refer to  
page 122.  
Side View  
The objects displayed on the Control Display  
under certain circumstances are closer than  
they appear. Do not estimate the distance from  
the objects on the display.  
Cameras  
Side View  
The concept  
Side View provides an early look at cross traffic  
at blind driveways and intersections. Road  
users concealed by obstacles to the left and  
right of the vehicle can only be detected rela‐  
tively late from the driver's seat. To improve  
visibility, two cameras in the front of the vehi‐  
cle record the traffic situation on each side.  
Two cameras integrated in the bumpers cap‐  
ture the image.  
The two camera lenses are located on the  
sides of the bumper.  
The image quality may be impaired by dirt.  
Clean the camera lenses, refer to page 207.  
127  
Controls  
Driving comfort  
Switching on/off  
System limits  
The cameras lidture a maximum range of  
330 ft/100 m.  
Switching on/off manually  
Press button.  
Top View  
Automatic deactivation during forward  
travel  
The concept  
The system switches off when a certain driving  
distance or speed is exceeded.  
Top View provides assistance in parking and  
maneuvering. The area around the doors and  
the road area around the vehicle are shown on  
the Control Display for this purpose.  
Switch the system back on if needed.  
Display  
General information  
The traffic area to the left and right is displayed  
on the Control Display.  
The image is lidtured by two cameras  
integrated in the exterior mirrors and by the  
rearview camera.  
The range is at least 7 ft/2 m to the side and  
rear.  
In this way, obstacles up to the height of the  
exterior mirrors are detected early.  
Hints  
Check the traffic situation as well  
Guidelines at the bottom of the image show  
the position of the front of the vehicle.  
Check the traffic situation around the ve‐  
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci‐  
dent could result from road users or objects  
that are not lidtured by the camera.◀  
Brightness  
With the Side View switched on:  
Overview  
1.  
"Brightness"  
Button in the vehicle  
2. Turn the controller until the desired setting  
is reached, and press the controller.  
Contrast  
With the Side View switched on:  
1.  
"Contrast"  
2. Turn the controller until the desired setting  
is reached, and press the controller.  
Top View  
128  
Driving comfort  
Controls  
When the distance to an object is small, a red  
bar is shown in front of the vehicle, as it is in  
the PDC display.  
Cameras  
The lenses of the Top View camera are located  
at the bottom in the mirror housings. The im‐  
age quality may be impaired by dirt.  
The display appears as soon as Top View is  
activated.  
Clean the camera lenses, refer to page 207.  
When the image of the rearview camera is dis‐  
played, it is possible to reel to top view:  
Switching on/off  
"Rear view camera"  
Switching on automatically  
With the engine running, engage lever in posi‐  
tion P R.  
Brightness  
With Top View switched on:  
The Top View and PDC images are displayed if  
the system is switched on via iDrive.  
1.  
Select the symbol.  
2. Turn the controller until the desired setting  
is reached, and press the controller.  
Automatic deactivation during forward  
travel  
The system switches off when a certain driving  
distance or speed is exceeded.  
Contrast  
With Top View switched on:  
Switch the system back on if needed.  
1.  
Select the symbol.  
2. Turn the controller until the desired setting  
is reached, and press the controller.  
Switching on/off manually  
Press button.  
Displaying the turning radius and  
pathway lines  
On: the LED lights up.  
Off: the LED goes out.  
The static, red turning radius line shows  
the space needed to the side of the vehicle  
when the steering wheel is turned all the  
way.  
Top View is displayed.  
Display  
The variable, green pathway line assists  
you in assessing the amount of space ac‐  
tually needed to the side of the vehicle.  
Visual warning  
The approach of the vehicle to an object can  
be shown on the Control Display.  
The lane line depends on the engaged  
gear and the current steering angle. The  
129