traction control BMW 135I 2012 E88 Owner's Manual

At a glance
15Reference
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
1Coupe: microphone for voice activation
system
* and for telephone* in hands-free
mode
Convertible: microphone on steering col-
umn
2SOS: initiating an Emergency Request
call
*234
3Reading lamps
*98
4Coupe: glass roof, electric
*39
5Interior lamps98
6Passenger airbag status lamp91
7Control Display16
8Driving stability control systems
>Dynamic Stability Control DSC83
>Dynamic Traction Control DTC84
9Hazard warning flashers
10Central locking system32
11Automatic climate control12CD/DVD drive
*144
13Selecting AM or FM waveband
14Changing the audio and entertainment
sources
15Changing
>Radio station147
>Track155
17Controller16
Can be turned, pressed, or moved in four
directions
18Buttons on the controller17
Selecting menus directly
19Programmable memory keys21
20Switching entertainment audio sources on/
off and adjusting volume144
21Ejecting a CD/DVD
*155 Air distribution to the
windshield100
Air distribution to the upper body
area100
Air distribution to the footwell100
Automatic air distribution and flow
rate100
Cooling function101
Automatic recirculated air control
AUC and recirculated air
mode101
Maximum cooling100
ALL program101
Air volume101
Defrosting windows101
Rear window defroster101
Heated seats
*50
16Convertible: open convertible
top41
Convertible: closing the convertible
top41

Driving
66
Launch Control
Launch Control enables an optimum accelera-
tion when starting off on a road surface with
good traction.
Do not use Launch Control too often; oth-
erwise, the powerful stresses on the vehi-
cle will lead to premature component wear.<
Launch Control is ready for use when the
engine is at operating temperature, i.e. after
uninterrupted travel of at least 6.2 miles/10 km.
1.With the engine running, step on the brake
with your left foot.
2.Activate Dynamic Traction Control (DTC),
refer to page84.
3.Activate Driving dynamics control, refer to
page64.
4.With the vehicle stationary, activate the
manual mode and select 1
stgear.
5.With your right foot, push the accelerator
pedal past the resistance point. The engine
speed for pulling away is adjusted. A flag
symbol appears in the instrument cluster.
6.When you release the brake pedal, the vehi-
cle accelerates. Keep the accelerator pedal
floored.
7.The upshifting occurs automatically as long
as you keep the accelerator pedal pressed
past the resistance point.
Launch Control will be ready for use again after
you drive a certain distance.
Launch Control is not available for use during
the break-in phase, refer to page116.
To maintain driving stability, keep DSC
activated whenever possible.<
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1High beams
2Headlamp flasher
3Turn signal
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator
lamp and the turn signals indicates that
one of the turn signal bulbs has failed.<
Signaling a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for
as long as you wish to signal a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
The turn signals flash three times.
You can activate or deactivate this function.
1."Settings"
2."Lighting"
3."Triple turn signal"

Controls
83Reference
At a glance
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
Mobility
signal. Therefore, always drive cautiously; oth-
erwise, there is a risk of personal injury or prop-
erty damage.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your BMW has a number of systems that help
to maintain the vehicle's stability even in
adverse driving conditions.
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 page118.
Electronic brake-force distribution
EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Dynamic Brake Control DBC
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.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable
driving conditions, for example if the rear of the
car is about to swerve or if momentum is acting
at an angle past the front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual 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
s a f e t y m a r g i n a g a i n b y t a k i n g r i s k s , a s t h i s c o u l d
result in an accident.<
Deactivating DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds until the
indicator lamp for DSC OFF lights up and DSC
OFF is displayed in the instrument panel.
Dynamic Traction Control DTC and DSC have
been simultaneously deactivated. Stabilizing
and drive-output promoting actions are no
longer executed.
In the same way as with a differential interlock
*,
even if DSC is deactivated, brake actions are
still performed on the rear axle to enhance drive
output if the drive wheels experience a signifi-
cant loss of traction.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument panel goes out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: the DSC
controls the driving and braking forces.
If the indicator lamp lights up: DSC and
DTC have failed.
The indicator lamp lights up and
DSC OFF is displayed in the instrument
panel: DSC is deactivated.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
84
Dynamic Traction Control DTC
DTC is a version of DSC in which the drive out-
put is optimized for particular road conditions,
e.g. unplowed snow-covered roads. The sys-
tem assures the maximal drive output, but with
reduced driving stability. It is therefore neces-
sary to drive with appropriate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:
>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
Activating DTC
Press the button; the indicator lamp for DSC
OFF lights up and TRACTION is displayed in
the instrument panel.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: DTC con-
trols the driving and braking forces.
If the indicator lamp lights up: DSC and
DTC have failed.
The indicator lamp lights up and TRAC-
TION is displayed in the instrument
panel: DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again; the indicator lamp in the
instrument panel goes out.
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.
1.Hold the car in place by depressing the
brake.
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.<
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The system does not measure the actual infla-
tion pressure in the tires.
The system detects a pressure loss in a tire by
comparing the rotational speeds of the individ-
ual wheels while moving.
In the event of a pressure loss, the diameter and
therefore the rotational speed of the corre-
sponding wheel change. This is detected and
reported as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
The system must have been initialized while the
tire inflation pressure was correct; otherwise,
reliable signaling of a flat tire is not ensured.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has been cor-
rected or a wheel or tire has been changed,
reinitialize the system.
System limitations
Sudden serious tire damage caused by
external influences cannot be indicated in
advance.<
The system will not detect a natural, uniform
pressure loss in all four tires. Therefore, check
the tire inflation pressure regularly.

Wheels and tires
212
Tire identification marks
Knowledge of the labeling on the side of the tire
makes it easier to identify and choose the right
tires.
Tire size
Speed code letter
Q = up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph or 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph or 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph or 240 km/h
W = up to 167 mph or 270 km/h
Y = up to 186 mph or 300 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of
the US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding: DOT … 1011 means that the
tire was manufactured in week 10 of 2011.
BMW recommends that you replace all tires
after 6 years at most, even if some tires may last
for 10 years.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1γ) times as
well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteris-
tics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac-
teristics.< e.g.
Nominal width in mm
Aspect ratio in Ξ
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load rating,
(not on ZR tires)
Speed code letter,
(before the R on ZR tires)
225/45 R1791 V
e.g.
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire ageDOT xxxx xxx 1011

Mobility
215Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips
Communications
Navigation
Entertainment
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Special characteristics of winter tires
BMW recommends winter tires for winter roads
or at temperatures below +457/+76.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your BMW center
can supply these labels.
Storage
Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible. Always
protect tires against all contact with oil, grease
and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels between axles
BMW advises against swapping wheels
between the front and rear axles, even if all tires
have the same size, as this could impair driving
characteristics. If the tires are of mixed sizes,
swapping wheels between the axles is not per-
missible.
Snow chains*
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by BMW, classified as safe for use and
recommended. Consult your BMW center for
more information. Snow chains must be
mounted in pairs and on the rear wheels only.
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph/50 km/h with chains.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, you may find it
helpful to activate DTC temporarily, refer to
page83.<

Everything from A to Z
258 Driving through water118
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes116
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function101
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control83
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control84
– indicator lamps84
DVD
– country codes157
– settings158
– video playback157
DVD menu158
DVD player, refer to CD
player155
DVD video157
Dynamic Brake Control
DBC83
Dynamic destination
guidance140
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC83
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC84
– indicator lamps84
E
EBV Electronic brake-force
distribution83
Eject button, refer to Buttons
on the CD/DVD player144
Electrical defect
– 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch65
Electrical malfunction
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
Electronic brake-force
distribution EBV83
Electronic oil level check217
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC83
Email192Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock32
– fuel filler flap206
– glass roof40
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission61
Emergency release, trunk
lid34
Emergency Request234
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance234
Energy, saving
– saving fuel116
Engine
– breaking in116
– data242
– speed242
– starting58
– starting, Comfort Access35
– switching off58
Engine compartment217
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant219
Engine oil
– adding219
– additives219
– alternative oil types219
– approved engine oils219
– BMW Maintenance
System221
– checking level217
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements74
Engine oil level, checking217
Engine output, refer to Engine
data242
Engine speed, refer to Engine
data242
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine58
Entering the postal code for
navigation126
Entry map for destination130
Equalizer, tone setting145
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC83Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system117
Exterior mirrors51
– adjusting51
– automatic dimming
feature52
– automatic heating52
– folding in and out51
External devices
– random play sequence168
– software update172
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away236
– for tying down loads120
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control78
Failure of an electrical
consumer232
False alarm, refer to Avoiding
unintentional alarms35
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts50
Fastest route for
navigation134
Fast forward
– CD changer157
– CD player157
Filter of automatic climate
control, refer to Microfilter/
activated charcoal filter102
First aid pouch235
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock57
Flash when locking/
unlocking30
Flat tire
– run-flat tires214
– Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
Flat Tire Monitor FTM84
– indicating a flat tire85
– initializing the system85
– system limits84
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition213

Everything from A to Z
266 Tires
– age212
– air loss87
– breaking in116
– changing, refer to Changing
wheels231
– condition213
– damage213
– inflation pressure208
– labels212
– minimum tread depth213
– new tires214
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor84
– pressure monitoring, refer to
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM86
– puncture85
– retreaded214
– size212
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth213
– winter tires215
TMC station, refer to Traffic
bulletins138
Tone
– control144
– middle setting146
Tools, refer to Onboard
vehicle tool kit227
Top 50 of music
collection163
Torque, refer to Engine
data242
Tow bar237
Tow fitting236
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away236
Towing236
– car with automatic
transmission236
– methods237
– with 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch237
Towing and tow-starting236
Town/city, for navigation125
Tow rope237Tow-starting236
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor86
Track
– selecting on CD155
Traction control, refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC83
Traffic bulletins
– categories139
Traffic bulletins, filtering139
Traffic bulletins for
navigation138
– during destination
guidance140
Traffic bulletins in navigation
– screen display in the map
view139
Traffic congestion
– displaying traffic
bulletins138
– refer to Route, bypassing
segments135
Transmission
– 7-gear Sport automatic
transmission with double
clutch62
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic59
– idle position63
– Launch Control66
– manually unlocking parking
lock65
– manual transmission59
– reverse gear63
Transporting children
safely54
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo120
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread213
Trip, deleting133
Trip, storing132
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer70
Triple turn signal activation66
Trip odometer70
Trips, changing133Trunk, refer to Cargo area
Trunk lid33
– Comfort Access36
– emergency release34
– opening from outside33
– unlocking with remote
control30
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions243
Turn signal66
– indicator lamp12
Turn signals
– replacing bulbs229
– triple turn signal66
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading120
U
Underbody protection, refer to
Caring for your vehicle223
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/
UTQR212
Units
– average consumption74
Units of measure
– temperature74
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control104
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking29
Unlocking
– from inside33
– from outside29
– trunk lid36
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access35
Unlocking without a key, refer
to Comfort Access35
Updating the navigation
data124
USB audio interface166
Using contact data194